Pokemon Go Team Rocket Grunt lineups & counters (April 2024)

❘ Updated: 2024-03-01T16:18:01

pokemon go team go rocket grunts promo image

Niantic

The Team Go Rocket Grunts in Pokemon Go are up to no good with their Shadow Pokemon teams. Here’s all you need to know about them, including lineups, how to identify them, and the best counters to beat them in April 2024.

Team Go Rocket Grunts appear around PokeStops or fly in hot air balloons and can give a tough time to even the strongest Pokemon Go players. Beating these Grunts lets you catch powerful Shadow Pokemon that can grant you a competitive edge in PvP and PvE battles.

You can guess the Pokemon type and team they’ll use from their taunt, so here are all the details on the Team Go Rocket Grunts, including the best counters to use in April 2024.

Pokemon Go Rocket Grunt taunts, lineups & counters

Below is every Team Go Rocket Grunt taunt alongside their main type, possible team, and best counters in Pokemon Go updated after the World of Wonders Taken Over event.

team go rocket grunts and trainers in pokemon go

Players can face Team Go Rocket Grunts to get a piece of the Rocket Radar.

“Normal does not mean weak”

Type: Normal
Weaknesses: Fighting
Counters: Lucario, Terrakion, Conkeldurr, Machamp, Sirfetch’d, Kommo-o

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Glameow	Rattata	Bibarel
Teddiursa	Meowth	Stantler
Stantler	Purugly	Ursaring

This Grunt shouldn’t be too tough since Ursaring is the only Pokemon that could be somewhat challenging. With the right Fighting-type counters, there’s no way to lose.

Victory reward: Shadow Glameow, Teddiursa, or Stantler encounter.

“Go, my super bug Pokémon!”

Type: Bug
Weaknesses: Fire, Rock, Flying
Counters: Reshiram, Moltres, Entei, Ho-Oh, Heatran, Darmanitan

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Scyther	Weedle	Forretress
Shuckle	Skorupi	Scizor
Dwebble	Shuckle	Beedrill

While Bug-type Pokemon have three different weaknesses, this Grunt’s lineup calls mostly for Fire-type Pokemon.

Victory reward: Shadow Scyther, Dwebble, or Shuckle encounter.

“Wherever there is light, there is also shadow”

Type: Dark
Weaknesses: Fairy, Fighting, Bug
Counters: Gardevoir, Togekiss, Terrakion, Lucario, Conkeldurr

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Houndour	Alolan Muk	Alolan Muk
Alolan Rattata	Alolan Raticate	Skuntank
Stunky

Fairy-type Pokemon are ideal for taking on this Team Go Rocket Grunt, but Fighting and Bug-type Pokemon will also work well. Make sure you shield Poison-type attacks from Alolan Grimer, Mul, and Alolan Muk if you’re using Fairy types.

Victory reward: Shadow Alolan Rattata, Houndour, or Stunky encounter.

“ROAR! …How’d that sound?”

Type: Dragon
Weaknesses: Fairy, Dragon, Ice
Counters: Rayquaza, Haxorus, Mamoswine, Baxcalibur, Gardevoir, Togekiss

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Gible	Dragonair	Salamence
Bagon	Alolan Exeggutor	Dragonite
Dratini	Gabite	Garchomp

Fairy-type Pokemon are perfect for this as well as Ice-type Pokemon. Using Dragon-type Pokemon to take down other Dragon-type Pokemon is always risky so Breaking Swipe users like Rayquaza and Haxorus are the ideal picks as they nerf the opponent’s Attack stat.

Victory reward: Shadow Gible, Dratini, or Bagon encounter.

“Get ready to be shocked!”

Type: Electric
Weaknesses: Ground
Counters: Garchomp, Groudon, Rhyperior, Excadrill, Mamoswine

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Blitzle	Voltorb	Galvantula
Mareep	Alolan Geodude	Ampharos
Joltik	Electabuzz	Luxray

Since Electric-type Pokemon’s only weakness is Ground-type moves, there isn’t much to think about here. Being a dual Ground and Dragon-type Pokemon, Garchomp is ideal for this battle as it also triple resists Electric-type attacks.

Victory reward: Shadow Joltik, Mareep, or Blitzle encounter.

“Check out my cute Pokémon!”

Type: Fairy
Weaknesses: Poison, Steel
Counters: Metagross, Roserade, Dialga, Gengar

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Ralts	Kirlia	Gardevoir
Alolan Vulpix	Snubbull	Granbull
Mawile	Granbull	Alolan Ninetales

While this is a tough Grunt to beat, any Poison or Steel-type Pokemon should work well. The only thing to keep in mind is that Mawile isn’t weak against either Poison or Steel-type moves, so you should bring a Fire or Ground-type Pokemon just in case.

Victory reward: Shadow Alolan Vulpix, Mawile, or Ralts encounter.

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

Type: Fighting
Weaknesses: Flying, Psychic, Fairy
Counters: Sylveon, Gardevoir, Togekiss, Alakazam, Mewtwo

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Hisuian Sneasel	Hitmonlee	Machamp
Makuhita	Hitmonchan	Toxicroak
Machop	Hitmontop	Infernape

Flying, Psychic, and Fairy-type Pokemon are super-effective against Fighting types and also resist damage from Fighting-type moves, so any pick should be fine against these heavy hitters.

Victory reward: Shadow Hisuian Sneasel, Makuhita, or Machop encounter.

Trainers 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
Counters: Gyarados, Swampert, Rhyperior, Garchomp, Kyogre

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Darumaka	Houndoom	Houndoom
Chimchar	Monferno	Infernape
		Darmanitan

While some of these Team Go Rocket Grunt picks can be tough opponents, exploiting Fire-type Pokemon weaknesses will lead you to victory.

Victory reward: Shadow Darumaka or Chimchar encounter.

“Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!”

Type: Flying
Weaknesses: Rock, Electric, Ice
Counters: Magnezone, Raikou, Rhyperior, Tyranitar, Glaceon, Mamoswine

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Pidgey	Gligar	Dragonite
Starly	Staravia	Pidgeot
		Skarmory

Since Gyarados could decimate any Rock-type Pokemon you bring into battle, Electric-type Pokemon are your best option for this Grunt in Pokemon Go. That said, Dragonite can throw you off-guard so it’s good to pack in an Ice-type like Glaceon or Mamoswine as well.

Victory reward: Shadow Pidgey, Starly, Gligar, or Staravia encounter.

“Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke!”

Type: Ghost
Weaknesses: Ghost, Dark
Counters: Darkrai, Weavile, Hydreigon, Gengar, Tyranitar, Absol

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Misdreavus	Dusclops	Froslass
Drifloon	Banette	Alolan Marowak
Golett	Golett	Gengar

As with Dragon-type Pokemon, Ghost types are a risky choice to take down other Ghost-type Pokemon, so we recommend using Dark-type Pokemon for this battle. Keep in mind that a lot of other Pokemon can also learn useful Dark-type moves like Bite and Crunch.

Victory reward: Shadow Drifloon, Golett, or Misdreavus encounter.

“Don’t tangle with us!”

Type: Grass
Weaknesses: Fire, Bug, Poison, Flying, Ice
Counters: Charizard, Moltres, Ho-Oh, Gengar, Reshiram, Heatran

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Snover	Grotle	Cacturne
Turtwig	Ferrothorn	Torterra
		Meganium

Since there are many dual Fire and Flying-type Pokemon you can pick, we recommend this approach. These Pokemon will not only be super-effective against this Grunt’s Shadow Pokemon, but they’ll also resist most of the damage coming their way.

Victory reward: Shadow Turtwig or Snover encounter.

“You’ll be defeated into the ground!”

Type: Ground
Weaknesses: Water, Grass, Ice
Counters: Kyogre, Swampert, Gyarados, Venusaur, Glaceon, Alolan Exeggutor

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Wooper	Rhyhorn	Whiscash
Drilbur		Quagsire
Alolan Diglett		Torterra

Any Grass or Water-type Pokemon should be able to take this Grunt without much trouble.

Victory reward: Shadow Drilbur, Wooper, Alolan Diglett, or Rhyhorn encounter.

“You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks”

Type: Ice
Weaknesses: Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel
Counters: Heatran, Blaziken, Lucario, Terrakion, Tyranitar

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Snorunt	Froslass	Glalie
Swinub	Alolan Ninetales	Froslass
	Glalie	Abomasnow

Fire-type Pokemon can wipe most of this Grunt’s Pokemon, but Lapras can complicate things. The same goes for Rock types. So Fighting-type Pokemon can really shine here against Lapras and the rest of this lineup.

Victory reward: Shadow Swinub or Snorunt encounter.

“Coiled and ready to strike!”

Type: Poison
Weaknesses: Psychic, Ground
Counters: Groudon, Garchomp, Excadrill, Rhyperior, Mewtwo, Alakazam

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Hisuian Sneasel	Nidorina	Weezing
Foongus	Nidorino	Toxicroak
		Amoonguss

Ground-type Pokemon can take care of most of this Grunt’s picks, except for Foongus. Either way, you shouldn’t have much trouble if you face this Grunt in Pokemon Go.

Victory reward: Shadow Foongus or Hisuian Sneasel encounter.

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

Type: Psychic
Weaknesses: Dark, Bug, Ghost
Counters: Tyranitar, Gengar, Hydreigon, Darkrai

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Gothita	Ralts	Reuniclus
Solosis	Gothorita	Metagross
	Wobbuffet	Gallade

Dark-type Pokemon are best suited for this battle because they can resist Psychic-type damage in Pokemon Go.

Victory reward: Shadow Gothita or Solosis encounter.

After beating the Grunts, you will be able to find Team Go Rocket Leaders.

“Let’s rock and roll!”

Type: Rock
Weaknesses: Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel
Counters: Kyogre, Lucario, Swampert, Garchomp, Excadrill

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Onix	Graveler	Golem
Cranidos	Lileep	Bastiodon
Shieldon	Anorith	Rampardos

While Rock-type Pokemon have five weaknesses players can exploit, Water, Ground, and Fighting-type Pokemon are the safest bets here, especially against Alolan Golem.

Victory reward: Shadow Onix, Cranidos, or Shieldon encounter.

“You’re no match for my iron will!”

Type: Steel
Weaknesses: Fire, Ground, Fighting
Counters: Charizard, Moltres, Entei, Blaziken, Swampert, Garchomp

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Ferroseed	Lairon	Alolan Sandslash
Skarmory	Skarmory	Scizor
Alolan Sandshrew	Metang	Empoleon

Pokemon Go players shouldn’t have any trouble facing this Team Go Rocket Grunt with Fire-type or Ground-type Pokemon.

Victory reward: Shadow Alolan Sandshrew, Ferroseed, or Skarmory encounter.

“These waters are treacherous!” (Female)

Type: Water
Weaknesses: Grass, Electric
Counters: Sceptile, Torterra, Venusaur, Magnezone, Raikou, Electivire

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Totodile	Crawdaunt	Whiscash
Piplup	Prinplup	Wailord
		Empoleon

The Water-type specialist Grunt can be male or female. While the female will have the Pokemon listed above, the male one specializes in Magikarps and will only face you with Magikarp and maybe a closer Gyarados. So you shouldn’t have any kind of trouble using Grass-type Pokemon.

Victory reward: Shadow Piplup or Totodile encounter.

“Don’t bother – I’ve already won! Get ready to be defeated! Winning is for winners!” (Female)

Type: Typeless
Counters: Machamp, Lucario, Magnezone, Electivire, Gengar, Mamoswine, Glaceon

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Snorlax	Snorlax	Snorlax
	Poliwrath	Gyarados
	Gardevoir	Dragonite

These last two are the toughest challenges Team Go Rocket Grunts can offer. The female one faces players with very powerful Pokemon and demands a balanced team to beat her.

Fighting-type Pokemon are the safest bet against Snorlax so that’s a must. The other two Pokemon should include Electric, Ice, and Poison-type attacks if possible.

Victory reward: Shadow Snorlax encounter.

Don’t bother – I’ve already won! Get ready to be defeated! Winning is for winners!” (Male)

Type: Starters
Counters: Sceptile, Kyogre, Charizard, Magnezone, Raikou, Ho-Oh,

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Treecko	Grovyle	Sceptile
Torchic	Combusken	Blaziken
Mudkip	Marshtomp	Swampert

This male Grunt will attack trainers with different starter Pokemon from different regions. While some of them can be really powerful, it’s easy to pick counters that exploit each Pokemon’s weakness.

The tricky part is that you never know what Pokemon you’re going to face, so players should bring a balanced team to battle.

Victory reward: Shadow Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip encounter.

Now you can face any Team Go Rocket Grunt without much trouble, knowing what you might get. Keep in mind that some Grunts have lower chances of appearing in PokeStops and air balloons.

That’s all you need to know to beat Team Go Rocket Grunts in Pokemon Go. If you’re looking for more content on Pokemon Go, be sure to check out our other guides: