Conquer Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in Pokémon GO (July 2025)

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Team GO Rocket keeps challenging trainers throughout July 2025 in Pokémon GO, and you’ll encounter three Leaders: Arlo, Sierra, and Cliff. To battle Team GO Rocket’s Boss Giovanni, you must first defeat each of these Leaders, all of whom pose unique challenges featuring some of the game’s strongest Pokémon.

Each Leader has a distinct lineup of powerful Pokémon, so knowing these lineups is essential for putting together the best team to counter them. After defeating Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra, you’ll earn various rewards, motivating you to continue seeking them out at Pokéstops and Rocket Balloons this month. To face one of them, you need to take down six Team GO Rocket Grunts first.

Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra: Lineups and Counters

Effective Counters Are Key

When battling Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra, the format remains consistent. Each Leader employs three Pokémon from a total of seven possibilities. Their first Pokémon is always the same, but their second and third Pokémon will vary each time you challenge them.

Leader	Lineup and Types	Best Counter Team
Arlo	Horsea (1) – Water Slowbro (2) – Water and Psychic Steelix (2) – Steel and Ground Crobat (2) – Poison and Flying Scizor (3) – Bug and Steel Alolan Muk (3) – Poison and Dark Alakazam (3) – Psychic	Therian Thundurus Ho-Oh Groudon
Cliff	Gible (1) – Dragon and Ground Honchkrow (2) – Dark and Flying Skarmory (2) – Steel and Flying Annihilape (2) – Fighting and Ghost Luxray (3) – Electric Tyranitar (3) – Rock and Dark Machamp (3) – Fighting	Mamoswine Xerneas Therian Thundurus
Sierra	Trapinch (1) – Ground Staraptor (2) – Normal and Flying Mismagius (2) – Ghost Ferrothorn (2) – Grass and Steel Camerupt (3) – Fire and Ground Drapion (3) – Poison and Dark Houndoom (3) – Dark and Fire	Swampert Terrakion Tyranitar

As of June 2025, the lineups for all three Leaders have remained unchanged, so if you’ve faced them recently, expect a familiar battle. Arlo is the most challenging, as his lineup makes it tough to find the ideal counters for all seven of his Pokémon. A solid combination to use includes Therian Thundurus, Ho-Oh, and Groudon, which can dish out significant damage, even with imperfect matchups.

All Leaders utilize Shadow Pokémon, enhancing their stats.

When battling Cliff, starting with Ice- and Ground-type Mamoswine can provide a tremendous advantage, especially when armed with moves of each type. The best Fairy-type in Pokémon GO, Xerneas, can also help, as it’s super effective against five of Cliff’s Pokémon. Finally, Therian Thundurus makes for an excellent third choice with its Electric attacks.

Sierra’s battle is similar to Cliff’s; a strong starting Pokémon can dominate her team. Swampert, another dual-type Pokémon (Water and Ground), can quickly take down Sierra’s lineup with moves from both types. Terrakion and Tyranitar serve as great backup options against her other Pokémon.

Rewards for Defeating Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra

Shadow Pokémon, Eggs, and Available Items

Regardless of which Leader you defeat, the rewards will be quite similar. After defeating any of them, you will encounter their respective opening Shadow Pokémon: either Horsea, Gible, or Trapinch, depending on the Leader.

All Ditto Disguises in Pokémon GO (July 2025)

Ditto remains one of the most elusive Pokémon in Pokémon GO, but using Lures and Incense can aid in locating it throughout July.

You’ll also earn a rare 12km Red Egg, granted you have space in your Egg inventory. Walking the 12km is necessary to hatch it, and it may yield rare Pokémon like Sandile and Pancham. Additionally, you’ll receive items like Max Revives and Max Potions, with drops occurring randomly after each battle.

The challenges posed by Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in Pokémon GO this July are formidable, but by employing the right Pokémon strategy, you can reap impressive rewards.