In Pokémon GO, facing off against Cliff, one of Team GO Rocket's leaders, is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. With the right team and strategy, you can secure victory and enjoy the spoils of your triumph.

How Cliff Plays?

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Understanding Cliff's battle strategy is crucial before engaging him. The battle unfolds in three distinct phases:

• Phase 1: Cliff consistently deploys Shadow Cubone. There are no surprises here, making it easier to plan your first move.
• Phase 2: This stage introduces an element of chance, with Cliff potentially sending out Shadow Machoke, Shadow Annihilape, or Shadow Marowak.
• Phase 3: The final phase sees Cliff choosing from Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Machamp, or Shadow Crobat.

Given the variability in the latter phases, selecting the right Pokémon for your team is critical. Each encounter can differ, but we'll guide you in choosing Pokémon that can handle Cliff's unpredictable choices effectively.

Which Pokémon Are Best to Choose?

To counter Cliff's Pokémon, you need to exploit their weaknesses. Here are some top choices that can tilt the battle in your favor:

Shadow Mewtwo

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Shadow Mewtwo is a versatile pick, capable of defeating Shadow Machoke, Shadow Annihilape, Shadow Machamp, and Shadow Crobat. It's a strong choice for the second or third phase, depending on your strategy.

Mega Rayquaza

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Mega Rayquaza mirrors Shadow Mewtwo's effectiveness, making it an excellent choice for the final phase. Pairing it with Shadow Mewtwo can ensure you cover the last two stages seamlessly.

Kyogre

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Regular Kyogre can only secure victory in the first round against Shadow Cubone. However, Primal Kyogre is a powerhouse, capable of defeating Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Marowak, and Shadow Cubone, making it a flexible option for any phase.

Dawn Wings Necrozma

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Dawn Wings Necrozma is effective against Shadow Annihilape and Shadow Machoke, but its limited scope makes it less ideal for this battle, as it can't handle the full range of Cliff's choices.

Mega Swampert

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Mega Swampert can handle Shadow Marowak and Shadow Cubone but is best suited for the first phase. For subsequent phases, consider switching to a more versatile Pokémon.

An effective lineup could include Primal Kyogre in the first phase, Shadow Mewtwo in the second, and Mega Rayquaza in the third. If you lack any of these, other strong Pokémon from the list can serve as suitable replacements.

How to Find Hero?

To challenge Cliff, you must first defeat six Team GO Rocket Grunts to gather mysterious components for a Rocket Radar. Once activated, the Radar will lead you to a Team GO Rocket leader, with a 33.3% chance of encountering Cliff.

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Battling Cliff is more demanding than facing Grunts due to his formidable Shadow Pokémon. Preparation is key; select versatile fighters like Shadow Mewtwo, Mega Rayquaza, and Primal Kyogre to counter his threats effectively across all three stages. Even without these specific Pokémon, you can adapt your strategy to use other strong Pokémon, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses.

Remember, a Rocket Radar is essential for encountering Cliff, and while defeat means a chance for a rematch, victory will destroy the Radar. With the right preparation and strategy, you'll master the art of defeating Cliff in Pokémon GO.