How to beat Sierra in Pokémon Go: Best counters, team lineup, and strategy (March 2025)

Like Arlo, Sierra’s team lineup will keep you on your toes, using her vast range of unique Pokémon. We’ve put together this guide to help you defeat Sierra in Pokémon Go, featuring the best team and counters to use against her.
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After you’ve defeated Team Go Grunts and got the Rocket Radar, it’ll be time to hunt down Sierra alongside Cliff and Giovanni. Her lineup has recently changed with the Adventure Week update, which introduced Shadow Carvanha and Ampharos. These recent additions have made her ensemble more challenging to defeat, so we’ll provide you with a suitable team to counter them.
Best team lineup for Sierra in Pokémon Go
Use Mewtwo, Rhyperior, and Gardevoir for the best team lineup against Sierra. As a Ground Type, Rhyperior helps out significantly with Sierra’s Ampharos, Houndoom, and Nidoqueen. It’s one of the few that covers multiple members, considering the others have distinct vulnerabilities.
Image by DestructoidTo counter Carvanha and Sableye, equip Gardevoir to unleash Fairy Type attacks. You can also use it for Nidoqueen, thanks to Gardvoir’s Psychic abilities. The rest of Sierra’s lineup will be tricky, as they all span different weaknesses. Mewtwo may be your best bet since it’s dealt plenty of damage, regardless of the enemy’s type. Plus, you can use its Shadow Ball Ghost move on Alakazam or Thunderbolt on Milotic.
If you don’t have any of these choices or are looking for alternatives, here’s a look into the best counters for Sierra in Pokémon Go.
Best counters against Sierra in Pokémon Go
Sierra’s PokémonCountersShadow Carvanha-Gardevoir-Zacian
-Xerneas
-Florges
-Lucario
-Togekiss
-Machamp
-Magnezone
-Breloom
-Kartana
-Heracross
-Terrakion
-ConkeldurrShadow Milotic (second round possibility)-Raikou
-Kartana
-Sceptile
-Xurkitree
-Electivire
-Magnezone
-ZekromShadow Sableye (second round possibility)-Gardevoir
-Zacian
-Xerneas
-Florges
-Togekiss
-Sylveon
-Granbull
-Tapu BuluShadow Ampharos (second round possibility)-Garchomp
-Excadrill
-Groudon
-Mamoswine
-Swampert
-RhyperiorShadow Houndoom (third round possibility)-Lucario
-Tyranitar
-Machamp
-Kyogre
-Rhyperior
-HariyamaShadow Nidoqueen (third round possibility)-Garchomp
-Excadrill
-Groudon
-Mamoswine
-Swampert
-Mewtwo
-Baxcalibur
-Metagross
-RhyperiorShadow Alakazam (third round possibility)-Gengar
-Tyranitar
-Dawn Wings Necrozma
-Chandelure
-Incineroar
-Guzzlord
The first round begins with Shadow Carvanha, a Pokémon weak against Grass, Electric, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. Given that it has several vulnerabilities, it’ll be pretty easy to eliminate, especially with Gardevoir. But if you want to exploit other weaknesses, Lucario is always an excellent choice as one of the strongest Pokémon in the game.
Image via NianticAfter Carvanha has been defeated, Shadow Milotic, Sableye, or Ampharos will appear during the second match. Selecting one suitable choice is challenging since they all have various weaknesses. If you’ve chosen our best team lineup, then Sableye and Ampharos should at least be covered. As for Milotic, Grass and Electric Types, including Electivire and Sceptile, will shine here.
Shadow Houndoom, Nidoqueen, or Alakazam will play in Sierra’s final round. Fortunately, Houndoom and Nidoqueen share a weakness in Ground Types, allowing you to use Rhyperior, Groundon, or Mamoswine. Alakazam will prove the most difficult with its vulnerability to Bug, Ghost, and Dark Types. Incineroar’s Dark moves and Chandelure’s Ghost attacks will benefit this. It’s still possible to get by with others, even if you don’t have the correct counter against it.
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