In 2019, Team GO Rocket Grunts made their debut, and ever since then, they have been occupying Pokéstops to steal items and battle Trainers who stand in their way. They can occasionally be seen riding in Team GO Rocket balloons as they travel through the air. To obtain Shadow Pokémon, players must first defeat the villains of Team Rocket GO Grunts. We’ll go over some of the efficient strategies trainers can use to defeat Team GO Rocket Grunts in our Pokémon Go guide.
How to counter and defeat Team GO Rocket Grunts in Pokémon Go
In Pokémon Go, grunts are the least powerful members of Team GO Rocket, but that doesn’t make them an easy opponent to defeat. Without proper counters, those who can be quite challenging to fight against, and this is especially difficult for a player using a Mono typed team, that is more likely to be countered.
Thankfully, each Team GO Rocket Grunt taunts the players with a single line of dialogue right before a battle that also contains a secret clue about their lineup for the next round. This means that players can select their Pokémon and challenge them to the best of their abilities. Below are the taunts which the Team GO Rocket Grunts may be using, as well as their Pokémon Go lineups.
Coiled and ready to Strike!
Image via Niantic
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Nidoran(M) | Nidorina | Muk |
| Zubat | Nidorino | Weezing |
| Foongus |
Below are the best counters for these Pokémons:
- Mud-Slap
- Rhyperior
- Mamoswine
- Excadrill
- Groudon
- Garchomp
When Grunts use the above-mentioned taunt, players are given a hint that they will have to battle Poison-type Pokemon. Despite the fact that players do not have the Pokemon mentioned above for the counter, those who can still win fairly easily by using their best Ground type Pokémon. Nidoran(M), Foongus, Nidorina, Weezing, and Zubat are the catchable Pokemon from this encounter.
Normal doesn’t mean weak!
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Normal-type Pokémons and the possible encounters include the following:
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Whismur | Loudred | Ursaring |
| Rattata | Raticate | Raticate |
| Patrat | Bidoof | Bibarel |
Below are the best counters for these Fighting type Pokémons:
- Machamp
- Breloom
- Location
Machamp is the recommended Pokémon for this fight because it has the strongest counters against this team, but Lucario and Breloom are also excellent choices. Since fighting-type Pokémon deal the most damage to these Pokemon, the players must make sure their team includes the best fighting types. Bidoof, Rattata, Raticate, Whismur Patrat, and Loudred are all catchable Pokémon from these encounters.
ROAR!… How’d that sound?
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This Grunt Dragon-type Pokémons encounters include:
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Dratini | Dragonair | Dragonite |
| Exeggutor(Alola) | Flygon | Dragonair |
| Exeggutor(Alola) | Flygon |
Below are the Ice and Fairy types Pokémon:
- Mamoswine
- Glaceon
- Walrein
- Gardevoir
- Togekiss
- Dragonite
- Garchomp
Using Ice and Fairy type Pokemons is indeed the best option for these Pokemons because all of the Pokemons against the players will be Dragon type. Dratini and Alolan Exeggutor are two catchable Pokémon from this encounter.
These waters are treacherous!
Both male and female Grunts have used this dialogue. Every of of them possesses a unique collection of Pokemon. The potential encounters differ depending on the gender of the Grunt, but both will include Water type Pokémon.
Female Grunt
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| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Totodile | Croconaw | Feralogatr |
| Mudkip | Marshtomp | Swampert |
- Male Grunt
Image via Pokemon
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Magikarp | Magikarp | Magikarp |
| Gyarados |
Below are the best Electric and Grass-type Pokemon:
- Alolan Exeggutor
- Sceptile
- Vanusaur
- Roserade
- Raikou
- Magnezone
Since this encounter will only feature Water Pokémon, gamers can use Electric and Grass-type counters. Totodile, Mudkip, Croconaw, Marshtomp, and Magikarp are all catchable Pokemon from this encounter.
Don’t tangle with us!
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This taunt will be used by Grunts using Grass type Pokémons and the possible encounters include
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Chikorita | Cacturne | Meganium |
| Cacnea | Cacturne | |
| Amoonguss |
Below are the Fire and Flying type Pokémons
- Moltres
- Charizard
- Enter
- Talonflame
Fire-type Pokémon are the best choice for this encounter, with Flying types coming in second. Using any of the Pokémon listed above, you can easily defeat these Grass-type Pokémon. Chikorita, Cacturne, and Meganium are all catchable Pokémon from this battle.
Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!
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Below are what encounters include
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Starly | Golbat | Dragonite |
| Murkrow | Staravia | Crobat |
| Ducklett | Gyarados |
Below are the Rock type of Pokémons
- Tyranitor
- Rhyperior
- Magnezone
- Raikou
The Grunts use a mixture of Flying-type Pokémon families like Zubat and Starly in this encounter, and therefore best counter type is Rock, that also resists both Normal and Poison-type attacks. This encounter yields the catchable Pokémons Starly, Ducklett, and Murkrow.
Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?
Image via Niantic
Below are what encounters include
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cyndaquil | Quilava | Typhlosion |
| Numel | Magmar | Camerupt |
| Ninetales |
Below are the Rock, Ground, and Water-type Pokémons:
- Tyranitor
- Rhyperior
- Kyogre
- Swampert
- Garchomp
Gamers can use Rock, Ground, and Water-type counters to effectively defeat these Grunts because they all resist Fire-type Pokémon. Keep Pokémon like Swampert, Garchomp, and Tyranitor on your team. Cyndaquil, Charmander, Numel Camerupt, and Quilava are the catchable Pokemons from this encounter.
Grunts that use this trash talk have a Bug-type Pokémon lineup, and potential encounters involve
Image via Niantic
| POKÉMON#1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Shuckle | Skorupi | Pinsir |
| Weedle | Beedrill | Forretress |
| Scizor |
Below are the Fire types Pokémon:
- Charizard
- Moltres
- Entei
- Pyroar
The best defenses against Steel and Bug-type Pokémons are Fire-type Pokémons, because when Flying and Rock-type Pokémons make a respectable second choice. Shuckle, Weedle, Skorupi, and Beedrill are the catchable Pokémons from this encounter.
Grunts that use Ground type Pokémons use this taunt, and probable encounters involve
Image via Niantic
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Hippopotas | Hippopotas | Hippowdon |
| Geodude | Graveler | Golem |
| Camerupt |
Below are the Water, Grass, and Ice-type Pokémons
- Gyarados
- Venusaur
- Mamoswine
- Weavile
- Kyogre
Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?
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| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Abra | Ralts | Metang |
| Girafarig | Girafarig | Hypno |
| Girafarig |
Below are the Dark and Ghost Pokémons
- Tyranitar
- Weavile
- Houndoom
- Darkrai
- Hydreigon
- Giratina (Origin)
Dark and Ghost-type Pokémon can easily defeat Psychic-type Pokémon. Giratina (Origin) is powerful enough to bring down the entire roaster mentioned above. Abra, Ralts, and Girafarig are the catchable Pokémons from this encounter.
Image via Niantic
Below are Rock-type Pokémons
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Sudowoodo | Anorith | Pupitar |
| Geodude | Graveler | Golem |
| Larvitar | Lileep | Tyranitar |
Below are the Fighting type Pokémons
- Lucario
- Machamp
- Swampert
- Kyogre
- Garchomp
Each of the Pokémons in this meeting can indeed be easily beaten by Fighting Pokémons, so to have the Pokémons suggested above for counters is all that is required for an easy win. Sudowoodo, Geodude, Larvitar, Lileep, and Anorith are the catchable Pokémons from this encounter.
Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…
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Grunts who use this taunt will have Ghost-type Pokémon in their party, and possible encounters include
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Sableye | Duscolps | Sableye |
| Misdreavus | Banette | Banette |
| Duskull | Dusknoir |
The best counters against these Pokémons will be from the following Fairy and Dark type Pokémons
- Weavile
- Darkrai
- Gengar
- Tyranitar
- Sylveon
- Gardevoir
- Togekiss
This encounter might be a little difficult for players and some of their Pokémons might be even defeated as Ghost-type Pokémons are quite hard-hitting. They would want to have a Fairy-type Pokémon like Sylveon in their team along with some of the best Dark-type Pokémons available to the players to put forth a tough fight. The catchable Pokémons from this encounter are Sableye and Misdreavus.
This buff physique isn’t just for show!
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Machop | Hitmonchan | Hitmonchan |
| Makuhita | Hitmonlee | Hitmonlee |
| Machoke | Machoke |
Below are the Psychic, Fairy, and Flying-type Pokémons
- Alakazam
- Gardevoir
- Mewtwo
- Togekiss
- Lugia
Such a encounter will feature strong fighters, and players should equip at least one of the Psychic type Pokémon listed above as the best counter. Fairy and Flying-type Pokémon may also be kept in teams. Makuhita and Machop are the catchable Pokémons from any of this encounter.
Image via Niantic
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Swinub | Snover | Lapras |
| Sandshrew(Alola) | Sandslash(Alola) | Abomasnow |
| Cloyster |
Below are types of Fighting, Fire, and Electric type Pokémons
- Aggron
- Machamp
- Tyranitar
- Snover
Fighting and Rock-type attacks are very effective against Ice Pokémon. As this encounter may be a little tricky, it’s best to bring in a variety of options to the fight. Nevertheless, players can keep Pokémon of the Electric and Fire types in their team as well for safety. Spheal and Alolan Sandshrew are the saveable Pokémons from this encounter.
Image via Niantic
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Purrloin | Stunky | Cacturne |
| Rattata (Alola) | Raticate (Alola) | Raticate (Alola) |
| Honchkrow |
Below are the Go Team GO Rocket Grunts:
- Sylveon
- Gardevoir
- Togekiss
- Machamp
- Lucario
Fighting and Fairy type counters are both effective against Dark type Pokémon. Gamers can indeed bring in a team comprised entirely of Fairy-type Pokémon and still easily defeat the Grunt. Bug types can also be added to a player’s team to cause double damage to Dark type Pokémon. Stunky, Alolan Rattata, Raticate, and Purrloin are the catchable Pokémons from this encounter.
Image via Niantic
Grunts using this taunt have Electric type Pokémons in their like up and the possible encounters include
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Shinx | Electabuzz | Luxray |
| Mareep | Voltorb | Electabuzz |
| Amphaors |
Below are the Ground type Pokémon:
- Garchomp
- Groudon
- Rhyperior
- Golem
Garchomp is an essential Pokémon for players to have in their team when facing this Grunt because it has triple resistance to Electric-type attacks, making it a relatively easy fight. Shinx, Mareep, Electabuzz, and Voltorb are the catchable Pokémons from this encounter.
Don’t bother – I’m already the winner! Prepare to be defeated! Winning is only for the winners!
Both male and female Grunts use this taunt, and the possible encounters vary depending on the gender. Grunts who use this taunt seem to be mostly unpredictable because they use a variety of Pokémon:
Female Grunt
Image via Niantic
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Snorlax | Gardevoir | Dragonite |
| Poliwrath | Gyarados | |
| Snorlax | Snorlax |
Below are the Fighting and Electric type Pokémons
- Machamp
- Lucario
- Metagross
- Magnezone
- Elective
Fighting-type Pokémon such as Machamp or Lucario, as well as Electric-type Pokémon such as Magnezone, should be included in the team as this encounter will be significantly more difficult than that of the previous ones. Snorlax is the makeable Pokémon from this encounter.
Male Grunt
Image via Niantic
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Chikorita | Bayleef | Typhlosion |
| Cyndaquil | Quilava | Typhlosion |
| Totodile | Croconaw | Feraligatr |
Below are the Fire, Ground, and Electric-type Pokémon:
- Volcarona
- Reshiram
- Kyogre
- Rhyperior
- Thundurus
Image via Niantic
| POKÉMON #1 | POKÉMON #2 | POKÉMON #3 |
|---|---|---|
| Snubbull | Snubbull | Granbull |
| Ralts | Kirlia | Kirlia |
| Granbull |
Below are the Steel and Poison-type Pokémon:
- Metagross
- Roserade
- Gengar
- Victreebel
- Dialga
Metagross’ Bullet Punch, Roserade’s Poison, and Dilaga’s steel keeps moving will help the players easily defeat these Fairy-type Pokémon. Snubbull and Ralts are the saveable Pokémon from this encounter.
The Pokémon can be foreseen by looking at the taunts and potential encounters listed above. Grunts will randomly choose one Pokémon from each of the three columns to build a team. Grunts do not use shields, giving players an advantage in battle. There is additionally a slight delay in Team GO Rocket Grunts after they employ their charge moves, which players can use to their advantage and make the battle easier for themselves.
When there is a delay after the Team GO Rocket Grunts use any charge moves, it is advised that players include Rhyperior and Lucario in their team because their Power-up Punch attack will be effective against them. As its Fire-type attacks offer good coverage, Charizard is also a fantastic addition to the team. The players will have a fairly well-rounded team that is prepared for any attacks from any Pokémon Go Team GO Rocket Grunts if they have these three Pokémon on their team.
