DK Raids

Cerritos Pokémon GO at Don Knabe Community Regional Park

DK Raids

Cerritos Pokémon GO at Don Knabe Community Regional Park
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Team GO Rocket Grunt Lineups and Guide (June 2026)

A complete guide to Team GO Rocket Grunts Pokémon and how to defeat them during the month of June 2026. This page shows all Team GO Rocket Grunt lineups, the best counters for each Grunt, catchable Pokémon, and shiny Shadow Pokémon you can get. At the start of the season of Memories in Motion, any Pokémon that has their shiny released, can also be shiny in Shadow form.

Bug-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Go, my super bug Pokémon!”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Grubbin from Pokémon GO


Shadow Grubbin

Sprite of Shadow Venonat from Pokémon GO


Shadow Venonat

Sprite of Shadow Weedle from Pokémon GO


Shadow Weedle
#2

Sprite of Shadow Pinsir from Pokémon GO


Shadow Pinsir

Sprite of Shadow Dewpider from Pokémon GO


Shadow Dewpider

Sprite of Shadow Anorith from Pokémon GO


Shadow Anorith
#3

Sprite of Shadow Vikavolt from Pokémon GO


Shadow Vikavolt

Sprite of Shadow Scizor from Pokémon GO


Shadow Scizor

Sprite of Shadow Scolipede from Pokémon GO


Shadow Scolipede
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Venonat, Weedle, Grubbin, Pinsir, Dewpider and Anorith.
  • Best counters for Bug-type Grunt are usually Fire and Rock-type Pokémon. If you encounter Bug/Flying Pokémon, focus on Rock-type attackers, otherwise use Fire-type attackers.

Dark-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Wherever there is light, there is also shadow.”

#1

Sprite of Alola Shadow Rattata from Pokémon GO


Alola Shadow Rattata

Sprite of Shadow Poochyena from Pokémon GO


Shadow Poochyena

Sprite of Shadow Carvanha from Pokémon GO


Shadow Carvanha
#2

Sprite of Alola Shadow Raticate from Pokémon GO


Alola Shadow Raticate

Sprite of Shadow Sneasel from Pokémon GO


Shadow Sneasel

Sprite of Shadow Absol from Pokémon GO


Shadow Absol
#3

Sprite of Shadow Liepard from Pokémon GO


Shadow Liepard

Sprite of Shadow Hydreigon from Pokémon GO


Shadow Hydreigon



  
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Poochyena, Alolan Rattata, or Carvanha.
  • Best counters for the Dark-type Grunt are Fighting-type Pokémon. However, Alolan Muk is weak to Ground, and not Fighting. 

Dragon-Type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “ROAR! … How’d that sound?”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Dratini from Pokémon GO


Shadow Dratini

Sprite of Shadow Deino from Pokémon GO


Shadow Deino

Sprite of Shadow Noibat from Pokémon GO


Shadow Noibat
#2

Sprite of Shadow Dragonair from Pokémon GO


Shadow Dragonair

Sprite of Shadow Gabite from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gabite

Sprite of Alola Shadow Exeggutor from Pokémon GO


Alola Shadow Exeggutor
#3

Sprite of Shadow Dragonite from Pokémon GO


Shadow Dragonite

Sprite of Shadow Garchomp from Pokémon GO


Shadow Garchomp

Sprite of Shadow Salamence from Pokémon GO


Shadow Salamence
  • Catchable Pokémon in this encounter are Shadow Dratini, Shadow Deino, and Shadow Noibat.
  • Best counters for the Dragon-type Grunt are Ice, Dragon, and Fairy-type Pokémon, like  White Kyurem, Mamoswine, Rayquaza, and Gardevoir.

Electric-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Get ready to be shocked!”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Helioptile from Pokémon GO


Shadow Helioptile

Sprite of Shadow Voltorb from Pokémon GO


Shadow Voltorb

Sprite of Shadow Shinx from Pokémon GO


Shadow Shinx
#2

Sprite of Shadow Electabuzz from Pokémon GO


Shadow Electabuzz

Sprite of Shadow Voltorb from Pokémon GO


Shadow Voltorb

Sprite of Alola Shadow Geodude from Pokémon GO


Alola Shadow Geodude
#3

Sprite of Shadow Ampharos from Pokémon GO


Shadow Ampharos

Sprite of Shadow Galvantula from Pokémon GO


Shadow Galvantula

Sprite of Shadow Luxray from Pokémon GO


Shadow Luxray
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Voltorb, Shinx, and Helioptile.
  • Best counters for the Electric-type Grunt are Ground-type Pokémon like Groudon, Garchomp, and Excadrill. The problems are Joltik and Galvantula, who are weak to Fire and Rock, but Groudon’s Fire Punch and Excadrill’s Rock Slide can handle those.

Fairy-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Check out my cute Pokémon!”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Snubbull from Pokémon GO


Shadow Snubbull

Sprite of Shadow Ralts from Pokémon GO


Shadow Ralts

Sprite of Alola Shadow Vulpix from Pokémon GO


Alola Shadow Vulpix
#2

Sprite of Shadow Snubbull from Pokémon GO


Shadow Snubbull

Sprite of Shadow Kirlia from Pokémon GO


Shadow Kirlia

Sprite of Galarian Shadow Weezing from Pokémon GO


Galarian Shadow Weezing
#3

Sprite of Shadow Granbull from Pokémon GO


Shadow Granbull

Sprite of Alola Shadow Ninetales from Pokémon GO


Alola Shadow Ninetales

Sprite of Galarian Shadow Weezing from Pokémon GO


Galarian Shadow Weezing
  • Catchable at the end of this encounter are Shadow Snubbull, Ralts, Kirlia, Alolan Vulpix and Galarian Weezing.
  • Best counters for the Fairy-type Grunt are Steel-type Pokémon, but you can also use Poison Pokémon for pure Fairy types.

Fighting-type Grunt

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

#1

Sprite of Shadow Timburr from Pokémon GO


Shadow Timburr

Sprite of Shadow Machop from Pokémon GO


Shadow Machop

Sprite of Shadow Mankey from Pokémon GO


Shadow Mankey
#2

Sprite of Shadow Hitmonchan from Pokémon GO


Shadow Hitmonchan

Sprite of Shadow Hitmonlee from Pokémon GO


Shadow Hitmonlee

Sprite of Shadow Hitmontop from Pokémon GO


Shadow Hitmontop
#3

Sprite of Shadow Infernape from Pokémon GO


Shadow Infernape

Sprite of Shadow Toxicroak from Pokémon GO


Shadow Toxicroak

Sprite of Shadow Conkeldurr from Pokémon GO


Shadow Conkeldurr
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Mankey, Machop, Timburr, Hitmontop, Hitmonchan, or Hitmonlee.
  • Best counters for the Fighting-type Grunt are Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type Pokémon, but your safest bet is Psychic here.

Fire-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Ponyta from Pokémon GO


Shadow Ponyta

Sprite of Shadow Torchic from Pokémon GO


Shadow Torchic

Sprite of Shadow Litwick from Pokémon GO


Shadow Litwick
#2  

Sprite of Shadow Blaziken from Pokémon GO


Shadow Blaziken

Sprite of Shadow Camerupt from Pokémon GO


Shadow Camerupt
#3

Sprite of Shadow Delphox from Pokémon GO


Shadow Delphox

Sprite of Shadow Magmortar from Pokémon GO


Shadow Magmortar

Sprite of Shadow Darmanitan from Pokémon GO


Shadow Darmanitan
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Ponyta, Torchic, or Litwick.
  • Best counters for Fire-type Grunt are Water, Rock and Ground-type Pokémon like Kyogre, Swampert, Terrakion, Kyogre, Rhyperior, and Groudon.

Flying-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Swablu from Pokémon GO


Shadow Swablu

Sprite of Shadow Rookidee from Pokémon GO


Shadow Rookidee

Sprite of Shadow Taillow from Pokémon GO


Shadow Taillow
#2

Sprite of Shadow Zubat from Pokémon GO


Shadow Zubat

Sprite of Shadow Gligar from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gligar

Sprite of Shadow Scyther from Pokémon GO


Shadow Scyther
#3

Sprite of Shadow Dragonite from Pokémon GO


Shadow Dragonite

Sprite of Shadow Swanna from Pokémon GO


Shadow Swanna

Sprite of Shadow Toucannon from Pokémon GO


Shadow Toucannon
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Swablu, Rookidee, or Taillow.
  • Best counters for Flying-type Grunt are Electric, Ice, and Rock-type Pokémon like Mamoswine, White Kyurem, Rhyperior, Galarian Damanitan, Baxcalibur, and Tyranitar.

Ghost-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke!”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Gastly from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gastly

Sprite of Shadow Duskull from Pokémon GO


Shadow Duskull

Sprite of Shadow Yamask from Pokémon GO


Shadow Yamask
#2

Sprite of Shadow Sableye from Pokémon GO


Shadow Sableye

Sprite of Shadow Dusclops from Pokémon GO


Shadow Dusclops

Sprite of Shadow Cofagrigus from Pokémon GO


Shadow Cofagrigus
#3

Sprite of Shadow Gengar from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gengar

Sprite of Shadow Froslass from Pokémon GO


Shadow Froslass

Sprite of Shadow Cofagrigus from Pokémon GO


Shadow Cofagrigus
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Gastly, Yamask, Duskull, Dusclops, Cofagrigus, or Sableye.
  • Best counters for the Ghost-type Grunt are Dark and Ghost-type Pokémon, like Tyranitar, Gengar, Dawn Wings Necrozma, and Hydreigon.

Grass-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Don’t tangle with us!”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Tangela from Pokémon GO


Shadow Tangela

Sprite of Shadow Phantump from Pokémon GO


Shadow Phantump

Sprite of Shadow Treecko from Pokémon GO


Shadow Treecko
#2

Sprite of Shadow Morelull from Pokémon GO


Shadow Morelull

Sprite of Shadow Lileep from Pokémon GO


Shadow Lileep

Sprite of Shadow Sceptile from Pokémon GO


Shadow Sceptile
#3

Sprite of Shadow Chesnaught from Pokémon GO


Shadow Chesnaught

Sprite of Shadow Cradily from Pokémon GO


Shadow Cradily

Sprite of Shadow Trevenant from Pokémon GO


Shadow Trevenant
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Tangela, Phantump, or Treecko.
  • Best counters for Grass-type Grunt are Fire and Bug-type Pokémon like Charizard, Heatran, Pinsir, Heracross, etc.

Ground-Type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “You’ll be defeated into the ground!”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Gligar from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gligar

Sprite of Shadow Rhyhorn from Pokémon GO


Shadow Rhyhorn

Sprite of Shadow Trapinch from Pokémon GO


Shadow Trapinch
#2

Sprite of Shadow Gligar from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gligar

Sprite of Shadow Baltoy from Pokémon GO


Shadow Baltoy

Sprite of Shadow Vibrava from Pokémon GO


Shadow Vibrava
#3

Sprite of Shadow Golurk from Pokémon GO


Shadow Golurk

Sprite of Shadow Hippowdon from Pokémon GO


Shadow Hippowdon

Sprite of Shadow Flygon from Pokémon GO


Shadow Flygon
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Rhyhorn, Trapinch, Gligar, Baltoy, Gligar, or Vibrava.
  • Best counters for the Ground-type Grunt are Grass, Ice, and Water-type Pokémon like Venusaur, Sceptile, Greninja, Kyogre, Mamoswine, Swappert, and White Kyurem. Vibrava, Flygon, and Torterra are not weak to Grass, but double-weak to Ice-type attacks.

Ice-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks.”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Seel from Pokémon GO


Shadow Seel

Sprite of Shadow Delibird from Pokémon GO


Shadow Delibird

Sprite of Shadow Spheal from Pokémon GO


Shadow Spheal
#2

Sprite of Alola Shadow Ninetales from Pokémon GO


Alola Shadow Ninetales

Sprite of Shadow Froslass from Pokémon GO


Shadow Froslass

Sprite of Shadow Sealeo from Pokémon GO


Shadow Sealeo
#3

Sprite of Shadow Glalie from Pokémon GO


Shadow Glalie

Sprite of Shadow Froslass from Pokémon GO


Shadow Froslass

Sprite of Shadow Aurorus from Pokémon GO


Shadow Aurorus
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Seel, Delibird, or Spheal.
  • Best counters for the Ice-type Grunt are Fire, Steel, Rock, and Fighting-type Pokémon. There are many different counters for ice types, but be wary of using Fire types here, as many are dual Ice and Water types. For Water/Ice types like Spheal, Electric is also a good option.

Normal-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Normal doesn’t mean weak.”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Teddiursa from Pokémon GO


Shadow Teddiursa

Sprite of Shadow Hoothoot from Pokémon GO


Shadow Hoothoot

Sprite of Shadow Porygon from Pokémon GO


Shadow Porygon
#2

Sprite of Shadow Stufful from Pokémon GO


Shadow Stufful

Sprite of Shadow Starly from Pokémon GO


Shadow Starly

Sprite of Shadow Loudred from Pokémon GO


Shadow Loudred
#3

Sprite of Shadow Ursaring from Pokémon GO


Shadow Ursaring

Sprite of Shadow Swellow from Pokémon GO


Shadow Swellow

Sprite of Shadow Kangaskhan from Pokémon GO


Shadow Kangaskhan
  • Catchable Pokémon in this encounter are Shadow Teddiursa, Hoothoot, and Porygon.
  • Best counters for Normal-type Grunt are Fighting-type Pokémon like Machamp, Lucario, and Conkeldurr.

Poison-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Coiled and ready to strike!”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Qwilfish from Pokémon GO


Shadow Qwilfish

Sprite of Shadow Oddish from Pokémon GO


Shadow Oddish

Sprite of Shadow Zubat from Pokémon GO


Shadow Zubat
#2

Sprite of Shadow Nidorina from Pokémon GO


Shadow Nidorina

Sprite of Shadow Nidorino from Pokémon GO


Shadow Nidorino

Sprite of Galarian Shadow Weezing from Pokémon GO


Galarian Shadow Weezing
#3

Sprite of Shadow Weezing from Pokémon GO


Shadow Weezing

Sprite of Shadow Toxicroak from Pokémon GO


Shadow Toxicroak

Sprite of Shadow Amoonguss from Pokémon GO


Shadow Amoonguss
  • Catchable Pokémon in this encounter are Shadow Zubat, Qwilfish, and Oddish.
  • Best counters for the Poison-type Grunt are Ground and Psychic-type Pokémon like Groudon, Garchomp, Mewtwo, Alakazam, etc.

Psychic-type Grunt

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

#1

Sprite of Shadow Drowzee from Pokémon GO


Shadow Drowzee

Sprite of Shadow Wobbuffet from Pokémon GO


Shadow Wobbuffet

Sprite of Shadow Ralts from Pokémon GO


Shadow Ralts
#2

Sprite of Shadow Drowzee from Pokémon GO


Shadow Drowzee

Sprite of Shadow Wobbuffet from Pokémon GO


Shadow Wobbuffet

Sprite of Shadow Duosion from Pokémon GO


Shadow Duosion
#3

Sprite of Shadow Gallade from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gallade

Sprite of Shadow Reuniclus from Pokémon GO


Shadow Reuniclus

Sprite of Shadow Malamar from Pokémon GO


Shadow Malamar
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Drowzee, Shadow Wobbufet, or Ralts.
  • Best counters for the Psychic-type Grunt are Dark, Ghost, and Bug-type Pokémon.

Rock-Type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Let’s rock and roll!”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Onix from Pokémon GO


Shadow Onix

Sprite of Shadow Cranidos from Pokémon GO


Shadow Cranidos

Sprite of Shadow Kabuto from Pokémon GO


Shadow Kabuto
#2

Sprite of Shadow Shieldon from Pokémon GO


Shadow Shieldon

Sprite of Shadow Cranidos from Pokémon GO


Shadow Cranidos

Sprite of Shadow Graveler from Pokémon GO


Shadow Graveler
#3

Sprite of Shadow Aurorus from Pokémon GO


Shadow Aurorus

Sprite of Shadow Tyrantrum from Pokémon GO


Shadow Tyrantrum

Sprite of Shadow Golem from Pokémon GO


Shadow Golem
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Onix, Cranidos and Kabuto.
  • Best counters for the Rock-type Grunt are Fighting-type Pokémon like Lucario, Conkeldurr, and Machamp. Archen and Archeops are not weak to Fighting-type attacks, so solid Water types are a good second choice here too.

Steel-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “You’re no match for my iron will!”

#1

Sprite of Alola Shadow Sandshrew from Pokémon GO


Alola Shadow Sandshrew

Sprite of Shadow Beldum from Pokémon GO


Shadow Beldum

Sprite of Shadow Aron from Pokémon GO


Shadow Aron
#2

Sprite of Shadow Lairon from Pokémon GO


Shadow Lairon

Sprite of Shadow Metang from Pokémon GO


Shadow Metang

Sprite of Shadow Skarmory from Pokémon GO


Shadow Skarmory
#3

Sprite of Alola Shadow Sandslash from Pokémon GO


Alola Shadow Sandslash

Sprite of Shadow Probopass from Pokémon GO


Shadow Probopass

Sprite of Shadow Aggron from Pokémon GO


Shadow Aggron
  • Catchable Pokémon at the end of this encounter are Shadow Alolan Sandshrew, Aron, Beldum (✨).
  • Best counters for the Steel-type Grunt are Fire and Fighting-type Pokémon like Charizard, Entei, Reshiram, etc. Skarmory, Scizor and Metang resists Fighting moves, so be careful.

Water-type Grunt

Taunt 🗣 – “Isn’t it about time you felt like enjoying some sea breeze or water?”

Female Water Grunt

#1

Sprite of Shadow Mudkip from Pokémon GO


Shadow Mudkip

Sprite of Shadow Krabby from Pokémon GO


Shadow Krabby

Sprite of Shadow Tentacool from Pokémon GO


Shadow Tentacool
#2

Sprite of Shadow Swampert from Pokémon GO


Shadow Swampert

Sprite of Shadow Dewpider from Pokémon GO


Shadow Dewpider

Sprite of Shadow Sharpedo from Pokémon GO


Shadow Sharpedo
#3

Sprite of Shadow Greninja from Pokémon GO


Shadow Greninja

Sprite of Shadow Walrein from Pokémon GO


Shadow Walrein

Sprite of Shadow Tentacruel from Pokémon GO


Shadow Tentacruel
  • Catchable in this encounter are Shadow Mudkip, Krabby, and Tentacool.
  • Best counters for Water-type Grunt are Electric and Grass-type Pokémon like Thundurus Therian, Magnezone, Zekrom, Venusaur, Sceptile, and Zarude. Whiscash is a dual Water and Ground type, so make sure you include a solid Grass type as your Electric types will struggle.

Male Water Grunt

#1

Sprite of Shadow Magikarp from Pokémon GO


Shadow Magikarp



    
#2

Sprite of Shadow Magikarp from Pokémon GO


Shadow Magikarp



    
#3

Sprite of Shadow Magikarp from Pokémon GO


Shadow Magikarp

Sprite of Shadow Gyarados from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gyarados



  
  • Catchable in this encounter is Shadow Magikarp and Feebas.
  • Best counters for the Magikarp Grunt are Electric-type Pokémon like Raikou, Xuriktree, and Zekrom.

Starter and Snorlax Grunts

Taunt 🗣 – “Don’t bother – I’ve already won.”
Taunt 🗣 – “Get ready to be defeated!”
Taunt 🗣 – “Winning is for winners!”

Snorlax Grunt

#1

Sprite of Shadow Snorlax from Pokémon GO


Shadow Snorlax

Sprite of Shadow Lapras from Pokémon GO


Shadow Lapras



  
#2

Sprite of Shadow Snorlax from Pokémon GO


Shadow Snorlax

Sprite of Shadow Poliwrath from Pokémon GO


Shadow Poliwrath

Sprite of Shadow Gardevoir from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gardevoir
#3

Sprite of Shadow Snorlax from Pokémon GO


Shadow Snorlax

Sprite of Shadow Gyarados from Pokémon GO


Shadow Gyarados

Sprite of Shadow Dragonite from Pokémon GO


Shadow Dragonite
  • Catchable from the typeless Snorlax Grunt is Shadow Snorlax or Lapras.
  • Snorlax is always tough and Fighting types like Machamp or Lucario are the way to go. Bring a Metagross to deal with Gardevoir which is also solid for Snorlax. Having an Electric type like Magnezone or Electivire (with added Ice Punch) can also help you arrest the incoming Dragonite or Gyarados in the last slot. This is definitely the most tricky of all the grunts, so be prepared!

Starters Grunt

#1

Sprite of Shadow Bulbasaur from Pokémon GO


Shadow Bulbasaur

Sprite of Shadow Charmander from Pokémon GO


Shadow Charmander

Sprite of Shadow Squirtle from Pokémon GO


Shadow Squirtle
#2

Sprite of Shadow Ivysaur from Pokémon GO


Shadow Ivysaur

Sprite of Shadow Charmeleon from Pokémon GO


Shadow Charmeleon

Sprite of Shadow Wartortle from Pokémon GO


Shadow Wartortle
#3

Sprite of Shadow Venusaur from Pokémon GO


Shadow Venusaur

Sprite of Shadow Charizard from Pokémon GO


Shadow Charizard

Sprite of Shadow Blastoise from Pokémon GO


Shadow Blastoise
  • Catchable from the starters Grunt is Shadow Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle.

Decoy Grunt

The decoy female Grunt has the following details:

Taunt 🗣 – “Fooled ya, twerp.”

#1

Sprite of Shadow Bellsprout from Pokémon GO


Shadow Bellsprout
#2

Sprite of Shadow Weepinbell from Pokémon GO


Shadow Weepinbell

Sprite of Shadow Raticate from Pokémon GO


Shadow Raticate
#3

Sprite of Shadow Snorlax from Pokémon GO


Shadow Snorlax

Sprite of Shadow Raticate from Pokémon GO


Shadow Raticate
  • Catchable from the decoy grunt is Shadow Bellsprout.f

Detailed GO Rocket Grunt Mechanics

Team GO Rocket

Team GO Rocket Grunts are one of the most common enemies you will fight in Pokémon GO, as they tend to take over PokéStops, steal items, and convert Pokémon into Shadow Pokémon. You can find them at PokéStops and flying in the Team GO Rocket Hot Air Ballon.

Grunts are a common enemy, but they still can be difficult to defeat unless you know which counters to use. Luckily, each type of Grunt has a recognisable taunt which gives you a hint at which Pokémon they will use.

  • Grunts will randomly select one 1 Pokémon from each of the 3 columns (#1 – 3) to build a team. Before starting the Team Rocket Battle encounter in Pokémon GO, the Grunt will taunt you. We use this taunt line to figure out which type of Pokémon he / she will use in the fight.
  • Team Rocket Grunts do not use shields, which gives you an additional edge in these battles. You should shield against every Charge move they use (the charged attack the Shadow Pokémon use in battle is not Frustration, but a regular move from their move pool).
  • Every Pokémon that faints on your team reduces the number of Premier Balls you will get for the Shadow Pokémon catch encounter. It’s in your best interest to switch low HP Pokémon before they faint. There is a slight delay in Rocket Grunts attacking after charge moves are used or Pokémon are switched, which you can take advantage of to make your victory that much easier.
  • Your Pokémon are not automatically healed after the battle. If you lose, you can re-match and the Grunt will have the same Pokémon again. There’s no penalty for rejoining.
  • You can walk away from the Poke Stop once the encounter starts. There’s no distance limit on how far you can move (or at least we never reached it). We tested this up to almost 500 meters (0.31 miles).

These taunts indicate the strongest Pokémon you will face, not the one you can catch. The Team Rocket grunt gives hints on the type of their third Pokémon. You will always be catching either the first or the second Pokémon that they used

Don’t forget to check out our Team GO Rocket Leaders guides for Sierra, Arlo, Cliff, and Giovanni – we’ve got the perfect strategy guides to help you win against Rocket Leaders as well.

Recommended team for defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts

3kkology here, updating this guide for everyone to use to take down Go Rocket invasions. I wanted to provide my dedicated Go Rocket team that I use for efficiency when taking down large invasion of Go Rocket grunts.

It can be annoying to look at this guide for every grunt and remember what Pokémon is best for each encounter. This is the team that I use for every Go Rocket encounter and it has yet to fail me. Feel free to copy and try for yourself.

Pokémon Fast Move Charge Moves


Sprite of Rhyperior from Pokémon GO


Rhyperior
  • Mud-slap
  • Rock Wrecker
  • Surf


Sprite of Charizard from Pokémon GO


Charizard
  • Fire Spin
  • Blast Burn
  • Dragon Claw


Sprite of Lucario from Pokémon GO


Lucario
  • Counter
  • Shadow Ball
  • Power-up Punch

The lead is Rhyperior. Lucario Power-up Punch is very powerful because of the delay in attacking by grunt Pokémon after using charge moves. Charizard is great for similar reason because of Dragon Claw and the fire type attacks over good coverage. You can really limit the amount of fast moves the Go Rocket grunt can get off. This team is very well rounded for all grunt encounters. With a lack of Gyarados and Dragonites in this round of grunt encounters, this team is great against all grunts.

Shiny Shadow Pokémon GO

Shiny Shadow Pokémon from Team GO Rocket Grunts

Shadow Pokémon caught from Grunts are shiny eligible in Pokémon GO. Since the Team GO Rocket Takeover Event event, select Pokémon caught from Team GO Rocket Grunts have a chance to be Shiny, allowing Trainers to collect Shiny Shadow Pokémon much easier than before.

Shadow Pokemon
Shadow Pokemon

Credits and thank you

We wish to say thank you to everyone that contributed their data to our Team Rocket Battles research project. This guide is made possible solely on the merit of the data you provided! Thank you! If you want to join our Discord server, please do so, we are planning to hold more research projects in near future.

The post Team GO Rocket Grunt Lineups and Guide (June 2026) appeared first on Pokémon GO Hub.