Full Guide: How to Beat Sierra in Pokémon GO
Team GO Rocket Leader Sierra is a formidable opponent in Pokémon GO, standing as a significant challenge for even seasoned trainers. Her team of powerful Shadow Pokémon deals increased damage and can quickly overwhelm an unprepared team. However, with the right strategy and a well-chosen squad of counters, you can defeat her, claim valuable rewards, and continue your quest to find Giovanni.
This guide provides a complete breakdown of how to beat Sierra, focusing on her confirmed Pokémon lineup for 2025. We'll cover how to find her, her full team, the best counters for every Pokémon she might use, and the top strategies to ensure your victory.
Part 1. How to Find Team GO Rocket Leader Sierra
Before you can battle Sierra, you first need to track her down. The process involves engaging with her subordinates, the Team GO Rocket Grunts.
Defeat Team GO Rocket Grunts: You will encounter these Grunts at invaded PokéStops (identifiable by their darker, twitching appearance) or in hot air balloons.
Collect Mysterious Components: For every Grunt you defeat, you will be rewarded with one Mysterious Component.
Assemble the Rocket Radar: Once you have collected six Mysterious Components, they will automatically combine to form a Rocket Radar.
Locate a Leader: Activate the Rocket Radar from your inventory. This will change your world map view, revealing the hidden locations of Team GO Rocket Leaders at certain PokéStops or in special balloons that fly to your location. While you have a one-in-three chance of it being Sierra, defeating the other leaders will help you find her eventually.
Pro-tip:Part 2. Sierra's Pokémon Lineup
Sierra uses a team of three Shadow Pokémon. Her first Pokémon is always the same, but her second and third choices are randomized from a pool of three, making each battle potentially different.
Here is Sierra's confirmed lineup:
- Phase 1: Shadow Totodile
- Phase 2: Shadow Staraptor, Shadow Mismagius, or Shadow Ferrothorn
- Phase 3: Shadow Houndoom, Shadow Drapion, or Shadow Camerupt
Part 3. Best Overall Team to Beat Sierra
Building a team with broad coverage is crucial. While the ideal team can depend on the specific lineup you face, these Pokémon provide excellent utility against most of Sierra's possible team members:
Phase 1: How to Beat Shadow Totodile
Shadow Totodile is a pure Water-type, making it weak to Electric and Grass moves. You want to start with a strong counter that can charge its attacks quickly to burn Sierra's two shields.
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Kartana | Razor Leaf | Leaf Blade |
| Regieleki | Lock-On | Thunder Cage |
| Xurkitree | Thunder Shock | Discharge |
| Therian Thundurus | Volt Switch | Wildbolt Storm |
| Roserade | Magical Leaf | Grass Knot |
Phase 2: Counters for Staraptor, Mismagius, & Ferrothorn
Once you defeat Totodile, Sierra will send out one of three possible Pokémon.
Shadow Staraptor Counters
Staraptor is a Normal/Flying-type, giving it weaknesses to Electric, Ice, and Rock attacks.
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Terrakion | Double Kick | Sacred Sword |
| Mamoswine | Powder Snow | Icicle Spear |
| Therian Thundurus | Volt Switch | Wildbolt Storm |
| Zapdos | Thunder Shock | Thunderbolt |
Shadow Mismagius Counters
Mismagius is a pure Ghost-type, making it vulnerable to Dark and Ghost moves.
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Tyranitar | Bite | Brutal Swing |
| Hydreigon | Bite | Brutal Swing |
| Darkrai | Snarl | Shadow Ball |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw | Moongeist Beam |
Shadow Ferrothorn Counters
Ferrothorn is a Grass/Steel-type, which gives it a devastating double weakness to Fire attacks. Any strong Fire-type will melt it instantly.
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Reshiram | Fire Fang | Fusion Flare |
| Chandelure | Fire Spin | Overheat |
| Heatran | Fire Spin | Magma Storm |
| Blacephalon | Incinerate | Mystical Fire |
Phase 3: Counters for Staraptor, Mismagius, & Ferrothorn
Sierra's final Pokémon will be her strongest. Prepare your final counter accordingly.
Shadow Houndoom Counters
This Dark/Fire-type is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water attacks.
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Terrakion | Double Kick | Sacred Sword |
| Kyogre | Waterfall | Origin Pulse |
| Rhyperior | Mud Slap | Rock Wrecker |
| Quaquaval | Water Gun | Hydro Cannon |
Shadow Drapion Counters
As a Poison/Dark-type, Drapion has only one weakness: Ground-type moves. This makes your choice of counter very specific.
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Groudon | Mud Shot | Precipice Blades |
| Garchomp | Mud Shot | Earth Power |
| Excadrill | Mud Slap | Scorching Sands |
| Therian Landorus | Mud Shot | Sandsear Storm |
Shadow Camerupt Counters
This Fire/Ground-type has a double weakness to Water attacks and a single weakness to Ground attacks. A strong Water-type is the best choice here.
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Kyogre | Waterfall | Origin Pulse |
| Swampert | Mud Shot | Hydro Cannon |
| Gyarados | Waterfall | Aqua Tail |
| Primarina | Waterfall | Hydro Cannon |
Bonus Tip. How to Find and Beat Sierra in Pokémon GO Without Walking
TunesKit Location Changer is a tool that allows users to fake their GPS location on both iOS and Android devices, which can be particularly useful in Pokémon GO for tasks such as catching rare Pokémon, participating in remote raids, or exploring new areas just at home. By using this software, players can efficiently locate and reach Sierra, a Rocket Leader in the game, without physically traveling, making it an optimal choice for those aiming to find and beat Sierra in Pokémon GO.
TunesKit Location Changer
Use TunesKit Location Changer to find and beat Sierra in Pokémon GO without walking a step. Change GPS location on iOS/Android devices in simple clicks.
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600,000+ Downloads
Part 4. FAQs About How to Beat Sierra
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1. Does Sierra's team change in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Sierra's team changes periodically—usually during Team GO Rocket events or major gameplay updates. Always confirm the latest lineup before preparing your battle team.
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2. Can Sierra's Shadow Pokémon be shiny?
Yes, after defeating Sierra, you have a chance to catch her first Shadow Pokémon, which can appear as a shiny. However, the shiny rate for these encounters is low (roughly 1 in 64).
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3. What rewards do I get for defeating Sierra?
Defeating Sierra rewards you with 1,000 Stardust, two item bundles, a possible 12km Strange Egg, and a chance to catch her featured Shadow Pokémon.
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4. How often can I battle Sierra in one day?
There is no daily limit to battling Sierra. As long as you have Rocket Radars and can find her, you can challenge her multiple times per day.
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5. Can I rematch Sierra if I lose?
Yes, if you lose the battle, you can rematch Sierra immediately without needing to use a new Rocket Radar.
Conclusion
Beating Sierra in Pokémon GO requires the right team, knowledge of her current lineup, and smart battle tactics. By choosing effective counters and exploiting type weaknesses, you can overcome her challenging Shadow Pokémon. Remember to use fast-charging moves to break her shields early and adapt your strategy as her team changes with events. By using TunesKit Location Changer, you can easily find and beat Sierra at home without moving.
