In September 2023, Pokemon Go trainers will encounter Team Go Rocket Grunts and their Shadow Pokemon on a regular basis. Upon defeating them, trainers will have an opportunity to capture these Shadow Pokemon. To aid trainers in their battles, here is a comprehensive guide outlining all possible Team Rocket Grunt lineups, methods to identify them, and the most effective counters to employ.
In Pokemon Go, during daylight hours, trainers have the opportunity to encounter Team Go Rocket Grunts either near PokeStops or soaring through the sky in hot air balloons. Engaging in battles with these Grunts presents players with the chance to capture formidable Shadow Pokemon, which can later be purified and utilized in future battles.
Players can make educated guesses about the preferred type and Pokemon team of each Grunt based on their unique taunt, which enables them to select the most effective counters for battles. Moreover, during the Adventures Abound season, trainers now have the opportunity to rescue shiny Shadow Pokemon from Grunts, a privilege that was previously exclusive to Team Go Rocket Leaders.
Included in this article are the taunts, teams, and optimal counters for all of Team Go Rocket Grunts.
Pokemon Go Rocket Grunt taunts, lineups & counters
After the Team Go Rocket Takeover event in Pokémon Go, we have compiled a list of all the Team Go Rocket Grunt taunts, along with their main type, possible team composition, and the best counters for each.
Niantic/The Pokemon CompanyPlayers can face Team Go Rocket Grunts to get a piece of the Rocket Radar.
“Normal does not mean weak”
- Type: Normal
- Weaknesses: Fighting
- Some possible counters to consider are Machamp, Breloom, Lucario, Conkeldurr, and Sirfetch’d.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Meowth | Rattata | Bibarel |
| Glameow | Raticate | Raticate |
| Purugly | Ursaring |
Defeating this Grunt shouldn’t pose much of a challenge as long as you prepare for Ursaring. By using the appropriate Fighting-type Pokémon, victory is guaranteed.
Rewards for victory: Encounter with either Shadow Meowth or Glameow.
“Go, my super bug Pokémon!”
- Type: Bug
- Weaknesses: Fire, Rock, Flying
- Some counters for these Pokémon include: Charizard, Moltres, Entei, Ho-Oh, and Houndoom.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pineco | Weedle | Forretress |
| Ledyba | Kakuna | Scizor |
| Joltik | Beedril | Beedril |
Although Bug-type Pokemon have three distinct vulnerabilities, the majority of the Pokemon in this Grunt’s lineup are Fire-type.
Encounter possibilities as victory rewards include Shadow Pineco, Ledyba, Joltik, Beedrill, Weedle, or Kakuna.
“Wherever there is light, there is also shadow”
- Type: Dark
- Weaknesses: Fairy, Fighting, Bug
- Some counters for these Pokémon include Sylveon, Gardevoir, Togekiss, Machamp, and Lucario.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Alolan Grimer | Muk | Alolan Muk |
| Alolan Rattata | Alolan Raticate |
The Team Go Rocket Grunt can be easily defeated by Fairy-type Pokemon, although Fighting and Bug-type Pokemon are also effective choices.
Reward for victory: Encounter with either Shadow Alolan Grimer or Shadow Rattata.
“ROAR! …How’d that sound?”
- Type: Dragon
- Weaknesses: Fairy, Dragon, Ice
- Some counters include: Sylveon, Gardevoir, Togekiss, Glaceon, and Mamoswine.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gible | Dragonair | Dragonair |
| Alolan Exeggutor | Alolan Exeggutor | Dragonite |
| Gabite |
Both Fairy-type and Ice-type Pokemon are ideal choices for this situation. However, deploying Dragon-type Pokemon to battle against other Dragon-type Pokemon can be quite precarious, and thus, we do not advise using them in this scenario.
The reward for victory includes the opportunity to encounter either Shadow Gible or Alolan Exeggutor.
“Get ready to be shocked!”
- Type: Electric
- Weaknesses: Ground
- Some counters to consider are Garchomp, Groudon, Rhyperior, Hippowdon, and Mamoswine.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Shinx | Voltorb | Luxray |
| Mareep | Alolan Geodude | Ampharos |
| Blitzle | Zebstrika |
With Electric-type Pokemon’s vulnerability limited to Ground-type moves, there is little to consider in this situation. Garchomp, being a dual Ground and Dragon-type Pokemon, is perfectly suited for this battle.
You have a chance to encounter Shadow Shinx, Mareep, Blitzle, Alolan Geodude, or Voltorb as a reward for your victory.
“Check out my cute Pokémon!”
- Type: Fairy
- Weaknesses: Poison, Steel
- Counters: Metagross, Melmetal, Dialga, and Gengar.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Ralts | Kirlia | Kirlia |
| Snubbull | Snubbull | Granbull |
| Mawile | Granbull |
Although defeating this formidable Grunt may be challenging, any Pokemon of the Poison or Steel type should be effective. However, it is important to note that Mawile, the opponent, is not vulnerable to Poison or Steel-type moves. Therefore, it is recommended to have a Fire or Ground-type Pokemon on hand as a backup option.
Upon achieving victory, you will be entitled to encounter any of the following Pokémon: Shadow Snubbull, Granbull, Mawile, Ralts, or Kirlia.
“This buff physique isn’t just for show!”
- Type: Fighting
- Weaknesses: Flying, Psychic, Fairy
- Some counters for Sylveon, Gardevoir, Togekiss, Alakazam, and Mewtwo include: Sylveon, Gardevoir, Togekiss, Alakazam, and Mewtwo can be countered by the following Pokémon.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Hitmontop | Hitmonlee | Hitmontop |
| Hitmonlee | Hitmonchan | |
| Hitmonchan | Hitmontop |
Fighting-type Pokemon must be cautious when facing Flying, Psychic, and Fairy-type opponents as they are highly effective against them. Additionally, these Pokemon have a strong resistance to Fighting-type moves, making them a suitable choice to counter these formidable adversaries.
The reward for victory is the chance to encounter Shadow Hitmontop, Hitmonchan, or Hitmonlee.
Niantic/The Pokemon CompanyTrainers can find Team Go Rocket Grunts in black PokeStops.
“Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?”
- Type: Fire
- Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Ground
- Some effective counters for Gyarados, Swampert, Rhyperior, Garchomp, and Kyogre include:
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Torchic | Quilava | Typhlosion |
| Numel | Magmar | Camerupt |
| Vulpix | Ninetales |
By capitalizing on the Fire-type Pokemon’s weaknesses, victory can be achieved even against challenging Team GO Rocket Grunt picks.
You have the chance to encounter a Shadow Torchic, Numel, or Vulpix as a victory reward.
“Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!”
- Type: Flying
- Weaknesses: Rock, Electric, Ice
- Some counters for the mentioned Pokémon are Magnezone, Raikou, Rhyperior, and Tyranitar.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Natu | Xatu | Dragonite |
| Ducklett | Staravia | Gyarados |
| Zubat | Golbat | Crobat |
Due to Gyarados’s ability to overpower any Rock-type Pokemon you choose to face in battle, your most suitable choice of Pokemon against this Grunt in Pokemon Go would be Electric-types.
You can win a Shadow Natu, Ducklett, or Zubat encounter as a victory reward.
“Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke!”
- Type: Ghost
- Weaknesses: Ghost, Dark
- The counters for Darkrai, Weavile, Hydreigon, Gengar, Tyranitar, and Absol include:
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Duskull | Dusclops | Dusknoir |
| Shuppet | Banette | Golurk |
| Drifloon | Golett | Banette |
Similar to Dragon-type Pokemon, Ghost types pose a challenge when it comes to defeating other Ghost-type Pokemon. Therefore, we suggest employing Dark-type Pokemon for this encounter. Additionally, it’s worth noting that various other Pokemon can also acquire valuable Dark-type moves such as Bite and Crunch.
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Encounter options as victorious rewards include: Shadow Shuppet, Drifloon, or Duskull.
“Don’t tangle with us!”
- Type: Grass
- Disadvantages: Vulnerability to Fire, Bug, Poison, Flying, and Ice.
- Some potential counters include: Charizard, Moltres, Ho-Oh, Gengar, Talonflame, and Heatran.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cacnea | Bayleef | Cacturne |
| Treecko | Gloom | Meganium |
| Oddish | Amoonguss |
We suggest choosing from the wide range of Fire and Flying-type Pokemon available, as they offer a favorable strategy. Not only will these Pokemon have a significant advantage against the Grunt’s Shadow Pokemon, but they will also be able to withstand most of the incoming damage.
You will receive either a Shadow Treecko, Oddish, or Cacturne as your reward for victory.
“You’ll be defeated into the ground!”
- Type: Ground
- Weaknesses: Water, Grass, Ice
- Torterra, Kyogre, Mamoswine, Swampert, Gyarados, and Venusaur are all effective counters.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Wooper | Hippopotas | Hippowdon |
| Phanpy | Donphan | Quagsire |
This Grunt should be easily defeated by any Grass or Water-type Pokemon.
The reward for victory is either a Shadow Wooper or a Phanpy encounter.
“You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks”
- Type: Ice
- Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel are its weaknesses.
- Some counter options include: Charizard, Arcanine, Machamp, Tyranitar, and Aggron.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Alolan Sandshrew | Alolan Sandslash | Lapras |
| Alolan Vulpix | Snover | Cloyster |
| Swinub | Abomasnow |
Most of this Grunt’s Pokemon can be easily defeated by Fire-type Pokemon, but Lapras can make things more challenging. Likewise, Rock types face a similar situation. Therefore, Fighting-type Pokemon are highly recommended to effectively battle against Lapras and the rest of the lineup.
You have the chance to encounter Shadow Swinub, Alolan Vulpix, or Alolan Sandshrew as your victory reward.
“Coiled and ready to strike!”
- Type: Poison
- Weaknesses: Psychic, Ground
- Some counters for these Pokémon include Rhyperior, Mamoswine, Excadrill, Groudon, Espeon, and Mewtwo.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Grimer | Nidorina | Weezing |
| Foongus | Nidorino | Muk |
If you encounter this Grunt in Pokemon Go, you shouldn’t have much difficulty since Ground-type Pokemon can handle most of their picks, except for Foongus.
You will receive either a Shadow Foongus or Grimer as a reward for your victory.
“Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?”
- Type: Psychic
- Weaknesses: Dark, Bug, Ghost
- Effective against: Tyranitar, Gengar, Hydreigon, Houndoom
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Natu | Ralts | Metang |
| Spoink | Girafarig | Hypno |
| Abra | Alakazam |
In Pokemon Go, Dark-type Pokemon are the most ideal choice for this battle as they possess resistance against Psychic-type attacks.
You can earn a victory reward by encountering a Shadow Natu, Spoink, or Abra.
Niantic/The Pokemon CompanyAfter collecting six Mysterious Components from Grunts, players will be able to find Team Go Rocket Leaders.
“Let’s rock and roll!”
- Type: Rock
- Weaknesses include being vulnerable to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel types.
- Some counters to consider are Kyogre, Lucario, Swampert, Garchomp, and Excadrill.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Alolan Geodude | Graveler | Golem |
| Lileep | Lileep | Alolan Golem |
| Anorith | Anorith |
Water, Ground, and Fighting-type Pokemon are the most reliable choices when facing Rock-type Pokemon, including Alolan Golem, as they have the advantage against five of their weaknesses.
Upon achieving victory, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to encounter one of the following Pokémon: Shadow Alolan Geodude, Graveler, Lileep, or Anorith.
“You’re no match for my iron will!”
- Type: Steel
- Weaknesses: Fire, Ground, Fighting
- Some counters include Charizard, Moltres, Entei, Blaziken, Swampert, and Rhyperior.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Aron | Lairon | Aggron |
| Alolan Diglett | Alolan Sandshrew | Scizor |
| Alolan Sandshrew | Metang |
Players of Pokemon Go should find it easy to defeat this Team Go Rocket Grunt using Fire-type Pokemon.
You will be rewarded with either a Shadow Alolan Sandshrew, Aron, Alolan Diglett, Lairon, or Metang encounter as a victory prize.
“These waters are treacherous!”
- Type: Water
- Weaknesses: Grass, Electric
- Sceptile, Torterra, Venusaur, Magnezone, Raikou, and Electivire are all counted as counters.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Wailmer | Croconaw | Wailord |
| Mudkip | Golduck | Feraligatr |
| Psyduck | Golduck |
The Water-type specialist Grunt can be of either gender. The female Grunt possesses a team of diverse Water-type Pokémon, while the male Grunt solely focuses on Magikarps and will exclusively challenge you with Magikarp. Consequently, utilizing Grass-type Pokémon should pose no difficulty for you.
Potential rewards for victory include the opportunity to encounter a rare Shadow Mudkip or a Psyduck.
“Don’t bother – I’ve already won! Get ready to be defeated! Winning is for winners!” (Female)
- Type: Typeless
- Machamp, Lucario, Magnezone, Electivire, and Gengar are all effective counters.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Snorlax | Snorlax | Snorlax |
| Poliwrath | Gyarados | |
| Gardevoir | Dragonite |
The final two challenges presented by Team Go Rocket Grunts are the most difficult ones. The female Grunt poses a formidable challenge with her exceptionally strong Pokemon, requiring a well-rounded team to defeat her. It is essential to have Fighting-type Pokemon to counter Snorlax effectively. Additionally, if feasible, incorporating Electric, Ice, and Poison-type attacks into the team would be advantageous against the other two Pokemon.
Reward for victory: Encounter with a Shadow Snorlax.
Don’t bother – I’ve already won! Get ready to be defeated! Winning is for winners!” (Male)
- Type: Starters
- Counters include Sceptile, Kyogre, Charizard, Magnezone, Raikou, and Ho-Oh.
| Pokemon #1 | Pokemon #2 | Pokemon #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Squirtle | Quilava | Sceptile |
| Charmander | Bayleef | Blaziken |
| Bulbasaur | Croconaw | Swampert |
The male Grunt is known for attacking trainers with starter Pokemon from various regions. Although some of these Pokemon can be quite formidable, their weaknesses can be easily exploited by choosing appropriate counters. The challenging aspect is the uncertainty of which Pokemon will be encountered, hence players should come prepared with a well-rounded team for the battle.
Prize for winning: Encounter with Shadow Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur.
With the latest update, encountering any Team Go Rocket Grunt will be a breeze as you will have prior knowledge of potential rewards. However, it’s important to note that certain Grunts may have a lower probability of appearing at PokeStops and in air balloons.
Make sure to learn how to defeat Team Go Rocket Leaders Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo once you have acquired sufficient Mysterious Components to construct the Rocket Radar.
To explore additional Pokemon content, please refer to our other articles.
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4. Ranking of the best attackers in Pokemon Go
5. Comprehensive list of free rewards in Pokemon Go
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