Pokémon GO has unveiled updates to Cliff’s lineup of Shadow Pokémon for February 2025. As a significant adversary, Cliff commands a diverse range of powerful Shadow creatures, each possessing unique abilities. To successfully challenge the Team GO Rocket leader, trainers must have a thorough understanding of the game’s meta and strategize their counters carefully.
Team GO Rocket’s leaders are notorious for their strength, with Cliff boasting a lineup of seven formidable Shadow Pokémon. Before confronting him, players must first locate the leader by defeating several Team GO Rocket Grunts to gather 6 Mysterious Components, which can be combined to create a Rocket Radar. This guide provides insights into Cliff’s Shadow Pokémon and the best strategies to counteract them this month.
Strategies for Defeating Cliff in Pokémon GO (February 2025)
During the battle, Cliff employs a total of seven Shadow Pokémon across three distinct phases. The initial round features a single Pokémon, while the subsequent two rounds can feature one of three possible Pokémon, requiring players to be adaptable and knowledgeable about potential counters.
Battle Phases Overview
| Phase | Shadow Pokémon |
|---|---|
| First Phase | Shadow Cubone |
| Second Phase |
|
| Third Phase |
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To maximize your chances of victory, it’s essential to choose counters that are effective against most Pokémon in Cliff’s inventory.
Counters for Cliff’s First Phase
Cliff kicks off the battle with Shadow Cubone, a Dark and Ground-type Pokémon known for its enhanced offensive capabilities as a Shadow Pokémon.
Shadow Cubone Counter Strategy
- Type: Ground
- Weakness: Grass, Ice, and Water-type moves
- Resistance: Poison, Rock, and Electric-type moves
Effective Counters for Shadow Cubone
| Counter Pokémon | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Forme Shaymin | Magical Leaf (Grass-type) | Grass Knot (Grass-type) |
| Zarude | Vine Whip (Grass-type) | Power Whip (Grass-type) |
| Kyogre | Waterfall (Water-type) | Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) |
| Can | Razor Leaf (Grass-type) | Leaf Blade (Grass-type) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) |
Counters for Cliff’s Second Phase
The second phase introduces unpredictability, with Cliff potentially selecting Shadow Machoke, Shadow Marowak, or Shadow Annihilape. Understanding the game’s meta is crucial for effective countering.
Shadow Machoke Counter Strategy
- Type: Fighting
- Weakness: Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type moves
- Resistance: Bug, Dark, and Rock-type moves
Effective Counters for Shadow Machoke
| Counter Pokémon | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) |
| Rayquaza | Air Slash (Flying-type) | Dragon Ascent (Flying-type) |
| Lunar | Confusion (Psychic-type) | Psychic (Psychic-type) |
| Mewtwo | Confusion (Psychic-type) | Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy) |
| Incarnate Form Enamorus | Fairy Wind (Fairy-type) | Fly (Flying-type) |
Shadow Marowak Counter Strategy
- Type: Ground
- Weakness: Grass, Ice, and Water-type moves
- Resistance: Poison, Rock, and Electric-type moves
Effective Counters for Shadow Marowak
| Counter Pokémon | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Kyogre | Waterfall (Water-type) | Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) |
| Zarude | Vine Whip (Grass-type) | Power Whip (Grass-type) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw (Grass-type) | Moongeist Beam (Grass-type) |
| Decidueye | Leafage (Grass-type) | Frenzy Plant (Grass-type) (Legacy) |
| Meowscarada | Leafage (Grass-type) | Grass Knot (Grass-type) |
Shadow Annihilape Counter Strategy
- Type: Fighting and Ghost
- Weakness: Fairy, Flying, Ghost, and Psychic-type moves
- Resistance: Poison, Rock, Bug, Fighting, Normal-type moves
Effective Counters for Shadow Annihilape
| Counter Pokémon | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) |
| Rayquaza | Air Slash (Flying-type) | Dragon Ascent (Flying-type) |
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy) |
| Incarnate Form Enamorus | Fairy Wind (Fairy-type) | Fly (Flying-type) |
| Yveltal | Gust (Flying-type) | Oblivion Wing (Flying-type) (Legacy) |
Counters for Cliff’s Third Phase
In the last phase, timing and prediction are key as Cliff can opt for Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Machamp, or Shadow Crobat. Choosing the right counters for this final face-off is critical for ensuring victory against the Team GO Rocket leader.
Shadow Tyranitar Counter Strategy
- Type: Rock and Dark
- Weaknesses: Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Ground, Water, Steel, and Grass-type moves
- Resistances: Psychic, Dark, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Normal, and Poison-type moves
Effective Counters for Shadow Tyranitar
| Counter Pokémon | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Terrakion | Double Kick (Fighting-type) | Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) |
| Keldeo | Low Kick (Fighting-type) | Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) |
| Lucario | Counter (Fighting-type) | Aura Sphere (Fighting-type) |
| Conkeldurr | Counter (Fighting-type) | Dynamic Punch (Fighting-type) |
| Machamp | Counter (Fighting-type) | Dynamic Punch (Fighting-type) |
Shadow Machamp Counter Strategy
- Type: Fighting
- Weakness: Fighting, Bug, and Fairy-type moves
- Resistance: Dark, Psychic, and Ghost-type moves
Effective Counters for Shadow Machamp
| Counter Pokémon | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Rayquaza | Air Slash (Flying-type) | Dragon Ascent (Flying-type) |
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) |
| Incarnate Form Enamorus | Fairy Wind (Fairy-type) | Fly (Flying-type) |
| Holy Spirit | Confusion (Psychic-type) | Nature’s Madness (Fairy-type) (Legacy) |
Shadow Crobat Counter Strategy
- Type: Poison and Flying
- Weakness: Electric, Ice, Psychic, and Rock-type moves
- Resistance: Fairy, Ground, Poison, Bug, Fighting, and Grass-type moves
Effective Counters for Shadow Crobat
| Counter Pokémon | Fast Attack | Charged Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy) |
| Touch Unbound | Confusion (Psychic-type) | Psychic (Psychic-type) |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Sunsteel Strike (Steel-type) |
| Zekrom | Charge Beam (Electric-type) | Fusion Bolt (Electric-type) (Legacy) |
| Xurkitree | Thunder Shock (Electric-type) | Discharge (Electric-type) |
Additional Notes
It’s important to keep an eye on the evolving strategies in Pokémon GO, as the Team GO Rocket lineups change frequently, impacting the effectiveness of your counters. For recent trends, insights, and best practices, staying engaged with the community and game updates can greatly enhance your competitive edge.
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