Meeting Cliff: how to defeat this boss in Pokémon Go

In Pokémon GO, Cliff is one of the formidable leaders of Team GO Rocket, and defeating him is a challenging endeavor. However, with the right team and strategy, you can secure a victory with ease.

How Cliff Plays?

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Understanding Cliff's battle strategy is crucial before you take him on. His battle is structured in three phases:

• First Phase: Cliff always begins with Shadow Cubone, offering no surprises here.
• Second Phase: Here, luck plays a role as Cliff may deploy Shadow Machoke, Shadow Annihilape, or Shadow Marowak.
• Final Stage: Cliff can choose from Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Machamp, or Shadow Crobat, making it challenging to predict his moves.

Given the variability in Cliff's lineup, selecting the right Pokémon for battle is not straightforward. Each encounter can differ from what's commonly described online, but we'll help you choose Pokémon that can handle Cliff's unpredictable choices effectively.

Which Pokémon Are Best to Choose?

To counter Cliff's Pokémon effectively, you need to understand their weaknesses and choose Pokémon that exploit them. Here are some top picks that can help you triumph over Cliff:

Shadow Mewtwo

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Shadow Mewtwo is a powerhouse, capable of defeating opponents in the last two stages of the battle. It's effective against Shadow Machoke, Shadow Annihilape, Shadow Machamp, and Shadow Crobat, making it a versatile choice.

Mega Rayquaza

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Similar to Shadow Mewtwo, Mega Rayquaza can take down the same set of Pokémon. Strategically placing Mega Rayquaza in the third stage and Shadow Mewtwo in the second, or vice versa, can help you navigate the final stages smoothly.

Kyogre

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The standard Kyogre is limited to the first round, but Primal Kyogre's enhanced power can tackle Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Marowak, and Shadow Cubone. With the right luck, Primal Kyogre can be a game-changer at any battle stage.

Dawn Wings Necrozma

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Dawn Wings Necrozma is limited to defeating only Shadow Annihilape and Shadow Machoke, making it less optimal for this battle due to its narrower range of effectiveness.

Mega Swampert

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Mega Swampert can handle Shadow Marowak and Shadow Cubone, but its utility is restricted to the first phase. For the second phase, consider switching to a more versatile Pokémon to counter Cliff's unpredictable choices.

A strategic team composition could include Primal Kyogre for the first phase, Shadow Mewtwo for the second, and Mega Rayquaza for the third. If you're missing any of these, feel free to adapt using other Pokémon from the list based on their strengths and weaknesses.

How to Find Cliff?

To challenge Cliff, you must first overcome six Team GO Rocket Grunts to collect mysterious components, which you'll use to assemble a Rocket Radar. Activating the Radar increases your chances of encountering a Team GO Rocket leader, with a 33.3% chance it'll be Cliff.

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Battling Cliff is more demanding than facing Grunts due to his stronger Shadow Pokémon spread across three battle stages. Selecting versatile fighters like Shadow Mewtwo, Mega Rayquaza, and Primal Kyogre is key to countering his threats effectively.

With the right team, you'll be well-equipped to tackle Cliff in Pokémon GO. Even without these specific Pokémon, you can adapt your strategy by leveraging other strong fighters, considering their attributes and vulnerabilities. Remember, to encounter Cliff, you'll need that Rocket Radar, earned through defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts.