Pokémon Go July 2025: Best Counters to Beat Sierra, Arlo, and Cliff Fast!
Ready to take down Team Go Rocket leaders in Pokémon Go this July? If you want to beat Sierra, Arlo, and Cliff, we’ve got all the updated counters and strategies you need. With the latest changes from the Crown Clash: Taken Over event, their line-ups are trickier than ever. Let’s get straight to the point and help you claim those Shadow Pokémon!
- How to find and challenge Sierra, Arlo, and Cliff
- Latest line-ups for each Team Go Rocket leader (July 2025)
- Best counters for every boss
- Pro tips for winning fights and earning Shadow Shards
How to find Sierra, Arlo, and Cliff in Pokémon Go
To battle the Team Go Rocket leaders, keep an eye out for black PokéStops or hot air balloons—but remember, you’ll need a Rocket Radar to trigger these encounters. Collect six Mysterious Components from regular Team Rocket Grunts, and you’re good to go. Equip your Rocket Radar and you’ll face one of the three leaders at random. Don’t forget: some Special Research tasks require you to beat all three bosses, and finishing the Team Go Rocket Special Research will get you a Super Rocket Radar to hunt down Giovanni for a Legendary Shadow Pokémon.
Pokémon Go Sierra counters for July 2025
This month, Sierra’s got a pretty varied team, so you’ll want to bring a mix of Ground, Water, and Ice types for the best results. Here’s her current line-up:
Trapinch (Ground)
Ferrothorn (Grass/Steel)
Mismagius (Ghost)
Staraptor (Normal/Flying)
Houndoom (Dark/Fire)
Drapion (Poison/Dark)
Camerupt (Fire/Ground)
Recommended counters for Sierra include:
- Garchomp (Mud Shot & Earth Power)
- Rhyperior (Mud-Slap & Earthquake)
- Kyogre (Waterfall & Origin Pulse)
- Primarina (Waterfall & Hydro Cannon)
- Galarian Darmanitan (Ice Fang & Avalanche)
- Mamoswine (Powder Snow & Avalanche)
- Lucario (Force Palm & Aura Sphere)
- Delphox (Fire Spin & Blast Burn)
- Tyranitar (Bite & Brutal Swing)
Don’t forget to mix in Dark, Fire, or Fighting moves if you spot her using some of her alternate picks!
Pokémon Go Arlo counters for July 2025
Arlo’s party is all about variety, so you’ll want to be flexible. Electric moves are your best bet, but Ground, Ghost, and Fire types will help you cover all his options. Here’s what Arlo is bringing this month:
Horsea (Water)
Steelix (Steel/Ground)
Crobat (Poison/Flying)
Slowbro (Water/Psychic)
Scizor (Bug/Steel)
Alolan Muk (Poison/Dark)
Alakazam (Psychic)
Top counters to use against Arlo:
- Electivire (Thunder Shock & Wild Charge)
- Zekrom (Charge Beam & Fusion Bolt)
- Garchomp (Mud Shot & Earth Power)
- Rhyperior (Mud-Slap & Earthquake)
- Chandelure (Hex & Shadow Ball)
- Delphox (Fire Spin & Blast Burn)
*Pro tip: Ghost moves are especially handy against Alakazam, while Electric types will zap Horsea and Slowbro with ease!*
Pokémon Go Cliff counters for July 2025
Cliff’s line-up this month is especially weak to Fairy moves, so bring your strongest Fairy types! You can also add in Fire and Ground moves to cover his other choices. Here’s what you’re up against:
Gible (Dragon/Ground)
Honchkrow (Dark/Flying)
Skarmory (Steel/Flying)
Annihilape (Fighting/Ghost)
Tyranitar (Rock/Dark)
Machamp (Fighting)
Luxray (Electric)
Best counters for Cliff:
- Togekiss (Charm & Dazzling Gleam)
- Gardevoir (Charm & Dazzling Gleam)
- Delphox (Fire Spin & Blast Burn)
- Garchomp (Mud Shot & Earth Power)
Tip: Lead with a Fairy type to take down Gible and Honchkrow quickly, then follow up with Fire or Ground for the others.
General tips for beating Team Go Rocket leaders
1. Leaders always use shields on your first two Charge Attacks, so bring Pokémon that can charge up fast and break those shields early.
2. Don’t worry if your first Pokémon gets knocked out—it’s all about getting rid of shields, then letting your other Pokémon sweep.
3. You can retry as many times as you want with the same Rocket Radar, so scout out their line-up and adjust your team if needed.
4. Use your highest CP Pokémon to match their high-CP shadows.
5. Battling leaders is a great way to earn Shadow Shards for Purified Gems—each win gives you three!
Want more Pokémon Go tips?
Check out more guides for Pokémon Go Giovanni counters, a full Galar Pokémon list, and tips on Mega Evolution!
Check out this Twitch clip for a quick strategy overview
