Defeating Sierra, a Team Rocket Leader in Pokemon Go, can be tough for both experienced and new players. This guide gives you all the details for her lineup in May 2023, including weaknesses and the best counters.
When you get the Rocket Radar, earned by beating Grunts or completing tasks, you can battle one of the Team Rocket Leaders: Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra.
These leaders change their Pokemon lineup often to surprise trainers, making it a challenge to win. The guide will help you prepare by providing information on Sierra’s Pokemon and suggesting the most effective counters.
How to Beat Sierra in Pokemon Go
Sierra is a tough opponent in Pokemon Go, and her team for May 2023 consists of powerful Shadow Pokemon. It’s important to be careful when battling them.
After the Team Go Rocket takeover event in March, Sierra’s lineup has been modified. Here is a breakdown of her current team.
- First Battle: Murkrow
- Second Battle: Steelix / Swampert / Staraptor
- Third Battle: Dragonite / Houndoom / Charizard
To defeat Sierra, it is crucial to have Pokemon with diverse resistances and the ability to launch super-effective attacks against most of her Pokemon.
Countering Murkrow in Pokemon Go
Murkrow is a Pokemon that belongs to both the Dark and Flying types, making it vulnerable to Electric, Fairy, Ice, and Rock-type moves. On the other hand, it has resistance against Dark, Ghost, Grass, Ground, and Psychic-type attacks. Therefore, it is important to select your Pokemon wisely for this encounter.
Having Electric-type Pokemon can be extremely beneficial in this battle, whether your strategy is to break through Sierra’s shields or to overpower Murkrow with strong attacks. Additionally, considering Rock and Ice-type Pokemon is a good idea, as they can effectively counter other Pokemon that Sierra may have in her team.
Here are some of the top counters to defeat Murkrow:
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge.
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Avalanche.
- Aggron with SmackDown and Stone Edge.
- Rampardos with SmackDown and Rock Slide.
- Xurkitree with Thunder Shock and Discharge.
To counter Sierra’s Steelix, Swampert, or Staraptor in Pokemon Go
Steelix
Steelix, being a Pokemon with dual Ground and Steel typing, is weak against Fighting, Fire, Ground, and Water-type attacks. On the other hand, it has resistance to Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Normal, Psychic, Steel, Electric, Rock, and Poison-type moves.
To quickly defeat Sierra’s Steelix, prioritize using moves that take advantage of its weaknesses.
Here are some of the top counters against Steelix:
- Rhyperior with Mud Slap and Surf.
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf.
- Charizard with Fire Spin and Blast Burn.
- Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword.
- Galarian Darmanitan with Ice Fang and Overheat.
- Swampert with Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon.
Swampert
Swampert, as a Water and Ground-type Pokemon, is vulnerable only to Grass-type attacks. It possesses resistance against Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock, and Steel-type moves.
Here are some of the best counters to swiftly defeat Swampert:
- Kartana with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade.
- Roserade with Razor Leaf and Solar Beam.
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant.
- Torterra with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant.
- Sceptile with Bullet Seed and Leaf Blade.
Staraptor
Staraptor, being a Normal and Flying-type Pokemon, is susceptible to Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves. However, it exhibits resistance against Bug, Grass, Ghost, and Ground-type attacks, which simplifies your choices when countering them.
The same counters that were mentioned for Murkrow will be effective against Staraptor as long as you utilize Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves.
Countering Sierra’s Dragonite, Houndoom, or Charizard in Pokemon Go
Dragonite
Dragonite, as a dual Dragon and Flying-type Pokemon, is weak against Ice, Dragon, Fairy, and Rock-type moves. It has resistance against Bug, Fighting, Fire, Water, Grass, and Ground-type attacks. Keep this in mind when selecting your Pokemon to counter Dragonite and the previous opponents.
Rock and Ice-type Pokemon that were effective against Murkrow can also prove effective against Dragonite.
Here are some of the top counters:
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge.
- Mamoswine with Powder Snow and Avalanche.
- Weavile with Ice Shard and Avalanche.
- Glaceon with Frost Breath and Avalanche.
- Kyurem with Dragon Tail and Blizzard.
Houndoom
Houndoom, as a Fire and Dark-type Pokemon, is vulnerable to Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water-type attacks. However, it exhibits resistance against Ghost, Steel, Fire, Grass, Psychic, Ice, and Dark-type moves. Take care when selecting your Pokemon to battle against Houndoom.
Fighting-type Pokemon are a reliable option when countering Houndoom. However, you can also consider less obvious choices by utilizing strong Water-type Pokemon.
Here are some of the top counters to combat Houndoom:
- Lucario with Counter and Power-Up Punch.
- Machamp with Counter and Close Combat.
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch.
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf.
- Rampardos with SmackDown and Rock Slide.
- Tyranitar with Smack Down and Stone Edge.
Charizard
Charizard, being a dual Fire and Flying-type Pokemon, is vulnerable to Rock, Electric, and Water-type attacks. However, it exhibits resistance against Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ground, Steel, Bug, and Grass-type moves, which can make it challenging to counter.
Once again, Rock-type Pokemon are your best allies when battling against Charizard. However, some Electric and Water-type Pokemon mentioned earlier can also be valuable assets in countering Charizard effectively.
Here are the top counters to defeat Charizard:
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf.
- Omastar with Rock Throw and Rock Slide.
- Rhyperior with SmackDown and Rock Wrecker/Surf.
- Terrakion with SmackDown and Rock Slide.
- Rampardos with SmackDown and Rock Slide.
- Gigalith with SmackDown and Meteor Beam.
Best Team to Defeat Sierra in Pokemon Go
When challenging Team Rocket Leader Sierra in Pokemon Go, it’s important to choose three Pokemon that cover various typings to handle any surprises she may have. Begin by selecting a strong Rock or Ice-type Pokemon to swiftly defeat Murkrow. Darmanitan or Tyranitar are highly recommended for this role as they can also handle other Pokemon Sierra may use.
Both Rock and Ice-type Pokemon are versatile in these battles, making Rampardos and Mamoswine top choices. While Grass-type Pokemon are crucial for quickly defeating Swampert, they may not be as effective against the rest of Sierra’s lineup.
Conclusion
In conclusion, becoming adept at defeating Sierra, one of the formidable Team Rocket Leaders in Pokemon Go, necessitates meticulous planning, familiarity with her lineup, and strategic team composition. By comprehending the weaknesses and choosing the most effective counters for her Pokemon, you can enhance your prospects of triumphing in battle.
