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Pokémon GO Cliff: How to Beat Him and the Best Counters (October 2026)

Cliff’s October 2026 team starts with Shadow Cubone, but his next two Pokémon can vary. Use this counter guide to build a flexible team and adjust after scouting his lineup.
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For the October 2026 lineup, start with Mamoswine, Lucario, and Primarina. Cliff always opens with Shadow Cubone; his second Pokémon may be Shadow Galarian Weezing, Shadow Golurk, or Shadow Snorlax, and his final Pokémon may be Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Gallade, or Shadow Camerupt. Treat the team recommendation as a flexible starting point: adjust it after you learn which Pokémon Cliff brings in slots two and three.

This lineup is a dated snapshot from Pokémon GO Hub’s October 4, 2026 guide. Team GO Rocket lineups change, so a later encounter may differ. Niantic’s Harvest Festival: Taken Over event ran October 2–5, 2026, and its announcement said the leaders were using different Shadow Pokémon.

Best team to start with against Cliff

Try Mamoswine, Lucario, and Primarina as a broad-coverage team. The best choice still depends on the Pokémon you have built and the moves Cliff’s team uses; these are matchup recommendations, not a guaranteed win for every Trainer.

  • Mamoswine: Powder Snow and Icicle Spear can apply pressure to Cliff’s shields while covering Cubone and Golurk. High Horsepower adds coverage against Galarian Weezing and Tyranitar.
  • Lucario: Fighting moves are useful against Normal-type Snorlax and can also answer Tyranitar.
  • Primarina: Its Water- and Fairy-type moves can cover several possible opponents in the final slot.

In a Leader battle, charged-move pressure matters alongside type matchups: reaching charged moves can help you make Cliff spend his shields. Pokémon GO Hub recommends these counters and moves for the listed lineup; your results can vary with your Pokémon’s strength and moveset.

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Cliff’s October 2026 lineup and how to adjust

Cliff’s first Pokémon is Shadow Cubone in the October 4 lineup snapshot. The next two slots are drawn from the options below, so do not assume the same opponent will appear in every battle.

Slot Possible Pokémon Counter direction
1 Shadow Cubone Water, Ice, or Grass moves target its Ground typing.
2 Shadow Galarian Weezing Ground or Steel moves are useful options.
2 Shadow Golurk Mamoswine’s Powder Snow and Icicle Spear are recommended coverage.
2 Shadow Snorlax Use Fighting moves against its Normal typing; Lucario is a suggested answer.
3 Shadow Tyranitar Mamoswine with High Horsepower or Lucario are suggested options.
3 Shadow Gallade Primarina is a suggested flexible pick; choose based on your available moves and the matchup.
3 Shadow Camerupt Primarina’s Water moves offer a relevant coverage option.

The table reflects the opponents and counter guidance in Pokémon GO Hub’s October 4, 2026 guide. It is not a promise that every listed move will be the right answer to every individual battle.

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How to adapt after seeing Cliff’s team

  1. Start with your broad-coverage team. Lead with Mamoswine for Cubone, then keep Lucario and Primarina available for the later slots.
  2. Note which Pokémon appears in slot two. Keep Mamoswine for Golurk; favor a Fighting answer such as Lucario if Cliff sends Snorlax; consider Ground or Steel coverage for Galarian Weezing.
  3. Change your final-slot plan after you see slot three. Mamoswine with High Horsepower or Lucario can address Tyranitar; Primarina is the suggested flexible choice for the possible final opponents, with Water coverage particularly relevant to Camerupt.
  4. If you lose, revise for the opponent that caused trouble. Use the revealed lineup to replace a vulnerable or ineffective team member with a counter suited to that specific slot, then retry while the Hideout remains available.

Getting a Rocket Radar and retrying

Niantic’s Help Center says Team GO Rocket Leaders are available to Trainers level 8 and above. Defeating six Grunts gives you six Mysterious Components, which you can combine into a Rocket Radar. With a Radar equipped, nearby Leader Hideouts become visible. Niantic’s support documentation says a lost battle can be retried while the Hideout is still available, and the Radar is consumed when you defeat the Leader.

  1. Battle Team GO Rocket Grunts until you have six Mysterious Components.
  2. Use the components to craft a Rocket Radar and equip it.
  3. Check the nearby Hideouts revealed by the Radar and challenge Cliff.
  4. If you lose, return to the same available Hideout and try again with a revised team.
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Check inventory space if you want the Strange Egg

If you are preparing for the possible Strange Egg reward, leave room in your Egg inventory, Pokémon Storage, and Item Bag before the battle. Niantic says a Strange Egg takes 12 km to hatch. The support article’s egg and access details are general mechanics, not part of the October 2026 lineup rotation.

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