Pokémon Go Kleavor moveset counters raid guide and evolution tips

Kleavor slices into Pokémon Go battles with rock-hard defenses-but its bug heritage hides glaring vulnerabilities ready for exploitation.

This page explains Kleavor weaknesses, counters, and – when caught – the best Kleavor moveset.

Kleavor weakness

Kleavor takes quadruple damage from Rock-type moves due to its dual Bug/Rock typing, making Rock Pokémon its clear weakness. Fire, Flying, and Steel attacks also deal double damage, so prioritize those in battles. Ice moves hit neutrally despite Bug’s usual vulnerability, while Grass and Fighting strikes do reduced harm. This typing leaves Kleavor exposed mainly to Rock-heavy lineups.

Kleavor is a bug- and rock-type, meaning it is weak to steel-, water-, and rock-types.

This gives us plenty to options to play with – and is especially useful for newer players with fewer strong Pokémon at their disposal, and for those with higher strength parties, the possibility of a solo victory.

Kleavor counters

Kleavor is a Bug- and Rock-type Pokémon, making it weak to Water, Rock, and Steel attacks. Powerful counters include Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash, Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf, and Rampardos using Smack Down and Rock Slide. Other solid choices are Dialga, Melmetal, and Excadrill with fast Steel-type moves. Focus on Pokémon that can withstand Bug- or Rock-type attacks while dealing consistent super-effective damage to take Kleavor down quickly.

Taking into account the above, we recommend the following Kleavor counters:

• Metagross with Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash
• Kyogre with Waterfall and Origin Pulse or Surf (ideally as a Primal Evolution)
• Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon (ideally as a Mega Evolution if you don’t have Kyogre Primal Evolved)
• Dialga with Metal Claw and Iron Head
• Rhyperior with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker or Stone Edge

Essentially, you want to come with strong steel- or water-types, with any strong rock-types supporting to round out the team. If you are coming with Kyogre, hopefully it has a Primal Evolution active, making an already overpowered Pokémon even stronger.

Of course, these are just our top recommendations; moves that align with any of the above weaknesses can put you at an advantage, especially if you are part of a team. But if you are deciding to take on Kleavor solo – which is theoretically possible – then factoring in the above picks is important.

Additionally, know that weather boosts can strengthen moves further. In the case of the weaknesses you’d want to exploit, rainy weather will boost water-type moves, while partly cloudy will help improve your rock-type damage output. Meanwhile, if you have snow, that will give your steel-type moves a boost.

Obviously, you can’t control the weather, but if you think the battle will be a close call, it might be worth prioritizing some types over others based on your outdoor conditions to help give you the edge.

Best moveset for Kleavor

Quick Attack paired with Rock Slide forms Kleavor’s strongest moveset for raids and gym battles in Pokémon Go, delivering the highest DPS thanks to its fast energy gain and powerful Rock-type damage. Adding X-Scissor as a secondary charged move bolsters Bug coverage against Grass and Psychic foes. This combination outperforms alternatives like Air Slash or Stone Edge in most scenarios.

For raiding and gyms, opt for Quick Attack and Rock Slide, and if you can afford it, X-Scissor as a second charged move to take advantage of the bug-typing. Unfortunately, there is no rock-type quick move, and between that and some low stats, it leaves Kleavor at a bit of a disadvantage in the meta as it stands.

Is Shiny Kleavor available?

Yes, Shiny Kleavor is available in Pokémon Go. Players have a chance to encounter its Shiny form during special events or when it appears in raids. The Shiny version features a noticeably different color palette, making it a prized catch for collectors. However, its availability can vary, so checking current event details or official updates helps determine when you can find this rare variant.

Unlike most Pokémon on their debut, Kleavor is available as a shiny from the get go, turning its beige-brown appearance into a dark green.

Here’s a side-by-side in-game comparison, courtesy of YelloWool on reddit:

Remember, if it is shiny, you are guaranteed to catch it on your first successful throw – so use a Pinap Berry to earn some easy extra Candy.

For more information on raids, check out our Pokémon Go raid guide.

Can Scyther evolve into Kleavor in Pokémon Go?

Scyther can evolve into Kleavor in Pokémon Go, but only under specific conditions. Players need to use a special evolution item called a Black Augurite, which can be obtained through certain research tasks or special events. Once you have the item, you can evolve Scyther into Kleavor using 100 Scyther Candy. The standard Metal Coat evolution option for Scizor will also appear, letting players choose which evolution path to take.

How to solo Kleavor raids in Pokémon Go

Soloing Kleavor raids in Pokémon Go is feasible for high-level trainers with optimized counters, as it’s a Tier 3 boss with around 23,000-37,000 HP depending on boosts. Focus on Level 40+ (ideally 50) Pokémon using Rock, Steel, or Water movesets, prioritizing Megas, Shadows, and Legendaries for maximum DPS.

Preparation Tips

Dodge Kleavor’s moves like Double Hit, Bug Bite, Rock Slide, and Stone Edge to minimize faints-its attacks hit hard but have noticeable wind-ups.​
Use 5-6 top counters to ensure you finish within the 300-second timer; lower-level teams (e.g., Level 30) work but require near-perfect execution.
Stock up on Max Potions, Revives, and Golden Razz Berries for catches afterward.​

Top Solo Counters

Prioritize these by DPS and low faints; aim for teams blending Steel/Water/Rock types.

Megas like Blastoise, Aerodactyl, and Diancie shine for type boosts; Shadows excel in damage output.

Strategy

Lead with your highest DPS counter (e.g., Zacian or Shadow Metagross) and swap fainted ones quickly-expect 1-7 faints total.​
Practice Circle Lock throws post-raid for Excellent catches, boosting XP and candy yield. If underlev

Best teams for soloing Kleavor with free to play Pokémon

Free-to-play (F2P) players can solo Kleavor raids in Pokémon Go using accessible Pokémon from events, wild spawns, and raids-no Legendaries, Megas, or paid Shadow trades required. Level 35-40 versions work best; Level 30 is viable with perfect dodges and minimal faints.

F2P Team Recommendations

Build a 5-6 Pokémon squad mixing Rock, Steel, and Water types for coverage. Focus on high Attack IVs, Second STAB moves, and XL Candy if possible.

Solo Strategy

Lead with Rampardos or Excadrill for burst DPS, dodge Rock Slide/Stone Edge wind-ups, and swap fainted mons fast-aim under 300s timer with 3-7 faints.
Use free daily gym passes; practice on lower-tier raids first if underleveled. Remote raid via communities if needed.​