One of the formidable Team Go Rocket Leaders in Pokemon Go, Sierra presents a challenging battle for Trainers seeking to prove their skills. So, to make things a little easier, here are all the details regarding her lineup, weaknesses, and the best counters to use in January 2024.
In the world of Pokemon Go, Trainers can grab Mysterious Components by defeating Team Go Rocket Grunts at invaded PokeStops. Once you have six of them, you’ll be able to construct a powerful Rocket Radar, leading you straight to the Team Go Rocket Leaders.
However, unlike the Grunts, who can be taken down with relative ease, the Team Go Rocket Leaders present a far more demanding challenge. There are three in total: Cliff, Arlo, and Sierra, each boasting their own arsenal of unique Pokemon to engage in combat.
This guide is dedicated to taking down Sierra, detailing her current lineup for January 2024, along with invaluable advice on the ideal counters to swiftly secure victory.
Update: Pokemon Go recently revealed a new event called Taken Treasures will go live on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 12:00 AM local time, until Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM local time. The event will feature plenty of Shadow Pokemon, so we can expect some changes in Sierra’s lineup. We will update this guide once they are confirmed.
Contents
- Sierra Pokemon Go lineup (January 2024)
- How to beat Sierra in Pokemon Go
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Best team to defeat Sierra
- How to beat Team Rocket Leaders
Cliff, Sierra, and Arlo make up the Team Go Rocket Leaders alongside Giovanni.
Sierra Pokemon Go counters & lineup (January 2024)
Sierra’s lineup changed as part of the Team Go Rocket Takeover event that launched in October 2023. Here is her current lineup in Pokemon Go:
- Phase 1: Sableye
- Phase 2: Gardevoir / Skarmory / Muk
- Phase 3: Gyarados / Houndoom / Victreebel
Sierra’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 Sierra in Pokemon Go
To defeat Sierra in Pokemon Go, you’ll need to utilize a variety of different types to counter her. We’ve featured a mix of stronger Legendaries and more common alternatives, so there should be something here to meet every Trainer’s needs, and all of them are solid choices.
Let’s take a look at the weaknesses of all the different Pokemon that Sierra could choose to send out during your battle and which counters should be used to beat her.
Sierra Pokemon Go counters phase 1
Sierra will always start with Sableye in Phase 1.
Sableye counters
Sableye is a dual Dark/Ghost-type Pokemon, which means it’s only weak to Fairy-type attacks. It’s also resistant to Normal, Psychic, Fighting, and Poison-type moves, so we must be very careful with our pick.
Here are some of the best counters to defeat Sableye:
| Sableye Counters | ||
| Togekiss | Charm (Fast Move) & Dazzling Gleam (Charge Move) | |
| Sylveon | Charm (Fast Move) & Dazzling Gleam (Charge Move) | |
| Primarina | Charm (Fast Move) & Moonblast (Charge Move) | |
| Gardevoir | Charm (Fast Move) & Dazzling Gleam (Charge Move) | |
| Granbull | Charm (Fast Move) & Play Rough (Charge Move) | |
| Galarian Rapidash | Fairy Wind (Fast Move) & Play Rough (Charge Move) | |
Sierra Pokemon Go phase 2
Sierra can send out Gardevoir, Skarmory, or Muk in Phase 2.
Gardevoir counters
Gardevoir is a dual Psychic/Fairy-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Ghost, Poison, and Steel-type attacks and resistant to Dragon, Fighting, and Psychic-type attacks.
Here are some of the best Gardevoir counters you can use:
| Gardevoir Counters | ||
| Nihilego | Poison Jab (Fast Move) & Sludge Bomb (Charge Move) | |
| Chandelure | Hex (Fast Move) & Shadow Ball (Charge Move) | |
| Gengar | Hex (Fast Move) & Shadow Ball (Charge Move) | |
| Roserade | Poison Jab (Fast Move) & Sludge Bomb (Charge Move) | |
| Metagross | Bullet Punch (Fast Move) & Meteor Mash (Charge Move) | |
| Excadrill | Metal Claw (Fast Move) & Iron Head (Charge Move) | |
Skarmory counters
Skarmory is a dual Steel/Flying-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak to Electric and Fire-type attacks and resistant to Bug, Grass, Poison, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Ground, Normal, Psychic, and Steel-type moves. So, almost everything.
Here are some of the best Skarmory counters you can use:
| Skarmory Counters | ||
| Heatran | Fire Spin (Fast Move) & Magma Storm (Charge Move) | |
| Reshiram | Fire Fang (Fast Move) & Fusion Flare (Charge Move) | |
| Blaziken | Fire Spin (Fast Move) & Blast Burn (Charge Move) | |
| Darmanitan | Fire Fang (Fast Move) & Overheat (Charge Move) | |
| Electivire | Thunder Shock (Fast Move) & Wild Charge (Charge Move) | |
| Magnezone | Spark (Fast Move) & Wild Charge (Charge Move) | |
Muk counters
Muk is a Poison-type Pokemon, which means its only weaknesses are Ground and Psychic-type attacks and it’s resistant to Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, and Poison-type attacks.
Here are some great counters to defeat Muk:
| Muk Counters | ||
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Psystrike (Charge Move) | |
| Alakazam | Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charge Move) | |
| Metagross | Zen Headbutt (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charge Move) | |
| Garchomp | Mud Shot (Fast Move) & Earth Power (Charge Move) | |
| Groudon | Mud Shot (Fast Move) & Precipice Blades (Charge Move) | |
| Excadrill | Mud Shot (Fast Move) & Drill Run (Charge Move) | |
Sierra Pokemon Go phase 3
Sierra can send out Gyarados, Houndoom, or Victreebel in Phase 3.
Gyarados counters
Gyarados is a Water/Flying-type Pokemon, so its major weakness is Electric-type moves, although it’s also vulnerable against Rock-type attacks.
Here are some of the best Gyarados counters you can use:
| Gyarados Counters | ||
| Zekrom | Charge Beam (Fast Move) & Fusion Bolt (Charge Move) | |
| Electivire | Thunder Shock (Fast Move) & Wild Charge (Charge Move) | |
| Magnezone | Charge Beam (Fast Move) & Wild Charge (Charge Move) | |
| Rhyperior | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Wrecker (Charge Move) | |
| Rampardos | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Slide (Charge Move) | |
| Tyranitar | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Stone Edge (Charge Move) | |
Houndoom counters
Houndoom is a dual Dark/Fire-type which means it’s weak against Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water-type Pokemon. It’s resistant to Dark, Fire, Ghost, Grass, Ice, Psychic, and Steel-type attacks.
These are some of the top counters for Houndoom:
| Houndoom Counters | ||
| Terrakion | Double Kick (Fast Move) & Sacred Sword (Charge Move) | |
| Rampardos | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Slide (Charge Move) | |
| Rhyperior | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Wrecker (Charge Move) | |
| Conkeldurr | Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) | |
| Lucario | Counter (Fast Move) & Aura Sphere (Charge Move) | |
| Machamp | Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) | |
Victreebel counters
Victreebel is a Grass/Poison-type Pokemon, which means its weaknesses are Fire, Flying, Ice, and Psychic-type attacks, and it’s resistant to Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Water, and Grass-type moves.
Here are some of the best counters to defeat Victreebel:
| Victreebel Counters | ||
| Rayquaza/Mega Rayquaza | Air Strike (Fast Move) & Dragon Ascent (Charge Move) | |
| Mewtwo/Shadow Mewtwo | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psystrike (Charge Move) | |
| Alakazam/Mega Alakazam | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charge Move) | |
| Charizard/Mega Charizard | Fire Spin (Fast Move) & Blast Burn (Charge Move) | |
| Blaziken/Mega Blaziken | Fire Spin (Fast Move) & Blast Burn (Charge Move) | |
| Latios/Mega Latios | Zen Headbutt (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charge Move) | |
Best team to defeat Sierra in Pokemon Go
Having the right team is key to beating Sierra.
One of the best teams you can use when battling Sierra in Pokemon Go consists of Gardevoir, Primarina, and Electivire. Be aware that this team isn’t going to work in every scenario, so it’s more of a general recommendation that you can shake up as needed.
The most important thing you can have on your team is Fairy-type Pokemon like Gardevoir. It will help you get rid of Sableye fast, plus it also works nicely against Muk.
Then you must have a strong Water-type like Primarina, as this will be able to take down Sierra’s Gyarados and Houndoom, as well as her own Gardevoir.
Fighting Skarmory is the trickiest portion of the encounter, so you can go ahead with an Electric-type Pokemon like Electivire to take advantage of its weakness. A Fire-type Pokemon like Blaziken also works, as it’s strong against both Skarmory and Victreebel.
Our best advice is to take in two of your strongest Pokemon so you have a chance of winning through sheer force. Even if you lose, you’ll then know what Sierra’s lineup is so you can plan a better team using the counters in this guide ready for a rematch.
How to beat Team Leaders in Pokemon Go
So, there you have it. All you need to know about beating Leader Sierra in Pokemon Go in January 2024 and the best counters you need to use.