Team GO Rocket Cliff has a new team during December 2021. Defeating him in Pokémon Go will give players the chance to catch a Shiny Grimer.

Cliff has a new team for December 2021 in Pokémon Go. Once trainers earn enough Rocket Radar pieces, they are able to face off against one of three possible Team Rocket Admins. Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra are much more capable trainers when compared to their grunt counterparts. In order to defeat them, trainers will need to prepare a team that can directly counter their Pokémon. With over 18 different typings in the game, it will be difficult to know exactly what Cliff has in store. Fortunately, if the player loses, that can immediately rematch Cliff to a battle with a brand-new team.

Activating the Rocket Radar item in Pokémon Go will locate a Team Rocket admin that is in a nearby Pokéstop. They also have the chance to appear within the Team Rocket balloons. Although, the admin that will appear is completely random. Trainers looking to battle Cliff specifically will need to keep looking until he shows up at a PokéStop. After finding Cliff, it's time to counter his team.

In this Pokémon Battle, Cliff will always start with a Grimer. After the battle is over, this Grimer has a chance of appearing in its Shiny form. As for his second and third Pokémon, they are different with each encounter. Fortunately, it doesn't switch around when the player rematches them. Pokémon that take advantage of their type weaknesses will work best for this battle, but a handful of Pokémon function as the perfect counters. Bring these Pokémon along to defeat Cliff in battle.

The Best Cliff Counters in Pokémon Go (December 2021)

Cliff's First Pokémon: Grimer (Weak to Ground and Psychic-type moves)

Cliff's Possible Second Pokémon: Venusaur (Weak to Flying, Fire, Ice, and Psychic-type moves)

• Mewtwo: Confusion and Psystrike.
• Hoopa Unbound: Confusion and Psychic.
• Reshiram: Fire Fang and Overheat.
• Galarian Darmanitan: Ice Fang and Avalanche.

Cliff's Possible Second Pokémon: Crobat (Weak to Psychic, Ice, Electric, and Rock-type moves)

• Mewtwo: Confusion and Psystrike.
• Galarian Darmanitan: Ice Fang and Avalanche.
• Therian Thundurus: Thunder Shock and ThunderBolt.
• Rhyperior: SmackDown and Rock Wrecker.

Cliff's Possible Second Pokémon: Machamp (Weak to Flying, Fairy, and Psychic-type moves)

• Mewtwo: Confusion and Psystrike.
• Alakazam: Confusion and Psychic.
• Espeon: Confusion and Psychic.
• Gardevoir: Confusion and Synchronoise.

Cliff's Possible Third Pokémon: Tyranitar (Weak to Fighting, Ground, Bug, Steel, Water, Grass, and Fairy-type move)

• Lucario: Counter and Aura Sphere.
• Breloom: Counter and Dynamic Punch.
• Hariyama: Counter and Dynamic Punch.
• Conkeldurr: Counter and Dynamic Punch.

Cliff's Possible Third Pokémon: Charizard (Weak to Electric, Rock, and Water-type moves)

• Rhyperior: SmackDown and Rock Wrecker.
• Rampardos: SmackDown and Rock Slide.
• Golem: Rock Throw and Stone Edge.
• Aerodactyle: Rock Throw and Rock Slide.

Cliff's Possible Third Pokémon: Arcanine (Weak to Ground, Water, and Rock moves)

• Rampardos: SmackDown and Rock Slide.
• Rhyperior: SmackDown and Rock Wrecker.
• Kyogre: Waterfall and Hydro Pump.
• Vaporeon: Water Gun and Hydro Pump.

Mewtwo, Rhyperior, and Lucario can work best as a single team in Pokémon Go. Ultimately, it will take a few attempts before defeating Cliff. Once the battle is over, players can capture his Grimer. They can either purify the darkness in its heart or keep it in the PC forever. Completing this battle will also use up the Rocket Radar. Trainers looking to battle Arlo and Sierra will need to find enough pieces to create another one.

More: Pokémon Go: Spheal Community Day Guide (January 2021)

Pokémon Go is available now on iOS and Android.