Pokémon Go's Team Go Rocket leaders—Sierra, Arlo, and Cliff—have received updates to their teams as of June 2026, following the Team Go Rocket Takeover event and the "Flying Taxi: Taken Over" event. These changes affect the Pokémon encountered when using a Rocket Radar.

Finding Team Go Rocket Leaders

Leaders can be encountered at black PokéStops or via hot air balloons when a Rocket Radar is equipped. To assemble a Rocket Radar, players must collect six Mysterious Components, typically earned from one regular Team Go Rocket Grunt encounter. Once equipped, the Rocket Radar will lead to an encounter with one of the three leaders at random. Previously, defeating all three leaders was a requirement for certain Special Research tasks, which could yield a Super Rocket Radar for battling Giovanni and earning a Shadow Legendary Pokémon. However, as of the "Steeled Resolve" event in April 2026, there is no new Special Research to obtain a Super Rocket Radar; players must participate in the Go Pass event to battle Giovanni.

Sierra's Team and Counters

Sierra's current team features Amaura (Rock/Ice) as her lead Pokémon. Her second Pokémon can be Flygon (Ground/Dragon), Ferrothorn (Grass/Steel), or Blastoise (Water). For her third slot, she may deploy Houndoom (Dark/Fire), Steelix (Steel/Ground), or Milotic (Water). While her overall party composition remains largely consistent, the Amaura lead is new. Players are advised to bring Pokémon with fighting- and fire-type attacks. Due to the diversity of her team, ground-, rock-, ice-, and water-type moves are also recommended to cover potential weaknesses. Effective Pokémon include Terrakion, Lucario, Blacephalon, Reshiram, Groudon, Rhyperior, Galarian Darmanitan, and Kyogre.

Arlo's Team and Counters

Arlo's lineup has seen some adjustments. He now begins with Tyrunt (Rock/Dragon). His second Pokémon can be Steelix (Steel/Ground), or the newly added Golurk (Ground/Ghost), or Slowbro (Water/Psychic). His final Pokémon will be Scizor (Bug/Steel), Charizard (Fire/Flying), or Alakazam (Psychic). While most counters from his previous team remain viable, the introduction of Tyrunt and Golurk requires a slight strategic shift. Arlo's frequent use of Steel-type Pokémon makes fire-type attacks particularly effective. Ghost-, water-, and dark-type attackers can also prove useful. Recommended counters include Blacephalon, Reshiram, Lunala, Chandelure, Kyogre, Quaquaval, and Tyranitar.

Cliff's Team and Counters

Cliff's team has undergone the most significant changes, with players reporting Snorlax (Normal) consistently appearing in his second slot. Cliff's lead Pokémon is Axew (Dragon). Following Snorlax, his third Pokémon choice is either Tyranitar (Rock/Dark), Camerupt (Fire/Ground), or Gallade (Psychic/Fighting). Given the diverse nature of his potential third Pokémon, scouting his lineup beforehand is beneficial. Fairy-, ground-, and water-type Pokémon are generally effective. Fighting-type Pokémon are also recommended to counter the notably tanky Snorlax. Strong options for Cliff include Terrakion, Lucario, Tapu Lele, Togekiss, Groudon, Garchomp, Kyogre, and Quaquaval.

General Team Go Rocket Leader Strategy

When facing any Team Go Rocket leader, it is crucial to remember that they will deploy their shields against the first two Charged Attacks. Utilizing Pokémon that can execute Charged Attacks rapidly can help deplete these shields efficiently, allowing for unobstructed damage. Players should anticipate their initial Pokémon potentially being defeated and have subsequent Pokémon with strong type advantages ready. It is also advisable to use the highest CP Pokémon available when struggling against these opponents. Successfully defeating the leaders is an effective method for obtaining Shadow Shards, which are used for Purified Gems, with each battle rewarding three shards.