How to beat Sierra in Pokemon Go (September 2023): Best counters & weaknesses

Team Go Rocket Leaders present a formidable challenge to Pokemon Go players, particularly Sierra, who proves to be a cunning opponent in the mobile game. To prepare you for the encounter, we have compiled comprehensive information on Sierra’s lineup for September 2023. This includes detailed strategies, vulnerabilities, and effective counters that will aid you in defeating her team.

Once Pokemon Go players acquire the Rocket Radar, they are presented with an opportunity to encounter one of the Team Go Rocket Leaders: Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra. These Leaders frequently alter their Pokemon lineup to catch players off guard, making the task of defeating them more challenging than it may seem.

This guide furnishes comprehensive information about Sierra’s Pokemon lineup for September 2023. You will find all the necessary details to assemble an unbeatable Pokemon Go team, including weaknesses and optimal counters, ensuring victory in battles.

Strategies to Defeat Sierra in Pokemon Go
Strategies to defeat Geodude in Pokemon Go
In Pokemon Go, here’s how you can effectively counter Sierra’s Steelix, Gardevoir, or Sableye.
In Pokemon Go, here’s how you can effectively counter Sierra’s Gyarados, Houndoom, or Victreebel.
The top team for conquering Sierra in Pokemon Go.

How to beat Sierra in Pokemon Go

Sierra is the most unpredictable Team Go Rocket Leader.

Sierra is a serious player in Pokemon Go who doesn’t indulge in frivolous activities. Her team for September 2023 consists of formidable Shadow Pokemon that demand cautiousness from opponents in the game.

Sierra’s lineup underwent changes following the Team Go Rocket takeover event in June, as depicted below:

First Battle: Geodude
The second battle consists of Steelix, Gardevoir, and Sableye.
The third battle features Gyarados, Houndoom, and Victreebel.

In order to defeat Sierra, it is crucial to possess Pokemon with diverse resistances and super-effective attacks against a majority of her opponents.

How to counter Geodude in Pokemon Go

Geodude is Sierra’s first choice in battle.

Geodude, being a combination of Rock and Ground types, has vulnerabilities to Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass, and Ice-type moves. Conversely, it exhibits resistance against Electric, Normal, Flying, Poison, Rock, and Fire-type attacks. Therefore, exercise caution while selecting your opponent for this battle.

To maximize your advantage against Geodude, we suggest selecting Pokemon with Water and Grass-type attacks, as they have a 4x super-effective impact. Additionally, Water-type Pokemon could potentially be effective against Sierra’s other two Pokemon, although it may involve a certain level of risk.

Taking that into consideration, listed below are a few effective strategies to overcome Geodude:

Kyogre equipped with the moves Waterfall and Surf.
Torterra equipped with Razor Leaf and Frenzy Plant.
Swampert equipped with Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon.
Kingler equipped with Bubble and Crabhammer.
Roserade equipped with the moves Razor Leaf and Solar Beam.

How to counter Sierra’s Steelix, Gardevoir, or Sableye in Pokemon Go

Picking a counter that works with these three Pokemon might be tricky.

Steelix

Steelix, being a Pokemon with both Ground and Steel typings, is vulnerable to attacks of the Fighting, Fire, Ground, and Water types. Conversely, it possesses resistance against moves of the Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Normal, Psychic, Steel, Electric, Rock, and Poison types.

To quickly defeat Sierra’s Steelix, it’s best to rely on using super-effective moves.

These counters prove to be the most effective against Steelix:

Mud Slap and Surf are moves that Rhyperior possesses.
Kyogre equipped with the moves Waterfall and Surf.
Charizard equipped with the powerful moves Fire Spin and Blast Burn.
Terrakion equipped with the moves Double Kick and Sacred Sword.
The Galarian Darmanitan possesses the moves Ice Fang and Overheat.
The moveset of Swampert includes Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon.

Gardevoir

Gardevoir, being a Psychic and Fairy-type Pokemon, is vulnerable to attacks of Poison, Ghost, and Steel types. However, it possesses resistance against moves of Psychic, Fighting, and Dragon types.

To secure victory against Shadow Gardevoir, it’s best to stick to the basics as it can surprise you with various attacks. Exploiting Gardevoir’s weaknesses is crucial, making Ghost and Steel-type Pokémon your go-to choices.

Below are some of the top counters to effectively defeat Gardevoir.

Metagross equipped with the moves Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash.
Gengar equipped with the moves Lick and Shadow Ball.
Melmetal equipped with Thunder Shock and Double Iron Bash.
Muk equipped with Poison Jab and Dark Pulse.
Chandelure equipped with Hex and Shadow Ball.

Sableye

Sableye is an extraordinary Pokemon with a unique combination of Dark and Ghost types. This exceptional blend grants it immunity to Normal, Fighting, Psychic, and Poison-type attacks, making it a formidable opponent. Its only vulnerability lies in Fairy-type moves. Therefore, when choosing your team, you should encounter minimal difficulties against most adversaries.

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Although Fairy-type Pokemon may initially appear to be the best choice, it is important to note that they may not be effective against certain Pokemon chosen by Sierra.

Taking that into consideration, the following are some effective strategies to overcome Sableye:

Sylveon equipped with the moves Charm and Moonblast.
Gardevoir equipped with the moves Charm and Dazzling Gleam.
Obstagoon equipped with the moves Counter and Night Slash.
Togekiss equipped with the moves Charm and Ancient Power.
Tyranitar equipped with the moves Smack Down and Brutal Swing.
Hydreigon equipped with the mighty moves of Dragon Breath and Brutal Swing.

How to counter Sierra’s Gyarados, Houndoom, or Victreebel in Pokemon Go

Sierra covers Grass, Fire, as well as Water-types.

Gyarados

Gyarados is a Pokemon with a combination of Water and Flying types, making it vulnerable only to Electric and Rock-type attacks. On the other hand, it can withstand Bug, Fighting, Fire, Steel, Water, and Ground-type moves.

Defeating Sierra’s Gyarados in Pokemon Go can be quite challenging, but there are some effective strategies to exploit its weaknesses. Here are a few useful counters to successfully overcome it:

Tyranitar equipped with the moves Smack Down and Stone Edge.
Aggron equipped with the moves Smack Down and Stone Edge.
Magnezone equipped with both Spark and Wild Charge.
Raikou equipped with both Volt Switch and Wild Charge.
Electivire is equipped with the moves Thunder Shock and Wild Charge.

Houndoom

Houndoom, being a Pokemon with dual Fire and Dark typings, has vulnerabilities against Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water-type moves. On the other hand, it possesses resistances to Ghost, Steel, Fire, Grass, Psychic, Ice, and Dark-type attacks. Hence, when choosing your moves, exercise caution.

Although it is generally recommended to use Fighting-type Pokemon for better odds in battles, you can also opt for less expected choices by relying on strong Water-type Pokemon.

Here are a few excellent options to consider as counters:

Lucario equipped with the moves Counter and Power-Up Punch.
Machamp equipped with the powerful combination of Counter and Close Combat.
Conkeldurr equipped with the moves Counter and Dynamic Punch.
Kyogre equipped with the moves Waterfall and Surf.
Rampardos boasting the moves Smack Down and Rock Slide.
Tyranitar equipped with the moves Smack Down and Stone Edge.

Victreebel

Victreebel, being a Pokemon of both Grass and Poison types, is vulnerable to attacks of Flying, Fire, Psychic, and Ice types. However, its extensive list of resistances poses a challenge as it can effortlessly withstand moves of Fairy, Fighting, Water, Electric, and Grass types.

Sierra’s lineup makes it challenging to select effective counters for Victreebel. Nevertheless, Flying and Fire-type Pokemon can also be effective against Sierra’s other choices.

Below are a few effective strategies to overcome Victreebel:

Volcarona equipped with the fiery moves Fire Spin and Overheat.
Heatran equipped with Fire Spin as well as Flamethrower in its moveset.
Moltres equipped with the moves Wing Attack and Sky Attack.
Dragonite equipped with the moves Dragon Breath and Superpower.
Darmanitan equipped with Fire Fang and Overheat.
Alakazam equipped with the moves Confusion and Psychic.

Best team to defeat Sierra in Pokemon Go

In order to confront Team Rocket Leader Sierra effectively in Pokemon Go, it is crucial to carefully select three Pokemon that encompass various types. This strategic move will ensure that you are well-equipped to tackle any surprises she may unleash.

To quickly defeat Geodude, opt for a Water-type Pokemon. Our top suggestion is Swampert, as its moves are highly effective not only against Geodude but also Steelix and Houndoom.

A Tyranitar that has been leveled up can prove to be highly valuable when battling against Gyarados, Houndoom, and even Sableye. However, it is worth noting that countering Sableye might not be the top priority, as it boasts one of the most distinctive type combinations in the entire franchise.

Using a Fire or Flying-type Pokemon can assist in countering Sierra’s choices, but they may struggle against opponents such as Gyarados and Geodude. Although selecting Moltres for assurance is an option, it is likely safer to go with a versatile Pokemon like Dragonite.

If you’re looking for additional Pokemon Go content, make sure to explore our other guides.

1. Connecting Pokemon Go with Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: A Step-by-Step Guide
2. Healing Your Pokemon in Pokemon Go: A Comprehensive Tutorial
3. The Total Count of Pokemon: Unveiling the Quantity
4. Obtaining Revives in Pokemon Go: A Handy Guide
5. Acquiring the Coveted Master Ball in Pokemon Go: A Proven Method
6. Unlocking Varied Vivillion Patterns in Pokemon Go & Scarlet and Violet: A Detailed Walkthrough