Pokémon GO Defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders Sierra, Cliff, Arlo, and Giovanni, A Guide to Shadow Pokémon and Top Counters
The excitement of the Noxious Swamp event is here, with Team GO Rocket Balloons filling the skies more often. Ready for more thrilling battles against the notorious Team GO Rocket Leaders and Giovanni? We’ve got all the information you need.
Team GO Rocket is challenging all trainers with more robust battles than ever. Wondering about the best Pokémon to use against them? We’re here to help.
Finding Team GO Rocket Leaders requires a Rocket Radar. By defeating Grunts and collecting six Mysterious Components, you can ‘build’ the Rocket Radar, allowing you to locate the Team GO Rocket Leaders on the map.
Giovanni, the head of Team GO Rocket, is known to be more elusive than his subordinates. To locate him, you’ll need the Super Rocket Radar. Once activated, it reveals nearby PokéStops where Giovanni might be hiding. Keep in mind that Decoy Grunts may be disguised as Giovanni, so be cautious. Equipping the Super Rocket Radar ensures that the real Giovanni will appear in the next Team GO Rocket balloon.
The three TGR Leaders, each with their unique Pokémon lineup, present unique challenges. Here’s how to defeat them.
Sierra Shadow Pokemon and Best Counters
Sierra #1 Shadow Pokemon line-up and best counters
Shadow Geodude
- Kyogre Waterfall, Surf, Origin Pulse
- Torterra Razor Leaf, Frenzy Plant, Stone Edge
- Swampert Mud Shot, Hydro Cannon, Earthquake
- Empoleon Waterfall, Hydro Cannon, Flash Cannon
- Rhyperior Mud Slap, Rock Wrecker, Surf
Sierra #2 Shadow Pokemon line-up and best counters
Shadow Steelix
- Rhyperior with Mud Slap, Superpower/Rock Wrecker, Surf
- Kyogre with Waterfall, Surf, Origin Pulse
- Charizard with Fire Spin, Blast Burn, Dragon Claw
- Swampert with Waterfall, Hydro Cannon, Flash Cannon
- Rhyperior with Mud Slap, Rock Wrecker, Surf
Shadow Gardevoir
- Melmetal with Thunder Shock, Double Iron Bash, Superpower
- Metagross with Bullet Punch, Meteor Mash, Earthquake
- Nihilego with Poison Jab, Rock Slide, Sludge Bomb
- Salazzle with Incinerate, Poison Fang, Fire Blast
- Muk with Poison Jab, Thunder Punch, Dark Pulse
Shadow Sableye
- Obstagoon with Counter, Night Slash, Obstruct
- Sylveon with Charm, Moonblast, Psyshock
- Togekiss with Charm, Ancient Power, Aura Sphere
- Tyranitar with Smack Down, Brutal Swing, Stone Edge
- Hydreigon with Dragon Breath, Brutal Swing, Flash Cannon
Sierra #3 Shadow Pokemon line-up and best counters
Shadow Houndoom
- Tyranitar with Smack Down, Crunch, Stone Edge
- Machamp with Counter, Close Combat, Stone Edge
- Kyogre with Waterfall, Surf, Origin Pulse
- Lucario with Counter, Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball
- Rhyperior with Mud Slap, Rock Wrecker, Earthquake
Shadow Gyarados
- Tyranitar with Smack Down, Brutal Swing, Stone Edge
- Magnezone with Spark, Wild Charge, Mirror Shot
- Golem (Alola) with Volt Switch, Wild Charge, Stone Edge
- Raikou with Volt Switch, Wild Charge, Shadow Ball
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow, Avalanche, High Horsepower
Shadow Victreebel
- Reshiram with Dragon Breath, Fusion Flare, Draco Meteor
- Volcarona with Fire Spin, Overheat, Bug Buzz
- Heatran with Fire Spin, Flamethrower, Iron Head
- Dragonite with Dragon Breath, Dragon Claw, Superpower
- Moltres with Wing Attack, Sky Attack, Ancient Power
Cliff Shadow Pokemon line-up and Best Counters
Cliff #1 Shadow Pokemon line-up and best counters
Aerodactyl
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
Cliff #2 Shadow Pokemon line-up and best counters
Slowking
- Kartana with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Electivire with Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
- Roserade with Razor Leaf and Grass Knot
- Hydreigon with Bite and Brutal Swing (Charged Move)
Cradily
- Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Galarian with Darmanitan Ice Fang and Avalanche
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
Gallade
- Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Staraptor with Wing Attack and Brave Bird
- Honchkrow with Peck and Brave Bird
- Gardevoir with Charm and Dazzling Gleam
Cliff #3 Shadow Pokemon line-up and best counters
Dusknoir
- Origin Forme Giratina with Shadow Claw and Shadow Force
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Hydreigon with Bite and Brutal Swing (Charged Move)
- Gengar with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
- Weavile with Feint Attack and Foul Play
Mamoswine
- Kartana with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Reshiram with Fire Fang and Fusion Flare
- Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
- Darmanitan with Incinerate and Overheat
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
Tyranitar
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
- Breloom with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Alakazam with Counter and Focus Blast
- Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Arlo Shadow Pokemon and Best Counters
Arlo #1 Shadow line-up and counters
Aipom
- Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
- Lucario with Counter and Power Up Punch
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Crunch/Stone Edge
- Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Arlo #2 Shadow line-up and counters
Alakazam
- Hydreigon with Bite and Brutal Swing
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Brutal Swing
- Gengar with Lick and Shadow Ball
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Zoroark with Snarl and Foul Play
- Pheromosa with Bug Bite and Bug Buzz
Mismagius
- Hydreigon with Bite and Brutal Swing
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Brutal Swing
- Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
- Chandelure with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Zoroark with Snarl and Foul Play
Sharpedo
- Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant.
- Lucario with Counter and aura Sphere.
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch.
- Machamp with Counter and Cross Chop.
- Virizion with Double Kick and Leaf Blade
Arlo #3 Shadow line-up and counters
Scizor
- Arcanine with Fire Fang and Flamethrower
- Charizard with Fire Spin and Blast Burn
- Entei with Fire Fang and Overheat
- Moltres with Fire Spin and Overheat
- Darmanitan with Fire Fang and Overheat
Snorlax
- Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
- Lucario with Counter and Power Up Punch
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Crunch/Stone Edge
- Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Magnezone
- Mamoswine with Mud Shot and Earthquake
- Rhyperior with Mud Slap and Rock Wrecker/Earthquake
- Lucario with Counter and Power Up Punch
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Excadrill with Mud Slap and Earthquake
Giovanni Shadow Pokemon and Best Counters
Giovanni #1 Shadow Pokemon line-up and counters
Shadow Persian
- Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
- Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge
Giovanni #2 Shadow Pokemon line-up and counters
Shadow Nidoking
- Garchomp with Mud Shot and Earth Power
- Mamoswine with Mud Slap and Bulldoze
- Groudon with Mud Shot and Earthquake
- Rhyperior with Mud Slap and Earthquake
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Blizzard
Shadow Rhyperior
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse
- Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
- Gyarados with Dragon Breath, Aqua Tail, and Crunch
- Palkia with Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
Shadow Garchomp
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche
- Togekiss with Charm and Ancient Power
- Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche
Giovanni #3 Shadow Pokemon line-up and counters
Shadow Regirock
- Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
- Feraligatr with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
- Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
Trainers, the Noxious Swamp event offers an opportunity to demonstrate your skills against some of Pokémon GO’s most formidable opponents. With this guide, you’ll be prepared to face Team GO Rocket Leaders and Giovanni.
Prepare your Rocket Radars, gather your best Pokémon, and engage in the Noxious Swamp battles. The challenges are waiting, and success is possible.
