Even as the calendar flips to May, controversy never seems to be too far away from Pokemon GO. Things started earlier in April after Niantic announced price increases to Remote Raid Passes as well as how often they could be used per day. Naturally, these changes frustrated the community, with many boycotting the game outright. In fact, new rumors seem to indicate that the protests and boycotts have seen raid participation and monthly revenue plummet, something Niantic has recently denied.
Alongside the controversy, Niantic continues to keep Pokemon GO updated with new content including Limited Time Events like the upcoming Community Day. In addition to longer term content, Pokemon GO continues to bring daily content changes like the constant invasions by Team GO Rocket. Featuring shadow versions of popular Pokemon, players also have opportunities to capture some rarer Pokemon when Leader Giovanni and his leaders arrive after collecting Rocket Radars.
While the Team GO Rocket leaders typically provide a bit more challenge than the basic grunts, players need to stay on their toes as each month, they get a complete lineup refresh each month. To help get an edge, here is everything that players can expect from Sierra during May 2023 in Pokemon GO.
Sierra's First Pokemon
In May 2023, Sierra's lead Pokemon is the dual Dark/Flying type, Murkrow. As such, players will want to avoid Dark, Ghost, Grass, Ground, and Psychic-type attacks as Murkrow resists them. Instead, players will want to focus on bringing Pokemon with Electric, Fairy, Ice, and Rock-type moves. Here are the best options (though not the only possible ones) for dealing with Murkrow:
- Togekiss with Charm fast attack and Ancient Power for the Charged Attack.
- Aggron with Smack Down fast attack and Stone Edge for the Charged Attack.
- Xurkitree with Thunder Shock fast attack and Discharge for the Charged Attack.
- Tyranitar with Smack Down fast attack and Stone Edge for the Charged Attack.
- Rampardos with Smack Down fast attack and Rock Slide for the Charged Attack.
Sierra's Second Pokemon
Round 2 has one of three possible options. For May 2023, players could see either Steelix, Swampert, or Staraptor. Here's how players can be ready for all possibilities.
Steelix
Another dual type, Steelix combines Ground and Steel together. This makes Steelix weak to Fighting, Fire, Ground, and Water-type attacks. Here are some great options:
- Rhyperior with Mud Slap fast attack and Rock Wrecker or Surf for the Charged Attack.
- Swampert with Mud Shot fast attack and Hydro Cannon for the Charged Attack.
- Charizard with Fire Spin fast attack and Blast Burn for the Charged Attack.
- Kyogre with Waterfall fast attack and Surf or Blizzard for the Charged Attack.
- Terrakion with Double Kick fast attack and Sacred Sword for the Charged Attack.
Swampert
Another ground type, Swampert also mixes in water as the secondary type. Therefore, the best options to go with are Pokemon with Grass type attacks.
- Venusaur with Razor Leaf fast attack and Frenzy Plant for the Charged Attack
- Roserade with Razor Leaf fast attack and Solar Beam for the Charged Attack.
- Sceptile with Bullet Seed fast attack and Leaf Blade for the Charged Attack.
- Kartana with Razor Leaf fast attack and Leaf Blade for the Charged Attack
- Torterra with Razor Leaf fast attack and Frenzy Plant for the Charged Attack.
Staraptor
The final second round option is the Normal and Flying type Staraptor. Players should focus on using Electric, Ice, or Rock-type attacks, while avoiding Bug, Grass, Ghost, and Ground attacks.
- Aggron with Smack Down fast attack and Stone Edge for the Charged Attack.
- Xurkitree with Thunder Shock fast attack and Discharge for the Charged Attack.
- Tyranitar with Smack Down fast attack and Stone Edge for the Charged Attack.
- Rampardos with Smack Down fast attack and Rock Slide for the Charged Attack.
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow fast attack and Avalanche or High Horsepower for the Charged Attack.
Sierra's Final Pokemon
Once more, Sierra's final Pokemon can be any one of the following three options.
Dragonite
First up is the Flying and Dragon type, Dragonite. Players will want to stick to Ice, Dragon, Fairy, and Rock type moves. Thankfully, synergy with previously recommended Pokemon for Murkrow should work here as well.
- Kyurem with Dragon Tail fast attack and Blizzard for the Charged Attack.
- Tyranitar with Smack Down fast attack and Stone Edge for the Charged Attack.
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow fast attack and Avalanche for the Charged Attack.
- Glaceon with Frost Breath fast attack and Avalanche for the Charged Attack.
- Togekiss with Charm fast attack and Ancient Power for the Charged Attack.
Houndoom
The second potential opponent with Sierra is Houndoom, a Fire and Dark dual type. Houndoom can be taken down with Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water-type attacks, so lucky players should have a few of these on their team already.
- Kyogre with Waterfall fast attack and Surf for the Charged Attack.
- Machamp with Counter fast attack and Close Combat for the Charged Attack.
- Lucario with Counter fast attack and Power-Up Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Conkeldurr with Counter fast attack and Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Tyranitar with Smack Down fast attack and Stone Edge for the Charged Attack.
- Rampardos with Smack Down fast attack and Rock Slide for the Charged Attack.
Charizard
The fearsome and popular Fire/Flying Type Charizard is also an option here. Again, Rock, Electric, and Water attacks should be used for this encounter, while avoiding Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ground, Steel, Bug, and Grass entirely.
- Kyogre with Waterfall fast attack and Surf for the Charged Attack.
- Rhyperior with Smack Down fast attack and Rock Wrecker or Surf for the Charged Attack.
- Rampardos with Smack Down fast attack and Rock Slide for the Charged Attack.
- Terrakion with Smack Down fast attack and Rock Slide for the Charged Attack.
- Gigalith with Smack Down fast attack and Meteor Beam for the Charged Attack.
With one of the three Team GO Rocket leaders down, players are now one step closer to meeting up with Giovanni. For those who have yet to take on Arlo or Cliff, make sure to follow the guides to claim victory and a Super Rocket Radar.
Pokemon GO is available now on mobile devices.