Pokémon GO – How to Beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra (September 2021)

Kyle Hanson

Published: Aug 31, 2021 01:59 pm

How to Beat the Team GO Rocket Leaders

Before we dive into the best counters for you team we have a couple of important tips for how to beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra no matter which Pokémon they are using. First up is to always put your lead Pokémon in the second or third slot, then swap to them immediately. Two things will cause the Team GO Rocket Leaders to pause their attacks, letting you get in some free damage. The first is changing Pokémon. By doing it right as the battle begins you get some quick damage in and charge up your Charged Attack for the next part.

The second thing that will pause Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra’s attacks is to use a Charged Attack. So try to start the match with a Pokémon with a low energy Charged Attack so you can fire off a few in quick succession. This will have the added effect of burning off the Team GO Rocket leader’s shields, as they will use them on the first two Charged Attacks that you use.

Keep these in mind and you’ll know the basics for how to beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in September 2021. But let’s get into the best counters to use against them so you can form a proper team.

How to Beat Arlo – September 2021

Arlo’s September 2021 team starts off with Venonat.

Round 1

Venonat Counters

Heatran with Fire Spin and Fire Blast
Jirachi with Confusion and Doom Desire
Giratina (Altered) with Shadow Claw and Dragon Claw
Lugia with Extrasensory and Sky Attack

Round 2

Crobat, Ursaring, or Manectric will be next for Arlo.

Crobat Counters

Tyranitar with Smack Down and Crunch
Regirock with Lock-On and Stone Edge
Rhyperior with Smack Down and Surf
Alolan Golem with Volt Switch and Rock Blast

Ursaring Counters

Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Flying) and Earthquake
Giratina (Origin) with Dragon Tail and Ominous Wind
Dragonite with Dragon Breath and Dragon Claw
Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf

Manectric Counters

Garchomp with Mud Shot and Sand Tomb
Groudon with Mud Shot and Fire Punch
Rhyperior with Mud-Slap and Rock Wrecker
Flygon with Mud Shot and Dragon Claw

Round 3

Vileplume, Magnezone, or Scizor will be Arlo’s last Pokémon in September 2021.

Vileplume Counters

Heatran with Fire Spin and Iron Head
Dialga with Dragon Breath and Iron Head
Genesect with Fury Cutter and Techno Blast Burn or X-Scissor
Giratina (Origin) with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball

Magnezone Counters

Garchomp with Mud Shot and Sand Tomb
Stunfisk with Mud Shot and Mud Bomb
Groudon with Mud Shot and Fire Punch
Excadrill with Mud Shot and Drill Run

Scizor Counters

Heatran with Fire Spin and Iron Head
Ho-Oh with Incinerate and Brave Bird
Reshiram with Fire Fang and Overheat
Charizard with Ember and Dragon Claw

And that’s how to beat Arlo in Pokémon GO for September 2021.

How to Beat Cliff – September 2021

Seedot will be your first foe when battling Cliff.

Round 1

Seedot Counters

Reshiram with Fire Fang and Draco Meteor
Giratina (Altered) with Shadow Claw and Dragon Claw
Heatran with Fire Spin and Fire Blast
Dialga with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor

Round 2

Cliff’s September 2021 team uses Poliwrath, Kingler, or Hariyama.

Poliwrath Counters

Lugia with Extrasensory and Sky Attack
Togekiss with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
Dragonite with Dragon Tail and Dragon Claw
Celebi with Confusion and Seed Bomb

Kingler Counters

Palkia with Dragon Tail and Aqua Tail
Ludicolo with Razon Leaf and Leaf Storm
Zekrom with Dragon Breath and Crunch
Dialga with Dragon Breath and Iron Head

Hariyama Counters

Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Flying) and Brave Bird
Victini with Confusion and Psychic
Celebi with Confusion and Psychic
Latias with Charm and Return

Round 3

Finally Cliff will use either Tyranitar, Sharpedo, or Torterra.

Tyranitar Counters

Chesnaught with Vine Whip and Superpower
Cobalion with Metal Claw and Sacred Sword
Zamazenta with Snarl and Close Combat
Machamp with Counter and Cross Chop

Sharpedo Counters

Virizion with Quick Attck and Leaf Blade
Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
Sylveon with Charm and Last Resort
Palkia with Dragon Breath and Aqua Tail

Torterra Counters

Ho-Oh with Incinerate and Brave Bird
Yveltal with Snarl and Hurricane
Genesect with Fury Cutter and X-Scissor
Articuno with Ice Shard and Icy Wind

And that’s how to beat Cliff in Pokémon GO for September 2021. Next you’ll find out how to beat Sierra.

How to Beat Sierra – September 2021

Sierra keeps giving you a chance at Shiny Sneasel for September 2021.

Round 1

Sneasel Counters

Obstagoon with Counter and Night Slash
Machamp with Counter and Cross Chop
Sirfetch’d with Counter and Leaf Clade
Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch

Round 2

Ampharos, Granbull, or Gliscor will come up next for Sierra.

Ampharos Counters

Garchomp with Mud Shot and Sand Tomb
Stunfisk with Mud Shot and Mud Bomb
Flygon with Mud Shot and Dragon Claw
Groudon with Mud Shot and Earthquake

Granbull Counters

Togekiss with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
Ho-Oh with Steel Wing and Brave Bird
Alolan Muk with Poison Jab and Acid Spray
Sylveon with Charm and Psyshock

Gliscor Counters

Ho-Oh with Hidden Power (Ice) and Brave Bird
Articuno with Frost Breath and Icy Wind
Alolan Sandslash with Powder Snow and Ice Punch
Togekiss with Hidden Power (Ice) and Flamethrower

Round 3

Finally Sierra will use either Houndoom, Kingdra, or Drapion.

Houndoom Counters

Omastar with Mud Shot and Rock Slide
Swampert with Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon
Regirock with Lock-On and Stone Edge
Samurott with fury Cutter and Hydro Cannon

Kingdra Counters

Giratina (Altered) with Shadow Claw and Dragon Claw
Lugia with Dragon Tail and Sky Attack
Togekiss with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
Zacian with Snarl and Wild Charge

Drapion Counters

Ho-Oh with Incinerate and Brave Bird
Melmetal with Thunder Shock and Superpower
Heatran with Fire Spin and Flamethrower
Excadrill with Mud Shot and Drill Run

And that’s how to beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra with the best counter in Pokémon GO for September 2021.

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Author

Kyle Hanson