Pokemon GO Cliff December 2020: Updates and Counters

Pokemon GO Team Rocket executive Cliff has updated his battle team for December 2020.

Niantic Labs has added an extra layer of challenge to its popular Team GO Rocket battle mechanic. On top of earning their chance to track the elite of these infamous enemies, trainers looking to challenge them will need to keep up with their ever-changing team.

Here's everything you need to know to take down Cliff this December.

Pokemon GO Cliff December 2020

Cliff will always start with Omanyte, a dual rock and water-type. While this may open it to a host of weaknesses, the most important type to note here is grass. Both water and rock share a grass-type vulnerability, meaning the best bet would be Shiftry, Gogoat, or the newest Kalos starter release: Chesnaught. The most effective movesets include the quick moves Vine Whip, Bullet Seed, and Razor Leaf alongside the charged moves Solar Beam and Leaf Blade.

Second Pokemon

His second choice pool includes the fighting-type Machamp, rock and ground-type Onix, and electric-type Electivire.

Machamp's biggest weaknesses are flying, fairy, and psychic. Therefore, trainers would be wise to choose Pokemon like Yvetal, Mewtwo, Delphox, and Galarian Rapidash. The best movesets for the noted psychic-types include Confusion, Psycho Cut, and Zen Headbutt alongside the classic charged move Psychic. Flying-types like Yvetal should have the quick move Gust and the charged move Hurricane.

Onix is especially vulnerable to grass and water-types. If you still have your grass-type available from Omanyte, you could also use them here. Otherwise, Kingler, Kyogre, and Roserade are decent choices. Kingler and Kyogre will perform best with the quick moves Bubble and Waterfall alongside the charged moves Crabhammer, Hydro Pump, and Surf, respectively. Roserade tends to have the most success with the quick move Razor Leaf and the charged moves Grass Knot and Solar Beam.

Electivire's only true weakness is ground, so the usual standbys including Rhyperior, Excadrill, Groudon, and Therian Landorus are the best choices. Their most effective movesets include the quick moves Mud Shot and Mud-Slap, paired with the charged moves Earthquake, Earth Power, and Drill Run.

Third Pokemon

Finally, Cliff will finish the battle with rock and dark-type Tyranitar, grass and ground-type Swampert, or the grass and ground-type Torterra.

Tyranitar has a particular vulnerability to fighting-types. Trainers may want to default to Machamp, Lucario, Conkeldurr, or Breloom. They should have movesets containing the quick move Counter and the charged moves Aura Sphere or Dynamic Punch.

Swampert's primary weakness is grass. Again, if you haven't exhausted your grass-type from Omanyte, they would perform well here. Best counter chocies include Roserade, Sceptile, and Venusaur with Frenzy Plant.

Torterra is extremely weak to ice, meaning Niantic's recent holiday programming will certainly come in handy. Trainers should look to Mamoswine, Galarian Zen Darmanitan, Weavile, and Glaceon to get the job done. The most effective moveset here have the quick moves Powder Snow, Ice Fang, Ice Shard, and Frost Breath alongside the charged move Avalanche.