If you want to defeat Leader Cliff in Pokemon GO, now is the chance, as he is back and tougher than ever as of April 2025. Cliffe poses a serious challenge for trainers.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know—from Cliff’s current Pokemon rotation to the best counters and strategies for each phase of the battle.
Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or just starting out, understanding Cliff’s lineup and having the right counters are essential to defeating him and scoring a powerful Shadow Pokemon reward.
Leader Cliff in Pokemon GO: Lineup for April 2025
Cliff always opens with Shadow Cubone, followed by one of three Pokemon in each of the next two phases. Here’s what to expect:
| Phase | Possible Pokémon |
|---|---|
| 1 | Shadow Cubone |
| 2 | Shadow Machoke / Shadow Annihilape / Shadow Marowak |
| 3 | Shadow Machamp / Shadow Crobat / Shadow Tyranitar |
This lineup is current as of April 1, 2025. Unless a Team Rocket Takeover event occurs, these Pokemon will remain the same throughout the month.
How to beat Leader Cliff in Pokemon Go
Pokemon GO Team Rocket leaders (Image via Niantic)
To defeat Cliff, you’ll need a well-rounded team that can cover multiple types. His team has heavy hitters, so you’ll want to go in prepared with high CP counters and smart type matchups. Let’s break it down by each battle phase.
Phase 1: Shadow Cubone counters
Cubone is a Ground-type, weak to Grass, Ice, and Water moves. It resists Poison, Rock, and Electric types.
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Primal Kyogre | Waterfall | Origin Pulse |
| Mega Sceptile | Fury Cutter | Frenzy Plant |
| Mega Swampert | Water Gun | Hydro Cannon |
| Shaymin (Sky Forme) | Magical Leaf | Grass Knot |
| Gyarados | Waterfall | Hydro Pump |
| Blastoise | Water Gun | Hydro Cannon |
Phase 2: Counters for Marowak, Machoke, and Annihilape
Shadow Marowak (Ground-type)
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Primal Kyogre | Waterfall | Origin Pulse |
| Mega Sceptile | Fury Cutter | Frenzy Plant |
| Mega Swampert | Water Gun | Hydro Cannon |
| Shaymin (Sky Forme) | Magical Leaf | Grass Knot |
| Kartana | Razor Leaf | Leaf Blade |
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut | Ice Beam |
Shadow Machoke (Fighting-type)
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash | Dragon Ascent |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Confusion | Psystrike |
| Mega Gardevoir | Confusion | Psychic |
| Rayquaza | Air Slash | Dragon Ascent |
| Mega Alakazam | Confusion | Psychic |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut | Moongeist Beam |
Shadow Annihilape (Fighting/Ghost-type)
Here’s the table:
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash | Dragon Ascent |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut | Moongeist Beam |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Confusion | Psystrike |
| Mega Gengar | Lick | Shadow Ball |
| Mega Alakazam | Confusion | Psychic |
Phase 3: Counters for Tyranitar, Crobat, and Machamp
Leader Arlo in Pokemon GO (Image via Niantic)
Shadow Tyranitar (Rock/Dark-type)
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm | Aura Sphere |
| Conkeldurr | Counter | Dynamic Punch |
| Terrakion | Double Kick | Sacred Sword |
| Mega Heracross | Counter | Close Combat |
| Keldeo | Low Kick | Sacred Sword |
| Mega Gardevoir | Charm | Dazzling Gleam |
Shadow Crobat (Poison/Flying-type)
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut | Psystrike |
| Rampardos | Smack Down | Rock Slide |
| Magnezone | Spark | Wild Charge |
| Rhyperior | Smack Down | Rock Wrecker |
| Mega Tyranitar | Smack Down | Stone Edge |
| Mega Alakazam | Psycho Cut | Psychic |
Shadow Machamp (Fighting-type)
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Rayquaza | Air Slash | Dragon Ascent |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Confusion | Psystrike |
| Mega Alakazam | Confusion | Psychic |
| Gallade | Confusion | Psychic |
| Mega Gardevoir | Confusion | Psychic |
| Lugia | Extrasensory | Aeroblast+ |
Best team to beat Cliff in April 2025
One of the most effective teams to defeat Cliff this month includes:
– Mega Gardevoir – Strong against Machoke, Machamp, and Tyranitar
– Mewtwo – Ideal for Annihilape, Crobat, and even Marowak if using Ice Beam
– Mega Sceptile – Great for taking out Cubone and Marowak early in the fight
If you lack Mega Energy, you can use their base forms or switch in alternatives like Gallade or Blastoise. Don’t worry if you lose—Cliff can be rematched as many times as needed, allowing you to rework your strategy.
How to find Cliff in Pokemon Go
To locate Cliff, follow these steps:
1. Defeat six Team Go Rocket Grunts at PokeStops or balloons.
2. Collect six Mysterious Components.
3. Combine them into a Rocket Radar.
4. Use the Rocket Radar to encounter a Team Rocket Leader—Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra.
5. Keep checking Rocket encounters until you spot Cliff’s avatar.
Once you find Cliff, you’ll get a chance to battle him and potentially catch a Shadow Cubone afterward.
Also read: How to beat Leader Arlo in Pokemon Go (April 2025)
That wraps up everything you need to know to beat Cliff in April 2025. Get your best team ready and claim those Shadow Pokemon rewards.
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