Pokemon GO: How to Beat Cliff (June 2022)

Game ZXC

Pokemon GO

By John Higgs

Published Jun 7, 2022

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Cliff's First Pokemon

Cliff's Second Pokemon

Cliff's Third Pokemon

Pokemon GO's Season of Alola has come to an end, but there are still plenty of activities for players to take on in Niantic's genre-defining ARPG. The game has grown steadily since its 2016 launch, and one of the most popular features that's been added are Team GO Rocket. The Pokemon GO version of Team Rocket are constantly making trouble at Pokestops and out in the world, but players can earn rare rewards by taking on their leaders.

One of the most dangerous of the Team GO Rocket leaders is Cliff, the big-hearted ruffian. This month, his team is a mixture of mostly Electric, Rock, and Water Pokemon, a tough line-up to counter. However, players who do manage to take him down will be rewarded with a chance to catch a rare Shadow Pokemon.

Cliff's First Pokemon

Like all the Team GO Rocket leaders, Cliff always begins the battle with the same Pokemon. In June 2022, it's Cubone, a Ground-type Pokemon with a weakness to Grass, Ice, and Water moves. Cubone is also resistant to Poison and Rock, and immune to Electric.

Counters

Zarude - Vine Whip/Power Whip
Kingler - Bubble/Crabhammer
Mamoswine - Powder Snow/Avalanche
Darmanitan - Ice Fang/Avalanche

Cliff's Second Pokemon

Cliff's second Pokemon can be either Electivire, Luxray, or Omastar. Fortunately, the three share a weakness to Ground moves.

Electivire

As a pure Electric-type, Electivire is only weak to Ground Pokemon. It's also resistant to Electric, Flying, and Steel.

Counters

Rhyperior - Mud-Slap/Earthquake
Groudon - Mud Shot/Earthquake
Garchomp - Mud Shot/Earthquake
Landorus - Mud Shot/Earth Power

Luxray

Another pure Electric-type, Luxray shares the same strengths and weaknesses as Electivire.

Counters

Rhyperior - Mud-Slap/Earthquake
Groudon - Mud Shot/Earthquake
Garchomp - Mud Shot/Earthquake
Landorus - Mud Shot/Earth Power

Omastar

Breaking the trend, Omastar is a Rock/Water-type Pokemon. Fortunately, this means it's still weak to Ground moves, as well as Electric, Fighting, and Grass. It's resistant to Fire, Flying, Ice, Normal, and Poison.

Counters

Zarude - Vine Whip/Power Whip
Rhyperior - Mud-Slap/Earthquake
Groudon - Mud Shot/Earthquake
Torterra - Razor Leaf/Frenzy Plant

Cliff's Third Pokemon

Cliff's final Pokemon is the most dangerous on his team, whether it's Swampert, Charizard, or Tyranitar. Unfortunately, the three Pokemon don't share a common weakness, so players will have to take a chance with their counter.

Swampert

As a Water/Ground-type, Swampert is only weak to Grass moves. It's also resistant to Poison, Rock, Steel, and Fire, and completely immune to Electric.

Counters

Zarude - Vine Whip/Power Whip
Tangrowth - Vine Whip/Power Whip
Torterra - Razor Leaf/Frenzy Plant
Leafeon - Razor Leaf/Leaf Blade

Charizard

The iconic Charizard is a Fire/Flying-type Pokemon, and therefore is weak to Electric, Rock, and Water moves. It's resistant to Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Grass, Ground, and Steel.

Counters

Rampardos - Smack Down/Rock Slide
Tyranitar - Smack Down/Stone Edge
Regirock - Rock Throw/Stone Edge
Rhyperior - Smack Down/Rock Wrecker

Tyranitar

Tyranitar is a Rock/Dark-type Pokemon, giving it a long list of weaknesses to Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water. It also comes with a good amount of resistances in Normal, Flying, Poison, Ghost, Fire, and Dark, as well as complete immunity to Psychic.