Pokémon GO enthusiasts gearing up for the May 2025 Clown Crash event need to be familiar with leader Sierra’s updated roster of Shadow Pokémon. Understanding her lineup is crucial for strategizing your approach to victory in this popular mobile game.
Your first step will involve locating Sierra, which requires the use of a Rocket Radar. To craft this item, you must defeat several Team GO Rocket Grunts to collect Mysterious Components. Once completed, the Rocket Radar will guide you to one of the three Team GO Rocket leaders randomly, including Sierra. Once you encounter her, prepare for an intense three-round battle featuring her Shadow Pokémon. This comprehensive guide aims to equip you with the necessary tactics to defeat Sierra in Pokémon GO using effective counters.
Pokémon GO: Optimal Counter Team for Sierra in May 2025

In the May 2025 battle against Sierra, there are three rounds to overcome. Initially, she will start with a single Shadow Pokémon, and the subsequent rounds will feature a selection of her powerful contenders. Being well-prepared is essential for securing a win.
1st Round |
Shadow Trapinch |
---|---|
2nd Round |
Can be one of Shadow Staraptor, Shadow Mismagius, or Shadow Ferrothorn |
3rd Round |
Can be one of Shadow Houndoom, Shadow Camerupt, or Shadow Drapion |
To emerge victorious against Sierra in Pokémon GO this May, you’ll want to deploy a well-thought-out selection of counters. Based on her available Shadow Pokémon, the following team is highly recommended: Mega Swampert, Primal Groudon, and Terrakion.
- Mega Swampert can efficiently take down Shadow Trapinch and Shadow Camerupt.
- Primal Groudon boasts Ground and Fire-type moves, making it a formidable force against Shadow Houndoom, Shadow Drapion, Shadow Ferrothorn, and Shadow Camerupt.
- Terrakion, a Legendary Pokémon, has Rock and Fighting-type attacks to defeat Shadow Staraptor, Shadow Ferrothorn, Shadow Houndoom, and Shadow Camerupt.
- All three of these counters are capable of defeating Shadow Mismagius, but for an additional edge, consider using a powerful Dark-type Pokémon such as Darkrai.
Complete List of Sierra’s Shadow Pokémon Counters for May 2025

Effective Counters for Shadow Trapinch
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Primal Kyogre |
Waterfall (Water) |
Origin Pulse (Water) (Legacy) |
White Kyurem |
Ice Fang (Ice) |
Ice Burn (Ice) |
Mega Sceptile |
Fury Cutter (Bug) |
Frenzy Plant (Grass) (Legacy) |
Mega Rayquaza |
Dragon Tail (Dragon) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
Sky Forme Shaymin |
Magical Leaf (Grass) |
Grass Knot (Grass) |
Counter Strategies for Shadow Staraptor
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
White Kyurem |
Ice Fang (Ice) |
Ice Burn (Ice) |
Mega Diancie |
Rock Throw (Rock) |
Rock Slide (Rock) |
Shadow Rhyperior |
Smack Down (Rock) |
Rock Wrecker (Rock) (Legacy) |
Mega Rayquaza |
Dragon Tail (Dragon) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
Shadow Raikou |
Thunder Shock (Electric) |
Wild Charge (Electric) |
Defense Tactics Against Shadow Mismagius
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Mega Tyranitar |
Bite (Dark) |
Brutal Swing (Dark) |
Shadow Tyranitar |
Bite (Dark) |
Brutal Swing (Dark) |
Mega Gengar |
Lick (Ghost) (Legacy) |
Shadow Ball (Ghost) |
Mega Houndoom |
Snarl (Dark) |
Foul Play (Dark) |
Mega Rayquaza |
Dragon Tail (Dragon) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
Shadow Ferrothorn Counter Techniques
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Mega Blaziken |
Fire Spin (Fire) |
Blast Burn (Fire) (Legacy) |
Mega Y Charizard |
Fire Spin (Fire) |
Blast Burn (Fire) (Legacy) |
Shadow Heatran |
Fire Spin (Fire) |
Magma Storm (Fire) (Legacy) |
Reshiram |
Fire Fang (Fire) |
Fusion Flare (Fire) (Legacy) |
Mega X Charizard |
Fire Spin (Fire) |
Blast Burn (Fire) (Legacy) |
Strategies Against Shadow Houndoom
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Primal Kyogre |
Waterfall (Water) |
Origin Pulse (Water) (Legacy) |
Primal Groudon |
Mud Shot (Ground) |
Precipice Blades (Ground) (Legacy) |
Mega Garchomp |
Mud Shot (Ground) |
Earth Power (Ground) (Legacy) |
Mega Lucario |
Force Palm (Fighting) (Legacy) |
Aura Sphere (Fighting) |
Mega Swampert |
Water Gun (Water) |
Hydro Cannon (Water) (Legacy) |
Countering Shadow Camerupt
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Primal Kyogre |
Waterfall (Water) |
Origin Pulse (Water) (Legacy) |
Mega Swampert |
Water Gun (Water) |
Hydro Cannon (Water) (Legacy) |
Shadow Kyogre |
Waterfall (Water) |
Origin Pulse (Water) (Legacy) |
Mega Blastoise |
Water Gun (Water) |
Hydro Cannon (Water) (Legacy) |
Mega Gyarados |
Waterfall (Water) |
Hydro Pump (Water) |
Countering Shadow Drapion
Pokémon |
Fast Move |
Charged Move |
---|---|---|
Primal Groudon |
Mud Shot (Ground) |
Precipice Blades (Ground) (Legacy) |
Mega Garchomp |
Mud Shot (Ground) |
Earth Power (Ground) (Legacy) |
Shadow Groudon |
Mud Shot (Ground) |
Precipice Blades (Ground) (Legacy) |
Mega Rayquaza |
Dragon Tail (Dragon) |
Dragon Ascent (Flying) |
Shadow Garchomp |
Mud Shot (Ground) |
Earth Power (Ground) (Legacy) |