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Team GO Rocket Grunt Lineups and Guide (June 2026)

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

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3kkoIogy
3kkoIogy

A complete guide to Team GO Rocket Grunts Pokémon and how to defeat them during the month of June 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. At the start of the season of Memories in Motion, any Pokémon that has their shiny released, can also be shiny in Shadow form.

Bug-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Go, my super bug Pokémon!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Venonat from Pokémon GO Shadow Venonat Sprite of Shadow Shelmet from Pokémon GO Shadow Shelmet Sprite of Shadow Karrablast from Pokémon GO Shadow Karrablast
#2 Sprite of Shadow Pinsir from Pokémon GO Shadow Pinsir Sprite of Shadow Shuckle from Pokémon GO Shadow Shuckle 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 Venonat, Shelmet, Karrablast, Pinsir, Shuckle, or Anorith.
  • Best counters for Bug-type Grunt are usually Fire and Rock-type Pokémon. If you encounter Bug/Flying Pokémon, focus on Rock-type attackers, otherwise use Fire-type attackers.

Dark-type Grunt

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

#1 Sprite of Alola Rattata from Pokémon GO Alola Rattata Sprite of Shadow Poochyena from Pokémon GO Shadow Poochyena Sprite of Shadow Carvanha from Pokémon GO Shadow Carvanha
#2 Sprite of Alola Shadow Raticate from Pokémon GO Alola Shadow Raticate Sprite of Shadow Mightyena from Pokémon GO Shadow Mightyena
#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 Poochyena, Alolan Rattata, or Carvanha.
  • Best counters for the Dark-type Grunt are Fighting-type Pokémon. However, Alolan Muk is weak to Ground, and not Fighting. 

Dragon-Type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “ROAR! … How’d that sound?”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Dratini from Pokémon GO Shadow Dratini Sprite of Shadow Bagon from Pokémon GO Shadow Bagon Sprite of Shadow Deino from Pokémon GO Shadow Deino
#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 Dratini, Shadow Deino, and Shadow Bagon.
  • 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 Voltorb from Pokémon GO Shadow Voltorb 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 Voltorb, Shinx, and Helioptile.
  • Best counters for the Electric-type Grunt are Ground-type Pokémon like Groudon, Garchomp, and Excadrill. The problems are Joltik and Galvantula, who are weak to Fire and Rock, but Groudon’s Fire Punch and Excadrill’s Rock Slide can handle those.

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 Substitute from Pokémon GO Galarian Shadow Substitute
#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 at the end of this encounter are Shadow Snubbull, Ralts, Kirlia, Alolan Vulpix and Galarian Weezing.
  • 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 Machop from Pokémon GO Shadow Machop Sprite of Shadow Mankey from Pokémon GO Shadow Mankey
#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 Toxicroak from Pokémon GO Shadow Toxicroak Sprite of Shadow Conkeldurr from Pokémon GO Shadow Conkeldurr
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Mankey, Machop, Timburr, Hitmontop, Hitmonchan, or Hitmonlee.
  • Best counters for the Fighting-type Grunt are Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type Pokémon, but your safest bet is Psychic here.

Fire-type Grunt

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

#1 Sprite of Shadow Fennekin from Pokémon GO Shadow Fennekin Sprite of Shadow Vulpix from Pokémon GO Shadow Vulpix Sprite of Shadow Litwick from Pokémon GO Shadow Litwick
#2 Sprite of Shadow Braixen from Pokémon GO Shadow Braixen Sprite of Shadow Magmar from Pokémon GO Shadow Magmar 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 Fennekin, Vulpix, or Litwick.
  • Best counters for Fire-type Grunt are Water, Rock and Ground-type Pokémon like Kyogre, Swampert, Terrakion, Kyogre, 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 Pidgey from Pokémon GO Shadow Pidgey 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, Pidgey, or Taillow.
  • Best counters for Flying-type Grunt are Electric, Ice, and Rock-type Pokémon like Mamoswine, White Kyurem, Rhyperior, Galarian Damanitan, Baxcalibur, and Tyranitar.

Ghost-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke!”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Gastly from Pokémon GO Shadow Gastly Sprite of Shadow Duskull from Pokémon GO Shadow Duskull 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 Cofagrigrus from Pokémon GO Shadow Cofagrigrus
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Gastly, Yamask, Duskull, Dusclops, Cofagrigus, or Sableye.
  • 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 Chespin from Pokémon GO Shadow Chespin Sprite of Shadow Cacnea from Pokémon GO Shadow Cacnea Sprite of Shadow Morelull from Pokémon GO Shadow Morelull
#2 Sprite of Shadow Quilladin from Pokémon GO Shadow Quilladin Sprite of Shadow Lileep from Pokémon GO Shadow Lileep Sprite of Shadow Phantump from Pokémon GO Shadow Phantump
#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 Chespin, Phantump, Quilladin, Lileep, Morelull, or Cacnea (✨).
  • Best counters for Grass-type Grunt are Fire and Bug-type Pokémon like Charizard, Heatran, Pinsir, Heracross, etc.

Ground-Type Grunt

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

#1 Sprite of Shadow Gligar from Pokémon GO Shadow Gligar Sprite of Shadow Sandshrew from Pokémon GO Shadow Sandshrew Sprite of Shadow Trapinch from Pokémon GO Shadow Trapinch
#2 Sprite of Shadow Gligar from Pokémon GO Shadow Gligar Sprite of Shadow Baltoy from Pokémon GO Shadow Baltoy 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 Sandshrew, Trapinch, Gligar, Baltoy, Gligar, or Vibrava.
  • Best counters for the Ground-type Grunt are Grass, Ice, and Water-type Pokémon like Venusaur, Sceptile, Greninja, Kyogre, Mamoswine, Swappert, and White Kyurem. Vibrava, Flygon, and Torterra are not weak to Grass, but double-weak to Ice-type attacks.

Ice-type Grunt

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

#1 Sprite of Shadow Swinub from Pokémon GO Shadow Swinub Sprite of Shadow Spheal from Pokémon GO Shadow Spheal Sprite of Shadow Sneasel from Pokémon GO Shadow Sneasel
#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 Swinub, Spheal, or Sneasel.
  • 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 doesn’t mean weak.”

#1 Sprite of Shadow Stufful from Pokémon GO Shadow Stufful Sprite of Shadow Meowth from Pokémon GO Shadow Meowth Sprite of Shadow Swablu from Pokémon GO Shadow Swablu
#2 Sprite of Shadow Teddiursa from Pokémon GO Shadow Teddiursa Sprite of Shadow Loudred from Pokémon GO Shadow Loudred Sprite of Shadow Starly from Pokémon GO Shadow Starly
#3 Sprite of Shadow Swellow from Pokémon GO Shadow Swellow Sprite of Shadow Ursaring from Pokémon GO Shadow Ursaring Sprite of Shadow Kangaskhan from Pokémon GO Shadow Kangaskhan
  • Catchable Pokémon in this encounter are Shadow Swablue, Stufful, Meowth.
  • Best counters for Normal-type Grunt are Fighting-type Pokémon like Machamp, Lucario, and Conkeldurr.

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 Tentacool from Pokémon GO Shadow Tentacool
#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 Tentacool, Qwilfish, and Oddish.
  • Best counters for the Poison-type Grunt are Ground and Psychic-type Pokémon like Groudon, Garchomp, Mewtwo, Alakazam, etc.

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, Shadow Wobbufet, or Ralts.
  • 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 Cranidos from Pokémon GO Shadow Cranidos Sprite of Shadow Shuckle from Pokémon GO Shadow Shuckle Sprite of Shadow Omanyte from Pokémon GO Shadow Omanyte
#2 Sprite of Shadow Cranidos from Pokémon GO Shadow Cranidos Sprite of Shadow Shieldon from Pokémon GO Shadow Shieldon Sprite of Shadow Graveler from Pokémon GO Shadow Graveler
#3 Sprite of Shadow Golem from Pokémon GO Shadow Golem Sprite of Shadow Tyrantrum from Pokémon GO Shadow Tyrantrum Sprite of Shadow Aurorus from Pokémon GO Shadow Aurorus
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Carindos, Shuckle and Omanyte.
  • Best counters for the Rock-type Grunt are Fighting-type Pokémon like Lucario, Conkeldurr, and Machamp. Archen and Archeops are not weak to Fighting-type attacks, so solid Water types are a good second choice here too.

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 at the end of this encounter are Shadow Alolan Sandshrew, Aron, Beldum (✨).
  • Best counters for the Steel-type Grunt are Fire and Fighting-type Pokémon like Charizard, Entei, Reshiram, etc. Skarmory, Scizor and Metang resists Fighting moves, so be careful.

Water-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Isn’t it about time you felt like enjoying some sea breeze or water?”

Female Water Grunt

#1 Sprite of Shadow Froakie from Pokémon GO Shadow Froakie Sprite of Shadow Krabby from Pokémon GO Shadow Krabby Sprite of Shadow Dewpider from Pokémon GO Shadow Dewpider
#2 Sprite of Shadow Frogadier from Pokémon GO Shadow Frogadier Sprite of Shadow Carvanha from Pokémon GO Shadow Carvanha Sprite of Shadow Tentacruel from Pokémon GO Shadow Tentacruel
#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 Froakie, Krabby, Dewpider, Frogadier, Carvanha and Tentacruel.
  • Best counters for Water-type Grunt are Electric and Grass-type Pokémon like Thundurus Therian, Magnezone, Zekrom, Venusaur, Sceptile, and Zarude. Whiscash is a dual Water and Ground type, so make sure you include a solid Grass type as your Electric types will struggle.

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 is Shadow Magikarp and Feebas.
  • Best counters for the Magikarp Grunt are Electric-type Pokémon like Raikou, Xuriktree, 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 is Shadow Snorlax or 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 most tricky 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 is Shadow Bulbasaur, Charmander or 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.f

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 Ballon.

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 1 Pokémon from each of the 3 columns (#1 – 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 re-match 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 indicate the strongest Pokémon you will face, not the one you can catch. The Team Rocket grunt gives hints on the type of their third Pokémon. You will always be catching either the first or the second Pokémon that they used

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 reason because of Dragon Claw and the fire type attacks over good coverage. You can really limit the amount of fast moves the Go Rocket grunt can get off. This team is very well rounded for all grunt encounters. With a lack of Gyarados and Dragonites in this round of grunt encounters, this team is great against all grunts.

Shiny Shadow Pokémon GO

Shiny Shadow Pokémon from Team GO Rocket Grunts

Shadow Pokémon caught from Grunts are shiny eligible in Pokémon GO. Since the Team GO Rocket Takeover Event event, select Pokémon caught from Team GO Rocket Grunts have a chance to be Shiny, allowing Trainers to collect Shiny Shadow Pokémon much easier than before.

Shadow Pokemon
Shadow Pokemon

Credits and thank you

We wish to say thank you to everyone that 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 near future.

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Author & tags

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gruntteam go rocket
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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