Pokémon Go Team Rocket Leaders rewards and counters (November 2026)

Arlo counters and line-up in Pokémon Go

Below you'll find the line up for Arlo in Pokémon Go currently running in November 2026.

Remember - the first Pokémon is always the same, and is the one you'll be given the chance to catch if you win. The rest are randomly selected from a pool of three:

Here's who we recommend to counter each of Arlo's Pokémon:

• Slot 1: Mamoswine or strongest Ground-type, such as Garchomp, Excadrill, or Groudon.
• Slot 2: Strongest Water-type, such as Swampert, Kyogre, Quaquaval, Greninja or Shadow Kingler.
• Slot 3: Strongest Dark-type, such as Hydreigon, Darkrai or Origin Giratina.

The above recommendation will serve you well for a scouting match against Arlo. You may have to refine it to properly defeat him, but it should only involve switching out one Pokémon.

Alolan Grimer is weak to Ground-type Pokémon. With this in mind, Mamoswine with both an Ice-type attack and a Ground-type attack to actively utilise against Alolan Grimer is a good pick for clearing out the first of Arlo's Pokémon. It's Ground-type attacks can later be put to use against Steelix, and it's Ice-type attacks against Golurk, but when it comes to Arlo's third slot Pokémon, you'll want to switch Mamoswine out for someone else in your party. If you don't have a strong Mamoswine, you could look at other Ground-types such as Garchomp or Excadrill, as these will counter Alolan Grimer and Steelix.

For your second Pokémon, I highly recommend selecting your strongest Water-type Pokémon. Both Steelix and Golurk are weak to this type, so it will cover two of Arlo's possible choices. It will also come in handy if Arlo has chosen Charizard as his third Pokémon. If Water doesn't work out for you, then consider switching to a Fire-type as, again, Steelix and Scizor are also weak to this type.

My recommendations for Water-types are Kyogre, Quaquaval, Greninja or Shadow Kingler. For Fire-types, meanwhile, consider using Charizard, Blaziken, Blacephalon, Delphox, Heatran or Reshiram.

For the final third slot I recommend a Dark-type Pokémon. This will cover you for both Golurk or Slowbro in the second slot and Alakazam in the third. My recommendations for your chosen Dark-type Pokémon include Hydreigon, Darkrai or Origin Giratina. You could also use Tyranitar against Alakazam, but it would be weak to Slowbro's Water-type attacks.

If Arlo picks Charizard, then you can continue using the Water-type from your second slot. If he picks Scizor, you'll have to try your best and, if you're defeated, switch out your Dark-type for a Fire. Though, if you've already placed a Fire-type in your second slot, you can use! I do recommend using another Pokémon as a damage sponge first though - just to knock down Scizor's health a little.

Cliff counters and line-up in Pokémon Go

Below you'll find the line up for Cliff in Pokémon Go currently running in November 2026.

Remember - the first Pokémon is always the same, and is the one you'll be given the chance to catch if you win. The rest are randomly selected from a pool of three:

Here's who we recommend to counter each of Cliff's Pokémon:

• Slot 1: Strongest Grass-type Pokémon, such as Tapu Bulu, Venusaur, Sceptile, Chesnaught, Roserade, Decidueye, Kartana, or Zarude.
• Slot 2: Strongest Fighting-type Pokémon, ideally Mega Lucario. Other counters include Lucario, Machamp, Terrakion and Keldeo Resolute Form.
• Slot 3: Strongest Water-type, such as Primal or Shadow Kyogre, Quaquaval, Swampert (Shadow), Primarina or Kingler (Shadow).

While Shadow Snorlax isn't in Cliff's first slot anymore, it can still cause some trouble by popping up in his second slot. This means you must include a Fighting-type Pokémon in your team as this is Snorlax's only weaknesses.

The best choice for slot one is a Grass-type Pokémon like Chesnaught, Roserade, Decidueye, Kartana, Tapu Bulu, or Zarude. Not only is Cubone weak against this type, but so are two more of Cliff's possible Pokémon - Golurk and Tyranitar - so you'll be able to bring this Pokémon back into the fight if needed. I'd personally recommend Tapu Bulu with both a Grass-type and Fairy-type attack, as that Fairy-typing can come in use later on should Cliff choose Gallade in his third slot. Just make sure your Grass-type goes back into its PokéBall if Cliff chooses to use Camerupt!

As I mentioned, for slot two you must go with your strongest Fighting-type when fighting Cliff. This is Shadow Snorlax's only weakness and will ensure you're prepared if he decides to use it! The best Fighting type is, of course, Mega Lucario but you can also use Machamp, Terrakion or Keldeo in its Resolute Form.

If Cliff chooses a different Pokémon for his second slot, then your Water-type or Grass-type will cover Golurk. For Galarian Weezing, your best choice is a Ground-type counter as this will cover you for both Tyranitar and Camerupt if Cliff chooses either for his third. Rhyperior is a good choice for this Ground-type counter!

Finally, select a Water-type for your third slot. This will give you a counter for Golurk, Camerupt, and Tyranitar. I recommend selecting either Primal or Shadow Kyogre, Quaquaval, Shadow Swampert, Primarina, Greninja, or Shadow Kingler. Though, if Cliff has selected either Gallade or Tyranitar, you can always use the recommended Tapu Bulu's Fairy-type attack should you have them.

Sierra counters and line-up in Pokémon Go

Below you'll find the line up for Sierra in Pokémon Go currently running in November 2026.

Remember - the first Pokémon is always the same, and is the one you'll be given the chance to catch if you win. The rest are randomly selected from a pool of three:

Here's who we recommend to counter each of Sierra's Pokémon:

• Slot 1: Tapu Bulu or strongest Fairy-type, such as Gardevoir (Shadow), Xerneas, Granbull (Shadow), Enamorus (Incarnate Forme), or Hatterene. Xurkitree with a Fairy-type attack could also be considered.
• Slot 2: Strongest Ice-type, such as White or Black Kyurem, Mamoswine or Baxcalibur. Can also be switched out for an extra Grass or Electric-type Pokémon.
• Slot 3: Mega Lucario or Lucario. Can also use other strong Fighting-types like Blaziken (Shadow), Resolute Forme Keldeo or Terrakion.

Sierra remains a tricky leader to plan for as her second slot Pokémon just refuse to share a weakness. Thankfully, there are ways you can prepare your team for this fight.

I recommend starting the battle with a strong Fairy-type in your first slot for Pancham, because this counter can also be used for Flygon if Sierra uses it in her second slot. Good Fairy-type choices include Tapu Bulu, Gardevoir (Shadow), Xerneas, Granbull (Shadow), Enamorus (Incarnate Forme), or Hatterene. I'd specifically recommend Tapu Bulu with both a Grass-type and Fairy-type attack or Xurkitree with both an Electric-type and Fairy-type attack here. This means that both Pokémon can technically counter Pancham in the first slot, Blastoise and Flygon in the second slot, and Milotic in the third slot. If Sierra picks Ferrothorn for her second slot, however, then this Pokémon can be switched out for a Fighting-type.

For Slot 2, I would go with a strong Ice-type Pokémon as this ensures you've got a counter prepared for Flygon. Going with Tapu Bulu or Xurkitree (with either a Grass or Electric-type attack alongside a Fairy-type one) will ensure you've got a Pokémon prepared for Blastoise, while having a Fighting-type in Slot 3 will cover you for Ferrothorn. When it comes to which Ice-type you can use, Baxcalibur or Mamoswine are strong picks, but you can also bring out Black or White Kyurem.

You can be flexible with this slot though depending on which Pokémon Sierra picks. If she goes for Blastoise in her second slot, then it's a good idea to include a Grass-type Pokémon. This will also prepare you for facing Milotic if she picks that Poké for her third slot too. You could also go with a Fire-type to prepare yourself for possibly facing Ferrothorn and / or Steelix, but be aware that it will be very weak to any Water-type Sierra picks.

Finally, for Slot 3 it's best to go with a strong Fighting-type as both Houndoom and Steelix are weak to this team. The obivious choice for this Fighting-type is Mega Lucario or just normal Lucario. You could also use Terrakion, Resolute Forme Keldeo or Shadow Blaziken.

The Halloween event is bringing some spooky fun to Pokémon Go! Want to know what's happening this month? Then take a look at the October and November schedule if you're already looking ahead. Don't forget to keep an eye out for both the rarest Pokémon and the best Pokémon in your travels.

Team Go Rocket Leader rewards

Defeating a Team Go Rocket Leader will grant you:

• 1,000 Stardust.
• x1 red 'strange' 12km egg (if you have an open space in your Egg inventory).
• x1 Max Revive, Revive, Max Potion, Unova Stone, or Sinnoh Stone.
• Encounter with one of the leader's Shadow Pokémon.

Currently, you get the chance to catch Pancham if you beat Sierra, Alolan Grimer for beating Arlo, and Cubone for besting Cliff. There's also a chance that these Shadow Pokémon could be shiny!

To catch these Shadow Pokémon, you'll receive a base number of five Premier Balls. Bonus Poké Balls are rewarded depending on several factors, including:

• How many of your Pokémon survive the Trainer Battle
• Your Purify Pokémon (Purifier) medal rank
• Your Defeat Team Rocket (Hero) medal rank

Team Go Rocket Leaders strategies

The Team Rocket Leader battles are tough, so a brute force strategy won't always work. Instead, consider the following strategies:

• Since you need to lean on countering with types, it's best to go in with a prepared team with strong counters.
• A Leader's line-up will be somewhat unique for that encounter - it's made of a small selection of creatures, so you can't exactly be sure which Pokémon you'll be facing. You might have to face them once to learn their line-up, then change yours to counter it.
• Leaders will always use their two shields for your first two Charged moves, which will be followed by a two-second delay before they can attack. This same delay occurs when you switch Pokémon. Ideally, this means your lead Pokémon must be strong enough to survive long enough to deliver two Charged moves, and do so as fast as possible, so you can then deal out damage properly. For example, Melmetal is a good candidate for this.
• To take further advantage of that two-second delay, you could always put your leading Pokémon (i.e. the one you want to use first in the battle) in the second slot then, once the battle begins, immediately switch over to it. This will allow you to get some easy free hits in right at the beginning of the battle! Since a Leader's first Pokémon is typically their weakest, this helps ensure you have two healthy Pokémon ready for the harder late-game moments of the battle.
• You can face a Leader as many times as you like, so don't worry if you lose the first time!

Ultimately, victory depends on your ability to create a team that takes advantage of as many of the Team GO Rocket Leader's team's weaknesses as possible, so having a wide roster of Pokémon available will help you form flexible teams.

Good luck hunting down those evil Team GO Rocket leaders!