Team GO Rocket Grunts are no doubt the villains in Pokémon GO. They continually challenge trainers while offering an engaging diversion from standard gameplay. You find them taking over PokéStops and also appearing in their Rocket balloons at different hours during the day.
Although these Grunts are the villains, they do leave Shadow Pokémon for Pokémon GO trainers to catch after they get defeated. These corrupted Pokémon with boosted attacks and unique stats have become very desirable to most Pokémon GO trainers.
Best Team GO Rocket Grunts
Every encounter with a Team GO Rocket Grunt begins with a taunt that hints at the type of Pokémon they are using. Examples of these taunts are “Don’t tangle with us!”, “Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?”, etc. Since there are 18 different Pokémon-types in Pokémon GO, these Grunts can use different Pokémon when encountered. Their different lineups often include Pokémon-types such as Fighting, Water, and Ground – and sometimes dual-types like Normal- and Flying-type Pokémon.
The table below lists the best grunts to battle in Pokémon GO
| Taunt | Pokémon Type | Encounter Pokémon | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Don’t Tangle with Us!” | Grass | Shadow Hoppip | Its final evolution, Shadow Jumpluff is useful in the GO Battle Great League |
| “Do You Know How Hot Pokémon Fire Breath Can Get?” | Fire | Shadow Darumaka | Its final evolution, Shadow Darmanitan is useful in Raids |
| “These Waters Are Treacherous!” | Water | Female Grunt: Shadow Barboach | Shadow Whiscash is useful in the GO Battle Great League. |
| “These Waters Are Treacherous!” | Water | Male Grunt: Shadow Magikarp | Shadow Gyarados is useful in the Master League. |
| “Get Ready to be Shocked!” | Electric | Shadow Magnemite | Its final evolution, Shadow Magnezone is useful in Raids |
| “You’re Gonna be Frozen in your tracks” | Ice | Shadow Alolan Sanshrew | Its final evolution, Shadow Alolan Sandslash is useful in the GO Battle Great League and Ultra League |
| “You’re Gonna be Frozen in your tracks” | Ice | Shadow Sneasel | Its final evolution, Shadow Weavile is useful in Raids |
| “This Buff Physique isn’t Just for Show!” | Fighting | Shadow Mankey | Its evolutions, Shadow Primeape and Shadow Annihilape are useful in the GO Battle Great League and Ultra League |
| “This Buff Physique isn’t Just for Show!” | Fighting | Shadow Machop | Its evolutions, Shadow Machoke and Shadow Machamp are useful in the GO Battle Great League and Ultra League. Shadow Machamp also in Raids |
| “This Buff Physique isn’t Just for Show!” | Fighting | Shadow Timburr | Its final evolution, Shadow Conkeldurr is useful in Raids |
| “You’ll be Defeated into the Ground” | Ground | Shadow Rhyhorn | Its final evolution, Shadow Rhyperior is useful in Raids and the GO Battle Master League |
| “You’ll be Defeated into the Ground” | Ground | Shadow Drulbur | Its final evolution, Shadow Excadrill is useful in Raids and the GO Battle Master League |
| “Let’s Rock and Roll!” | Rock | Shadow Roggenrola | Its final evolution, Shadow Gigalith is useful in Raids |
| “Let’s Rock and Roll!” | Rock | Shadow Cranidos | Its final evolution, Shadow Rampardos is useful in Raids |
| “Ke…Ke…Ke…Ke…Ke…Ke!” | Ghost | Shadow Gastly | Its final evolution, Shadow Gengar is useful in Raids |
| “Ke…Ke…Ke…Ke…Ke…Ke!” | Ghost | Shadow Duskull | Its evolutions, Shadow Dusclops and Shadow Dusknoir are useful in the GO Battle Great League. Shadow Dusknoir in Ultra League. |
| “Ke…Ke…Ke…Ke…Ke…Ke!” | Ghost | Shadow Sableye | Shadow Sableye is useful in the GO Battle Great League |
| “Roar!… How’d that Sound?” | Dragon | Shadow Dratini | Its final evolution, Shadow Dragonite is useful in Raids and the GO Battle Master League |
| “Roar!… How’d that Sound?” | Dragon | Shadow Bagon | Its final evolution, Shadow Salamence is useful in Raids and the GO Battle Master League |
| “Roar!… How’d that Sound?” | Dragon | Shadow Gible | Its final evolution, Shadow Garchomp is useful in Raids and the GO Battle Master League |
READ ALSO: Guaranteed Shadow Hundo Pokémon by CP in Pokémon GO
Why Battle Team GO Rocket Grunts?
Battling Grunts have become an integral part of the Pokémon GO experience. We need to battle and defeat them to complete certain Research tasks (either Field, Timed, or Special Research). Also, we need to defeat them to earn Mysterious Components to assemble a Rocket Radar. This radar unlocks encounters with the Team GO Rocket Leaders, such as Arlo, Sierra, and Cliff. Furthermore, during Special events, you need to defeat the Grunts and their leaders to eventually encounter the boss, Giovanni, with a Super Rocket Radar. Giovanni offers coveted Shadow Legendary Pokémon. In addition, you need to defeat the Grunts to accomplish some trainer-level-up tasks and medals. Defeating Grunts has also become one of the recommended ways to grind Stardust.
READ ALSO: Shadow Legendaries in Pokémon GO
In conclusion, Team GO Rocket Grunts are more than mere villains. They are relevant in-game challengers who encourage players to explore diverse battling strategies. They provide trainers with Shadow Pokémon they can use for other in-game battles e.g. Raids and GO Battle League. Their presence in Pokémon GO keeps the spirit of adventure alive.
Fun fact: The Team GO Rockets was first introduced in Pokémon GO in 2019.
