Team GO Rocket Grunts Guide: Lineups, Weaknesses, and Counters

Team GO Rocket Grunts are the lowest ranking members of the villain group in the Pokemon series, but it’s extremely important that you defeat them to get going in your adventures. In Pokemon GO, you have to beat a certain number of Grunts before you can encounter Team GO Rocket leaders Sierra, Arlo, and Cliff. Battling and defeating a Grunt member also means another Shadow Pokemon saved.

You can find Team GO Rocket Grunts taking over PokeStops and stealing items. While they are inferior to the leaders, defeating Grunts is actually harder than how it is depicted in the series. We’ve already published a good amount of Pokemon Go guides; in this article, we’ll discuss all present Grunts members and their counters in Pokemon Go.

Related: How to Beat Team Rocket Leader Arlo

How to Challenge Team GO Rocket Grunts to a Battle

Only trainers on Level 8 and above can interact with PokeStops and encounter Team GO Rocket. You have to be within the range of an invaded PokeStop to challenge Team GO Rocket Grunts to battle. When in map view, PokeStops that were taken over appear darker and the cube on top of them is shaking violently. When nearby, the Team GO Rocket logo appears with Grunt standing next to the PokeStop. You have to tap the PokeStop and spin the disc to interact with Grunt, who will then challenge you in response.

Alternatively, you can encounter Grunts by tapping the hot air balloons that occasionally appear above your head when in map view. However, you have to make sure that you are not equipped with Rocket Radar when doing this because one of the Team Rocket Leaders or Giovanni will appear instead.

Team GO Rocket Grunts Lineup and Counters

There are 20 different Grunts to encounter in Pokemon Go as of writing, and there’s no way of knowing which of them will appear. It might seem difficult to learn how to counter them since they all have a unique Pokemon lineup to use. However, there’s a way to know which Pokemon type a particular Grunt will draw.

Each Team GO Rocket Grunt has a spoken line when you interact with them. These lines will serve as your clue for the possible type of Pokemon that Grunt may use for the three phases of the battle. For example, when a Grunt taunts “Get ready to be shocked!”, you are likely to battle with electric-type Pokemon because of the keyword shock. For this, you have to pick a team of three Pokemon that are durable against electric attacks.

Once you have figured out which Pokemon type Grunt will use, forming your own party will be easier. Team GO Rocket Grunts have a limited set of Pokemon to use, so picking a counter will be relatively easy. Below are the possible parties and counters you can use for each Team GO Rocket Grunt.

Get ready to be shocked!

Grunts that use this taunt have Electric-type Pokemon in their party. Here are the possible encounters:

This Grunt Pokemon party has only two possible encounters – Voltorb and its evolved form, Electrode. While they are both good Electric alternatives that can go for a  revenge kill, they are no match against ground moves. Groudon, Excadrill, and Hippowdon will be good as counters, but you can finish the battle early by just having a good Rhyperior or Garchomp with you.

Coiled and ready to strike!

When you hear this phrase, prepare for a stinging battle as you are set to face Poison-type Pokemon. Here is the party that this Grunt use:

Poison-type Pokemon are regarded to have some of the weakest offenses and are only super effective against the grass and fairy types. For a sure win, you can counter them using psychic Pokemon like Espeon and Alakazam or ground/steel Pokemon like Excadrill or Goudon.

Don’t tangle with us!

When you hear this phrase from Grunts, you’ll be facing a team of Grass-type Pokemon for sure. Here are the possible encounters:

This group may be an interesting mix of family lines but knowing Bulbasaur and Chikorita, achieving victory would be a cakewalk. The only Pokemon that you might find challenging here is Venusaur because of its brilliant moves like the Frenzy Plant. The best counters for this are Fire and Flying-type Pokemon, or a mix of both, like Charizard and Moltres. It will also be helpful if you have a Psychic-type on your team.

Let’s rock and roll!

This Grunt makes it obvious that you’ll be going against Rock-type Pokemon when you challenge him. Here is the possible team composition:

This team is composed of the Larvitar family line; you also have the chance to encounter a Lileep or an Anorith during the second phase of the battle. But regardless of which you encounter, Rock-type Pokemon are vulnerable to Fighting-type by default. Having Machamp or Lucario in your team will finish off the battle early.

You’ll be defeated into the ground!

Yup, you are guessing it right. A Team Go Rocket Grunt that taunts you with this phrase will be using Ground-type moves. Here are the possible Pokemon to encounter:

You’ll be facing Sandshrew and Hippopotas family lines when you encounter this Grunt. Like other Ground-type Pokemon, they are extremely weak against water and ice-type moves. Having strong Gyarados, Mamoswine, or Kyogre will save the day.

Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?

It’s quite obvious which Pokemon you are about to face when Grunt utters this phrase – Psychic-type Pokemon. Here are the possible encounters:

Psychic is one of the strongest types of Pokemon because of its strong special attacks. While the phase three lineup of this Grunt, Alakazam and Hypno, are not necessarily the best in the category, it’s better to prepare for an intense battle. You can take them down using strong Ghost and Dark Pokemon like Houndoom, Weavile, or even Giratina (Origin). Since you are also likely to face Metang, Fire and Ground-types will be a good backup.

Battle against my Flying-type Pokemon!

Grunts that use this taunt, as quite obviously, have Flying-type Pokemon in their lineup. Here’s the Pokemon waiting for you in a battle.

You have to face the evolutionary lineage of Staraptor and Crobat when fighting this Grunt. There is also a chance that you encounter Murkrow, although it’s not something you should worry about. The best way to counter them is to use Electric Pokemon for stalling them and Rock/Steel for poison resistance. Metagross, Electivire, and Magnezone are the best fit for the job.

Check out my cute Pokemon!

You can’t immediately guess which Pokemon this line is pertaining to. But it makes sense that a Grunt with this taunt uses Fairy-types because they are undeniable some of the prettiest ‘mon in the franchise. Here are those you can encounter:

Granbull and Kirlia are the strongest possible, albeit mediocre, opponents you will face in this battle. Like any Fairy-type Pokemon, they are extremely weak against Poison and Steel-type moves. Gengar and Metagross will be good additions to your team, but a Ghost-type will also be a good backup since you might also deal with a Psychic/Fairy dual typing.

Do you know how hot Pokemon fire breath can get?

Who else can breathe fire but Fire-type Pokemon? Get ready to face these Pokemon when you hear this line from Grunts:

You don’t want to anger Fire-type Pokemon because when they hit, they hit hard – well if you don’t know how to counter them. Water, Rock, and Ground-type are very effective against Fire-type moves, so you should add them to your team. Rampardos, Blastoise, Kyogre, and Garchomp are what we recommend.

Go, my super bug Pokemon!

This phrase says it all. When you encounter a Team Go Rocket Grunt with this taunt, you will be facing Bug-type Pokemon. Here’s the possible lineup:

You should match a Bug-type Pokemon with Flying and Rock-type moves. However, since you have Scizor – a mix of bug and steel – as a possible opponent, Fire-type Pokemon will be a well-rounded pick. Charizard and Moltres can take up this lineup easily.

Ke, ke, ke, ke, ke, ke,

This is Grunt trying to imitate ghosts. Here’s what included on his Pokemon Party:

You would normally want to bring Dark and Ghost-types in this battle since they have the best counters and resistances to this lineup. However, Sableye makes things a little complicated because it’s only weak to Fairy. You may bring a strong Fairy-type Pokemon, like Gardevoir as backup, and Dark and Ghost for the rest to win this battle.

Normal doesn’t mean weak

It’s needless to say that this Grunt will use Normal-type Pokemon, but we’ll say it anyway to set the record straight. Here are the possible encounters:

Pure Normal-type Pokemon are the worst and you can finish them off with just about any type. There’s no point in prolonging the battle, so get a strong Fighting-type Pokemon like Machamp and Lucario to proceed to your next adventure.

ROAR! … How’d that sound?

This phrase means the Grunt you are about to battle with will be using Dragon-type Pokemon. Here’s the possible lineup:

Dragon-type Pokemon are the most popular and some of the strongest types too. This Team Go Rocket Grunt lineup is primarily composed of Dratini and its evolution. There is also a chance to encounter a Flygon. The best way to counter them is to use Fairy-types like Sylveon or Ice-types like Mamoswine and Glaceon.

This buff physique isn’t just for show!

This phrase hints that Grunt will use Fighting-type Pokemon in the battle. Here is the possible lineup of what you will encounter.

This Team Go Rocket Grunt is possibly the hardest to defeat because of the inclusion of the all-around defensive Hitmonchan and heavy-hitting Hariyama. The best way to counter this lineup is to use Flying, Psychic, Fairy-types because of their ability to resist Fighting-type moves. You can bring Alakazam, Mewtwo, and Gardevoir, or the strongest Pokemon you have from the three types mentioned.

You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks

This phrase makes it quite obvious that Grunt will be using Ice-type Pokemon. Here are the possible encounters:

Ice-types can easily be defeated by strong Fighting and Rock-types such as Lucario, Aggron, and Tyranitar. However, things can get out of hand when you are against Lapras and Snover. You can bring Electric and Fire-Types as backups to destroy Lapras and Snover, respectively.

Wherever there is light, there is also shadow

Team Go Rocket Grunt that uses this taunt has Dark Pokemon in their roster. Here’s the possible team composition:

Dark-type Pokemon are mostly weak against Fighting and Fairy-types, so it’s safe to stick to Machamp or Lucario and Sylveon or Togekiss. But since there’s a mix of Grass and Water-type going on for Shiftry and Sharpedo, it is also better to get a backup from Bug, Grass, and even Electric Pokemon.

These waters are treacherous (Male and Female)

This Grunt may either be male or female, but both will be using Water-type Pokemon. Here are their possible party composition:

The female water-based Grunt is using the Squirtle and Totodile family line. She is likely to use the base form during the first phase and will level up during the last stages. The male water Grunt, on the other hand, is somewhat unpredictable. He is likely to stick with the useless Magikarp all throughout, but there is a rare chance that he’ll use Gyarados, who is known for its hefty amount of CP. For both scenarios, it’s better to carry along with you strong Electric-type Pokemon with some backup from Grass-type attackers. Electivire, Raikou, Venusaur, and Roserade will be good companions.

Don’t bother, I’ve already won / Get ready to be defeated! / Winning is for winners (Female and Male)

This Team Go Rocket Grunt can either be male or female and perhaps the most challenging to encounter because of the mixed types that they use in their parties. Here are the possible encounters:

Of these two Grunts, the female one is the more unpredictable because of the Pokemon from a different family line that it uses. However, winning is not impossible if you know how to counter the possible opponents. You can bring along a Fighting-type for Snorlax, an Electric-type for Poliwrath and Gyarados, and an Ice-type for Dragonite. A Ghost-type is also a solid backup in case you face Gardevoir.

The male Grunt, on the other hand, is easier to defeat because it only uses Pokemon from three family lines. You can defeat the Chikorita line with Fire-types, the Cyndaquil line with Water or Ground, and the Totodile line with Electric or Grass.

How Often Do Team Go Rocket Grunts Appear?

Team Go Rocket Grunts would invade Pokestops randomly, and each invasion will only last for minutes before they move to another location. On the other hand, Team Go Rocket balloons will spawn every after three hours. When you see a Team Rocket hot air balloon hovering above you, tap on it immediately before it flies away.

Do Jessie and James Count as Grunts?

Yes. Although considered special, the infamous duo is part of the lowest-ranking Team Go Rocket. You can encounter them during special events and research tasks riding on a Meowth-shaped hot air balloon. Defeating them will count two Grunts.

How Often Does Team Rocket Grunt Lineup Change?

The Team Go Rocket Grunt lineup changes once every couple of months, although not drastically. Most, if not all Grunts, would retain their party. Nonetheless, we will keep this article updated, so feel free to bookmark and go back to this page when Pokemon Go has new note patches.

Beat Team Go Rocket Grunts!

That’s it for the latest Team Go Rocket Grunts lineup and counters. Hopefully, this guide helps you save every invaded Pokestops and to your journey of defeating the leaders and Giovanni. In a nutshell, you have to familiarize each taunt to know which Pokemon a Grunt will use and effectively counter them.

We also have the counters for Sierra and a guide for defeating Arlo. You can also visit our guide about Cliff if you are getting ready to face him. If you haven’t downloaded Pokemon Go yet, you can get it by following this link.