The leaders of Team GO Rocket are back in force in Pokémon Go. We explain how to easily defeat Cliff and his January 2024 team.
The leaders of Team Go Rocket pose real challenges for Pokémon Go trainers. While the minions are generally within reach of anyone willing to fight them, facing Cliff, Arlo, Sierra, or Giovanni requires more rigorous preparation.
To ensure victory against Cliff, the first step is to know all the Pokémon he is likely to send. Indeed, only the first monster is sent and fixed, while the second and third phases add a touch of randomness to the combat. Fortunately, it is possible to build an optimal team that will make the most of leader Go Rocket’s weaknesses.
In this article, discover the construction of Cliff’s team, the best counters to his Pokémon, as well as our advice for easily defeating this leader of Team Go Rocket!
Summary
What Pokémon does Cliff use in Pokémon Go?
| Pokémon 1 | Pokémon 2 | Pokémon 3 |
| Nosferapt | He hypothesized | Tyranocif |
| Peter | Vacilys | |
| Gallame | Nostenfer |
Now that you know what options Cliff has in this fight, it’s time to choose your Pokémon. Since there is a significant element of randomness in the formation of Cliff’s team, it is crucial to opt for Pokémon that are sufficiently versatile in order to cover all possible scenarios.
Phase 1 of the Cliff: Nosferapt
Nosferapt
| Image | Type | Resistors | Weaknesses |
| Poison / Vol | Ground, Poison, Fairy, Fighting, Insect, Plant | Rock, Electric, Psychic, Ice |
Nosferapti is the only fixed Pokémon on Cliff’s team. This means that the Team Go Rocket boss will always start the battle by sending out this first generation Poison and Flying Pokémon.
To defeat it, we recommend an Ice-type Pokémon which will be useful against several other Cliff monsters.
Here is a selection of the best Pokémon to counter Nosferapti:
- Kyurem
- Mega-Blizzaroi
- Mega-Oniglali
- Mammochon
- Dimoret
- Glaivod
- Darumacho de Galar
- Givrali
Cliff Phase 2: Hyporoi, Ptéra or Gallame
He hypothesized
| Image | Type | Resistors | Weaknesses |
| Water / Dragon | Steel, Fire, Water | Dragon, Fairy |
One of Cliff’s options for the second phase is the Water and Dragon Pokémon Hypoking. The latter only has 2 weaknesses, which greatly reduces the range of Pokémon capable of easily defeating it.
To defeat it, we recommend a Fairy-type Pokémon which will be useful against several other Cliff monsters.
Here is a selection of the best Pokémon to counter Hyporoi:
- Mega Gardevoir
- Mega-Altars
- Xerneas
- Granbull
- Togekiss
- Nymphs
- Oratory
- Florges
Peter
| Image | Type | Resistors | Weaknesses |
| Roche / Vol | Ground, Normal, Flying, Poison, Insect, Fire | Rock, Steel, Water, Electric, Ice |
The impressive Aptera is not as terrifying as its design suggests. With no less than 5 weaknesses, it is very easy to find a gap to exploit to overcome it easily.
To defeat it, we recommend an Ice-type Pokémon which will be useful against several other Cliff monsters.
Here is a selection of the best Pokémon to counter Ptera:
- Kyurem
- Mega-Blizzaroi
- Mega-Oniglali
- Mammochon
- Dimoret
- Glaivod
- Darumacho de Galar
- Givrali
Gallame
| Image | Type | Resistors | Weaknesses |
| Psychic / Combat | Fight, Rock | Flight, Ghost, Fairy |
Gallame is a dangerous Pokémon, capable of inflicting heavy damage. Get rid of it quickly by taking advantage of its weakness to the Fairy type.
To defeat it, we recommend a Fairy-type Pokémon which will be useful against several other Cliff monsters.
Here is a selection of the best Pokémon to counter Gallame:
- Mega Gardevoir
- Mega-Altars
- Xerneas
- Granbull
- Togekiss
- Nymphs
- Oratory
- Florges
Phase 3 the Cliff: Tyranocif, Vacilys or Nostenfer
Tyranocif
| Image | Type | Resistors | Weaknesses |
| Rock / Darkness | Normal, Flying, Poison, Ghost, Fire, Dark, Psychic | Fighting, Ground, Insect, Steel, Water, Plant, Fairy |
Tyranitar is a formidable Pokémon, capable of quickly defeating your Pokémon. Fortunately, his astronomical number of weaknesses leave him particularly vulnerable.
To defeat it, we recommend a Fairy-type Pokémon which will be useful against several other Cliff monsters.
Here is a selection of the best Pokémon to counter Tyranitar:
- Mega Gardevoir
- Mega-Altars
- Xerneas
- Granbull
- Togekiss
- Nymphs
- Oratory
- Florges
Vacilys
| Image | Type | Resistors | Weaknesses |
| Rock / Plant | Normal, Electric | Fighting, Insect, Steel, Ice |
With its somewhat wobbly dual type Vacilys does not represent a big threat since it displays 4 weaknesses for only 2 resistances.
To defeat it, we recommend an Ice-type Pokémon which will be useful against several other Cliff monsters.
Here is a selection of the best Pokémon to counter Vacilys:
- Kyurem
- Mega-Blizzaroi
- Mega-Oniglali
- Mammochon
- Dimoret
- Glaivod
- Darumacho de Galar
- Givrali
Nostenfer
| Image | Type | Resistors | Weaknesses |
| Poison / Vol | Ground, Poison, Fairy, Fighting, Insect, Plant | Rock, Electric, Psychic, Ice |
Cliff’s final Phase 3 option is Nostenfer. This is once again a Pokémon that shares weaknesses with other members of Cliff’s team.
To defeat it, we recommend an Ice-type Pokémon which will be useful against several other Cliff monsters.
Here is a selection of the best Pokémon to counter Nostenfer:
- Kyurem
- Mega-Blizzaroi
- Mega-Oniglali
- Mammochon
- Dimoret
- Glaivod
- Darumacho de Galar
- Givrali
The best team composition to beat Cliff
Cliff obviously missed some lessons in optimized Pokémon team building. Indeed, many Pokémon of this Team Go Rocket boss have weaknesses in common.
With only 2 types of Pokémon of very specific types, you will be able to very easily exploit the weaknesses of each Pokémon that Cliff could send you:
First, add your 2 best Ice-type Pokémon to your team. The latter will be able to defeat Cliff’s first monster, Nosferapti. Subsequently, use these Pokémon if Cliff sends Ptera, Vacilys or Nostenfer.
For your last Pokémon, it is in your best interest to bring a powerful Fairy-type Pokémon with you. Its STAB attacks will be effective against 3 of Cliff’s Pokémon: Hypoking, Gallame and Tyranitar.
With the Ice and Fairy type combination , you will be able to easily defeat Cliff’s team.
Here are some examples of teams to defeat Cliff:
- Kyurem, Mega-Blizzaroi, Xerneas
- Mammochon, Dimoret, Mega-Gardevoir
- Glaivodo, Darumacho de Galar, Granbull
If you don’t have all the Pokémon from one of our recommended teams – and even if you don’t have any – then don’t panic! Any combination of Pokémon of the types listed can do the trick. So just bring your best Ice and Fairy Pokémon, and Cliff shouldn’t resist you.
It’s not Cliff who scares you but rather the other leaders of Team Go Rocket? Check out our other Pokémon Go guides:
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