Cliff and the other Team Rocket leaders returned to Pokémon Go to cause more problems. They received a new lineup during the Luminous Legends Y event in May, and that roster will continue to hold out for the rest of the year. With Giovanni taking a break from Pokémon Go, we don't know when they'll be back for another series of Team Rocket battles, but you can still meet them at their bases.
Cliff is considered the strongest of the three, but this time around he doesn't have an Aerodactyl, one of his strongest Pokémon choices. If you are looking to fight one of these leaders, you will need to use a missile radar to find them. You can receive a missile radar by defeating six Team Rocket recruits and obtaining their mystery components to find the leaders' hideouts.
We will list all of Cliff's Pokémon, their weaknesses and the best Pokémon to beat them in the game.
First Pokémon
The first Pokémon Cliff will use in battle will be Seedot, a Grass-type Pokémon. It is weak against Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Poison-type attacks, and resistant to Electric, Grass, Ground, and Water-type moves. It's best to attack with Fire and Flying-type moves against Seedot, such as using Charizard, Talonflame, Ho-Oh, or Moltres.
Second Pokémon
These are potential choices for Cliff's second Pokémon that he might use against you during battle.
- Kingler (Water type)
- Hariyama (Fighting type)
- Poliwrath (Fight and Water)
Based on what we know about Cliff's current choices, these Pokémon will be weak against Electric, Fairy, Flying, Grass, and Psychic-type attacks. Your best bet is to use Flying, Grass, or Psychic-type Pokémon to target all of their weak points. As they're all pretty close to the same type, Cliff's second series of Pokémon should be pretty predictable.
Third Pokémon
Here are the final choices for Cliff's third Pokémon that he could use against you in battle.
- Tyranitar (Dark and Rock Type)
- Torterra (Earth and Grass Type)
- Sharpedo (dark and water type)
Given the knowledge we have of Cliff's latest choices for Pokémon, these Pokémon will be weak against Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ice, Steel, and Water-types. Your choice is to use an Insect, Fighting, Grass, Ice, Steel, or Water type against them.
After defeating Cliff, you will have a chance to catch his Seedot, which is much easier than his first previous Pokémon. You will have a chance to potentially get a Shiny Pokémon and evolve it into a Shiftry.
With Cliff defeated, you will be one step closer to completing the rest of the Luminous Legends Y event timed research and many other tasks you can complete during the event.
