Learn how to defeat Rocket Leader Sierra and which Pokémon they have during the month of January 2026 in Pokémon GO. Includes the current Sierra’s Pokémon line-up, best counters to use, and rewards for defeating Sierra.

• Fully updated with the start of Precious Pals: Taken Over.
• Other GO Rocket guides: Giovanni lineup and counters, Arlo lineup and counters, Cliff lineup and counters, Team GO Rocket Grunt lineups

Sierra’s Pokémon Line-up

Sierra is one of the Team GO Rocket Leaders in Pokémon GO, alongside Arlo, Cliff, and Giovanni. Rocket Leader Sierra is currently using the following Shadow Pokémon:

Slot #1

Sierra’s first Pokémon is always Shadow Hoppip.

---

Slot #2

Sierra’s second Pokémon is Shadow Flygon, Shadow Blastoise or Shadow Ferrothorn.

---

Slot #3

Sierra’s third Pokémon is Shadow Houndoom, Steelix, or Shadow Milotic.

---

Shadow Hoppip Counters

Shadow Hoppip

Hoppip is a Grass/Flying-type Pokémon. It is double weak to Ice while its regular weaknesses include Fire, Flying, Poison, and Rock.

You should always start with a strong Pokémon that can burn Sierra’s shields fast, while still having utility after rotation. Spam charge moves and burn shields whenever possible. Here is our recommendation:

Shadow Ferrothorn counters

Shadow Ferrothorn

Shadow Ferrothorn is a Grass/Steel-type Pokémon. It is double weak to Fire and also weak to Fighting. Note that while it isn’t weak to Ground, using a Ground Pokémon often works as it takes high neutral damage, while the said Ground type is ideal for the final slot.

Shadow Flygon counters

Shadow Flygon

Shadow Flygon is a Ground/Dragon-type Pokémon. It is double weak to Ice, while also being weak to Dragon and Fairy type moves.

Shadow Blastoise counters

Shadow Blastoise

Shadow Blastoise is a Water-typem which means it is weak to Grass and Electric type moves. It takes reduced damage from Fire, Ice, Steel and Water type moves.

---

Shadow Steelix counters

Shadow Steelix

Drapion is a Steel/Ground-type Pokémon. It is weak to Fighting, Fire, Ground, and Water type attacks. Choose your counters wisely, otherwise this fight can go wrong!

Shadow Houndoom counters

Shadow Houndoom

Houndoom is a Dark and Fire-type Pokémon. It is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water type moves. It takes reduced damage from Dark, Fire, Ghost, Grass, Ice, Steel, and Psychic type moves.

Shadow Milotic counters

Shadow Milotic

Shadow Milotic is a Water-typem which means it is weak to Grass and Electric type moves. It takes reduced damage from Fire, Ice, Steel and Water type moves.

---

How to battle Sierra in Pokémon GO?

To fight with Sierra in Pokémon GO, you need to first defeat six Team GO Rocket Grunts to collect enough Mysterious Components to build a Rocket Radar.

Activate the Rocket Radar and you will be able to see the location of a Rocket Leader. The game will not tell you which Leader you are facing, but you have a 33% chance for it to be Sierra.

Fighting Sierra is more difficult than fighting Grunts, as Leaders use higher level Pokémon than Grunts. In order to defeat Sierra, we consider using good counters mandatory. 

You can rematch if you lose, and your Rocket Radar will be consumed if you win.

---

Rewards for defeating Team GO Rocket Leader Sierra

Trainers who manage to defeat Sierra – or any other Team GO Rocket Leader – will get a selection of rare rewards, including the chance to get a Team GO Rocket exclusive 12 km Strange Egg.

• Trainers receive 1,000 Stardust when defeating a Rocket Leaders,
• Trainers will receive two of the item bundles listed below when they defeat Team GO Rocket Leader like Sierra.
• Trainers have the opportunity to catch a Shadow Pokémon used by the Leader. It is always the first Pokémon used by the Leader.
• Shadow Pokémon from Rocket Leaders have a shiny chance of 1 in 64, if they are shiny eligible at the moment of defeating the Leader

Reward mechanics

Defeating one of the Team GO Rocket Leader trio earns you two item bundles. If at least one of your Egg inventory slots is open, a 12km Strange Egg is guaranteed to replace one of those two bundles.

Receiving a Strange Egg does not have an effect on which item bundle drops alongside the egg.

A Strange Egg can be deposited into your regular egg storage, or in the extra egg space if you already have 9 eggs.

Guaranteed

1000×




Stardust

Random drop of two of these

As an example, a typical reward drop might contain 4 Revives and 4 Hyper Potions. Similarly, a reward drop might contain 1 Strange Egg and 2 Max Revives, or 1 Unova Stone and 1 Strange Egg.

The post Pokémon GO Sierra Lineup and Counters (January 2026) appeared first on Pokémon GO Hub.