Pokemon Go Cliff counters May 2024: Best Pokemon to use & weaknesses
NianticCliff is a highly challenging opponent in Pokemon Go, so we’ve compiled all the information you need to win, including his lineup, weaknesses, and the most effective counters as of May 2024.
Taking out all six Team Go Rocket Grunts in Pokemon Go and collecting their Mysterious Components will enable you to create a Rocket Radar. This high-tech tool lets you square off against one of the feared Team Go Rocket Leaders: Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra.
But don’t be fooled. These aren’t your typical Team Go Rocket Grunts that hang around the PokeStops. These leaders pack a real punch, and their squad lineup remains a mystery until you step onto the battlefield.
So, here’s everything you need to know to take down Cliff in the game, earn some sweet rewards, and get a chance to catch a Shadow Pokemon in the process.
Contents
- Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (May 2024)
- How to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Best team to defeat Cliff
- How to beat Team Rocket Leaders
Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (May 2024)
Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff has long been a thorn in the side of Pokemon Go trainers, and that’s no different in May, where he’ll send out Shadow Machop, followed by two of six potential Pokemon.
Here is Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go:
- Phase 1: Machop
- Phase 2: Kingdra / Aerodactyl / Gallade
- Phase 3: Cradily / Crobat / Tyranitar
Cliff’s lineup changes every time there’s a Team Go Rocket Takeover. We don’t know when the next one will occur, but we’ll update this page as soon as it happens.
How to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
To take down Cliff, you’ll need to make sure you’re taking different ‘mon into battle to cover various Pokemon types. Our guide below includes a mix of rare and more accessible counters, so every Trainer should be able to stand a decent chance against him.
Let’s take a look at the weaknesses of all the Pokemon that Cliff can use in battle and the best counters to bring home the win!
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 1
Cliff will always start with Machop.
Machop counters
Machop is a Fighting-type weak to Psychic, Fairy, and Flying-type attacks. It also resists Rock, Bug and Dark-type moves.
Here are some of the best counters for Machop:
Machop Counters | ||
Shadow Mewtwo | Confusion & Psystrike | |
Rayquaza | Air Slash & Hurricane | |
Calyrex – Shadow Rider |
Confusion & Psychic | |
Mega Alakazam | Psycho Cut & Psychic | |
Shadow Weavile |
Ice Shard & Avalanche |
|
Shadow Exeggutor |
Confusion & Psychic |
|
Shadow Gardevoir |
Confusion & Synchronise |
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 2
Aerodactyl counters
Aerodactyl is a dual Rock/Flying-type Pokemon, so its weaknesses are Rock, Electric, Water, Ice, and Steel-type moves, while its resistances are Ground, Normal, Bug, Poison, Flying, and Fire-type attacks.
Here are some of the best Aerodactyl counters to use:
Aerodactyl Counters | ||
Primal Kyogre | Waterfall & Origin Pulse | |
Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch & Meteor Mash | |
Mega Swampert | Water Gun & Hydro Cannon | |
Shadow Rampardos | Smack Down & Rock Slide | |
Mega Blastoise | Water Gun & Hydro Cannon | |
Shadow Rhyperior | Smack Down & Rock Wrecker |
Kingdra counters
Kingdra is a Water/Dragon-type Pokemon, which makes it weak against Dragon and Fairy-type attacks. It’s resistant to Water and Fire-type attacks.
Here are some of the best counters for Kingdra:
Kingdra Counters | ||
Mega Rayquaza | Dragon Tail & Breaking Swipe | |
Mega Garchomp | Dragon Tail & Outrage | |
Palkia | Dragon Tail & Draco Meteor | |
Mega Salamence | Dragon Tail & Outrage | |
Mega Gardevoir | Charm & Dazzling Gleam | |
Haxorus | Dragon Tail & Breaking Swipe |
Gallade counters
Gallade is a Psychic/Fighting-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Fairy, Flying, and Ghost-type attacks and resistant to Fighting and Rock-type attacks.
Here are some of the best Gallade counters to use:
Gallade Counters | ||
Gengar | Shadow Claw & Shadow Ball | |
Chandelure | Hex & Shadow Ball | |
Staraptor | Wing Attack & Brave Bird | |
Honchkrow | Peck & Brave Bird | |
Gardevoir | Charm & Dazzling Gleam | |
Togekiss | Charm & Dazzling Gleam |
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 3
Cradily counters
Cradily is a dual Rock/Grass-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Fighting, Bug, Ice, and Steel-type attacks. On the other hand, it’s resistant to Normal and Electric attacks.
Here are some of the best Cradily counters you can use:
Cradily Counters | ||
Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch & Meteor Mash | |
Mega Blaziken | Counter & Focus Blast | |
Terrakion | Double Kick & Sacred Sword | |
Shadow Mamoswine | Powder Snow & Avalanche | |
Keldeo | Low Kick & Sacred Sword | |
Lucario | Counter & Aura Sphere |
Crobat counters
Crobat is a dual Poison/Flying-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Psychic, Electric, Rock, and Ice-type attacks. Meanwhile, it’s resistant to Poison, Grass, Fighting, and Bug and immune to Ground-type moves.
Here are some of the best Crobat counters for your team:
Tyranitar counters
Tyranitar is a Dark/Rock-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water-type attacks.
Here are some of the best Tyranitar counters to use:
Tyranitar Counters | ||
Conkeldurr |
Counter & Dynamic Punch |
|
Lucario |
Counter & Aura Sphere |
|
Breloom |
Counter & Dynamic Punch |
|
Alakazam |
Counter & Focus Blast |
|
Machamp |
Counter & Dynamic Punch |
|
Kartana |
Razor Leaf & Leaf Blade |
Best team to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
One of the best teams to defeat Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go consists of Haxorus, Lucario, and Metagross.
The most important thing to have on your team is Metagross because the Pokemon counters several creatures on Cliff’s team.
Remember that if you lose against Cliff, you’ll be able to rematch him as many times as you need until you win. This is ideal when he throws out something you’re not prepared for, as you can rework your team before heading back into battle.
How to beat Team Go Rocket Leaders in Pokemon Go
As well as Cliff, there are a few other Team Go Rocket Leaders you can battle against, so check out our guides to beat Arlo, take down Sierra, and defeat Giovanni.
So, there you have it. That’s all you need to know about defeating Cliff in Pokemon Go and the best counters to use alongside their weaknesses in May 2024.
For all of the best tips and tricks to become the very best, make sure to check out our other guides:
Spotlight Hour guide | Current Raid Bosses | How to get Chatot in Pokemon Go and can it be Shiny? | Best Pokemon in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go Spotlight Hour