Cliff is one of the Team Rocket leaders you can face in Pokémon GO, featuring a lineup of recognizable Pokémon from the Galarian Expedition: Taken Over event. In December 2024, Team Rocket makes their return, presenting themselves as formidable trainers to defeat for exclusive rewards. As a leader, Cliff offers even rarer goodies for you to unlock when you take him down.
If you battled Cliff in November 2024, you’re likely familiar with the composition of his team. However, before you can challenge him, you need to defeat six Team Rocket grunts and complete the Rocket Radar. Only then can you access a Poké Stop where you can fight Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra, chosen at random.
Cliff’s Lineup & Counters (December 2024)
Discover Effective Types Against Cliff’s Team
It’s expected that Cliff’s team will remain consistent from November to December 2024, until the next Team Rocket Takeover event occurs. While the same counters may be effective, new strategies can enhance your chances of victory. With recent events and new raid bosses introduced in Pokémon GO, players have more options to confidently take on Cliff.
During your battle with Cliff, he sends out three Pokémon over three waves. In the first wave, he always deploys one specific Pokémon that doesn’t change, no matter how many times you battle him. In the second and third waves, however, he has the option to select one of three different Pokémon, significantly impacting which counters will be effective against his lineup.
As with all Team Rocket encounters, Cliff uses Shadow Pokémon. These are distinct from Gigantamax Pokémon found in Max Battles in Pokémon GO, but they do boast increased health and damage in their attacks.
You can’t predict which Pokémon Cliff will choose, as it varies each time. Below is a table that outlines the potential Pokémon Cliff might use, their weaknesses, and the best counters you can employ in December 2024:
| Wave | Pokémon | Type(s) | Weaknesses | Best Counters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon | Dark/Normal | Fighting, Bug, Fairy | Lucario, Blaziken, Heracross, Annihilape, Pheromosa |
| 2 | Shadow Venusaur | Grass/Poison | Fire, Flying, Ice, Psychic | Alakazam, Charizard, Shadow Heatran, Salamence, Yveltal |
| 2 | Shadow Marowak | Ground | Grass, Ice, Water | |
| 2 | Shadow Aerodactyl | Rock/Flying | Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, Water | |
| 3 | Shadow Obstagoon | Dark/Normal | Fighting, Bug, Fairy | Lucario, Blaziken, Heracross, Annihilape, Pheromosa |
| 3 | Shadow Crobat | Poison/Flying | Electric, Ice, Psychic, Rock | Rhyperior, Alakazam, Rampardos, Mamoswine, Magnezone |
| 3 | Shadow Tyranitar | Rock/Dark | Fighting, Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ground, Steel, Water | Lucario, Heracross, Terrakion, Poliwrath, Machamp |
For a successful team against Cliff in December 2024, consider utilizing Heracross, Rhyperior, and Mamoswine. Heracross excels against Cliff’s Pokémon, countering Zigzagoon, Tyranitar, and Obstagoon effectively thanks to its Fighting/Bug types. Tyranitar is particularly vulnerable to Fighting-type moves, making Heracross a valuable asset.
Rhyperior serves as a sturdy Rock-type, making it efficient against Cliff’s Crobat and Aerodactyl. Meanwhile, Mamoswine is well-suited to face Venusaur, providing solid resistance against Marowak’s attacks. Mamoswine’s superior durability allows it to last longer in battle, increasing your odds of a win.
Rewards for Defeating Cliff (December 2024)
Earn Currency and Item Bundles
If you manage to defeat Cliff, you’ll quickly earn 1,000 Stardust, which you can spend freely. Additionally, you’ll receive two different item bundles containing valuable items such as:
- 1 Unova Stone
- 4 Revives
- 2 Max Revives
- 4 Hyper Potions
- 2 Max Potions
- 1 12km Strange Egg
A note: the Strange Egg will only be awarded if you have an open slot in your Egg inventory, so make sure to hatch any excess Eggs before challenging a Team Rocket leader like Cliff.
Getting Eggs quickly in Pokémon GO can lead to rewarding encounters, including the opportunity to catch Cliff’s Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon. This Pokémon has a 1 in 64 chance of being Shiny, but you’ll need to earn the Rocket Radar again to face Cliff for another opportunity.
If you come out on top in this battle, you’ll be ready to challenge Team Rocket’s big boss, Giovanni, for even more prizes. Players who defeat Cliff in December 2024 in Pokémon GO will definitely want to confront Giovanni, who possesses a formidable Shadow Legendary Pokémon waiting to be captured.
