The muscle of Team GO Rocket, Leader Cliff, returns in June 2025 with a new lineup to catch trainers out inPokémonGO.For months, Cliff, along with the other Leaders Arlo and Sierra, has kept the same line-up inPokémonGO, but it has all changed as part of a recent event, offering a new challenge for trainers. Due to Cliff using high-level Shadow Pokémon, you need to know his line-up, and the best Pokémon to beat him.
During theCrown Clash: Taken Over eventTeam GO Rocket were heavily featured and this markednew line-ups for all Team GO Rocket members, including Grunts, Leaders and the Boss. In previous months, Cliff has been a straightforward battle for trainers to counter due to many crossover weaknesses in his Pokémon. However, a new line-up means it is vital that you know Cliff’s team and the best Pokémon to counter them before taking him on in June 2025.
Cliff’s Lineup & Counters (June 2025)
Four New Pokémon For June
For June 2025,Cliff will use four different Pokémonfrom previous teams. The Leader will still use a combination of seven Pokémon in each battle, with his second and third Pokémon chosen at random every time. In a change to his team,Cliff will now always start with the dangerous Dragon- and Ground-type Gible.Hissecond Pokémon will be one ofDark- and Flying-type Honchkrow,Steel- and Flying-type Skarmoryor the returningFighting- and Ghost-type Annihilape.
ForCliff’s third Pokémon, Electric-type Luxray is new to his potential Pokémon,along withFighting-type MachampandDark- and Rock-type Tyranitar.The waves are listed below:
Pokémon and Type
1
(Shadow) Gible - Dragon and Ground
Ice, Dragon and Fairy
2
(Shadow) Honchkrow - Dark and Flying
Electric, Fairy, Ice and Rock
(Shadow) Skarmory - Steel and Flying
Electric and Fire
(Shadow) Annihilape - Fighting and Ghost
Fairy, Flying, Ghost and Psychic
3
(Shadow) Tyranitar - Rock and Dark
Fairy, Flying, Psychic
While Gible is one of the strongest opening Pokémon any of the Leaders have, it still has three weaknesses. I would always start with an Ice-type as Gible is double weak against their attacks.A great option is Ice- and Ground-type Mamoswine.The powerhouse can dominate Cliff’s team if set up with one attack of each of its two types. Its Ice-type attack will also make quick work of Honchkrow if it is selected. As a bonus, its ground-type attacks are super-effective against Luxray and Tyranitar.
Another good choice is to include aFairy-type such as Togekiss or Xerneas.Fairy-type moves are super-effective against five of Cliff’s Pokémon this month: Gible, Honchkrow, Annihilape, Tyranitar and Machamp. The only Pokémon which isn’t covered by the above isSkarmory, which is weak againstElectric- and Fire-type attacks.Thundurus Therianis one of the best Electric-typesavailable inPokémon GOand is another option if Honchkrow is selected.
Rewards For Beating Cliff (June 2025)
A Rare Encounter And A Rare Egg
Upon victory over Cliff this month, you will immediately get the chance to catchhis first Pokémon in its Shadow form, Gible. Its final stage, Garchomp, is a very powerful Pokémon, so it is definitely worth capturing. On top of this, you need to defeat all three Leaders, including Cliff, to be able to take onTeam GO Rocket Boss Giovanni.
In addition, each time you defeat Cliff, you receive a number of items to assist your journey throughPokémonGO.
If you have space in your egg storage, one of these items will automatically bethe rare red 12km egg, which can hatch some of the strongest Pokémon on offer. You will also receive a selection of items out of anUnova Stone, 4x Max Potions, 4x Max Revives, 4x Hyper Potions, 4x Revives.Cliff’s team has had a makeover for June 2025, but you can still counter it as long as you select the right Pokémon inPokémon GO.
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.
