Cliff is back. If you’ve been wandering around PokéStops lately or checking your radar, you know the Team GO Rocket leaders just went through another lineup shift. Dealing with Pokemon Go Cliff February 2025 is a bit of a headache compared to previous months because his opening Pokémon isn't just a "free win" anymore. You can't just mash your screen with a high-CP Mewtwo and expect to walk away without a scratch. Honestly, if you aren't careful with your shields during that first encounter, his back-line heavy hitters will absolutely steamroll your team before you even see his third Pokémon.
It’s frustrating. We've all been there where a single Charged Attack from an overpowered Shadow Tyranitar wipes out your last Pokémon.
The current February rotation follows the "Taken Treasures" or seasonal Rocket takeover patterns we’ve seen recently. Since we are firmly into 2025, the power creep on Shadow Pokémon is real. Cliff is currently leading with Shadow Lileep. Now, don't laugh. Lileep might look like a goofy little plant-thing, but as a Rock/Grass type, it has some annoying resistances that can trap you if you bring the wrong lead.
What’s Inside Cliff’s February 2025 Lineup?
You need to know what you’re walking into. Cliff’s team is split into three phases. The first is always set, but the second and third slots are a gamble. You sort of have to play scout sometimes—go in, see what he has, lose on purpose (or quit), and then re-challenge him with a custom-built counter team.
For the first slot, you’re looking at Shadow Lileep. It’s weak to Bug, Ice, Fighting, and Steel. Most people make the mistake of bringing a Fire-type because they see "Grass," but Lileep’s Rock typing will actually make that a neutral or losing trade depending on the fast moves.
In the second slot, things get spicy. He can pull out Shadow Skarmory, Shadow Kingdra, or Shadow Marowak. This is where most runs die. If you brought a Grass-type to handle a potential Water-type and he drops Skarmory, you're done. Skarmory is a Steel/Flying nightmare that resists almost everything you’d typically use against a Rocket Leader lead. Kingdra is even worse because its Dragon/Water typing means it only fears Fairy and Dragon moves.
The final slot? The big guns. We’re talking Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Cradily, or Shadow Mamoswine. If you get Tyranitar, you’re actually in luck because it has a massive double weakness to Fighting. But if he brings out Mamoswine and you’re down to your last Dragonite, it’s game over.
Breaking Down the Shadow Lileep Strategy
Let's talk about Lileep. It’s the gatekeeper for Pokemon Go Cliff February 2025. To beat Cliff efficiently, you have to exploit the AI's "stun" mechanic. Every time you use a Charged Attack or swap your Pokémon, the Rocket Leader stops attacking for about two seconds.
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You need a "Shield Breaker."
Lucario is king here. If you have a Lucario with Power-Up Punch, use it. Even if Power-Up Punch doesn't do massive damage, it’s fast. It forces Cliff to use his two shields early. Plus, every time you use it, Lucario’s attack stat goes up. By the time Lileep is down, you have a buffed-up Lucario ready to spam moves against whatever comes next.
If you don't have a Lucario, Melmetal with Rock Slide or Superpower is a solid alternative. It’s tanky. It builds energy like a beast.
Dealing with the Slot Two Wildcards
Let's say you get past Lileep. Now you're facing one of the three mid-tier threats.
If it's Skarmory, you need Electric or Fire. Magnezone is a budget-friendly pick that absolutely shreds Skarmory with Wild Charge. Just watch out for the defense drop.
If it's Kingdra, you're in for a slog. Dragon Breath hits hard. Your best bet is a Fairy-type like Sylveon or Togekiss. Charm will melt Kingdra's HP, but keep in mind that Fairy types don't generate energy very fast.
If it's Marowak, just use a strong Water or Ghost type. Swampert with Hydro Cannon is the gold standard for Rocket battles for a reason. It’s fast, it’s spammy, and it hits like a truck.
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The Heavy Hitters: Tyranitar and Mamoswine
The end of the fight is usually a race against time. Shadow Tyranitar is intimidating but fragile. A single Counter or Aura Sphere from a Fighting-type will delete it. This is why keeping your lead Fighting-type alive is so vital.
Shadow Mamoswine is a different beast. It hits incredibly hard with Mud-Slap or Powder Snow. If you see Mamoswine, you need to swap to a Steel or Water type immediately. Kyogre or Metagross work wonders here.
And then there's Cradily. It’s basically a beefed-up version of Lileep. It’s annoying, it’s tanky, and it will try to outlast you. Use your remaining shields here. Don't save them. There's no point in having a shield left if your last Pokémon gets knocked out by a Grass Knot.
The Best "Generalist" Team for February
If you don't want to keep switching teams, try this lineup:
- Lucario (Counter + Power-Up Punch/Aura Sphere)
- Kyogre (Waterfall + Surf/Origin Pulse)
- Magnezone (Spark + Wild Charge/Mirror Shot)
This covers almost every possibility Cliff can throw at you. Lucario handles the shields and Lileep. Kyogre handles Marowak, Tyranitar, and Mamoswine. Magnezone deals with Skarmory and provides extra coverage against Kingdra if needed.
Why is Cliff Harder This Month?
Honestly, it's the move pools. Niantic has been giving Shadow Pokémon better fast moves lately. It used to be that you could just "tank" the fast moves while you farmed energy. Now, if you're going up against a Shadow Kingdra with Dragon Breath, your HP bar will turn red before you even get to your first move.
You have to be smarter about the "Swap Trick."
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Don't start the battle with your best counter in the first slot. Start with a different Pokémon, and as soon as the battle begins, swap to your actual lead. This triggers the three-second AI stun, giving you three or four "free" hits. In high-level Rocket battles, those four hits are often the difference between winning and needing a Max Revive.
What Most Players Get Wrong
People over-prioritize CP. They see a 4000 CP Slaking and think it’ll crush Cliff. It won't. In Rocket battles, Type Effectiveness and Energy Generation are the only things that matter. A 2500 CP Lucario is ten times more valuable than a 4500 CP Slaking because Slaking has zero pressure.
Another mistake? Not using your shields. I see players trying to "save" shields for the third Pokémon. Don't do that. If your lead Pokémon dies with two shields in your pocket, you’ve failed the encounter. Use your shields to keep your energy-generating machine alive as long as possible.
Technical Details: The Rewards
Why bother with Cliff anyway? In February 2025, the reward for defeating him is a chance at a Shiny Shadow Lileep. While Lileep isn't a top-tier raid attacker, Shadow Cradily has some niche uses in the Great League and Ultra League of the GO Battle League. It’s a "spice" pick that can catch people off guard because of its unique typing.
Plus, you get the 12km Strange Egg. These are still the only way to get Larvitar, Pawniard, Vullaby, and Salandit (and that elusive female Salandit for Salazzle).
Your Actionable Checklist for Cliff
To wrap this up and get you back into the game, here is exactly how you should approach your next Cliff encounter:
- Lead with a spammy Fighting-type. Lucario is best, Machamp with Cross Chop is a close second.
- Burn his shields immediately. Don't go for big moves first. Go for the fast, low-energy moves to get his shields out of the way.
- Abuse the stun. Swap your Pokémon immediately at the start of the match to get those few seconds of free damage.
- Check the second slot. If you lose, look at what he had in that middle position and adjust your second Pokémon accordingly (Electric for Skarmory, Fairy for Kingdra).
- Save a heavy hitter for the end. Even if it’s just a high-level Swampert or Metagross, you need something that can take a hit and dish one out.
The Pokemon Go Cliff February 2025 rotation is manageable, but it's not a walk in the park. Stick to the typing advantages, don't get greedy with your shields, and you'll have that Shadow Lileep caught in no time. Good luck out there, and watch out for those Sierra and Arlo lineups too—they’re just as tricky this month.