As we step into April 2025, the presence of Pokemon GO Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff continues to challenge trainers with his unchanged roster of Shadow Pokémon. Though his lineup remains the same as the previous month, players must utilize deep meta-knowledge and strategic planning to achieve victory. Understanding Cliff’s Shadow Pokémon is essential for formulating effective counters to advance in battles.
To encounter Cliff, players need a Rocket Radar, which can be assembled using six Mysterious Components. These components can be collected by battling and defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts. Once you find Cliff, it is crucial to have the right counters prepared, tailored specifically for his Shadow Pokémon lineup. This comprehensive guide will help you secure a win against Cliff in April 2025.
The Rocket Radar is designed to lead you to any of the three Team GO Rocket Leaders: Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra.
Strategies to Defeat Cliff in Pokémon GO (April 2025)

To achieve victory against Cliff in April 2025, it’s vital to identify the Shadows in his roster and select the appropriate counters. Cliff engages players in three battle rounds, starting with a fixed Pokémon in the first round. For the subsequent two rounds, he has three potential Pokémon to choose from, making it imperative to craft a well-rounded strategy that covers the entire lineup.
Cliff’s Shadow Pokémon for April 2025
Round |
Pokémon |
---|---|
1st Round |
Shadow Cubone |
2nd Round |
|
3rd Round |
|
Notably, Cliff’s Shadow Pokémon typically exhibit weaknesses to Fairy and Ice-type moves. Accordingly, trainers should prioritize top Pokémon such as Mamoswine, Xerneas, and Mewtwo for optimal counters in April 2025. If these Pokémon are unavailable, consider alternatives with comparable strengths.
Utilizing Mamoswine is excellent for exploiting Shadow Cubone’s vulnerability to Ice-type attacks. Furthermore, Mamoswine can be effective against both Marowak and Crobat later in the battle. All of Cliff’s Shadow Pokémon, aside from the aforementioned, are susceptible to Fairy-type moves.
In the face of Shadow Annihilape, Machoke, Tyranitar, and Machamp, Xerneas proves invaluable given its Fairy-type advantages. Meanwhile, Psychic-type Mewtwo can be used strategically against Annihilape, Machoke, Machamp, and Crobat as well.
Complete Counter List for Cliff’s Shadow Pokémon in April 2025
To effectively defeat Pokemon GO Team GO Rocket leader Cliff, familiarizing yourself with his Shadow Pokémon meta is crucial. Each Shadow Pokémon has specific weaknesses that can be exploited. Below is a list of Cliff’s Shadow Pokémon along with their respective counters, allowing you to curate an effective battle roster.
Shadow Cubone
- Type: Ground
- Weakness: Grass, Ice, and Water-type moves
- Resistance: Poison, Rock, and Electric-type moves
Best Counters for Shadow Cubone
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Primal Kyogre |
Waterfall (Water) |
Origin Pulse (Water) (Legacy) |
Mega Sceptile |
Fury Cutter (Bug) |
Frenzy Plant (Grass) (Legacy) |
Mega Rayquaza |
Dragon Tail (Dragon) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
White Kyurem |
Ice Fang (Ice) |
Ice Burn (Ice) |
Sky Forme Shaymin |
Magical Leaf (Grass) |
Grass Knot (Grass) |
Shadow Machoke
- Type: Fighting
- Weakness: Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type moves
- Resistance: Bug, Dark, and Rock-type moves
Best Counters for Shadow Machoke
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Mega Rayquaza |
Air Slash (Flying) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
Shadow Mewtwo |
Confusion (Psychic) |
Psystrike (Psychic) (Legacy) |
Mega Gardevoir |
Confusion (Psychic) |
Psychic (Psychic) |
Mega Alakazam |
Confusion (Psychic) |
Psychic (Psychic) (Legacy) |
Dawn Wings Necrozma |
Psycho Cut (Psychic) |
Moongeist Beam (Ghost) |
Shadow Marowak
- Type: Ground
- Weaknesses: Grass, Ice, and Water-type moves
- Resistances: Poison, Rock, and Electric-type moves
Best Counters for Shadow Marowak
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Primal Kyogre |
Waterfall (Water) |
Origin Pulse (Water) (Legacy) |
Mega Sceptile |
Fury Cutter (Bug) |
Frenzy Plant (Grass) (Legacy) |
White Kyurem |
Ice Fang (Ice) |
Ice Burn (Ice) |
Mega Rayquaza |
Dragon Tail (Dragon) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
Mega Swampert |
Water Gun (Water) |
Hydro Cannon (Water) (Legacy) |
Shadow Annihilape
- Type: Fighting and Ghost
- Weakness: Fairy, Flying, Ghost, and Psychic-type moves
- Resistance: Poison, Rock, Bug, Fighting, Normal-type moves
Best Counters for Shadow Annihilape
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Mega Rayquaza |
Air Slash (Flying) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
Dawn Wings Necrozma |
Psycho Cut (Psychic) |
Moongeist Beam (Ghost) |
Shadow Mewtwo |
Confusion (Psychic) |
Psystrike (Psychic) (Legacy) |
Mega Gengar |
Lick (Ghost) (Legacy) |
Shadow Ball (Ghost) |
Rayquaza |
Air Slash (Flying) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
Shadow Tyranitar
- Type: Rock and Dark
- Weaknesses: Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Ground, Water, Steel, and Grass-type moves
- Resistance: Psychic, Dark, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Normal, and Poison-type moves
Best Counters for Shadow Tyranitar
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Mega Lucario |
Force Palm (Fighting) (Legacy) |
Aura Sphere (Fighting) |
Terrakion |
Double Kick (Fighting) |
Sacred Sword (Fighting) (Legacy) |
Mega Blaziken |
Counter (Fighting) |
Focus Blast (Fighting) |
Ordinary Forme Keldeo |
Low Kick (Fighting) |
Sacred Sword (Fighting) (Legacy) |
Shadow Conkeldurr |
Counter (Fighting) |
Dynamic Punch (Fighting) |
Shadow Machamp
- Type: Fighting
- Weakness: Flying, Fairy, and Psychic-type moves
- Resistance: Rock, Dark, and Bug-type moves
Best Counters for Shadow Machamp
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Mega Rayquaza |
Air Slash (Flying) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
Shadow Mewtwo |
Psycho Cut (Psychic) |
Psystrike (Psychic) (Legacy) |
Mega Alakazam |
Confusion (Psychic) |
Psychic (Psychic) (Legacy) |
Mega Gallade |
Confusion (Psychic) |
Psychic (Psychic) |
Mega Gardevoir |
Confusion (Psychic) |
Psychic (Psychic) |
Shadow Crobat
- Type: Poison and Flying
- Weakness: Electric, Ice, Psychic, and Rock-type moves
- Resistance: Fairy, Ground, Poison, Bug, Fighting, and Grass-type moves
Best Counters for Shadow Crobat
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Shadow Mewtwo |
Psycho Cut (Psychic) |
Psystrike (Psychic) (Legacy) |
White Kyurem |
Ice Fang (Ice) |
Ice Burn (Ice) |
Shadow Rhyperior |
Smack Down (Rock) |
Rock Wrecker (Rock) (Legacy) |
Mega Alakazam |
Confusion (Psychic) |
Psychic (Psychic) (Legacy) |
Mega Tyranitar |
Smack Down (Rock) (Legacy) |
Stone Edge (Rock) |