With July here again, Niantic has some big plans for the Pokemon GO enemy faction known as Team GO Rocket. In fact, notorious team leader Giovanni is back again bringing with him a Shadow Latios that players can potentially capture once they not only find him, but take him down.
Along with Giovanni's return, Pokemon GO players will have a new Special Research quest line to finish, granting a Super ROcket Radar. However, before that step can be completed, Pokemon GO players will need to defeat the trio of Cliff, Sierra, and Arlo. This time around, their teams include the original starter Pokemon from the Kanto region. Unfortunately, its really not as simple as it sounds, as the Leaders each have their own powerful Pokemon as well.
With Team GO Rocket invading Pokemon GO starting on July 9, players will have an opportunity to get their hands on a new selection of Pokemon celebrating Niantic's six-year Anniversary event. A new special research quest line will be available through September, players will have to square off against Cliff, Arlo, and Sierra before they get a chance to go up against Giovanni. Here is what players should expect to see when facing off against Sierra and how to counter her.
Sierra's First Pokemon
During July 2022, the Team GO Rocket leaders are all using the original Kanto starters to begin the battle. For Sierra, she's bringing Shadow Squirtle, a water type that really shouldn't be too hard to take down.
To counter her first Pokemon, players should bring Grass or Electric moves with them. The best options (though not the only possible ones) are as follows:
- Decidueye with Razor Leaf fast attack and Return for the Charged Attack.
- Electivire with Thunder Shock fast attack and Wild Charge for the Charged Attack.
- Raikou with Volt Switch fast attack and Wild CHarge for the Charged Attack.
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock fast attack and Thunderbolt for the Charged Attack.
- Torterra with Razor Leaf fast attack and Solar Beam for the Charged Attack.
- Zekrom with Charge Beam fast attack and Wild Charge for the Charged Attack.
- Zarude with Vine Whip fast attack and Power Whip for the Charged Attack.
Sierra's Second Pokemon
As expected, Sierra's second Pokemon can be one of three different options. For July 2022, players could see either Blaziken, Blastoise, or Lapras. Here's how to deal with all three.
Blaziken
The Blazing Chicken is a dual type with Fighting and Fire. As such, players will want to bring Flying, Ground, Water, and Psychic-type moves while avoiding Steel, Fire, Grass, Ice, Dark, and Bug.
- Mewtwo with Confusion/Psycho Cut fast attack and Psystrike for the Charged Attack.
- Samurott with Fury Cutter fast attack and Hydro Cannon for the Charged Attack.
- Blastoise with Water Gun fast attack and Hydro Cannon for the Charged Attack.
- Hoopa (Unbound) with Confusion fast attack and Psychic for the Charged Attack.
- Swampert with Mud Shot fast attack and Hydro Cannon for the Charged Attack.
- Gardevoir with Charge Beam fast attack and Synchronoise for the Charged Attack.
Blastoise
The final evolution of Squirtle is Blastoise, who remains a pure water-type so should players get this as their second opponent, they can continue to use the same Pokemon to full effect. Grass and Electric moves remain the best way forward, while continuing to avoid Steel, Fire, Water, and Ice.
- Xurkitree with Thunder Shock fast attack and Discharge for the Charged Attack.
- Electivire with Thunder Shock fast attack and Wild Charge for the Charged Attack.
- Raikou with Volt Switch fast attack and Wild CHarge for the Charged Attack.
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock fast attack and Thunderbolt for the Charged Attack.
- Torterra with Razor Leaf fast attack and Solar Beam for the Charged Attack.
- Zekrom with Charge Beam fast attack and Wild Charge for the Charged Attack.
- Zarude with Vine Whip fast attack and Power Whip for the Charged Attack.
Lapras
Sierra's main Pokemon is Lapras, a Water and Ice dual type that is also very tanky and can cause a lot of problems for those not prepared. To counter this Pokemon, players will want Fighting, Rock, Grass, or Electric-type moves, though considering it is an Ice type, Grass Pokemon really aren't a great option.
- Raikou with Volt Switch fast attack and Wild CHarge for the Charged Attack.
- Hariyama with Counter fast attack and Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Zapdos with Thunder Shock fast attack and Thunderbolt for the Charged Attack.
- Terrakion with Smack Down fast attack and Sacred Sword for the Charged Attack.
- Zekrom with Charge Beam fast attack and Wild Charge for the Charged Attack.
- Lucario with Counter fast attack and Aura Sphere for the Charged Attack.
- Venusaur with Vine Whip fast attack and Frenzy Plant for the Charged Attack.
Sierra's Third Pokemon
The third fight will also be against one of three possible choices. In July 2022, players may battle Drapion, Houndoom, or Nidoqueen. Here is what to do for all three.
Drapion
The first potential battle is against Drapion, a dual Poison and Dark-type Pokemon. Ground is the best option in this battle, something players should have in their party already. The best options are as follows:
- Excadrill with Mudslap fast attack and Earthquake for the Charged Attack.
- Rhyperior with Mudslap fast attack and Earthquake for the Charged Attack.
- Mamoswine with Mud Slap fast attack and Bulldoze for the Charged Attack.
- Garchomp with Mud Shot fast attack and Earth Power for the Charged Attack.
- Golem with Mud Slap fast attack and Earthquake for the Charged Attack.
Houndoom
Players that get Houndoom will be facing off against a dual Fire and Dark-type. Unlike Drapion, players have a bit more flexibility with their Pokemon choices here as Houndoom is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water-type moves.
- Rhyperior with Mudslap fast attack and Earthquake for the Charged Attack.
- Kyogre with Waterfall fast attack and Surf for the Charged Attack.
- Rampardos with Smack Down fast attack and Rock Slide for the Charged Attack.
- Lucario with Counter fast attack and Aura Sphere for the Charged Attack.
- Machamp with Counter fast attack and Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Kingler with Bubble fast attack and Crabhammer for the Charged Attack.
Nidoqueen
Similar to its counterpart with Giovanni, Nidoqueen is a dual type Poison and Ground Type. Again, Ground-types work best for this battle, but Water, Psychic, and Ice can do the trick as well.
- Rhyperior with Mudslap fast attack and Earthquake for the Charged Attack.
- Rampardos with Smack Down fast attack and Rock Slide for the Charged Attack.
- Alakazam with Confusion fast attack and Psychic for the Charged Attack.
- Weavile with Ice Shard fast attack and Avalanche for the Charged Attack.
- Kyogre with Waterfall fast attack and Surf for the Charged Attack.
- Blastoise with Water Gun fast attack and Hydro Cannon for the Charged Attack.
- Mewtwo with Confusion/Psycho Cut fast attack and Psystrike for the Charged Attack.
Pokemon GO is available now on mobile devices.