Meeting Cliff: how to defeat this boss in Pokémon Go
Conquering Cliff, a Team GO Rocket leader in Pokémon GO, isn't a walk in the park. However, with the right Pokémon and strategy, victory is within reach. This guide will help you master the battle.
Table of Contents
- How Cliff Plays?
- Which Pokémon Are Best to Choose?
- Shadow Mewtwo
- Mega Rayquaza
- Kyogre
- Dawn Wings Necrozma
- Mega Swampert
- How to Find Cliff?
How Cliff Plays?

Understanding Cliff's battle style is crucial. The fight unfolds in three phases:
- Phase 1: He always uses Shadow Cubone.
- Phase 2: He randomly uses Shadow Machoke, Shadow Annihilape, or Shadow Marowak.
- Phase 3: He randomly uses Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Machamp, or Shadow Crobat.
This unpredictability makes choosing the right Pokémon challenging, but we'll provide some effective options.
Which Pokémon Are Best to Choose?
To effectively counter Cliff's Pokémon, consider their weaknesses. While his lineup varies, certain Pokémon consistently excel.
Shadow Mewtwo

A top choice, Shadow Mewtwo effectively counters Shadow Machoke, Shadow Annihilape, Shadow Machamp, and Shadow Crobat—often appearing in phases two and three.
Mega Rayquaza

Similar to Shadow Mewtwo, Mega Rayquaza excels against Shadow Machoke, Shadow Annihilape, Shadow Machamp, and Shadow Crobat. Using one in phase two and the other in phase three is a powerful strategy.
Kyogre

Standard Kyogre is effective only in the first phase. Primal Kyogre, however, is a powerhouse against Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Marowak, and Shadow Cubone, making it versatile across all phases with the right luck.
Dawn Wings Necrozma

Dawn Wings Necrozma is effective against Shadow Annihilape and Shadow Machoke, but its limited effectiveness makes it less ideal than other options.
Mega Swampert

Mega Swampert counters Shadow Marowak and Shadow Cubone, making it useful in the first and potentially second phase. However, its effectiveness decreases in later phases.
A suggested team composition is Primal Kyogre (Phase 1), Shadow Mewtwo (Phase 2), and Mega Rayquaza (Phase 3). Adjust based on the Pokémon you possess.
How to Find Cliff?
To battle Cliff, you must first defeat six Team GO Rocket Grunts to obtain the necessary components for a Rocket Radar. Activating the Rocket Radar will reveal a Team GO Rocket leader's location—Cliff has a one-third chance of appearing.
Battles with Cliff are more challenging than those with Grunts due to his stronger Pokémon. Defeat him, and your Rocket Radar is consumed. Failure allows a rematch.

Successfully battling Cliff requires preparation and strategic Pokémon selection. While Pokémon like Shadow Mewtwo, Mega Rayquaza, and Primal Kyogre offer significant advantages, adapting your strategy based on your available Pokémon and their strengths is key. Remember, you need a Rocket Radar, obtained by defeating Grunts, to even encounter him.
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