With July here again, Niantic has some big plans for thePokemon GOenemy faction known as Team GO Rocket. In fact, notorious team leaderGiovanni is back again bringing with him a Shadow Latiosthat players can potentially capture once they not only find him, but take him down.
Along with Giovanni’s return,Pokemon GOplayers will have a new Special Research quest lineto finish, granting a Super ROcket Radar. However, before that step can be completed,Pokemon GOplayers 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.
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With Team GO Rocket invadingPokemon GOstarting 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, theTeam GO Rocket leaders are all using the original Kanto startersto 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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
