Boss cliff pokemon go: Pokemon Go Cliff counters February 2023: Best Pokemon to use & weaknesses

Pokemon Go Cliff counters February 2023: Best Pokemon to use & weaknesses

Cliff is a difficult opponent to take down in Pokemon Go, so we’ve put together details of his lineup, weaknesses, and best counters to help you defeat this Team Go Rocket Leader in February 2023.

After defeating six Team Go Rocket Grunts in Pokemon Go and collecting their Mysterious Components as the reward, trainers will be able to form a Rocket Radar and face off against one of Team Go Rocket’s Leaders: Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra.

These leaders are far more difficult to take down when compared to the Team Go Rocket Grunts you’ll find at PokeStops, and to make matters worse, you won’t know which set of Pokemon they’re going to send out until you enter the battle.

Article continues after ad

Here, you’ll find all the information you need to take down Cliff in the game, earn some sweet rewards, and get a chance to catch a Shadow Magnemite of your own in the process.


Contents

  • Cliff Pokemon Go counters (February 2023)
  • How to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
  • Phase 1
    • Magnemite
  • Phase 2
    • Omastar
    • Pinsir
    • Venusaur
  • Phase 3
    • Camerupt
    • Sharpedo
    • Tyranitar
  • Best team to defeat Cliff
  • How to beat Team Rocket Leaders

Niantic

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

Cliff Pokemon Go lineup & counters (February 2023)

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

As of February 1, 2023, as part of the Team Go Rocket takeover event, Cliff’s lineup has changed. Below, you’ll find all there is to know about the Pokemon he’ll use in his current lineup and how you can defeat them:

Article continues after ad

  • Phase 1: Magnemite
  • Phase 2: Omastar / Pinsir / Venusaur
  • Phase 3: Camerupt / Sharpedo / Tyranitar

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

The Pokemon Company / Niantic

Cliff will always start with Magnemite in Phase 1.

Magnemite counters

Magnemite is a dual Electric/Steel-type, which means it’s weak against Fighting, Fire, and Ground-type attacks.

Be aware that due to its typing, it has plenty of resistances, making it crucial to plan your team prior to fighting Cliff. These are: Bug, Dragon, Electric, Fairy, Flying, Grass, Ice, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, and Steel-type moves.

Article continues after ad

[Back to top]

Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 2

The Pokemon Company / Niantic

Cliff’s Phase 2 Pokemon will see Omastar, Pinsir, or Venusaur appear for battle,

Omastar counters

Omastar is a Rock/Water-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Ground-type attacks. This also means it’s resistant to Fire, Flying, Ice, Normal, and Poison-type moves.

Pinsir counters

Pinsir is a Bug-type Pokemon, which makes it weak against Fire, Flying, and Rock-type attacks. It’s resistant to Fighting, Grass, and Ground-type attacks.

Venusaur counters

Venusaur is a Grass/Poison-type Pokemon, which makes it weak against Fire, Flying, Ice, and Psychic-type attacks. It’s resistant to Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, and Water-type attacks.

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.

[Back to top]

Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 3

The Pokemon Company / Niantic

Cliff’s Phase 3 Pokemon can be either Camerupt, Sharpedo, or Tyranitar.

Camerupt counters

Camerupt is a dual Fire/Ground-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Ground and Water-type attacks. However, it does have many resistances to the following types: Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fire, Poison, and Steel.

Article continues after ad

Sharpedo counters

Sharpedo is a dual Dark/Water-type Pokemon, meaning that it has weaknesses against Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, and Grass-type attacks. Its resistances are Dark, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Psychic, Steel, and Water-type moves.

Tyranitar counters

Tyranitar is a Rock/Dark-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water.

[Back to top]

Best team to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go

The Pokemon Company / Niantic

Take down Cliff with ease by utilizing these three Pokemon in your team.

One of the best teams to defeat Cliff in Pokemon Go with his current lineup would be Chandelure, Excadrill, and Terrakion.

You’ll need a strong Fighting/Ground-type to take down Tyranitar, Sharpedo, and Omastar if Cliff sends them out, so we’ve recommended Terrakion to cover both weaknesses across the three ‘mon.

Article continues after ad

Next up, a strong Fire-type like Chandelure (a dual-type Pokemon) will help you defeat Pinsir and Venusaur. Finally, a Pokemon with Ground-type moves, such as Excadrill, is essential for taking out Magemite in Phase 1 and Camerupt if it appears in Phase 3.

While these recommendations will help give you a good chance at taking down Cliff, don’t worry too much if you don’t have any of the counters we’ve listed. Focus on the weaknesses of each of Cliff’s Pokemon, and take your strongest of those types into battle.

How to beat Team Go Rocket Leaders in Pokemon Go

As well as Cliff, there are a few other Team Go Rocket Leaders you can battle against, so check out our guides to beat Arlo, defeat Giovanni, and take down Sierra.


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 February 2023.

For all of the best tips and tricks to become the very best, make sure to check out our other guides:

Spotlight Hour guide | Current Raid Bosses | Best Pokemon in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go Spotlight Hour | Arlo counters guide | Team Rocket Grunt guide | Giovanni counters | How to get Remote Raid Passes | Sierra counters guide | How to catch a Ditto: Ditto disguises in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go shop: Items list, prices, box changes | How to get Sylveon in Pokemon Go | How to evolve Eevee in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go promo codes

Pokemon Go Leader Cliff counters, team, and weakness (February 2023)

Prepare to battle with only the best Pokémon Go Cliff counters for February 2023 and beyond

By
Josh Brown

February 3, 2023: In case you missed it, Cliff’s team has changed for the February 2023 Rocket Takeover. Check his lineup below, and come back for counters a little later in the day.

Unless you’ve got a stacked collection, you’ll want to know the best Pokemon Go Cliff counters before you take the big man on. Leader Cliff is a brute, with a team of Pokemon matching his raw strength and brawn, which makes the right strategy backed up with the right Pokemon essential to taking him down.

Advertisement

Read on to learn how to build your team to defeat Cliff’s own. Like the rest of the Team Go Rocket Leaders, Cliff changes up his team slightly with each new Rocket-focused event. Because some of his Pokemon stick around, though, some of the best counters will last for years at a time.

Table of contents

For more Pokemon Go guides, we have the same for each of the Team Go Rocket leaders, so check out our Sierra counters, Arlo counters, and the best Giovanni counters, too. He’s coming back with a new shadow legendary Pokemon you’ll want to grab before he disappears.

Pokemon Go Cliff team (February 2023)

First Pokémon Second Pokémon Third Pokémon Reward
Magnemite Pinsir, Omastar, Venusaur Tyranitar, Camerupt, Sharpedo Magnemite

For 2023, Cliff has opted to use Magnemite as his starter and battle reward. Fight through that and you’ll have to contend with either Venusaur, Pinsir, or Omastar. When he’s backed into a corner, Cliff will rely on Tyranitar, Camerupt, or Sharpedo to clutch the win.

Counters for Cliff’s first Pokemon

Magnemite

Advertisement

Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move
Rhyperior Mud-Slap Rock Wrecker
Machamp Counter Dynamic Punch
Blaziken Counter Overheat
Conkeldurr Counter Dynamic Punch

Magnemite won’t take much of a beating from Ground-type moves, and it’ll struggle to deal much damage to Ground-type Pokemon. That’s your opening. For a backup, come at it with Fighting-type Pokemon to punch through its Steel shell. Fire works, too. Just reconsider Flying-type ones like Charizard and Moltres.

Counters for Cliff’s second Pokemon

Venusaur

Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move
Mewtwo Confusion Ice Beam
Charizard Fire Spin Blast Burn
Moltres Fire Spin Brave Bird
Alakazam Psycho Cut Psychic
Glaceon Ice Shard Ice Blast
Mamoswine Powder Snow Avalanche

Being a dual Grass/Poison-type Pokemon, Venusaur neutralises a few common weaknesses between the two, and its bulk makes it tricky to push through without some strong Charged Attacks.

To deal with it, try Flying/Fire-type creatures like Moltres and Charizard, or powerful Ice-type attackers like Glaceon or Ice Beam Mewtwo.

Advertisement

Pinsir

Pinsir brings high attack to the fight, but it won’t be using many moves to upset the types you’ll want to bring to this fight.

Those Flying-type moves used against Machop will work wonders, but its potential Bug-type moves will hurt your Psychic attackers. In their place, powerful Rock-type Pokemon like Rhyperior, or Fire-type Pokemon like Charizard will work.

Omastar

We don’t know what it is about fossils that the Go Rocket leaders like so much this time, but here’s another. Omastar is a bulky Pokemon with a powerful fast move, so you’ll want to burst it down with Charged Attacks -specifically Grass-type attacks.

Abomasnow happens to be the best pick for the job here. It’ll resist most of Omastars attacks while dealing 4x damage with Grass-type moves. Venusaur works decently well with Frenzy Plant, but tried-and-true brawlers like Conkeldurr and Machamp might be in a better position to fight against the Pokemon’s speed.

Advertisement

Counters for Cliff’s third Pokemon

Tyranitar

Shadow Tyranitar is weak to Fighting, Fairy, Ground, Bug, Steel, Water and Grass-type moves. Here’s a list of Pokémon and their moves that counter Tyranitar.

Tyranitar is especially weak to Fighting-type Pokémon, making a bunch of classic raid bosses perfect Pokémon GO Cliff counters. Lucario stands out as a way to burn Cliff’s shields.

Despite being shielded, Power-up Punches will buff your Counter and shred through Tyranitar’s defences in no time. Tyranitar has a lot of other weaknesses, but we’d target Fighting-types for the added damage boost.

Sharpedo

Advertisement

Sharpedo is another fast attacker that’ll crunch right through any of the Psychic-type Pokemon you brought along for the ride. It won’t take kindly to Fighting, Electric, or Grass-types, so look there for counters.

Prime candidates would be the ever-reliable Machamp and Conkeldurr, but Lucario, Venusaur, and Raikou can stand up to it.

Camerupt

Camerupt will fall over with a single use of Earthquake in most cases. If you’re bringing a Tyranitar, Rhyperior, or Mamoswine with that especially potent charged attack, you’ll be laughing away with your Shadow Machop as soon as you see Cliff pull this one out.

Advertisement

How do I battle Cliff in Pokemon Go?

To encounter any Team Rocket Leader, you have to defeat six Rocket Grunts. Grunts can be found by interacting with black PokeStops or hot air balloons floating above you on the map.

  • Check out: How to get Kecleon in Pokemon Go

Defeat six of them to earn Mysterious Components, then combine them into a Rocket Radar. The radar will lead you to one of the elusive Rocket Leaders.

For more mobile gaming goodness, check out what we know about Peridot — Niantic’s upcoming creature game. We have a dedicated Peridot pre-order page if you’re wondering what you’ll get, and a guide on how to walk in Peridot as well.

Gfinity Esports is supported by its audience. When you purchase
through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Learn more.

Looking for specific products? Visit
Stockinformer.co.uk / stockinformer.com.

Advertisement

How to beat Cliff in Pokémon GO

Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff

Cliff can use a number of shadow Pokémon in battle and it’s not immediately clear who to beat Cliff. This guide will help you defeat him with ease. We will look at the most effective Pokémon against him. Remember that you can replay the battle with Cliff. To ensure victory, carefully select the strike group.

Contents

Cliff’s Pokémon

Cliff uses Grimer as his first Pokémon. Cliff’s second Pokémon could be Venusaur, Crobat, or Machamp. His third Pokémon could be Tyranitar, Charizard, or Arcanine.

🤜 Ludicolo — Razor Leaf and Energy Ball.

👊 Roserade – Razor Leaf with Grass Knot.

Machamp

🤜 Mewtwo — Psycho Cut with Psystrike.

👊 Lugia — Extrasensory + Sky Attack.

👊 Togekiss — Charm and Aerial Ace.

🤜 Giratina Origin — Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball.

Meowth

Meowth uses normal and dark attacks. Both types of attacks deal less damage to Fighting Pokémon. Here you can burn all the shields of the enemy.

👊 Lucario — Counter and Power Up Punch.

🤜 Blaziken — Counter with Blaze Kick.

👊 Poliwrath – Mud Shot + Power Up Punch.

🤜 Machamp — Counter and Cross Chop.

Onix

👊 Torterra – Razor Leaf + Frenzy Plant.

👊 Venusaur — Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant.

🤜 Kyogre — Waterfall with Hydro Pump.

🤜 Empoleon — Waterfall with Hydro Pump.

Sandslash

Sandslash uses earth, steel and stone strikes. You can easily defeat Sandslash with Water, Ice, and Grass Pokémon.

🤜 Swampert — Mud Shot with Hydro Cannon.

👊 Mewtwo — Psycho Cut and Ice Beam.

🤜 Regice — Lock On + Blizzard.

👊 Vaporeon — Waterfall and Aqua Tail.

Electivire

👊 Garchomp – Mud Shot and Sand Tomb.

🤜 Giratina Altered — Dragon Breath with Ancient Power.

🤜 Rhyperior — Mud Slap + Stone Edge.

👊 Giratina Origin — Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball.

Snorlax

Snorlax uses fast ghost and psychic moves, as well as dragon-type, normal-type, steel-type and ground-type super attacks. Snorlax is by far the most difficult second Cliff Pokémon, and usually causes a lot of trouble for trainers.

👊 Lucario – Counter + Power Up Punch.

🤜 Dialga — Dragon Breath with Draco Meteor.

👊 Mewtwo — Psycho Cut + Psystrike or Focus Blast.

🤜 Melmetal — Thundershock and Rock Slide.

Flygon

Flygon uses earth, dragon and stone attacks.

👊 Regice — Lock On and Blizzard.

👊 Mewtwo — Psycho Cut with Ice Beam.

🤜 Mamoswine — Powder Snow + Avalanche.

🤜 Dialga — Dragon Breath + Draco Meteor.

Tyranitar

Tyranitar uses dark and steel type fast strikes, as well as fire, stone and darkness type super attacks.

👊 Lucario – Counter + Power Up Punch.

🤜 Poliwrath — Mud Shot with Power Up Punch.

👊 Machamp — Counter and Cross Chop.

🤜 Blaziken – Counter + Blaze Kick.

👊 Swampert — Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon.

Swampert

🤜 Leafeon — Quick Attack and Leaf Blade.

👊 Roserade — Razor Leaf + Grass Knot.

🤜 Meganium – Vine Whip with Frenzy Plant.

👊 Venusaur – Vine Whip with Frenzy Plant.

Torterra

Torterra uses fast dark and grass moves as well as charged earth, grass and rock attacks. To beat this Pokemon Cliff will help the animals from the list below.

🤜 Regice — Lock On and Blizzard.

🤜 Dialga — Dragon Breath + Draco Meteor.

👊 Mamoswine – Powder Snow + Avalanche.

👊 Hydreigon — Dragon Breath with Dark Pulse.

Infernape

Infernape uses fast fire moves and has fire, grass or combat-type super attacks.

🤜 Lugia – Extrasensory with Sky Attack.

👊 Swampert – Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon.

🤜 Giratina Origin — Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball.

👊 Mewtwo — Psycho Cut + Psystrike.

How to fight against Cliff in 2021 — video review

How to defeat Cliff — Team Rocket Leader

Video clip of the battle with Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff. Who will defeat Cliff in 2021.

Review video from 2021-02-13

Battle with Cliff — video clip

Battle with Cliff — one of Team P Bosses

Video clip of the battle with Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff. How to defeat Cliff in October 2020 Cliff. How to beat Cliff in the video review.

Video guide from 2019-11-16

Cliff in a balloon — how to defeat him

Battle with Team Rocket Leader Cliff in 2020 .

Video from 2020-07-20

Follow Pokémon GO on our social media groups and YouTube channel.

Fight Team Rocket in safety.

Leader Cliff in Pokémon GO

13 Jan

To meet any of the leaders of Team Rocket, the player will need an item called Rocket Radar. Getting Rocket Radar has been a breeze lately, as Team Rocket has invaded Pokémon GO with their new balloons, and Trainers are now increasingly running into their agents. Always be on the lookout. Rocket Radar in Pokémon GO – … Continue reading →

Posted in: WikiTagged: Team Rocket, Arlo, Cliff, SierraLeave a comment Pasha Klyuev 09 Nov

Cliff can use a range of shadow Pokémon in battle, and it’s not immediately clear who to beat Cliff. This guide will help you defeat him with ease. We will look at the most effective Pokémon against him. Remember that you can replay the battle with Cliff. To ensure victory, carefully select the strike group. Cliff’s Pokémon Cliff uses Grimer as his first Pokémon. … Read more →

Posted in: Team Rocket and BossesTagged: Team Rocket, CliffLeave a comment Pasha Klyuev 30 Oct

Team P coaches, leaders and bosses have stepped out of the shadows and are ready to strike again. Therefore, you need to be fully equipped to find and defeat Cliff, Sierra, Arlo and Giovanni in Pokémon GO. Since their Pokemon teams are constantly changing, to choose the optimal strategy for fighting such opponents, use separate detailed guides, links to which … Continue reading →

Posted in: Team Rocket and BossesTagged: Team Rocket, Arlo, Giovanni, Cliff, Sierra2 comment Pasha Klyuev 08 Jul

A mysterious balloon has appeared in the sky and Team GO Rocket is the culprit. With these balloons, Team Rocket can now fight Team Rocket members anywhere on the map. Thus, if you constantly watch them in the sky, you can fight with the foot soldiers and the leaders of Team Rocket. Who knows, maybe even himself will show up … Continue reading →

Posted in: Announcements and Rumors, WikiTagged: Team Rocket, Arlo, Giovanni, Cliff , SierraComment Pasha Klyuev 06 Mar

Trainers, this weekend there will be a big comeback and global assault from Team R. Therefore, from Friday 6 to Monday March 9, 2020, Pokémon that are associated with Team GO Rocket will be more frequent appear in the wild. Also, another global invasion will take place on Saturday March 7th from 14:00 to 17:00 your local time… Continue reading →

Posted in: Spring Season, Activities and EventsTagged: Team Rocket, Absol, Arlo, Giovanni, Cliff, Mawile , Pinsir, SierraLeave a comment Pasha Klyuev 27 Oct

Professor Willow’s next report mentions a meeting with one of the leaders of Team P — Cliff. Last time, we heard from Willow that he was working on an early Rocket Radar prototype with the goal of tracking Team GO Rocket Leaders. The report is here. Today, Willow shared another report of his research, detailing their meeting with Cliff. Meeting with … Read more →

Posted in: Announcements and rumorsTagged: Team Rocket, CliffLeave a comment Pasha Klyuev 08 Oct

Professor Willow managed to decrypt corrupted files on his computer that mention new Team Rocket characters.