Pokemon Go Cliff counters January 2024: Best Pokemon to use & weaknesses

Cliff 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 January 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.

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Team GO Rocket in Pokemon GO
Niantic

Team Go Rocket Leaders put up a good fight in Pokemon Go.

Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (January 2024)

Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff has long been a thorn in the side of Pokemon Go trainers, and that’s no different in January, where he’ll send out Shadow Zubat, followed by two of six potential Pokemon.

Here is Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go:

  • Phase 1: Zubat
  • 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 Zubat.

Zubat counters

Zubat in Pokemon Go

Zubat is a dual-type Poison/Flying weak to Psychic, Electric, Rock, and Ice-type attacks. It also has a 4x resistance to Fighting-type moves.

Here are some of the best counters for Zubat:

Zubat Counters
Mega Manectric Thunder Fang & Wild Charge
Shadow Rhyperior Smack Down & Rock Wrecker
Mega Alakazam Psycho Cut & Psychic
Shadow Weavile

Ice Shard & Avalanche

Shadow Exeggutor

Confusion & Psychic

Shadow Gardevoir

Confusion & Synchronoise

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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

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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:

Crobat Counters
Shadow Mewtwo Confusion & Psystrike
Mega Alakazam Confusion & Psychic
Shadow Rampardos Smack Down & Rock Slide
Mega Latios Zen Headbutt & Psychic
Gallade Confusion & Psychic
Gardevoir Confusion & Psychic

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

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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

So, there you have it – all you need to know about defeating Cliff in Pokemon Go and the best counters to use alongside their weaknesses in January 2024.

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