- The Pokemon GO Leader Cliff has three phases, including a Shadow Lileep in the first phase and a few more in the second and third phases.
- You track the boss using the Rocket Radar, which is built out of six mysterious components. Then, you find the boss in various Team GO rocket hideouts.
- Once found, use the necessary Pokemon against his shadow Pokemon to defeat and progress through your quest.
Anybody who has played Pokemon GO knows about the leader, Cliff, and how difficult he can deal with. Cliff, one of the prominent Pokemon GO leaders, is one you will need to defeat during his rotation. So, if you plan on tracking down the elusive Pokemon GO leader, Cliff, here’s how to beat him.
Leader Cliff Pokemon Lineup (August 2024)
As of August 2024, the Pokemon GO Cliff Boss fight comprises three phases, each featuring a different boss Pokemon. The initial phase showcases the shadow form of the Fighting-type Pokemon Lileep. It is a well-known fighting Pokemon from the video games and the anime series, often featured alongside Machamp.
In phase two, depending on luck and your opponent, you’ll encounter a random shadow variant of Kingdra, Markowak, or Aerodactyl. After defeating these two Pokemon, you’ll face the final boss, the shadow variant of Tyranitar, Cradily, or Crobat. Here are the Pokemon GO leader Cliff bosses:
- Phase 1: Lileep
- Phase 2: Kingdra/Aerodactyl/Marowak
- Phase 3: Tyranitar/Cradily/Crobat
You fight Cliff after you build a Rocket Radar out of six mysterious components. This will help you track yourself to a Team GO Rocket hideout in Pokemon GO, where you can find Cliff.
How to Beat Cliff in Pokemon GO
You must beat the current Pokemon lineup in-game to beat Cliff in Pokemon GO. Here’s how to win against all the Pokemon in each phase.
Cliff Phase 1: Lileep
The first new Pokemon joining the lineup this time is a Lileep. This is the first one you must defeat in Pokemon GO. As such, to beat them, tap into their weakness. Lileep is weak against the Fighting, Bug, Ice, and Steel-type attacks. Hence, the best Leader Cliff phase 1 counters are:
- Lucario: Counter & Aura Sphere
- Terrakion: Double Kick & Close Combat
- Galarian Darmanitan: Ice Fang & Super Power
These three Pokemon are the perfect to bring over, as they have the necessary skills to take down a Machop. Once you defeat him, it is time for the second phase of the fight.
Cliff Phase 2: Shadow Variant of Kingdra, Aerodactyl, or Marowak
In the second boss fight, you can fight between either a Kingdra, an Aerodactyle, or a Marowak, all in their shadow forms. As such, here are some counters for each of these Pokemon:
Kingdra Counters
Kingdra is a water/dragon-type Pokemon. As such, its weaknesses include a Fairy or a Dragon-type Pokemon. So, tap into their weakness and bring these Pokemon if you have them. The best Kingdra counters for Cliff’s phase 2 boss fight are:
- Rayquaza: Dragon Tail and Breaking Swipe
- Togekiss: Charm and Dazzling Gleam
- Gradevoir: Charm and Dazzling Gleam
Aerodactyl Counters
Aerodactyl is a Rock/Flying-type Pokemon. As such, its weakness includes Rock, Electric, Water, Ice, and Steel-type Pokemon. Hence, tap into its weakness and bring any Pokemon belonging to these elements. Alternatively, the best Shadow Aerodactly counters are:
- Blastoise or Mega Blastoise: Water Gun & Hydro Cannon
- Kyogre: Waterfall & Origin Pulse
- Zekrom: Charge Beam & Wild Charge
Marowak Counters
Marowak is a Ground-type Pokemon. As such, their weakness includes Grass, Ice, and Water-type Pokemon. Hence, tap into its weakness and bring any Pokemon belonging to these elements. Alternatively, the best Shadow Gallade counters are:
- Kyogre: Waterfall & Surf
- Baxcalibur: Ice Fang & Avalanche
- Mamoswine: Powder Snow & Avalanche
Once either of these three Pokemon is defeated, we move to the final phase of the Cliff boss fight in Pokemon GO.
Cliff Phase 3: Shadow Variant of Tyranitar, Cradily, Crobat
The final boss fight will make you fight between a Tyranitar, a Cradily, or a Crobat, all in their shadow forms. As such, here are some counters for each of these Pokemon:
Tyranitar
Tyraanitaar is a Rock/Dark-type Pokemon. Hence, they are weak to Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water-type attacks. So, you can either bring in a strong Pokemon belonging to these elements or bring these Pokemon to the fight:
- Lucario: Counter & Aura Sphere
- Machamp: Counter & Dynamic Punch
- Swampert: Mud Shot & Water Cannon
Cradily
Cradily is a Rock/Grass-type Pokemon. Hence, they are weak against Fighting Bug, Ice, and Steel-type attacks. So, you can bring any Pokemon belonging to these elements to fight the Cradily, or bring these Pokemon if you have them:
- Terrakion: Double Kick & Sacred Sword
- Lucario: Counter & Aura Sphere
- Metagross: Meteor Mash & Flash Cannon
Crobat
Crobat is a Poison/Flying-type Pokemon. Hence, they are weak against Psychic, Electric, Rock, and Ice-type attacks. So, either bring a strong Pokemon belonging to these elements or bring these three Pokemon:
- Mewtwo: Psycho Cut & Shadow Ball
- Alakazam or Mega Alakazam: Psycho Cut & Psychic
- Gradevoir: Charm and Dazzling Gleam
Pokemon GO Leader Cliff Rewards
Once you successfully defeat Cliff in Pokemon GO, you get some handy rewards. On successfully defeating this GO Rocket member, you’ll receive the following:
- 1,000 Stardust for leveling or powering up your Pokemon.
- ONE random drop of two items from 4x revive, 2x max revive, 4x hyper potion, 2x max potion, 1x Unova Stone, 1x 12 km egg. It can be a mix of any of these.
- A chance to encounter a Shadow Pokemon used by Cliff.
If your egg inventory is empty, the 12 KM egg is an almost confirmed drop alongside a randomized item from the list above. Otherwise, it will be two randomized drops.
That is how you defeat Leader Cliff in Pokemon GO. I hope you can track down this boss with these tips and have a great time beating him. In the comments below, let me know if you’ve found and fought Cliff.
