We're heading into March 2021 when some of the biggest events in Pokémon GO history come to an end. But Niantic isn't taking a break anytime soon, so it's not just time to refresh our Team GO Rocket Leader counter list, it looks like they'll have some new teams to contend with. And tied to their victory will be a new Special Research quest with Giovanni and a Legendary Shadow Pokemon as a reward. We'll wrap it all up, but the big question right now is how to beat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra in Pokémon GO for March 2021 (and February 28).
How to Beat GO Rocket Team Leaders
Before we dive straight into the best counters against Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra, it's important to understand how these Team GO Rocket Leader battles work in Pokémon GO. By focusing on two unique aspects of these battles, you can beat them much easier.
First of all, each time you change the Pokemon you have in the fight, the opponent will pause their attacks for a little while. You can usually land two quick attacks in this window, gaining energy for your charged attack as you do. So a key strategy for defeating Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra is to put your lead Pokemon in second or third place and immediately swap them out when the fight begins.
Once you deal with these fast attacks, you should be close to a fully charged attack, at least if you focus on breaking their shields with faster charged attacks. Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra will also stop after a charged attack is launched by themselves or you, so you can use it to chain attacks together. And since they always use their shield when it's available, you can use very weak charged attacks early on to burn them up and save the most powerful ones for when they actually hit.
So keep these things in mind, swap Pokemon and use charged attacks to burn through both opponent's shields at the start of battle. Do that and gather a strong team of counters and you'll be well on your way to beating Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra. So here are our suggestions on which counters to use against them.
NOTE: Some counters will be defeated more easily, depending on the opponent's move sequence. If this happens, come back and try another of our suggestions.
UPDATE: So far, Team GO Rocket leaders are still using their squads from last month. We'll update this guide if anything changes.
How to Beat Arlo – March 2021
Arlo will initiate the battle with Beldum.
Tour 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
2nd round
The second will be Gardevoire, Infernape or Aggron.
Gardevoire counters
- Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
- Gengar with Lick and Shadow Ball
- Chandelier 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
3nd round
And finally, you will face 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
Counters Salamence
- 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. See how to beat Cliff and Sieraa below.
How to Beat Cliff – March 2021
For March 2021, Cliff's first Pokémon will be Aerodactyl.
Tour 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 Savage Charge
2nd round
The next will be either Gallade, Cradilly or Slowking
Gallade Counters
- Chandelier 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
Slow counters
- Darkrai with Snarl and Shadow Ball
- Zekrom with Charge Beam and Savage Charge
- Chandelier with Hex and Shadow Ball
- Raikou with Volt Switch and Wild Charge
3nd round
Finally you will fight against 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
- Chandelier 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 meter and superpower
- Machamp with Karate Chop and Close Combat
- Conkeldurr with counter and dynamic punch
- Heracross with Counter and Close Combat
Here's how to beat Cliff using the best counters in Pokémon GO. Sierra's guide is below.
How to beat Sierra – March 2021
Sierra will start the fight with Carvanha.
Tour 1
Carvanha Counters
- Breloom with counter and dynamic punch
- Sirfetchd with counter and foil blade
- Machamp with Karate Chop and Dynamic Punch
- Deozys with charging beam and Thuderbolt
2nd round
The next step will be Hippowdon, Porygon-Z or Mismagius.
Hippowdon Counters
- Kyogre with waterfall and surf
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
- Kingler with Bubble and Crabhammer
- Mamoswine with powder 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
3nd round
The final battle will be against Flygon, Houndoom or Walrein.
Flygon speedometers
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche
- Mamoswine with powder and avalanche
- Weavile with ice shard and avalanche
- Glaceon with frost breath and avalanche
Houndoom counters
- Hariyama with meter and superpower
- Kyogre with waterfall and surf
- Rhyperior with Smack Down and Superpower
- Haxorus with meter and surfboard
Walrein counters
- Zekrom with Charge Beam and Savage 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 March 2021 in Pokémon GO. Be sure to check back for any updates throughout the month.
