Team GO Leader Cliff returns toPokémon GOin March 2025, offering another challenge for trainers looking to take on the hardest battles in the game. Team GO Rocket have long proved a throne in trainers' sides, and it is no different this month. If you want to get the chance to take onTeam GO Rocket Boss Giovanni in March, you will first need to defeat Cliff, along with fellow Leaders Arlo and Sierra.
Once you have defeated six Rocket Grunts, you may find Leaders in PokeStops and Rocket Balloons. To be able to defeat any of the Leaders, including Cliff, you will need to use counters for their Pokémon. This makes it essential you know what to expect from their teams, as well as what Pokémon are super-effective against them.
Cliff’s Lineup & Counters (March 2025)
No Surprises From Cliff This Month
For the start of March 2025,Cliff’s team remains unchangedfrom the one that he has used in recent months. This means he relies heavily on either Fighting- or Ground-type Pokémon. As he did last month, he will start withGeneration One Ground-type Cubone.
All of Cliff’s Pokémon are Shadow versions, increasing their stats. If you have Shadow versions of the best counters, you should opt to use these if you can.
From here, he will choose a Pokémon at random out of three for both of his second and third choices. His second choice will be one ofFighting-type Machoke, Ground-type Marowak or Fighting- and Ghost-type Annihilape.Finally, he uses one of the three strongest Pokémon available to him,Poison- and Flying-type Crobat, Rock- and Dark- type Tyranitar or Fighting-type Machamp.
Pokémon and Type
1
2
3
Fairy, Flying, Psychic
Thankfully, for March, Cliff’s team has a lot of mutual weaknesses, which makes it a much easier battle for you. You can cover all of his potential Pokémon with two types, meaning you can have a spare Pokémon as a back-up. You should always lead with a Pokémon that is super-effective against Cliff’s opener Cubone. It is weak to Grass-, Ice- or Water-type attacks. My preference is currentlyto use Ice-type Mamoswine.It is a powerful heavy hitter that also has an advantage against Marowak and Crobat if they are selected.
10 Strongest Ice-Type Pokémon in Pokémon GO
Ice-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO may be fragile at times in battle, but the strongest creatures of this element can still dominate in every mode.
When facing Cliff, it is also essential to use aFairy-type Pokémon,as all of his other Pokémon are weak against it. Xerneas is thebest Fairy-type in Pokémon GOand has an advantage against Machoke, Annihilape, Tyranitar, and Machamp. Rounding out the team, I use one of the best Master League Pokémon, Mewtwo. While the other two can potentially beat all of Cliff’s team, you want another option to switch in if needed. Mewtwo, as a Psychic-type, is also super-effective against four of his team: Machoke, Annihilape, Crobat, and Machamp.
Rewards For Beating Cliff (March 2025)
A Shadow Pokémon And Rare Egg On OFfer
As with the other Team GO Rocket Leaders, the biggest reward once you have defeated him is the chance to catch his lead Pokémon. For March, that isShadow Cubone.While it isn’t the strongest its evolution, Shadow Marowak does have its uses in certain PvP GO Battle League competitions. You will have a further chance to add to your Pokémon collection, as you willreceive a strange red 12km egg, as long as you have space in your egg storage. This can hatch into some of the rarest Pokémon inPokémon GO, once you have walked 12km with it.
Finally, you will also receive several other items, which can help catch, evolve or recover Pokémon after battle. These are theUnova Stone, 2x Max Potions, 2x Max Revives, 4x Hyper Potions, 4x Revives.You will receive three of these at random as long as your item storage isn’t beyond full capacity. Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff is easier to defeat than previously this month and can be easily countered inPokémon GOby using a team of Ice-, Fairy-, and Psychic-type Pokémon.
Pokémon GO
Created by Niantic, Pokémon GO is an augmented reality RPG where players can wander around catching Pokémon as they pass by various landmarks in real life. Players can engage in a traditional Pokémon experience via battles with other trainers, catching Pokémon to breed new ones, and even trade them with other trainers they come across.
