Team GO Rocket is back at it again, with leader Cliff making another appearance in Pokémon GO. Despite being one of the tougher fights, Cliff's lineup remains unchanged for the start of July 2024. So, players should know what to expect going into it. That being said, it's still worth your time to beat Cliff in Pokémon GO for the rewards he drops.

To cross paths with Cliff in Pokémon GO, you must build a Rocket Radar. Parts for this item drop every time you beat a Rocket Grunt. In total, you need six of the parts to make a Rocket Radar, which will then let you track down a Team GO Rocket leader. However, there's no guarantee it's going to be Cliff. It could be any one of the team GO Rocket Leaders. That's why it's worthwhile knowing how to beat Sierra and the other leaders.

Cliff's Team In Pokémon GO (July 2024)

A Dynamic And Difficult Line-up

Team GO Rocket leader Cliff will challenge you with the same Pokémon from the last three months in Pokémon GO. First up is always Generation 1 Fighting-type Machop, which shouldn't pose a challenge, even for new players. However, the second and third Pokemon you encounter against Cliff may differ from what players are used to.

In the second round, Cliff could throw out the following Pokémon: Water- and Dragon-type Kingdra, Psychic- and Flying-type Gallade, or Rock- and Flying-type Aerodactyl.

For the third and final round, Cliff will cast one of the following three Pokemon: Rock- and Grass-type Cradily, Poison- and Flying-type Crobat, or Rock- and Dark-type Tyranitar. These are hands down the toughest opponents in Cliff's arsenal and will present a challenge. That is unless you have the right counter to Cliff's lineup for July 2024.

Best Counters For Cliff In Pokémon GO (July 2024)

Two For The Price Of One

Because Machop isn't a difficult battle, choosing a Pokémon that counters it and one of the possible three you'll face in the second round is smart. The counters to Machop are Fairy-, Flying- or Psychic-type attacks. In this case, the best counter would be Gen 2 Togekiss, as they're also a good match-up for Kingdra and Gallade in the second round if you so happen to face either of them.

Following that, it's always a good idea to include a fighting type due to the damage they deal. While Mewtwo is always a good choice, Lucario may be a better option if you already have a Gen 2 Togekiss in your Pokémon GO lineup. Lucario is a Fighting- & Steel-type Pokémon that can effectively counter the Shadow Aerodactyl in the second round. Meanwhile, Togekiss will always be ready for round two if Aerodactyl doesn't appear.

If Tyranitar or Cradily show up, you'll already have a counter with your Fighting type. However, they likely won't have enough health to finish the fight. The best Pokémon to rely on for round three is Metagross or Rayquaza. The former is the more likely option, as not everyone is going to have Rayquaza.

Rewards For Defeating Cliff In Pokémon GO

A Chance To Get A Super Rare Pokémon

Beating Cliff in July 2024 will reward players with some top-notch items in Pokémon GO. You can capture a Shadow Machop, including a shiny variant, immediately following the battle. On top of this, you'll get 1,000 Stardust in Pokémon GO and a 12-km egg. You can hatch some of the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO from these. So, be sure to incubate it as soon as the battle's over so you can begin hatching it.

Stardust can be used to increase the level of any Pokémon you have caught.

Safe to say team GO Rocket leader Cliff has some pretty good rewards if you beat him in July 2024. That being said, he's also arguably the toughest leader you'll face, and that's why it's worth preparing for the fight. At the same time, it's a smart idea to prepare for each team Go Rocket leader in Pokémon GO.