Pokemon Go Team Rocket Grunt guide (July 2024)
NianticTeam Go Rocket Grunts appear around PokeStops or fly in hot air balloons in Pokemon Go, and can give a serious challenge to even the most seasoned trainers.
Beating them lets you catch powerful Shadow Pokemon, giving you a competitive edge in the Go Battle League and Raids.
You can guess the Pokemon type and team they’ll use from their taunt, so here are all the details on the Team Rocket Grunt lineups, including the best counters to use in July 2024.
Team Rocket Grunt taunts, lineups & counters
Below is every Team Go Rocket Grunt taunt alongside their main type, possible team, and best counters updated after the World of Wonders Taken Over event:
Niantic“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 opponent 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 types have three different weaknesses, this Grunt’s lineup calls mostly for Fire-type counters.
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 types are ideal for taking on this Team Go Rocket Grunt, but Fighting and Bug-type picks will also work well. Make sure you shield Poison-type attacks from Alolan Grimer, Muk, 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 and Ice types are perfect for this bout. Using Dragon Pokemon to take down other Dragon types is always risky so Breaking Swipe users like Rayquaza and Haxorus are also great picks as they have a high chance to 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 types are only weak to Ground-type moves, there isn’t much to think about here. Being a Dragon/Ground-type Pseudo Legendary, 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 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 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 types 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.
Niantic“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’s 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 counter you bring into battle, Electric types are your best option for this Grunt. 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 |
Similar to Dragons, Ghost types are a risky choice to take down other Ghost-type opponents, so we recommend using Dark types for this battle. Keep in mind that a lot of other species can also learn useful STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) 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 types you can pick, we recommend this approach. These picks will not only be super-effective against this Grunt’s Shadow threats, 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 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 team, but Lapras can complicate things. The same goes for Rock types. So Fighting-type species 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 types can take care of most of this Grunt’s picks, except for Foongus.
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 picks are best suited for this battle because they can resist Psychic-type damage.
Victory reward: Shadow Gothita or Solosis encounter.
Niantic“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 types 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 |
Trainers can make quick work of this Team Go Rocket Grunt with Fire-type or Ground-type species..
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 ones listed above, the male one specializes in Magikarp and will only face you with this Water type, and maybe Gyarados as a closer. So Grass-type counters are the way to go.
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 team and demands a balanced team to beat her.
Fighting types are the safest bet against Snorlax so that’s a must. The other two counters 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 starters from different regions. While some of them can be really powerful, it’s easy to pick counters that exploit each weakness.
The tricky part is that you never know what you’re going to face, so you should bring a balanced team to battle.
Victory reward: Shadow Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip encounter.
After beating these Grunts, if you’re struggling to beat Team Rocket Leaders, here’s how to defeat Arlo, Sierra, Cliff, and the Boss Giovanni.