How to beat Leader Cliff in Pokemon GO (May 2025) – Full lineup, phases, best counters, and more
Leader Cliff in Pokemon GO (Image via Niantic)
Leader Cliff remains one of the toughest Team GO Rocket opponents in Pokemon Go. With his May 2025 lineup now confirmed, trainers need the right counters to secure victory. This guide covers his current team, weaknesses, and the best strategies to defeat him.
Leader Cliff's Pokemon GO lineup (May 2025)
Cliff's battles follow a three-phase structure, starting with Shadow Cubone. His second and third phases feature randomized picks from a pool of powerful Shadow Pokemon. Here's his current lineup:
Phase 1: Shadow Cubone
Cliff always opens with Shadow Cubone.
Phase 2: Random selection
- Shadow Machoke
- Shadow Annihilape
- Shadow Marowak
Phase 3: Random selection
- Shadow Machamp
- Shadow Crobat
- Shadow Tyranitar
How to beat Cliff in Pokemon GO (May 2025)
Success hinges on exploiting type weaknesses. Below are the best counters for each phase, including accessible options for trainers without maxed-out legendaries.
Leader Cliff Pokemon GO counters: Phase 1 (Cubone)
Shadow Cubone is a Ground-type, weak to Grass, Ice, and Water. Avoid Electric, Poison, and Rock moves.
Best Counters
Fast Move
Charged Move
Primal Kyogre
Waterfall
Origin Pulse
Mega Sceptile
Fury Cutter
Frenzy Plant
Mega Swampert
Water Gun
Hydro Cannon
Shaymin (Sky Forme)
Magical Leaf
Grass Knot
Gyarados
Waterfall
Hydro Pump
Leader Cliff Pokemon GO counters: Phase 2
How to Beat Cliff in Pokémon GO 2025?
Shadow Marowak
Marowak shares Cubone's Ground-type weaknesses.
Best Counters
Fast Move
Charged Move
Primal Kyogre
Waterfall
Origin Pulse
Kartana
Razor Leaf
Leaf Blade
Mewtwo
Psycho Cut
Ice Beam
Shadow Machoke
This Fighting-type is weak to Fairy, Flying, and Psychic.
Best Counters
Fast Move
Charged Move
Mega Rayquaza
Air Slash
Dragon Ascent
Shadow Mewtwo
Confusion
Psystrike
Mega Gardevoir
Confusion
Psychic
Shadow Annihilape
A Fighting/Ghost-type, weak to Fairy, Flying, Ghost, and Psychic.
Best Counters
Fast Move
Charged Move
Mega Gengar
Lick
Shadow Ball
Dawn Wings Necrozma
Psycho Cut
Moongeist Beam
Mega Alakazam
Confusion
Psychic
Leader Cliff Pokemon GO counters: Phase 3
Shadow Tyranitar
This Rock/Dark-type fears Fighting, Water, and Grass.
Best Counters
Fast Move
Charged Move
Mega Lucario
Force Palm
Aura Sphere
Conkeldurr
Counter
Dynamic Punch
Mega Heracross
Counter
Close Combat
Shadow Crobat
The Poison/Flying-type is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock.
Best Counters
Fast Move
Charged Move
Mewtwo
Psycho Cut
Psystrike
Rampardos
Smack Down
Rock Slide
Magnezone
Spark
Wild Charge
Shadow Machamp
Another Fighting-type, weak to Flying and Psychic.
Best Counters
Fast Move
Charged Move
Rayquaza
Air Slash
Dragon Ascent
Lugia
Extrasensory
Aeroblast+
Gallade
Confusion
Psychic
Best team to beat Leader Cliff in Pokemon GO
A balanced team covering multiple weaknesses works best:
1. Mega Gardevoir – Counters Machoke, Machamp, and Tyranitar.
2. Shadow Mewtwo – Handles Annihilape, Crobat, and Machamp.
3. Mega Sceptile – Melts Cubone and Marowak.
How to find Leader Cliff in Pokemon GO
1. Defeat 6 Team GO Rocket Grunts to collect Mysterious Components.
2. Assemble a Rocket Radar.
3. Use the radar to locate Cliff at PokeStops or in balloons.
Winning grants a Shadow Cubone and rewards like Stardust, Rare Candy, or a Charged TM.
Also read:
How to beat Leader Sierra in Pokemon GO (May 2025) – Full lineup, phases, and best counters
For more boss guides, check our updated articles on Giovanni, Sierra, and Arlo. Bookmark this page—we'll update it after the May 14 Team Rocket Takeover!
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