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Cliff, one of the leaders of Team Rocket, returns toPokémon GOin November 2024 with a team of Shadow Pokémon you can beat for unique rewards. Cliff’s team is familiar to those who’ve challenged him and other Team Rocket captains. However, with more Pokémon being added to the game in recent updates, new ways exist to make this fight easier to win.
Unlike the newGigantamax battles inPokémon GO, Cliff is one of the trainer battles you’re able to unlock by meeting different requirements. You have tobeat six different Team Rocket Gruntstocollect parts of a Mysterious Componentdevice. Once you have all the necessary parts,build the Rocket Radarandtravel to a Team RocketBaloonto meet either the Leaders Cliff, Sierra, or Arlo in battle.
Cliff’s Lineup & Counters (November 2024)
Understand Which Pokémon Could Be Used
Like any of the Team Rocket leaders, Cliff’s battle isdivided into three waves. Similar to Sierra orArlo inPokémon GO, Cliff uses Shadow Pokémon, which are stronger variants of the pocket monsters you may already know. Cliff only has one Pokémon he can use during the first wave, but the second and third phases of his battles could have a few different possibilities.
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Each of Cliff’s second or third Pokémoncould be one of three optionsthat are determined randomly. This can make it tricky to form a team of your own that perfectly counters everything Cliff might throw at you. To fully prepare for this fight, use the table below to identify which Pokémon Cliff could use and which ones you can have on your side to exploit the Team Rocket Leader’s weaknesses:
1
2
3
Fighting, Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ground, Steel, Water
The variety of different types Cliff uses with various Pokemon may seem foolproof, but you’re able to create a team that exploit some vulnerable spots. You should have a team that consists of:
The Fighting-type you bring can demolish Cliff’s Dark-types like Galarian Zigzagoon, Obstagoon, and even the powerful Tyranitar by exploiting their type’s weakness. A hefty Water-type can absorb hits from any Pokémon at Cliff’s disposal, while also targeting the vulnerabilities of Marowack and Aerodactyl. To deal with Venasaur and Crobat, a Steel or Ice-type that can get a Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) from its attacks can secure your win.
A Steel-type Pokémon can also counter some of the same creatures on Cliff’s team who are weak to your Fighting-type. While Fighting-types are best on an offensive-focused team, Steel-types work best for a team that specializes in defense.
Rewards For Beating Cliff (November 2024)
Gain New Pokémon And Rare Items
The biggest reward that comes from beating Cliff, or any Team Rocket Leader, is the opportunity tocatch one of the Shadow Pokémon used by the enemy trainer. In the case of Cliff, you cantry to catch his Galarian Zigzagoon, which could eventually evolve into the Obstagoon seen in later waves of the Leader’s battle.
Similar to other wild Pokémon encounters, you can find aShiny variant inPokémon GOof Cliff’s signature Galarian Zigzagoon. There is only a 1 in 64 chance of this happening, so you may have to defeat Cliff multiple times to find a Shiny.
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Some other rewards you might get from overcoming every wave of Cliff’s team are:
Youwill always get the Strange Egg if there is an Egg slot available in your inventory, as well as the Stardust. However, youonly get two other bundles of the listed items, which are determined randomly after you win. Anyone who manages to beat Cliff in November 2024 may want to get these items to challenge the difficult Gigantamax raids for even more rewards inPokémon GO.
