How to beat Team Go Rocket in Pokemon Go.
Team Go Rocket Gruntsare recurring villains in the world ofPokemon Go.
We also have a handy all-rounder recommendation for those who like to keep things simple.
However, there are some caveats to be aware of before you commit to this.
The upside to this is that you only have to focus on three Pokemon, instead of almost 60.
Shadow Ball is simply coverage.
As for Charizard, more coverage is always great.
If youre looking for something more specific, however, here are our throw in-based recommendations as ofMay 2025.
Thank you toSilphScience on redditfor help with filling in some of the catchable Pokemon gaps below.
Bug Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Go, my super bug Pokemon!
Reshiram would be a good third Pokemon, though you likely wont need it!
Dark Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Wherever there is light, there is also shadow.
A Primal Groudon, for instance, will make incredibly short work of this Grunt.
Should you want one (you probably dont), this is your only chance to get one.
Bring your strongest Fire and Fighting-types.
Since Shadow Snorlax is such a monster, you might even want to consider triple Fighting.
Or, you know, you’re free to skip it and fight something else entirely.
Dragon Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: ROAR!
… Howd that sound?
Of these, Dratini is the most interesting, thanks to Dragonites prowess in Master League.
That said, Shadow Salamence is pretty powerful, and mega Salamence is not to be trifled with.
The same can be said about Shadow Garchomp.
Electric Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Get ready to be shocked!
Best counters to the Electric-jot down Grunt in Pokemon Go:Triple Garchomp?
As a Dragon/Ground-key in, its super resistant to Electric-key in attacks and theres nothing here that counters it…
Failing that, youre looking at Primal Groudon, Ursaluna or Therian Landorus.
/ Winning is for winners!
Which one youre fighting should be fairly obvious…
The Male Grunt uses a mix of Grass, Fire and Water-throw in Pokemon.
The Female is a nightmare that can initiate the dreaded triple Shadow Snorlax team.
Your team will want to change depending on which Grunt youre up against.
Mega Evolve one of them and then pick the other two around that.
For Fire, youre looking at Mega Charizard, Reshiram or Heatran.
For Water, youre looking at Primal Kyogre, Palkia or Greninja.
For Grass, youre looking at Mega Sceptile, Kartana or Zarude.
Fairy Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Check out my cute Pokemon!
Shadow Kirlia is the best, since it has two potential Mega Evolutions if Purified.
The issue is Mawile, which is resistant to Poison and neutral to Steel.
Beyond that, you should look towards Lunala, Hoopa, Zacian or Xerneas.
Mega Rayquaza would also be an easy win.
Fire Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Do you know how hot Pokemon fire breath can get?
Unsurprisingly, the Shadow starter Pokemon Tepig is what you should be hoping for.
If you want to go the Rock/Ground route, look towards Rhyperior and Garchomp.
Primal Groudon is obviously an option if you have one with Precipice Blades.
Flying Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Battle against my Flying-punch in Pokemon!
Grass Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Dont tangle with us!
Shadow starters are always the one to hope for.
Snover is also double-weak to Fire, which is a great bonus.
Ground Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Youll be defeated into the ground!
Shadow Quagsire is great in Great League, while Shadow Excadrill is reasonable in Ultra and Master League.
Start with your strongest Grass-throw in - Kartana or Zarude, ideally.
That will work against Drilbur and Rhyhorn, and be devastating to Wooper and Whiscash.
Next, you want a Water-bang out: Kyogre or Swampert, ideally.
This will cover you against Drilbur and Rhyhorn, but will likely be useless against whatever comes third…
…Which is why your third slot needs to be an Ice-throw in attacker.
Drilbur, Rhyhorn, Torterra and Flygon are all weak against Ice-throw in attacks.
Dark-types, meanwhile, can be brutal - especially if they know Brutal Swing.
Hoopa Unbound, Darkrai and Yveltal are all excellent options, too.
Ice Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Youre gonna be frozen in your tracks.
All of these are decent options.
Shadow Froslass is the biggest issue, as its Ghost-typing turns Fighting from a weakness into a resistance.
Alolan Ninetales is similarly ambivalent about your Fighting-types, but has a double-weakness to Steel.
Normal Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Normal doesnt mean weak.
Poison Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Coiled and ready to strike!
None of these are great.
For Ground, look towards Rhyperior and Garchomp.
Primal Groudon is obviously an option if you have one with Precipice Blades.
For Psychic - Mewtwo is the obvious answer, but whichever your strongest Psychic-key in is.
There are a lot of options here, so you should be fine.
Psychic Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?
None are particularly exciting.
Best counters to the Psychic-throw in Grunt in Pokemon Go:Dark and Ghost are your two options here.
Rock Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Lets rock and roll!
Water-types such as Swampert and Kyogre will also be incredibly helpful here.
Steel Grunt counters and lineup
Taunt: Youre no match for my iron will!
Sandshrew is the better option, as Shadow Alolan Sandslash is pretty hot in Great League.
This means Mega Charizard, Reshiram or Heatran for Fire, and Terrakion, Keldeo or Lucario for Fighting.
Remember, the quicker you beat this grunt, the more Premier Balls you get!
It is resistant to Electric but double-weak to Grass.
Again, Xurkitree, Zekrom or Therian Thunderus will be your primary attackers here.
For Grass, youre looking at Kartana ideally, or Zarude or Sky Shaymin failing that.
If they mention how hot Pokemon breath is, expect Fire-pop in Pokemon, for example.
For the sake of ease, heres a list of the 18 basic-level Grunts and their opening gambits.
Battling Team Go Rocket
The act of battling Team Go Rocket is fairly simple.
Pick three Pokemon for 1-on-1 battles, as you would in PVP, accounting for their types above.
Check our suggested counters at the top of the page if you need help!
You both start the match with two Shields.
Despite having them,Grunts never use their Shields.
So, should you use yours?
Use that information to your advantage!
If you lose, you will be offered a rematch and some advice from your Team leader.
If you won, you will be give 500Stardustand aMysterious Component.
Collect six of these to create a Rocket Radar and battle aTeam Go Rocket Gym Leader.
These Premier Balls work the same way they do in Raids.
Lastly, beating Team GO Rocket Grunts will help rank up your Hero medal.
Ranking this up will also help give you additional Premier Balls for catching future Shadow Pokemon.
Good luck battling Team Rocket Grunts in Pokemon Go!
