How to beat the leaders of Team GO Rocket
First of all, the queues for these characters change often, but also in unexpected ways. As of this writing in early January 2021, the Pokémon used by Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra are all the same as in December 2020. However, that may change soon, so watch for updates when that happens. We will update this guide with any changes or updates to their lineup and provide you with the new counters against them.
So, with that out of the way, let's start with some of the usual tips for beating Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in Pokémon GO. If you just want the top scorers against their teams, scroll down to the individual lists.
The best strategy to defeat the leaders of Team GO Rocket is to get them to use their shields quickly so that your charged attacks land. To do this, you can often find a tanky Pokémon with a quickly charged attack, like Melmetal with Superpower or Giratina with Dragon Claw. However, your best counters can usually get the job done, so don't waste a spot on your team if you don't have to.
The first thing you want to do is make sure that your actual lead over Pokémon is in second or third place. You do this because switching Pokémon mid-battle causes the Team GO Rocket leader to hesitate and delay their attacks, giving you time to gain energy and deal damage. They also delay after any charged attack, which can create a nice cycle of trade, gain energy, charge an attack, trade, gain energy, charge an attack, etc.
Beyond that, it's about having the right Pokémon for the match, focusing on powerful counters, especially for the first two rounds. So, here are all of the best counters against Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in Pokémon GO.
How to Beat Arlo - January 2021
Arlo always starts with Growlithe, which is a weaker Fire-type Pokémon, giving you plenty of options.
Tour 1
Growl the counters
- Regirock with Lock On and Stone Edge
- Golem with Mud Shot and Rock Blast
- Omastar with Mud Shot and Rock Slide
- Swampert with Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon
2ème round
Then, Blastoise, Charizard or Steelix.
Blastoise counters
- Sceptile with Fury Cutter and Leaf Blade
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzied Plant
- Leafeon with quick attack and leaf blade
- Hydreigon with Dragon Breath and Dark Pulse
Charizard counters
- Regirock with Lock On and Stone Edge
- Golem with Rock Throw and Rock Blast
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Ancient Power
- Giratina with Shadow Claw and Ancient Power
Steelix counters
- Heatran with Fire Spin and Flamethrower
- Excadrill with Mud Slap and Drill Run
- Entei with Fire Spin and Flamethrower
- Swampert with Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon
3rd round
Dragonite, Salamence or Scizor will come your way next, so here are some counters, but by then you are probably on the verge of victory or defeat.
Dragonite counters
- Dialga with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor
- Regice with Lockwithon and Blizzard
- Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Ice Beam
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
Salamence counters
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Crunch
- Regice with Lockwithon and Blizzard
- Giratina with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
- Togekiss with charm and dazzling shine
Scizor counters
- Blaziken with Counter and Blaze Kick
- Charizard with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
- Entei with Fire Spin and Flamethrower
- Typhlosion with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
This is how to beat Arlo with the best counters. Check out how to beat Cliff and Sieraa below.
How to Beat Cliff - January 2021
Omanyte is weak against grass attacks and will always be Cliff's first Pokémon.
Tour 1
Omanyte counters
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzied Plant
- Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzied Plant
- Roserade with razor leaf and grass knot
- Ludicolo with razor foil and energy ball
2ème round
Then, it will be Electivire, Machamp or Onix, which offer interesting choices of meters.
Electivire meters
- Garchomp with Mud Shot and Sand Tomb
- Giratina with Dragon Breath and Ancient Power
- Rhyperior with Mud Slap and Stone Edge
- Flygon with Mud Shot and Earth Power
Machamp counters
- Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Psystrike
- Lugia with Extrasensory and Sky Attack
- Togekiss with charm and aerial ace
- Giratina with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Onix counters
- Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzied Plant
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzied Plant
- Kyogre with waterfall and hydraulic pump
- Empoleon with waterfall and hydraulic pump
3rd round
Finally, Swampert, Torterra or Tyranitar will appear. They are tougher enemies, so be careful.
Swampert counters
- Leafeon with quick attack and leaf blade
- Roserade with razor leaf and grass knot
- Megane with vine whip and Frenzy plant
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzied Plant
Torterra counters
- Moltres with Fire Spin and Sky Attack
- Articuno with Ice Shard and Ice Ray
- Heatran with Fire Spin and Flamethrower
- Entei with Fire Spin and Flamethrower
Tyranitar counters
- Lucario with counter and Power Up Punch
- Heracross with counter and close combat
- Machamp with Counter and Cross Chop
- Virizion with fast attack and close combat
And that's how to beat Cliff using the best counters in Pokémon GO, but Sierra could still spawn at any time.
How to Beat Sierra - January 2021
Sierra has gone from being one of Pokémon GO's toughest enemies to being one of the easiest. His roster hasn't been too difficult lately, starting with Drowzee until January 2021.
Tour 1
Drowzee counters
- Tyrant with Bite and Fire Blast Crunch
- Giratina with shadow claw and eerie wind
- Hydreigon with bite and Dragon Pulse
- Darkrai with Snarl and Dark Pulse
2ème round
Exeggutor, Lapras or Sharpedo will be your next enemy. Hope you don't see Lapras as he can be time consuming and deal a lot of damage even with the best counters.
Exeggutor counters
- Volcarona with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
- Genesect avec Fury Cutter et X Scissor
- Staircase with Bug Bite and Megahorn
- Scizor avec Fury Cutter et X Scissor
Lapras counters
- Dialga with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor
- Lucario with counter and Power Up Punch
- Melmetal with Thunder Shock and Rock Slide
- Regice with Lock On and Focus Blast
Sharpedo counters
- Lucario with Counter and Super Power
- Machamp with counter and close combat
- Raikou with Volt Switch and Wild Charge
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock and Zap Cannon
3rd round
Finally, you will face Alakazam, Houndoom or Shiftry.
Alakazam counters
- Darkrai with Snarl and Dark Pulse
- Hydreigon with Mud Shot and Power Up Punch
- Tyranitar with Bite and Crunch
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
Houndoom counters
- Swampert with Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon
- Poliwrath avec Mud Shot et Power Up Punch
- Machamp with Counter and Cross Chop
- Tyranny with Smack Down and Stone Edge
Shiftry counters
- Togekiss with charm and ancestral power
- Ho-Oh with hidden power and a brave bird
- Yanmega with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
- Volcarona with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
Hope this helps explain how to beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in Pokémon GO in January 2021. Be sure to come back here if their roster changes and we'll all have the final counters against their teams.
