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.
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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:
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- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Leader Cliff in Pokémon GO
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