Team GO Rocket Leader Sierra is one of the most formidable opponents in Pokémon GO. With her ever-changing roster of strong Pokémon, it can be tough to know which counters to use and how to take her down. This guide will walk you through the best strategies, counters, and tips to defeat Sierra, whether you’re aiming to complete a challenge or collect her Shadow Pokémon.
How to Find Sierra in Pokémon GO
Before you can battle Sierra, you need to:
- Collect Rocket Radar Pieces: Defeat six Team GO Rocket Grunts to obtain six Mysterious Components. These components combine to form a Rocket Radar, which allows you to locate and challenge Team GO Rocket Leaders, including Sierra.
- Activate the Rocket Radar: Once you have the Rocket Radar, equip it to reveal the locations of Team GO Rocket Leaders on the map. Simply visit a marked PokéStop or hot air balloon where Sierra is located, and the battle will begin.
What Pokémon Does Sierra Use?
Sierra’s team changes periodically, but she typically uses a set of Shadow Pokémon in her lineup. As of the current rotation, Sierra’s team consists of three Pokémon in different stages of battle:
- First Pokémon: Poliwag
- Second Pokémon: One of the following:
- Lapras
- Staraptor
- Slowbro
- Third Pokémon: One of the following:
- Houndoom
- Dragonite
- Blaziken
Each of these Pokémon presents different challenges, so it’s important to prepare your team with strong counters.
Sierra’s Pokémon Weaknesses
To defeat Sierra, you’ll need to exploit the type weaknesses of her Pokémon. Here’s a breakdown of the weaknesses for each possible Pokémon she uses:
1. Poliwag (First Pokémon)
- Weak to: Electric, Grass
- Best Counters: Venusaur, Zapdos, Electivire
2. Lapras (Second Pokémon)
- Weak to: Electric, Fighting, Grass, Rock
- Best Counters: Machamp, Zekrom, Roserade
3. Staraptor (Second Pokémon)
- Weak to: Electric, Ice, Rock
- Best Counters: Zapdos, Weavile, Rampardos
4. Slowbro (Second Pokémon)
- Weak to: Electric, Dark, Bug, Ghost, Grass
- Best Counters: Darkrai, Zarude, Chandelure
5. Houndoom (Third Pokémon)
- Weak to: Fighting, Ground, Rock, Water
- Best Counters: Swampert, Machamp, Tyranitar
6. Dragonite (Third Pokémon)
- Weak to: Ice, Rock, Dragon, Fairy
- Best Counters: Mamoswine, Togekiss, Glaceon
7. Blaziken (Third Pokémon)
- Weak to: Water, Flying, Ground, Psychic
- Best Counters: Kyogre, Mewtwo, Swampert
Best Pokémon Counters to Use Against Sierra
Here are the top counters to use against Sierra’s team based on the type weaknesses of her current lineup:
- Zapdos: Zapdos is a great counter for Poliwag, Lapras, and Staraptor due to its Electric-type moves.
- Machamp: Ideal for taking down Lapras and Houndoom with its powerful Fighting-type moves.
- Mamoswine: A solid choice to counter Dragonite and Staraptor, thanks to its Ice-type attacks.
- Swampert: With both Water and Ground-type moves, Swampert can effectively take on Houndoom and Blaziken.
- Togekiss: Togekiss’s Fairy-type moves are perfect for handling Dragonite and can also perform well against Blaziken.
Tips to Beat Sierra
- Use Shields Wisely: Sierra’s Pokémon often use charged moves early, so be ready to block with your shields to keep your key counters alive.
- Start with a Strong Opener: Sierra’s first Pokémon is Poliwag, so leading with an Electric or Grass-type Pokémon is a safe bet. Zapdos or Venusaur are solid options.
- Prepare for a Variety of Types: Sierra’s team is diverse, so make sure your team has good type coverage. Using Pokémon with strong charged moves like Hydro Cannon, Shadow Ball, or Rock Slide will help you power through tough opponents.
- Maximize Your Power: Use Best Buddy Pokémon with boosted CP or Pokémon with optimal IVs for extra performance in battle.
- Rehearse with Team Rocket Grunts: If you’re unsure about which Pokémon to use, try battling Team Rocket Grunts to test out your counters.
How Rare Are Sierra’s Pokémon?
Sierra’s Shadow Pokémon, particularly Poliwag and her final Pokémon, can sometimes be obtained as Shadow Pokémon after defeating her. These Shadow Pokémon are rare and valuable for both collectors and PvP enthusiasts. You also have a chance to encounter them as shiny Shadow Pokémon if you’re lucky.
To successfully defeat Leader Sierra in Pokémon GO, it’s all about using the right counters and taking advantage of her Pokémon’s weaknesses. By following the strategies above and building a balanced team, you’ll be able to defeat Sierra and collect her Shadow Pokémon.