While Giovanni may be taking September 2021 off, or at least the first part of it, the Team GO Rocket Leaders Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra will still be around in Pokémon GO. Players will be able to do battle against these dastardly foes all month long. We haven’t heard of any major shakeups just yet, but don’t be surprised if they happen. So be prepared by checking out how to beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in Pokémon GO for September 2021.
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.
