In January 2025, the Shadow Pokemon roster of Pokemon GO Team GO Rocket leader Sierra undergoes crucial changes. To defeat her, players must be well-versed in the game’s meta, crafting a counter-setup that capitalizes on her Shadow Pokemon’s vulnerabilities.
Sierra stands out as one of the game’s toughest adversaries, presenting players with a multi-stage battle. Prior to engaging her, trainers must assemble a Rocket Radar by collecting 6 Mysterious Components, which can be gathered through battles with Team GO Rocket grunts. This article provides an in-depth breakdown of Sierra’s Shadow Pokemon and the optimal strategies to counter them.
How To Beat Sierra In Pokemon GO? (January 2025)
The confrontation with Sierra is divided into three distinct phases, each escalating in difficulty. The first phase presents a relatively straightforward challenge, as Sierra utilizes only one Pokemon. In contrast, the second and third phases feature a selection of three potent monsters each, increasing the unpredictability of the battle.
| Phases | Pokemon |
|---|---|
| First Phase | Shadow Ralts |
| Second Phase |
|
| Third Phase |
|
Sierra’s First Phase Counters
During the first phase, Sierra features Shadow Ralts, which is the most predictable element of the battle, allowing players to prepare effective counters easily.
Shadow Ralts Counters
- Type: Psychic and Fairy
- Weakness: Ghost, Poison, and Steel-type moves
- Resistance: Psychic, Dragon, and Fighting-type moves
Best Shadow Ralts Counters
| Counter | Fast Moves | Charged Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw (Steel-type) | Sunsteel Strike (Steel-type) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Metal Claw (Steel-type) | Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) |
| Metagross | Bullet Punch (Steel-type) | Meteor Mash (Steel-type, Legacy) |
| Blacephalon | Astonish (Ghost-type) | Shadow Ball (Ghost-type) |
| Dialga | Metal Claw (Steel-type) | Iron Head (Steel-type) |
Sierra’s Second Phase Counters
In this phase, trainers face three potential adversaries from Sierra’s roster: Shadow Sableye, Shadow Steelix, and Shadow Milotic. This array of Pokemon introduces a greater challenge, but selecting versatile counters can significantly enhance your odds of success.
Shadow Sableye Counters
- Type: Dark and Ghost
- Weakness: Fairy-type moves
- Resistance: Normal, Psychic, Fighting, and Poison-type moves
Best Shadow Sableye Regular Counters
| Counter | Fast Moves | Charged Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Incarnate Form of Love | Fairy Wind (Fairy-type) | Dazzling Gleam (Fairy-type) |
| Xerneas | Geomancy (Fairy-type) | Moonblast (Fairy-type) |
| Holy Cocoa | Volt Switch (Electric-type) | Nature’s Madness (Fairy-type) |
| Tapu Bulu | Bullet Seed (Grass-type) | Nature’s Madness (Fairy-type) |
| Xurkitree | Thunder Shock (Electric-type) | Dazzling Gleam (Fairy-type) |
Shadow Steelix Counters
- Type: Steel and Ground
- Weakness: Fighting, Fire, Ground, and Water-type moves
- Resistance: Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Normal, Psychic, Steel, Electric, Rock, and Poison-type moves
Best Shadow Steelix Counters
| Counter | Fast Moves | Charged Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Therian Forme Landorus | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Sandsear Storm (Ground-type, Legacy) |
| Reshiram | Fire Fang (Fire-type) | Fusion Flare (Fire-type, Legacy) |
| Lucario | Force Palm (Fighting-type, Legacy) | Aura Sphere (Fighting-type) |
| Keldeo (Ordinary Forme) | Low Kick (Fighting-type) | Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) |
| Terrakion | Double Kick (Fighting-type) | Sacred Sword (Fighting-type, Legacy) |
Sierra’s Third Phase Counters
The final two phases of the battle against Sierra represent a significant increase in difficulty, making it pivotal for trainers to employ effective strategy. In the third phase, Sierra presents formidable Shadow Pokemon: Shadow Houndoom, Shadow Nidoqueen, or Shadow Gardevoir.
Shadow Houndoom Counters
- Type: Dark and Fire
- Weakness: Rock, Fighting, Ground, and Water-type moves
- Resistance: Psychic, Fire, Dark, Steel, Ghost, Ice, and Grass-type moves
Best Counters Against Shadow Houndoom
| Counter | Fast Moves | Charged Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Terrakion | Double Kick (Fighting-type) | Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) |
| Keldeo | Low Kick (Fighting-type) | Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) |
| Kyogre | Waterfall (Water-type) | Origin Pulse (Water-type) |
| Therian Forme Landorus | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Sandsear Storm (Ground-type) |
| Rampardos | Smack Down (Rock-type) | Rock Slide (Rock-type) |
Shadow Nidoqueen Counters
- Type: Poison and Ground
- Weakness: Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water-type moves
- Resistance: Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, Electric, and Poison-type moves
Best Counters Against Shadow Nidoqueen
| Counter | Fast Moves | Charged Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Psystrike (Psychic-type, Legacy) |
| Groudon | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Precipice Blades (Ground-type, Legacy) |
| Therian Forme Landorus | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Sandsear Storm (Ground-type, Legacy) |
| Kyogre | Waterfall (Water-type) | Origin Pulse (Water-type, Legacy) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) |
Shadow Gardevoir Counters
- Type: Psychic and Fairy
- Weakness: Ghost, Poison, and Steel-type moves
- Resistance: Psychic, Dragon, and Fighting-type moves
Best Counters Against Shadow Gardevoir
| Counter | Fast Moves | Charged Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw (Steel-type) | Sunsteel Strike (Steel-type) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Metal Claw (Steel-type) | Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) |
| Metagross | Bullet Punch (Steel-type) | Meteor Mash (Steel-type, Legacy) |
| Melmetal | Thunder Shock (Electric-type) | Double Iron Bash (Steel-type, Legacy) |
| Dialga | Metal Claw (Steel-type) | Iron Head (Steel-type) |
With these strategic counters at your disposal, you’ll be better prepared to challenge Sierra effectively in Pokemon GO throughout January 2025.
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