Defeating Cliff in Pokémon Go: Strategies Revealed

In Pokémon GO, defeating Cliff, one of Team GO Rocket's leaders, is a challenging endeavor that requires a strategic approach. By selecting the right Pokémon and employing effective tactics, you can increase your chances of victory significantly.

How Cliff Plays?

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Understanding Cliff's battle strategy is crucial before engaging him. The confrontation is structured into three distinct phases:

• First Phase: Cliff consistently deploys Shadow Cubone, making this stage predictable.
• Second Phase: Here, Cliff's choice becomes less predictable, as he may field one of three Pokémon: Shadow Machoke, Shadow Annihilape, or Shadow Marowak.
• Final Phase: The battle concludes with Cliff choosing from another set of three formidable Pokémon: Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Machamp, or Shadow Crobat.

Given the variability in Cliff's team, selecting the right Pokémon to counter his potential line-ups is essential. Let's explore some top choices that can help you triumph over Cliff's diverse team.

Which Pokémon Are Best to Choose?

Shadow Mewtwo

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Shadow Mewtwo stands out as a versatile choice capable of handling multiple threats in the latter two stages of the battle. It effectively counters Shadow Machoke, Shadow Annihilape, Shadow Machamp, and Shadow Crobat, making it a valuable asset in your lineup.

Mega Rayquaza

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Mega Rayquaza shares similar strengths with Shadow Mewtwo, making it another excellent option for tackling the same adversaries. Strategically deploying Shadow Mewtwo in the second stage and Mega Rayquaza in the third, or vice versa, can pave the way for victory in these challenging phases.

Kyogre

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While the standard Kyogre is effective only in the first round against Shadow Cubone, its Primal form expands its capabilities significantly. Primal Kyogre can tackle Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Marowak, and Shadow Cubone, offering flexibility across all stages with the right luck.

Dawn Wings Necrozma

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Dawn Wings Necrozma is less optimal for this battle, as it can only defeat Shadow Annihilape and Shadow Machoke, limiting its utility to the second stage.

Mega Swampert

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Mega Swampert is another Pokémon that excels in the first phase against Shadow Marowak and Shadow Cubone. However, it's advisable to switch it out in the second phase due to its limited effectiveness against Cliff's potential selections.

An effective strategy might involve using Primal Kyogre in the first phase, Shadow Mewtwo in the second, and Mega Rayquaza in the third. If you lack any of these, consider adapting with other strong Pokémon from the list above.

How to Find Cliff?

To challenge Cliff, you must first overcome six Team GO Rocket Grunts to collect mysterious components. These components are used to assemble a Rocket Radar, which, once activated, helps you locate a Team GO Rocket leader. There's a 33.3% chance it will be Cliff.

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Battling Cliff is more demanding than facing Grunts, as his Pokémon are significantly stronger. Should you lose, you'll have the opportunity for a rematch. Winning, however, will result in the destruction of your Rocket Radar.

To successfully defeat Cliff, careful preparation and strategic Pokémon selection are key. Versatile fighters like Shadow Mewtwo, Mega Rayquaza, and Primal Kyogre are ideal for countering the diverse threats at each stage of the battle. Even without these specific Pokémon, you can still devise a winning strategy by choosing other powerful fighters based on their strengths and weaknesses. Remember, encountering Cliff requires a Rocket Radar, which you can earn by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts.