Team Rocket’s Return in Pokémon GO: February 2025 Edition
Once again, Team Rocket is making headlines in February 2025 within the world of Pokémon GO. The notorious criminal organization’s captain, Cliff, is back for players to confront. Those willing to take on Cliff’s formidable team will be rewarded with rare treasures, though adapting to his frequently shifting roster can prove to be quite the challenge. The recent Fashion Week: Taken Over event has brought changes to Cliff’s lineup, which means you may need to strategize carefully to tackle this elite trainer.
Before you can engage Cliff in battle, you must first complete Special Research to construct the Rocket Radar. This device can be assembled by gathering six Mysterious Parts, which you earn by taking down Team Rocket Grunts found at various PokéStops. Once you’ve activated the Radar, it will pinpoint the location of a Team Rocket leader, who may be Cliff, Sierra, or Arlo in Pokémon GO.
Cliff’s Pokémon Roster & Strategies (January 2025)
Finding Effective Type Match-Ups for Cliff’s New Team
As of January 2025, Cliff’s team has undergone changes following the Fashion Week: Taken Over event. At this time, the lineup from that event remains the same for this month. It’s worth noting that another Taken Over event could happen anytime in February, so stay alert for updates on Team Rocket’s plans.
As with previous months, Cliff relies on Shadow Pokémon, which display elevated strength. His team consists of three Pokémon, utilized across three different battle waves. The first wave will feature the same Pokémon each time, while the second and third waves introduce a selection of three potential Pokémon.
Below is a chart detailing the Pokémon you may encounter when challenging Cliff, along with their types and counters that exploit their weaknesses:
Wave | Pokémon | Type | Weaknesses | Best Counters |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | (Shadow) Cubone | Ground | Grass, Ice, Water | Swampert, Kyogre, Sceptile, Gyarados, Zarude |
2 | (Shadow) Machoke | Fighting | Fairy, Flying, Psychic | Gardevoir, Alakazam, Dawn Wings Necrozma, Rayquaza, Gallade |
2 | (Shadow) Marowak | Ground | Grass, Ice, Water | Swampert, Kyogre, Sceptile, Gyarados, Zarude |
2 | (Shadow) Annihilape | Fighting/Ghost | Fairy, Flying, Ghost, Psychic | |
3 | (Shadow) Crobat | Poison/Flying | Electric, Ice, Psychic, Rock | Rhyperior, Metagross, Alakazam, Tyranitar, Magnezone |
3 | (Shadow) Tyranitar | Rock/Dark | Fighting, Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ground, Steel, Water | Lucario, Heracross, Conkeldurr, Terrakion, Hariyama |
3 | (Shadow) Machamp | Fighting | Fairy, Flying, Psychic | Gardevoir, Alakazam, Dawn Wings Necrozma, Rayquaza, Gallade |
Cliff’s current roster features multiple Pokémon from the same evolutionary line. Since these Pokémon do not acquire another type, utilizing one effective counter can apply to several options he may bring.
Recommended strong counters include:
- Dawn Wings Necrozma
- Swampert
- Tyranitar
Rewards for Defeating Cliff (January 2025)
Receive Valuable Item Bundles for Your Victory
Upon defeating Cliff, you will initially earn 1,000 Stardust. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to rewards for overcoming a Team Rocket leader. You will receive two item bundles that may include:
- 1x Unova Stone
- 1x 12km Strange Egg
- 2x Max Potions
- 2x Max Revives
- 4x Hyper Potions
- 4x Revives
Note: The Strange Egg is guaranteed in the item bundles, but it’s only awarded if you have an empty Egg slot in your inventory.
Additionally, you will have a chance to capture Cliff’s Shadow Cubone after your battle. This Pokémon may also be Shiny, encouraging trainers to challenge Cliff several times for that coveted variant.
The loot gained from defeating Cliff will be beneficial as you prepare to face the other two Team Rocket leaders. After you conquer Cliff in Pokémon GO, you can start rebuilding the Rocket Radar to continue collecting rewards from taking down the criminal leaders.