Pokémon GO – How to Beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra (February 2021)
Every new month gives Pokémon GO players a good reason to defeat the Team GO Rocket Leaders, but February 2021 is a bit special. Right out of the gate trainers have a mission to defeat them and it feels like even more will come some time later. So there’s a lot of people that need to know how to beat them. While few changes have happened recently, there could be more ahead. So we’re breaking down how to beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in Pokémon GO for February 2021.
How to Beat Team GO Rocket Leaders
Below you’ll find all the best counters against Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra’s teams for February 2021. While it hasn’t changed lately, there are chances for a mix up, so check back for any updates when they happen. Before you dive into the counters though, there’s some key tips and tricks for how to beat the Team GO Rocket Leaders that are important no matter what Pokémon they are using. We explain those in this secion, so skip ahead if you don’t need them.
To start, let’s explain the starter Pokémon on your team. Unintuitively, it shouldn’t be the best counter against their first Pokémon. If you set it that way then the battle begins immediately, but if you change it up you get some free attacks. Whenever you switch Pokémon Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra will pause for two hits, letting you deal damage and charge your charged attack for free. So put your actual leader in the second or third spot and swap to them immediately to start at an advantage.
Likewise, the Team GO Rocket Leader will pause when you use that charged attack, letting you chain them effectively and charge at the same time. So wielding these two elements you can get a lot of energy for your attack while dealing extra damage. In a pinch, swap Pokémon to buy yourself some time.
And while you’re doing this, keep in mind that Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra will shield on your first two charged attacks. You can use this to burn off their shields by selecting a Pokémon that has a very fast charged attack, signified by the bar size on the Pokémon screen. Two bars are best, and the lower the damage the charged attack does the faster it will charge up. So try to look for starters that can burn those shields quickly.
UPDATE: With the start of the Team GO Rocket Celebration event the team lineups have changed. We have update this guide to reflect the new teams and will change as needed throughout the month.
NOTE: Some counters will be defeated more easily, depending on the opponent’s moveset. If this happens just back out and try another of our suggestions.
How to Beat Arlo – February 2021
Arlo will begin with Beldum following the Team GO Rocket Celebration update.
Round 1
Beldum Counters
- Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf
- Rhyperior with Mud-Slap and Rock Wrecker
Round 2
Next up is either Gardevoire, Infernape, or Aggron.
Gardevoire Counters
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Gengar with Lick and Shadow Ball
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Giratina (Origin) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Infernape Counters
- Mewtwo with Confusion and Psystrike
- Moltres with Wing Attack and Sky Attack
- Latios with Zen Headbutt and Psychic
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf
Aggron Counters
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Excadrill with Mud-Slap and Earthquake
Round 3
Finally you will face either Armaldo, Salamence, or Scizor
Armaldo Counters
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf
- Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
Salamence Counters
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Crunch
- Terrakion with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Regirock with Lock-On and Stone Edge
- Suicune with Ice Fang and Ice Beam
Scizor Counters
- Ho-Oh with Incinerate and Brave Bird
- Heatran with Fire Spin and Stone Edge
- Blaziken with Counter and Blaze Kick
- Moltres with Fire Spin and Sky Attack
And that’s how to beat Arlo with the best counters. You’ll find how to beat Cliff and Sieraa below.
How to Beat Cliff – February 2021
Cliff’s first Pokémon will be Aerodactyl for February 2021
Round 1
Aerodactyl Counters
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf
- Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Zekrom with Charge Beam and Wild Charge
Round 2
Next up will either be Gallade, Cradilly, or Slowking
Gallade Counters
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Moltres with Wing Attack and Sky Attack
- Giratina (Origin) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Cradily Counters
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Breloom with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Slowking Counters
- Darkrai with Snarl and Shadow Ball
- Zekrom with Charge Beam and Wild Charge
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Raikou with Volt Switch and Wild Charge
Round 3
Next you’ll face Dusknoire, Mamoswine, or Tyranitar
Dusknoire Counters
- Darkrai with Snarl and Shadow Ball
- Giratina (Origin) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
Mamoswine Counters
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Tyranitar Counters
- Hariyama with Counter and Superpower
- Machamp with Karate Chop and Close Combat
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Heracross with Counter and Close Combat
So that’s how to beat Cliff using the best counters in Pokémon GO. For Sierra, keep reading below.
How to Beat Sierra – February 2021
Sierra’s lineup has been changed quite a bit. Here’s the best counters against Carvanha, Hippowdon, Porygon-Z, Mismagus, Flygon, Houndoom, and Walrein.
Round 1
Carvanha Counters
- Breloom with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Sirfetchd with Counter and Leaf Blade
- Machamp with Karate Chop and Dynamic Punch
- Deozys with Charge Beam and Thuderbolt
Round 2
Sierra will either use Hippowdon or Porygon-Z next
Hippowdon Counters
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
- Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
Porygon-Z Counters
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Breloom with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Mismagius Counters
- Umbreon with Snarl and Last Resort
- Mandibuzz with Snarl and Shadow Ball
- Snorlax with Zen Headbutt and Hyper Beam
- Ampharos with Charge Beam and Dragon Pulse
Round 3
Flygon, Houndoom, or Walrein await you for the final battle.
Flygon Counters
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche
- Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche
Houndoom Counters
- Hariyama with Counter and Superpower
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf
- Rhyperior with Smack Down and Superpower
- Haxorus with Counter and Surf
Walrein Counters
- Zekrom with Charge Beam and Wild Charge
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
And that’s how to beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in February 2021 in Pokémon GO. Things can change if there is a mixup, so check back for any updates.
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