Let’s be honest. We’ve all been there—standing on a street corner, staring at a phone screen while a Grunt-level leader absolutely shreds your best Master League team. It’s annoying. Cliff is usually the culprit because he doesn't just bring power; he brings high-stat shadows that can fast-attack you into oblivion before you even sniff a Charged Move. If you’re hunting that shiny shadow or just trying to clear the "A Shadowy Disturbance" research, you need a plan that isn't just "throw my highest CP Tyranitar at it."
The Pokemon Go Cliff team lineup shifts every few months whenever Niantic decides to refresh the Team GO Rocket roster. Usually, this happens during a Team GO Rocket Takeover event. Right now, Cliff is leading with a Shadow Lileep, which is a weird little fossil that can actually be a pain if you aren't prepared for its Grass/Rock typing. But the real danger isn't the lead; it's the backline. He’s got heavy hitters like Tyranitar, Metagross, or even Kingdra waiting to ruin your day.
Why Cliff is Harder Than the Other Leaders
Arlo and Sierra have their moments, sure. But Cliff feels different. He’s the tank. His Pokemon generally have higher bulk or punishing fast moves that force you to burn shields early. If you enter the fight with the wrong lead, you're basically toast.
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The trick to any Rocket Leader fight isn't just having high-level monsters. It’s about the "stun." Every time you use a Charged Move or swap your Pokemon, the AI freezes for about two to three seconds. That is your window. If you aren't exploiting those two seconds, you're playing the game on hard mode for no reason. Expert players call this "turn denial," and against a shadow powerhouse, it's the difference between a win and a total wipeout.
Breaking Down the Current Lineup
Cliff starts with Shadow Lileep. It’s a Rock/Grass type. This is tricky because people see "Grass" and think Fire, but the "Rock" part makes Fire-type moves neutral at best. You want Fighting, Ice, or Steel here. Honestly, a strong Lucario or Melmetal is your best friend.
The Second Slot Choices
Once you get past the fossil, Cliff rotates through three possible options. Usually, it’s something like Aerodactyl, Kingdra, or Gallade.
- Aerodactyl is a nightmare. It hits incredibly hard with Rock Throw. You need something that resists Rock—think Metagross or a beefy Swampert with Hydro Cannon.
- Kingdra is a different beast. Being Water/Dragon, it only fears Fairy and Dragon. If you bring a Dragon, though, Kingdra might hit you with a Dragon Breath and take you down with it. A bulky Fairy-type like Sylveon or Togekiss is the "safe" play here.
- Gallade uses Confusion or Low Kick. If it has Confusion, your Fighting types will melt. This is where a Ghost or Flying type comes in handy.
The Final Bosses
The third slot is where the real "Pokemon Go Cliff team" terror lives. You might face Tyranitar, Mamoswine, or Cradily.
- Tyranitar is a double-weakness victim. Fighting moves do 1.56x damage. Lucario with Power-Up Punch is the gold standard because it breaks shields and buffs your attack at the same time.
- Mamoswine is a glass cannon but hits like a truck. Fire, Water, or Fighting will work, but you have to be fast.
- Cradily is just annoying. Like Lileep, it’s Rock/Grass. Use a strong Steel type like Metagross to resist its moves while chipping away.
The Strategy That Actually Works
Don't lead with your actual counter. This is the biggest mistake people make. Start with your second Pokemon, then immediately swap to your primary counter as soon as the "GO!" disappears. This triggers the two-second AI stun right at the start of the match. It gives you a head start on energy generation.
Energy management is everything. You want moves that charge fast. We're talking "spammy" moves. Mud Shot, Psycho Cut, and Counter are the elite fast moves here. For Charged Moves, you want things like Cross Chop, Power-Up Punch, or Leaf Blade. The goal isn't just to do damage; it's to force Cliff to use his two shields as quickly as possible. Once his shields are gone, the AI becomes much easier to manage.
I’ve seen people try to use their "best" Pokemon, like a 4000 CP Slaking. Please, don't do that. Slaking is useless in Rocket battles because Yawn generates zero pressure. You want "shield pressure."
Best Counters to Keep in Your Pocket
If you want a "set it and forget it" team for the Pokemon Go Cliff team challenge, look at these three:
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1. Lucario (Counter + Power-Up Punch/Aura Sphere)
Lucario is the MVP against Cliff. Power-Up Punch increases your Attack stat every time you use it, even if Cliff shields. By the time you get to his third Pokemon, Lucario is hitting so hard that even neutral hits feel like truck impacts.
2. Swampert (Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon)
Swampert is arguably the best "spam" Pokemon in the game. Mud Shot generates energy at a ridiculous rate. You can usually get off two Hydro Cannons before Cliff even gets to his first Charged Move. It’s great for burning shields and dealing neutral damage to almost everything Cliff owns.
3. Melmetal (Thunder Shock + Rock Slide/Superpower)
Since most players can get a Meltan Box for free via Pokemon HOME, Melmetal is the most accessible legendary-tier counter. It’s a Steel type, meaning it resists almost everything. Rock Slide handles the flyers, and Superpower deletes Tyranitar or Mamoswine. Just remember that Superpower debuffs your own Defense, so you have to time it right or swap out after using it.
The Secret of Shadow Bonus
Keep in mind that Cliff’s Pokemon are Shadows. They have a 20% attack boost but a 20% defense penalty. This means the battle is a race. You cannot win a war of attrition against a Shadow Tyranitar. You have to out-speed it. If you find yourself losing, look at the fast move Cliff is using. If his Aerodactyl is using Steel Wing and shredding your Tyranitar, you need to switch to something like Magnezone or Melmetal that resists Steel.
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There’s a nuance to the "typing" that the game doesn't always explain well. A Pokemon’s typing matters, but the move's typing is what actually kills you. Pay attention to the animation of the fast move. Is it a bunch of leaves? Grass. Is it bubbles? Water. Adjust your team accordingly.
Real-World Example: Handling the "Hard" Lineup
Let's say you run into the worst-case scenario: Lileep, Kingdra, and Tyranitar.
You start with Melmetal. Immediately swap to Lucario. Lucario starts punching. You use Power-Up Punch twice. Lileep is gone, and Cliff has used both shields. Now Kingdra comes in. Lucario might die here, and that’s okay. Bring in a Fairy type or even your Melmetal. If you have a Sylveon, Kingdra will go down fast. Finally, Tyranitar comes out. If you still have a Fighting type or even a high-damage Water type, Tyranitar's double weakness to Fighting will end the match in seconds.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Encounter
To consistently beat Cliff without burning through your Max Revives, follow this checklist:
- Check the lineup. If you lose the first time, don't just hit "Rematch" with the same team. Note down what he used in slots two and three. They stay the same for that specific Rocket stop for the whole day.
- Equip "Spammy" moves. Go to your bag and use those TMs. If your Swampert has Earthquake, it's too slow. You need Hydro Cannon or Surf.
- The Swap Trick. Always swap your Pokemon at the very start of the fight to get those free hits during the AI lag.
- Save your shields. Don't shield the first move if your Pokemon is tanky enough to take it. Save them for your "closer"—the Pokemon you need alive to finish off his third monster.
- Focus on the "Lead." If you can beat his first Pokemon while keeping your first Pokemon at half health or better, you’ve basically won.
Cliff isn't unbeatable. He just requires more thought than a standard Grunt. Once you have a Lucario or a Melmetal with the right moves, you’ll stop fearing the big guy and start looking forward to that Shadow shiny check.
Next Steps for Success:
Go to your Pokemon storage and filter by "Fighting" and "Steel." Check if your Lucario, Machamp, or Melmetal have the fastest-charging moves available. If you don't have a Lucario, start walking a Riolu or trading for one, as it is the single most important investment you can make for Team GO Rocket battles. Once your team is prepped with low-energy Charged Moves, head out and find a Rocket Cliff to practice the "start-of-battle swap" technique. It will save you more potions than any other tactic in the game.