Team GO Rocket Grunts: Lineups, Shinies and Catches (October 2026)

Team GO Rocket Grunt Guide is here! Find full lineups, best counters, and which shiny Shadow Pokémon you can get. Updated for October 2026.

3kkoIogy
3kkoIogy
20 min.

A complete guide to Team GO Rocket Grunts Pokémon and how to defeat them during the month of October 2026. This page shows all Team GO Rocket Grunt lineups, the best counters for each Grunt, catchable Pokémon, and shiny Shadow Pokémon you can get. Since the start of the season of Memories in Motion, any Pokémon whose Shiny form has been released can also be Shiny in Shadow form.

Bug-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Go, my super bug Pokémon!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Weedle from Pokémon GO Shadow Weedle Sprite of Shadow Wimpod from Pokémon GO Shadow Wimpod Sprite of Shadow Venonat from Pokémon GO Shadow Venonat
#2 Sprite of Shadow Pinsir from Pokémon GO Shadow Pinsir Sprite of Shadow Dewpider from Pokémon GO Shadow Dewpider Sprite of Shadow Anorith from Pokémon GO Shadow Anorith
#3 Sprite of Shadow Vikavolt from Pokémon GO Shadow Vikavolt Sprite of Shadow Scizor from Pokémon GO Shadow Scizor Sprite of Shadow Scolipede from Pokémon GO Shadow Scolipede
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Weedle, Wimpod, Venonat, Pinsir, Dewpider, and Anorith.
  • Best counters for the Bug-type Grunt are Fire and Rock-type Pokémon. Use Rock-type attackers against Wimpod, Dewpider, and Anorith, as their secondary typings make Fire attacks neutral. Fire-type attackers are especially effective against Scizor.

Dark-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Wherever there is light, there is also shadow.”

#1 Sprite of Alola Shadow Rattata from Pokémon GO Alola Shadow Rattata Sprite of Shadow Poochyena from Pokémon GO Shadow Poochyena Sprite of Shadow Carvanha from Pokémon GO Shadow Carvanha
#2 Sprite of Shadow Houndour from Pokémon GO Shadow Houndour Sprite of Shadow Sneasel from Pokémon GO Shadow Sneasel Sprite of Shadow Absol from Pokémon GO Shadow Absol
#3 Sprite of Shadow Liepard from Pokémon GO Shadow Liepard Sprite of Shadow Hydreigon from Pokémon GO Shadow Hydreigon  
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Alolan Rattata, Poochyena, Carvanha, Absol, Sneasel, and Houndour. Absol, Sneasel, and Houndour can be caught from the second slot.
  • Best counters for the Dark-type Grunt are Fighting-type Pokémon like Lucario, Machamp, and Conkeldurr.

Dragon-Type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “ROAR! … How’d that sound?”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Axew from Pokémon GO Shadow Axew Sprite of Shadow Deino from Pokémon GO Shadow Deino Sprite of Shadow Noibat from Pokémon GO Shadow Noibat
#2 Sprite of Shadow Dragonair from Pokémon GO Shadow Dragonair Sprite of Shadow Gabite from Pokémon GO Shadow Gabite Sprite of Alola Shadow Exeggutor from Pokémon GO Alola Shadow Exeggutor
#3 Sprite of Shadow Dragonite from Pokémon GO Shadow Dragonite Sprite of Shadow Garchomp from Pokémon GO Shadow Garchomp Sprite of Shadow Salamence from Pokémon GO Shadow Salamence
  • Catchable Pokémon in this encounter are Shadow Axew, Deino, and Noibat.
  • Best counters for the Dragon-type Grunt are Ice, Dragon, and Fairy-type Pokémon, like  White Kyurem, Mamoswine, Rayquaza, and Gardevoir.

Electric-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Get ready to be shocked!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Helioptile from Pokémon GO Shadow Helioptile Sprite of Shadow Voltorb from Pokémon GO Shadow Voltorb Sprite of Shadow Shinx from Pokémon GO Shadow Shinx
#2 Sprite of Shadow Electabuzz from Pokémon GO Shadow Electabuzz Sprite of Shadow Magnemite from Pokémon GO Shadow Magnemite Sprite of Alola Shadow Geodude from Pokémon GO Alola Shadow Geodude
#3 Sprite of Shadow Ampharos from Pokémon GO Shadow Ampharos Sprite of Shadow Galvantula from Pokémon GO Shadow Galvantula Sprite of Shadow Luxray from Pokémon GO Shadow Luxray
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Helioptile, Voltorb, Shinx, Electabuzz, Alolan Geodude, and Magnemite. Electabuzz, Alolan Geodude, and Magnemite can be caught from the second slot.
  • Best counters for the Electric-type Grunt are Ground-type Pokémon like Groudon, Garchomp, and Excadrill. Galvantula is weak to Fire and Rock rather than Ground, but Groudon’s Fire Punch and Excadrill’s Rock Slide can handle it.

Fairy-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Check out my cute Pokémon!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Snubbull from Pokémon GO Shadow Snubbull Sprite of Shadow Ralts from Pokémon GO Shadow Ralts Sprite of Alola Shadow Vulpix from Pokémon GO Alola Shadow Vulpix
#2 Sprite of Shadow Snubbull from Pokémon GO Shadow Snubbull Sprite of Shadow Kirlia from Pokémon GO Shadow Kirlia Sprite of Galarian Shadow Weezing from Pokémon GO Galarian Shadow Weezing
#3 Sprite of Shadow Granbull from Pokémon GO Shadow Granbull Sprite of Alola Shadow Ninetales from Pokémon GO Alola Shadow Ninetales Sprite of Galarian Shadow Weezing from Pokémon GO Galarian Shadow Weezing
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Snubbull, Ralts, Alolan Vulpix, Kirlia, and Galarian Weezing. Snubbull, Kirlia, and Galarian Weezing can be caught from the second slot.
  • Best counters for the Fairy-type Grunt are Steel-type Pokémon, but you can also use Poison Pokémon for pure Fairy types.

Fighting-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “This buff physique isn’t just for show!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Timburr from Pokémon GO Shadow Timburr Sprite of Shadow Mankey from Pokémon GO Shadow Mankey Sprite of Shadow Makuhita from Pokémon GO Shadow Makuhita
#2 Sprite of Shadow Hitmonchan from Pokémon GO Shadow Hitmonchan Sprite of Shadow Hitmonlee from Pokémon GO Shadow Hitmonlee Sprite of Shadow Hitmontop from Pokémon GO Shadow Hitmontop
#3 Sprite of Shadow Infernape from Pokémon GO Shadow Infernape Sprite of Shadow Annihilape from Pokémon GO Shadow Annihilape Sprite of Shadow Conkeldurr from Pokémon GO Shadow Conkeldurr
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Timburr, Mankey, Makuhita, Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, and Hitmontop.
  • Best counters for the Fighting-type Grunt are Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type Pokémon. Keep a Flying or Psychic attacker ready for Infernape, and be wary of Annihilape’s Ghost-type attacks if you use Psychic-type counters.

Fire-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Ponyta from Pokémon GO Shadow Ponyta Sprite of Shadow Torchic from Pokémon GO Shadow Torchic Sprite of Shadow Litwick from Pokémon GO Shadow Litwick
#2 Sprite of Shadow Magmar from Pokémon GO Shadow Magmar Sprite of Shadow Blaziken from Pokémon GO Shadow Blaziken Sprite of Shadow Camerupt from Pokémon GO Shadow Camerupt
#3 Sprite of Shadow Delphox from Pokémon GO Shadow Delphox Sprite of Shadow Magmortar from Pokémon GO Shadow Magmortar Sprite of Shadow Darmanitan from Pokémon GO Shadow Darmanitan
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Ponyta, Torchic, and Litwick.
  • Best counters for the Fire-type Grunt are Water, Rock, and Ground-type Pokémon like Kyogre, Swampert, Terrakion, Rhyperior, and Groudon.

Flying-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Swablu from Pokémon GO Shadow Swablu Sprite of Shadow Rookidee from Pokémon GO Shadow Rookidee Sprite of Shadow Taillow from Pokémon GO Shadow Taillow
#2 Sprite of Shadow Zubat from Pokémon GO Shadow Zubat Sprite of Shadow Gligar from Pokémon GO Shadow Gligar Sprite of Shadow Scyther from Pokémon GO Shadow Scyther
#3 Sprite of Shadow Dragonite from Pokémon GO Shadow Dragonite Sprite of Shadow Swanna from Pokémon GO Shadow Swanna Sprite of Shadow Toucannon from Pokémon GO Shadow Toucannon
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Swablu, Rookidee, Taillow, Zubat, Gligar, and Scyther. Zubat, Gligar, and Scyther can be caught from the second slot.
  • Best counters for the Flying-type Grunt are Electric, Ice, and Rock-type Pokémon like Mamoswine, White Kyurem, Rhyperior, Galarian Darmanitan, Baxcalibur, and Tyranitar. Ice attacks are particularly useful against Gligar and Dragonite.

Ghost-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Duskull from Pokémon GO Shadow Duskull Sprite of Shadow Sandygast from Pokémon GO Shadow Sandygast Sprite of Shadow Yamask from Pokémon GO Shadow Yamask
#2 Sprite of Shadow Sableye from Pokémon GO Shadow Sableye Sprite of Shadow Dusclops from Pokémon GO Shadow Dusclops Sprite of Shadow Cofagrigus from Pokémon GO Shadow Cofagrigus
#3 Sprite of Shadow Gengar from Pokémon GO Shadow Gengar Sprite of Shadow Froslass from Pokémon GO Shadow Froslass Sprite of Shadow Cofagrigus from Pokémon GO Shadow Cofagrigus
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Duskull, Sandygast, and Yamask.
  • Best counters for the Ghost-type Grunt are Dark and Ghost-type Pokémon, like Tyranitar, Gengar, Dawn Wings Necrozma, and Hydreigon.

Grass-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Don’t tangle with us!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Phantump from Pokémon GO Shadow Phantump Sprite of Shadow Fomantis from Pokémon GO Shadow Fomantis Sprite of Shadow Tangela from Pokémon GO Shadow Tangela
#2 Sprite of Shadow Morelull from Pokémon GO Shadow Morelull Sprite of Shadow Lileep from Pokémon GO Shadow Lileep Sprite of Shadow Sceptile from Pokémon GO Shadow Sceptile
#3 Sprite of Shadow Chesnaught from Pokémon GO Shadow Chesnaught Sprite of Shadow Cradily from Pokémon GO Shadow Cradily Sprite of Shadow Trevenant from Pokémon GO Shadow Trevenant
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Phantump, Fomantis, and Tangela.
  • Best counters for the Grass-type Grunt are Fire-type Pokémon like Charizard, Heatran, and Reshiram. A Bug, Fighting, Ice, or Steel-type attacker can help against Cradily, whose Rock typing makes Fire attacks neutral.

Ground-Type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “You’ll be defeated into the ground!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Gligar from Pokémon GO Shadow Gligar Sprite of Shadow Rhyhorn from Pokémon GO Shadow Rhyhorn Sprite of Shadow Trapinch from Pokémon GO Shadow Trapinch
#2 Sprite of Shadow Gligar from Pokémon GO Shadow Gligar Sprite of Shadow Claydol from Pokémon GO Shadow Claydol Sprite of Shadow Vibrava from Pokémon GO Shadow Vibrava
#3 Sprite of Shadow Golurk from Pokémon GO Shadow Golurk Sprite of Shadow Hippowdon from Pokémon GO Shadow Hippowdon Sprite of Shadow Flygon from Pokémon GO Shadow Flygon
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Gligar, Rhyhorn, Trapinch, Claydol, and Vibrava. Gligar, Claydol, and Vibrava can be caught from the second slot.
  • Best counters for the Ground-type Grunt are Grass, Ice, and Water-type Pokémon like Venusaur, Sceptile, Greninja, Kyogre, Mamoswine, Swampert, and White Kyurem. Gligar, Vibrava, and Flygon take neutral damage from Grass attacks but are double-weak to Ice.

Ice-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks.”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Seel from Pokémon GO Shadow Seel Sprite of Shadow Delibird from Pokémon GO Shadow Delibird Sprite of Shadow Spheal from Pokémon GO Shadow Spheal
#2 Sprite of Alola Shadow Ninetales from Pokémon GO Alola Shadow Ninetales Sprite of Shadow Froslass from Pokémon GO Shadow Froslass Sprite of Shadow Sealeo from Pokémon GO Shadow Sealeo
#3 Sprite of Shadow Glalie from Pokémon GO Shadow Glalie Sprite of Shadow Froslass from Pokémon GO Shadow Froslass Sprite of Shadow Aurorus from Pokémon GO Shadow Aurorus
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Seel, Delibird, and Spheal.
  • Best counters for the Ice-type Grunt are Fire, Steel, Rock, and Fighting-type Pokémon. There are many different counters for ice types, but be wary of using Fire types here, as many are dual Ice and Water types. For Water/Ice types like Spheal, Electric is also a good option.

Normal-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Normal does not mean weak.”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Teddiursa from Pokémon GO Shadow Teddiursa Sprite of Shadow Hoothoot from Pokémon GO Shadow Hoothoot Sprite of Shadow Porygon from Pokémon GO Shadow Porygon
#2 Sprite of Shadow Stufful from Pokémon GO Shadow Stufful Sprite of Shadow Starly from Pokémon GO Shadow Starly Sprite of Shadow Loudred from Pokémon GO Shadow Loudred
#3 Sprite of Shadow Ursaring from Pokémon GO Shadow Ursaring Sprite of Shadow Swellow from Pokémon GO Shadow Swellow Sprite of Shadow Kangaskhan from Pokémon GO Shadow Kangaskhan
  • Catchable Pokémon in this encounter are Shadow Teddiursa, Hoothoot, Porygon, Stufful, Starly, and Loudred. Stufful, Starly, and Loudred can be caught from the second slot.
  • Best counters for the Normal-type Grunt are Fighting-type Pokémon like Machamp, Lucario, and Conkeldurr. Electric, Ice, or Rock-type attackers are useful against Hoothoot, Starly, and Swellow.

Poison-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Coiled and ready to strike!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Qwilfish from Pokémon GO Shadow Qwilfish Sprite of Shadow Oddish from Pokémon GO Shadow Oddish Sprite of Shadow Zubat from Pokémon GO Shadow Zubat
#2 Sprite of Shadow Nidorina from Pokémon GO Shadow Nidorina Sprite of Shadow Nidorino from Pokémon GO Shadow Nidorino Sprite of Galarian Shadow Weezing from Pokémon GO Galarian Shadow Weezing
#3 Sprite of Shadow Weezing from Pokémon GO Shadow Weezing Sprite of Shadow Toxicroak from Pokémon GO Shadow Toxicroak Sprite of Shadow Amoonguss from Pokémon GO Shadow Amoonguss
  • Catchable Pokémon in this encounter are Shadow Qwilfish, Oddish, Zubat, Nidorina, Nidorino, and Galarian Weezing. Nidorina, Nidorino, and Galarian Weezing can be caught from the second slot.
  • Best counters for the Poison-type Grunt are Ground and Psychic-type Pokémon like Groudon, Garchomp, Mewtwo, and Alakazam. Use Psychic attacks against Zubat, whose Flying typing resists Ground attacks.

Psychic-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Drowzee from Pokémon GO Shadow Drowzee Sprite of Shadow Wobbuffet from Pokémon GO Shadow Wobbuffet Sprite of Shadow Ralts from Pokémon GO Shadow Ralts
#2 Sprite of Shadow Drowzee from Pokémon GO Shadow Drowzee Sprite of Shadow Wobbuffet from Pokémon GO Shadow Wobbuffet Sprite of Shadow Duosion from Pokémon GO Shadow Duosion
#3 Sprite of Shadow Gallade from Pokémon GO Shadow Gallade Sprite of Shadow Reuniclus from Pokémon GO Shadow Reuniclus Sprite of Shadow Malamar from Pokémon GO Shadow Malamar
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Drowzee, Wobbuffet, Ralts, and Duosion. Drowzee, Wobbuffet, and Duosion can be caught from the second slot.
  • Best counters for the Psychic-type Grunt are Dark, Ghost, and Bug-type Pokémon.

Rock-Type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Let’s rock and roll!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Onix from Pokémon GO Shadow Onix Sprite of Shadow Cranidos from Pokémon GO Shadow Cranidos Sprite of Shadow Kabuto from Pokémon GO Shadow Kabuto
#2 Sprite of Shadow Shieldon from Pokémon GO Shadow Shieldon Sprite of Shadow Cranidos from Pokémon GO Shadow Cranidos Sprite of Shadow Graveler from Pokémon GO Shadow Graveler
#3 Sprite of Shadow Aurorus from Pokémon GO Shadow Aurorus Sprite of Shadow Tyrantrum from Pokémon GO Shadow Tyrantrum Sprite of Shadow Golem from Pokémon GO Shadow Golem
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Onix, Cranidos, Kabuto, Shieldon, and Graveler. Cranidos, Shieldon, and Graveler can be caught from the second slot.
  • Best counters for the Rock-type Grunt are Fighting-type Pokémon like Lucario, Conkeldurr, and Machamp. Water and Grass-type attackers are especially effective against Onix, Graveler, and Golem.

Steel-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “You’re no match for my iron will!”

#1 Sprite of Alola Shadow Sandshrew from Pokémon GO Alola Shadow Sandshrew Sprite of Shadow Beldum from Pokémon GO Shadow Beldum Sprite of Shadow Aron from Pokémon GO Shadow Aron
#2 Sprite of Shadow Lairon from Pokémon GO Shadow Lairon Sprite of Shadow Metang from Pokémon GO Shadow Metang Sprite of Shadow Skarmory from Pokémon GO Shadow Skarmory
#3 Sprite of Alola Shadow Sandslash from Pokémon GO Alola Shadow Sandslash Sprite of Shadow Probopass from Pokémon GO Shadow Probopass Sprite of Shadow Aggron from Pokémon GO Shadow Aggron
  • Catchable Pokémon in this encounter are Shadow Alolan Sandshrew, Aron, and Beldum.
  • Best counters for the Steel-type Grunt are Fire and Fighting-type Pokémon like Charizard, Entei, Reshiram, and Lucario. Fighting attacks deal neutral damage to Skarmory and Metang, so Fire is a more consistent choice.

Water-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “These waters are treacherous!”

Female Water Grunt

#1 Sprite of Shadow Mudkip from Pokémon GO Shadow Mudkip Sprite of Shadow Krabby from Pokémon GO Shadow Krabby Sprite of Shadow Tentacool from Pokémon GO Shadow Tentacool
#2 Sprite of Shadow Swampert from Pokémon GO Shadow Swampert Sprite of Shadow Dewpider from Pokémon GO Shadow Dewpider Sprite of Shadow Sharpedo from Pokémon GO Shadow Sharpedo
#3 Sprite of Shadow Greninja from Pokémon GO Shadow Greninja Sprite of Shadow Walrein from Pokémon GO Shadow Walrein Sprite of Shadow Tentacruel from Pokémon GO Shadow Tentacruel
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Mudkip, Krabby, and Tentacool.
  • Best counters for the female Water-type Grunt are Electric and Grass-type Pokémon like Therian Forme Thundurus, Magnezone, Zekrom, Venusaur, Sceptile, and Zarude. Include a Grass-type attacker for Swampert, whose Ground typing resists Electric attacks.

Male Water Grunt

#1 Sprite of Shadow Magikarp from Pokémon GO Shadow Magikarp Sprite of Shadow Feebas from Pokémon GO Shadow Feebas  
#2 Sprite of Shadow Magikarp from Pokémon GO Shadow Magikarp    
#3 Sprite of Shadow Magikarp from Pokémon GO Shadow Magikarp Sprite of Shadow Gyarados from Pokémon GO Shadow Gyarados  
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Magikarp and Feebas.
  • Best counters for the male Water-type Grunt are Electric-type Pokémon like Raikou, Xurkitree, and Zekrom.

Starter and Snorlax Grunts

Taunt 🗣 – “Don’t bother – I’ve already won.”
Taunt 🗣 – “Get ready to be defeated!”
Taunt 🗣 – “Winning is for winners!”

Snorlax Grunt

#1 Sprite of Shadow Snorlax from Pokémon GO Shadow Snorlax Sprite of Shadow Lapras from Pokémon GO Shadow Lapras  
#2 Sprite of Shadow Snorlax from Pokémon GO Shadow Snorlax Sprite of Shadow Poliwrath from Pokémon GO Shadow Poliwrath Sprite of Shadow Gardevoir from Pokémon GO Shadow Gardevoir
#3 Sprite of Shadow Snorlax from Pokémon GO Shadow Snorlax Sprite of Shadow Gyarados from Pokémon GO Shadow Gyarados Sprite of Shadow Dragonite from Pokémon GO Shadow Dragonite
  • Catchable from the typeless Snorlax Grunt are Shadow Snorlax and Lapras.
  • Snorlax is always tough, and Fighting types like Machamp or Lucario are the way to go. Bring a Metagross to deal with Gardevoir, which is also solid for Snorlax. Having an Electric type like Magnezone or Electivire (with added Ice Punch) can also help you arrest the incoming Dragonite or Gyarados in the last slot. This is definitely the trickiest of all the grunts, so be prepared!

Starters Grunt

#1 Sprite of Shadow Bulbasaur from Pokémon GO Shadow Bulbasaur Sprite of Shadow Charmander from Pokémon GO Shadow Charmander Sprite of Shadow Squirtle from Pokémon GO Shadow Squirtle
#2 Sprite of Shadow Ivysaur from Pokémon GO Shadow Ivysaur Sprite of Shadow Charmeleon from Pokémon GO Shadow Charmeleon Sprite of Shadow Wartortle from Pokémon GO Shadow Wartortle
#3 Sprite of Shadow Venusaur from Pokémon GO Shadow Venusaur Sprite of Shadow Charizard from Pokémon GO Shadow Charizard Sprite of Shadow Blastoise from Pokémon GO Shadow Blastoise
  • Catchable from the starters Grunt are Shadow Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.

Decoy Grunt

The decoy female Grunt has the following details:

Taunt 🗣 – “Fooled ya, twerp.”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Bellsprout from Pokémon GO Shadow Bellsprout
#2 Sprite of Shadow Weepinbell from Pokémon GO Shadow Weepinbell Sprite of Shadow Raticate from Pokémon GO Shadow Raticate
#3 Sprite of Shadow Snorlax from Pokémon GO Shadow Snorlax Sprite of Shadow Raticate from Pokémon GO Shadow Raticate
  • Catchable from the decoy Grunt is Shadow Bellsprout.

Detailed GO Rocket Grunt Mechanics

Team GO Rocket

Team GO Rocket Grunts are one of the most common enemies you will fight in Pokémon GO, as they tend to take over PokéStops, steal items, and convert Pokémon into Shadow Pokémon. You can find them at PokéStops and flying in the Team GO Rocket Hot Air Balloon.

Grunts are a common enemy, but they still can be difficult to defeat unless you know which counters to use. Luckily, each type of Grunt has a recognisable taunt which gives you a hint at which Pokémon they will use.

  • Grunts will randomly select one Pokémon from each of the three slots (#1, #2, and #3) to build a team. Before starting the Team Rocket Battle encounter in Pokémon GO, the Grunt will taunt you. We use this taunt line to figure out which type of Pokémon he/she will use in the fight.
  • Team Rocket Grunts do not use shields, which gives you an additional edge in these battles. You should shield against every Charge move they use (the charged attack the Shadow Pokémon use in battle is not Frustration, but a regular move from their move pool).
  • Every Pokémon that faints on your team reduces the number of Premier Balls you will get for the Shadow Pokémon catch encounter. It’s in your best interest to switch low HP Pokémon before they faint. There is a slight delay in Rocket Grunts attacking after charge moves are used or Pokémon are switched, which you can take advantage of to make your victory that much easier.
  • Your Pokémon are not automatically healed after the battle. If you lose, you can rematch, and the Grunt will have the same Pokémon again. There’s no penalty for rejoining.
  • You can walk away from the Poke Stop once the encounter starts. There’s no distance limit on how far you can move (or at least we never reached it). We tested this up to almost 500 meters (0.31 miles).

These taunts identify the Grunt’s team theme. After defeating a Grunt, you can catch a Shadow Pokémon from its first slot or, for certain Grunts, its second slot. The catchable options are listed above.

Don’t forget to check out our Team GO Rocket Leaders guides for Sierra, Arlo, Cliff, and Giovanni – we’ve got the perfect strategy guides to help you win against Rocket Leaders as well.

Recommended team for defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts

3kkology here, updating this guide for everyone to use to take down Go Rocket invasions. I wanted to provide my dedicated Go Rocket team that I use for efficiency when taking down large invasion of Go Rocket grunts.

It can be annoying to look at this guide for every grunt and remember what Pokémon is best for each encounter. This is the team that I use for every Go Rocket encounter, and it has yet to fail me. Feel free to copy and try for yourself.

Pokémon Fast Move Charge Moves
Sprite of Rhyperior from Pokémon GO Rhyperior
  • Mud-slap
  • Rock Wrecker
  • Surf
Sprite of Charizard from Pokémon GO Charizard
  • Fire Spin
  • Blast Burn
  • Dragon Claw
Sprite of Lucario from Pokémon GO Lucario
  • Counter
  • Shadow Ball
  • Power-up Punch

The lead is Rhyperior. Lucario Power-up Punch is very powerful because of the delay in attacking by grunt Pokémon after using charge moves. Charizard is great for similar reasons because of Dragon Claw, and the fire-type attacks offer good coverage. You can really limit the number of fast moves the Go Rocket grunt can get off. This team is very well-rounded for many grunt encounters. Bring an Electric-type counter for Gyarados or an Ice-type counter for Dragonite if you encounter them.

Shiny Shadow Pokémon GO

Shiny Shadow Pokémon from Team GO Rocket Grunts

Shadow Pokémon caught from Grunts can be Shiny if that Pokémon’s Shiny form has been released. Shiny Shadow encounters were expanded to Grunts during the Team GO Rocket Takeover Event. Since the start of Memories in Motion, this applies to any eligible Pokémon caught from the first or second slot.

Shadow Pokemon
Shadow Pokemon

Credits and thank you

We wish to say thank you to everyone who contributed their data to our Team Rocket Battles research project. This guide is made possible solely on the merit of the data you provided! Thank you! If you want to join our Discord server, please do so. We are planning to hold more research projects in the near future.

3kkoIogy
3kkoIogy
I am an environmental scientist from Sacramento, CA. I was given my first Charmander Pokemon card by a friend in the 4th grade in 1999 and was hooked ever since. I was ranked Ace trainer in season 1 of Silph League's world rankings for PvP.
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