Five years on from its original release, Pokemon GO remains one of the most popular augmented-reality titles out there. Niantic’s genre-defining ARPG has expanded steadily since its 2016 launch, with a constant stream of new features and events each month. One of the most important additions to Pokemon GO are the Team GO Rocket Leaders, tough NPC trainers that players can battle to gain Shadow Pokemon.
The rosters of the Team GO Rocket Leaders rotate regularly, meaning players can’t rely on the same team over and over. February 2022 has seen a new roster for Cliff, the “bighearted ruffian.” Cliff isn’t the hardest of the Team GO Rocket Leaders, but bringing the right team is still essential to beating him.
Cliff’s First Pokemon - Teddiursa
Cliff’s new starter Pokemon for February 2022 is Teddiursa. Teddiursa is the weakest Pokemon on Cliff’s team, and players should make sure that any counter they bring is also useful against his other Pokemon. As a Normal-type, Teddiursa is weak to Fighting and resistant to Ghost.
Almost any kind of Fighting-type Pokemon will be a good choice to take down Teddiursa, so long as they use Fighting moves. Particular standouts include Lucario, Conkeldurr, Machamp, and Breloom. All of these can use the powerful Counter quick move, as well as charged moves like Aura Sphere, Dynamic Punch, and Focus Blast.
Cliff’s Second Pokemon - Electivire, Marowak, Omastar
Cliff’s second Pokemon in February 2022 is likely to give players a lot more trouble than his first. He will either use the Electric-type Electivire, the Ground-type Marowak, or the Rock/Water-type Omastar. Electivire is weak to Ground, Marowak is weak to Grass, Ice, and Water, and Omastar is weak to Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Ground.
This wide range of weaknesses makes picking a counter tough, but there are a couple of crossovers. Any Ground Pokemon will be strong against Electivire and Omastar, while Marowak and Omastar are both weak to Grass. Good picks that target these weaknesses include Garchomp with Mud Shot and Earthquake, or Zarude with Vine Whip and Power Whip. Overall Grass is probably the stronger choice, as it’s more likely to be effective against Cliff’s final Pokemon.
Cliff’s Third Pokemon - Swampert, Torterra, Tyranitar
Following in the footsteps of Team GO Rocket boss Giovanni, Cliff leaves his toughest Pokemon for last. Players will either face the Water/Ground-type Swampert, Grass/Ground-type Torterra, or Rock/Dark-type Tyranitar. Swampert is weak to Grass, Torterra is very weak to Ice and weak to Bug, Fire, and Flying, while Tyranitar is weak to Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water.
Tyranitar should be fairly easy to counter, so long as the player brought a strong Fighting Pokemon to beat Teddiursa, and it isn’t too hurt. The Rock/Dark-type will also be weak to any Grass-type that was chosen to counter Marowak and Omastar, as will Swampert. Torterra is the most difficult of Cliff’s third Pokemon choices, and may require players to take a chance on a powerful Ice-type like Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche.
Pokemon GO is available now for Android and iOS devices.
