How to beat Sierra in Pokemon GO (August 2023): Best counters & movesets

Back as a challenging boss with a new line-up, more players are wondering how to beat Sierra in Pokemon GO, such as what the best counters and movesets are when facing her in August 2023. Being just as, if not more, difficult than Cliff or Arlo in the game, defeating this Team Rocket Leader will require both the best Sierra counters and strategy. 

So, let's dive right into how to beat Sierra in Pokemon GO. 

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Which Pokemon does Sierra use?

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In order to beat Sierra with the best counters possible in Pokemon GO, you'll need to use which Pokemon the Team Rocket Leader uses first. To add an extra level of challenge, the latter two of Sierra's three Shadow Pokemon shift between three different options randomly. 

So, to start, here are the Shadow Pokemon Sierra can use which you'll need to know to beat the boss: 

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Best counters to beat Sierra's Geodude

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Being a base form Ground-and-Rock type, beating Sierra's Geodude is very straightforward with a ton of weaknesses to make quick work of. Nevertheless, some will still hit better than others. 

Ideally, Water and Grass types are the way to go, since attacks of those types deal 256% super-effective damage - compared to 160% by others like Fighting and Steel. Water-types are best if Sierra uses Steelix as her second Pokemon, making your first party member far more efficient.

For example, here are some of the ideal Sierra counters you can use to put Shadow Geodude along with their movesets. 

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Best counters to beat Sierra's second Pokemon

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With Steelix, Gardvoir, and Sabeleye having such a variety of types between, there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the best counters to beat second Pokemon, but you can battle the Team Rocket leader as many times as needed to switch to the ideal counter. 

As Steelix is also week to Water-type attacks along with Fire, Ground, and Fighting, carrying over your Water-type Geodude counters like Swampert and Vaporeon would work amazingly. 

Whilst Gardevoir is weak to Steel, Ghost, and Poison-type attacks, Sableye is only vulnerable to Fairy-type moves. So, overall, you might end up needing to leave the battle to switch out if you've already not got the required counter in your party. 

Some of best counters and movesets to beat Sierra's second Pokemon are as follows: 

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Best counters to beat Sierra's third Pokemon

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When it comes to beating Sierra's third Pokemon in Pokemon GO, the variety of types amongst Gyayados, Houndoom, and Victreebell make for a similar situation to that of the second - needing different counters for each. 

The best Pokemon to beat Sierra's Gyarados are Electric-types, which deal 256% super-effective damage, far higher than the 160% dealt by Rock-types. 

If you choose a Rock-type however, this can also cover Houndoom - being 160% super-effective against the Houndour evolution along with Fighting, Ground, and Water-type moves. Moreover, the latter also means a Water-type used against Geodude or Steelix could be carried over as well. 

Victreebel has a totally different but just as broad range of weakness to exploit: Fire, Flying, Ice, and Psychic-type attacks, all dealing 160% super-effective damage. 

Some of the best counters and movesets to beat Sierra's third Pokemon are as follows: 

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That's everything you need to know about how to beat Sierra in Pokemon GO during August 2023, along with covering some of the best counters and movesets. 

For even more Pokemon GO guides, you can be sure to find them right here at GGRecon.