Pokémon GO Guide: How to Defeat Sierra

Published：2024-09-09 14:47:56Source：JuxiaAuthor：Juxia

Team GO Rocket leader Sierra has once again shuffled her Shadow Pokémon lineup for September 2024. To take her down, players need to be well-prepared with counters that can effectively exploit the weaknesses of her Shadow Pokémon. Sierra remains one of the toughest adversaries in Pokémon GO, and defeating her requires both strategy and knowledge of the best counters to her team.

Before facing Sierra, you’ll need to track her down by assembling a Rocket Radar. To do this, collect six Mysterious Components by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts. Once you have the Rocket Radar, it will reveal her location, and the real challenge begins. This guide will break down her Shadow Pokémon lineup and offer the best counters to defeat her in each phase.

Sierra Battle Overview: A 3-Phase Showdown

Phases	Pokémon
First Phase	Shadow Carvanha
Second Phase	Shadow Sableye Shadow Ampharos Shadow Milotic
Third Phase	Shadow Houndoom Shadow Nidoqueen Shadow Alakazam

Battling Sierra involves three challenging phases. While the first phase is predictable, the second and third introduce unpredictability with three different Pokémon Sierra can choose from, making it essential to have flexible counters ready.

First Phase: Sierra’s Shadow Carvanha

In the first phase, Sierra always leads with her Shadow Carvanha. This phase is the easiest to prepare for since her choice is fixed, allowing players to pick counters that can reliably handle the Water/Dark-type Pokémon.

Shadow Carvanha Counters

Type: Water/Dark

Weaknesses: Bug, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, Grass

Resistances: Dark, Fire, Ghost, Ice, Steel, Water, Psychic

Prepare a lineup of counters from the recommended list to quickly dispatch her Shadow Carvanha.

Regular Counters Against Shadow Carvanha

Shadow Carvanha Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Keldeo	Low Kick (Fighting-type)	Sacred Sword (Fighting-type)
Xurkitree	Spark (Electric-type)	Power Whip (Grass-type)
Terrakion	Double Kick (Fighting-type)	Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) (Legacy)
Zekrom	Charge Beam (Electric-type)	Fusion Bolt (Electric-type) (Legacy)
Zarude	Vine Whip (Grass-type)	Power Whip (Grass-type)

Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Carvanha

Shadow Carvanha Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Mega Lucario	Force Palm (Fighting-type) (Legacy)	Aura Sphere (Fighting-type)
Mega Sceptile	Bullet Seed (Grass-type)	Frenzy Plant (Grass-type) (Legacy)
Shadow Magnezone	Spark (Electric-type)	Wild Charge (Electric-type)
Shadow Raikou	Thunder Shock (Electric-type)	Wild Charge (Electric-type)
Mega Rayquaza	Air Slash (Flying-type)	Dragon Ascent (Flying-type)

Second Phase: Sierra’s Variable Pokémon

In the second phase, Sierra can send out one of three different Pokémon: Shadow Sableye, Shadow Ampharos, or Shadow Milotic. Each of these has distinct types and weaknesses, so it’s crucial to select counters that cover multiple options.

Pokémon GO Guide: How to Defeat Sierra

1. Shadow Sableye

Type: Dark/Ghost

Weakness: Fairy

Resistances: Normal, Psychic, Fighting, Poison

Regular Counters Against Shadow Sableye

Shadow Sableye Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Incarnate Forme Enamorus	Fairy Wind (Fairy-type)	Dazzling Gleam (Fairy-type)
Xerneas	Geomancy (Fairy-type)	Moonblast (Fairy-type)
Tapu Koko	Volt Switch (Electric-type)	Nature's Madness (Fairy-type)
Tapu Bulu	Bullet Seed (Grass-type)	Nature's Madness (Fairy-type)
Xurkitree	Thunder Shock (Electric-type)	Dazzling Gleam (Fairy-type)

Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Sableye

Shadow Sableye Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Mega Gardevoir	Charm (Fairy-type)	Dazzling Gleam (Fairy-type)
Mega Rayquaza	Dragon Tail (Dragon-type)	Dragon Ascent (Flying-type)
Shadow Gardevoir	Charm (Fairy-type)	Dazzling Gleam (Fairy-type)
Shadow Granbull	Charm (Fairy-type)	Play Rough (Fairy-type)
Primal Groudon	Mud Shot (Ghost-type)	Precipice Blades (Ghost-type)

2. Shadow Ampharos

Type: Electric

Weakness: Ground

Resistances: Electric, Flying, Steel

Regular Counters Against Shadow Ampharos

Shadow Ampharos Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Groudon	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Therian Forme Landorus	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Sandsear Storm (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Garchomp	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Earth Power (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Dawn Wings Necrozma	Shadow Claw (Ghost-type)	Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type)
Excadrill	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Scorching Sands (Ground-type)

Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Ampharos

Shadow Ampharos Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Primal Groudon	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Mega Garchomp	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Earth Power (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Shadow Garchomp	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Earth Power (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Shadow Excadrill	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Scorching Sands (Ground-type)
Mega Swampert	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Earthquake (Ground-type)

3. Shadow Milotic

Type: Water

Weaknesses: Electric, Grass

Resistances: Fire, Ice, Steel, Water

Regular Counters Against Shadow Milotic

Shadow Milotic Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Kartana	Razor Leaf (Grass-type)	Leaf Blade (Grass-type)
Xurkitree	Thunder Shock (Electric-type)	Discharge (Electric-type)
Zekrom	Charge Beam (Electric-type)	Fusion Bolt (Electric-type)
Sky Forme Shaymin	Magical Leaf (Grass-type)	Grass Knot (Grass-type)
Zarude	Vine Whip (Grass-type)	Power Whip (Grass-type)

Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Milotic

Shadow Milotic Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Mega Sceptile	Fury Cutter (Grass-type)	Frenzy Plant (Grass-type)
Mega Rayquaza	Dragon Tail (Dragon-type)	Dragon Ascent (Flying-type)
Shadow Raikou	Thunder Shock (Electric-type)	Wild Charge (Electric-type)
Shadow Electivire	Thunder Shock (Electric-type)	Wild Charge (Electric-type)
Shadow Magnezone	Spark (Electric-type)	Wild Charge (Electric-type)

Building a versatile team to handle these Pokémon will ensure a smoother battle. Ground and Fairy-type moves work particularly well against this phase.

Third Phase: Sierra’s Final Challenge

Sierra’s final phase brings the toughest fight, with her choosing between Shadow Houndoom, Shadow Nidoqueen, or Shadow Alakazam. Each Pokémon presents its own set of challenges, making the final phase a true test of your roster’s flexibility.

Pokémon GO Guide: How to Defeat Sierra

1. Shadow Houndoom

Type: Dark/Fire

Weaknesses: Rock, Fighting, Ground, Water

Resistances: Psychic, Fire, Dark, Steel, Ghost, Ice, Grass

Regular Counters Against Shadow Houndoom

Shadow Houndoom Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Terrakion	Double Kick (Fighting-type)	Sacred Sword (Fighting-type)
Keldeo	Low Kick (Fighting-type)	Sacred Sword (Fighting-type)
Kyogre	Waterfall (Water-type)	Origin Pulse (Water-type)
Therian Forme Landorus	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Sandsear Storm (Ground-type)
Rampardos	Smack Down (Rock-type)	Rock Slide (Rock-type)

Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Houndoom

Shadow Houndoom Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Primal Kyogre	Waterfall (Water-type)	Origin Pulse (Water-type)
Primal Groudon	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Precipice Blades (Ground-type)
Mega Swampert	Water Gun (Water-type)	Hydro Cannon (Water-type)
Mega Garchomp	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Earth Power (Ground-type)
Shadow Kyogre	Waterfall (Water-type)	Origin Pulse (Water-type)

2. Shadow Nidoqueen

Type: Poison/Ground

Weaknesses: Ground, Ice, Psychic, Water

Resistances: Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, Electric, Poison

Regular Counters Against Shadow Nidoqueen

Shadow Nidoqueen Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Mewtwo	Psycho Cut (Psychic-type)	Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy)
Groudon	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Therian Forme Landorus	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Sandsear Storm (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Kyogre	Waterfall (Water-type)	Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy)
Dawn Wings Necrozma	Psycho Cut (Psychic-type)	Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type)

Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Nidoqueen

Shadow Nidoqueen Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Primal Kyogre	Waterfall (Water-type)	Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy)
Primal Groudon	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Shadow Mewtwo	Psycho Cut (Psychic-type)	Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy)
Shadow Groudon	Mud Shot (Ground-type)	Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Shadow Kyogre	Waterfall (Water-type)	Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy)

3. Shadow Alakazam

Type: Psychic

Weaknesses: Bug, Dark, Ghost

Resistances: Fighting, Psychic

Regular Counters Against Shadow Alakazam

Shadow Alakazam Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Pheromosa	Bug Bite (Bug-type)	Bug Buzz (Bug-type)
Hydreigon	Bite (Dark-type)	Brutal Swing (Dark-type)
Tyranitar	Bite (Dark-type)	Brutal Swing (Dark-type)
Blacephalon	Astonish (Ghost-type)	Shadow Ball (Ghost-type)
Origin Forme Giratina	Shadow Claw (Ghost-type)	Shadow Force (Ghost-type)

Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Alakazam

Shadow Alakazam Counters	Fast Moves	Charged Moves
Mega Tyranitar	Bite (Dark-type)	Brutal Swing (Dark-type)
Mega Gengar	Lick (Ghost-type)	Shadow Ball (Ghost-type)
Shadow Tyranitar	Bite (Dark-type)	Brutal Swing (Dark-type)
Mega Banette	Shadow Claw (Ghost-type)	Shadow Ball (Ghost-type)
Shadow Chandelure	Hex (Ghost-type)	Shadow Ball (Ghost-type)

Utilizing type-advantageous moves like Ground, Water, and Bug can give you the upper hand in the final phase, helping you close out the battle with a win.

Conclusion: Strategy and Preparation Are Key

Defeating Sierra in Pokémon GO takes more than just a strong team—it requires an understanding of her lineup and selecting the right counters for each phase. By using the recommended counters for her Shadow Pokémon, you'll stand a good chance of overcoming one of the game's most formidable Team GO Rocket leaders.

Prepare your Rocket Radar, assemble a powerful counter team, and take on Sierra with confidence this September!

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