With Team GO Rocket back in the game after a brief hiatus caused by technical difficulties, trainers can once again battle Arlo, Sierra, and Cliff. Each leader of the enemy faction has their own unique roster full of challenging foes, so trainers definitely should do some homework to ensure they are prepared for all three battles. Pokemon GO players can start right here by reviewing Cliff’s May 2021 roster and reviewing some of the best counters or everything the boss might throw out during the fight.
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Taking on the Team GO Rocket leaders can be difficult because of the variety of Pokemon that each boss can throw out at players, so keep in mind that taking a loss on the first attempt and gaining some information is something players might have to do. Building the perfect counter roster is much easier once players know which opponents are in the second and third slots. With that in mind, here are the recommended counters for each of the different scenarios that might pop up. Be sure to adjust your strategy accordingly, based on what Pokemon Ciff is bringing to the battlefield against your lineup…
Cliff’s Roster
First Pokemon: Aerodactyl
Second Pokemon: Gallade, Cradilly, or Slowking
Third Pokemon: Dusknoire, Mamoswine, or Tyranitar
Aerodactyl Counters
Metagross -Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
Kyogre -Waterfall and Surf
Rampardos - Smack Down and Rock Slide
Zekrom - Charge Beam and Wild Charge
Gallade Counters
Chandelure - Hex and Shadow Ball
Moltres - Wing Attack and Sky Attack
Giratina (Origin) -Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Gengar - Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Cradilly Counters
Metagross - Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
Lucario - Counter and Aura Sphere
Conkeldurr - Counter and Dynamic Punch
Breloom - Counter and Dynamic Punch
Slowking Counters
Darkrai - Snarl and Shadow Ball
Zekrom - Charge Beam and Wild Charge
Chandelure - Hex and Shadow Ball
Raikou - Volt Switch and Wild Charge
Mamoswine Counters
Metagross - Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
Kyogre - Waterfall and Surf
Lucario - Counter and Aura Sphere
Conkeldurr - Counter and Dynamic Punch
Dusknoire Counters
Darkrai - Snarl and Shadow Ball
Giratina (Origin) - Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Gengar - Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Chandelure - Hex and Shadow Ball
Tyranitar Counters
Lucario - Counter and Power Up Punch
Heracross - Counter and Close Combat
Machamp - Counter and Cross Chop
As always, trainers should keep in mind that there are a ton of different configurations they can use and there isn’t one perfect lineup to take on any of the Team GO Rocket leaders. The most important thing is to focus on the crossover counters and try to field a roster of Pokemon that isn’t weak to any of the possible matchups. That is very difficult on the first attempt, but trainers can aim to use a first try to gain some valuable intel and then head right back into the fight for a second attempt with more optimized counters in place.
Over the next week or so players should begin to learn a lot more about what other events are on the way during the finals days of the Season of Legends. Be sure to check back in the near future for more Pokemon GO strategy guides, news, and updates. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!
Pokemon GO is available on Android and iOS.
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