Pokémon Go Grunts Guide: Lineup and Counters

One of the most frequent events in Pokémon Go (second only to catching Pokémon) is crossing paths with a Team GO Rocket Grunt. While these villainous troublemakers are usually easy to defeat, sometimes their Pokémon lineup can surprise you with a change that includes a stronger-than-usual Pokémon.

In this guide, we cover each possible roster for the Team GO Rocket Grunts and the best way to counter them.

All Pokémon Go Grunts Teams and Counters

Currently, there is only one way to determine what kind of Pokémon you're going to battle against when you run into a Grunt: their catchphrase. What may surprise you is that no matter what they say, it will determine what kind of Pokémon you should put into your own roster before the battle begins.

To make things easy, we've sorted the catchphrases alphabetically below. To go to that list of Pokémon, simply click whichever phrase matches what is said by the Team GO Rocket Grunt you've encountered.

Regarding the lists below: Any Pokémon you see with a next to its name has a chance to be the Pokémon you rescue when you defeat the Grunt.

Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?

Type: Psychic	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Natu	Ralts	Metang
Option #2:	Spoink	Griafarig	Alakazam
Option #3	Abra		Hypno
Best Counter:		Ghost

Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!

Type: Flying	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Zatu	Xatu	Dragonite
Option #2:	Ducklett	Staravia	Gyarados
Option #3	Zubat	Golbat	Crobat
Best Counter:		Electric or Ice

Check out my cute Pokémon!

Type: Fairy	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Ralts	Kirlia	Kirlia
Option #2:	Snubbull	Snubbull	Granbull
Option #3	Mawile	Granbull
Best Counter:		Ghost, Poison, or Steel

Coiled and ready to strike!

Type: Poison	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Grimer	Nidorina	Weezing
Option #2:	Foongus	Nidorino	Muk
Option #3
Best Counter:		Ground

Don't bother—I've already won! / Get ready to be defeated! / Winning is for winners! (Male)

Type: None	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Bulbasaur/Snorlax	Bayleef/Snorlax	Sceptile/Snorlax
Option #2:	Charmander	Croconaw/Poliwrath	Swampert/Gyarados
Option #3	Squirtle	Quilava/Gardevoir	Blaziken/Dragonite
Best Counter:		Dragon

Don’t tangle with us!

Type: Grass	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Cacnea	Bayleef	Cacturne
Option #2:	Treecko	Gloom	Meganium
Option #3	Oddish		Amoongus
Best Counter:		Fire

Related: How to Catch Ditto in Pokémon Go: Current Ditto Disguises (May 2021) - Pro Game Guides

Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?

Type: Fire	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Torchic	Quilava	Typhlosion
Option #2:	Numel	Magmar	Camerupt
Option #3	Vulpix		Ninetails
Best Counter:		Water or Rock

Get ready to be shocked!

Type: Electric	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Shinx	Alolan Geodude	Luxray
Option #2:	Mareep	Voltorb	Ampharos
Option #3	Blitzle		Zebstrika
Best Counter:		Ground

Go, my super bug Pokémon!

Type: Bug	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Pineco	Weedle	Forretress
Option #2:	Ledyba	Kakuna	Scizor
Option #3	Joltik	Beedrill	Beedril
Best Counter:		Fire

Ke… ke… ke… ke… ke… ke…

Type: Ghost	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Duskull	Dusclops	Dusknoir
Option #2:	Shuppet	Banette	Banette
Option #3	Drifloon	Golett	Golurk
Best Counter:		Dark

Let’s rock and roll!

Type: Rock	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Alolan Geodude	Graveler	Golem
Option #2:	Lileep	Lileep	Alolan Golem
Option #3	Anorith	Anorith
Best Counter:		Fighting or Water

Normal doesn’t mean weak.

Type: Normal	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Meowth	Rattata	Ursaring
Option #2:	Glameow	Raticate	Raticate
Option #3		Purugly	Bibarel
Best Counter:		Fighting

ROAR!…How’d that sound?

Type: Dragon	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Alolan Exeggutor	Dragonair	Dragonair
Option #2:	Gible	Alolan Exeggutor	Dragonite
Option #3			Gabite
Best Counter:		Fairy

These waters are treacherous. (Normal)

Type: Water	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Mudkip	Croconaw	Feraligatr
Option #2:	Psyduck	Golduck	Golduck
Option #3	Wailmer		Wailord
Best Counter:		Electric or Grass

Related: How to Get Shiny Gible in Pokémon Go - Pro Game Guides

These waters are treacherous. (Magikarp)

Notes: This is a temporary lineup. Generally, the Grunt who uses Water Pokémon will use Pokémon that are more difficult to defeat. Regardless, it's still best to counter with Electric or Grass Pokémon.

Type: Water	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Magikarp	Magikarp	Magikarp
Option #2:			Gyarados
Option #3
Best Counter:		Electric or Grass

This buff physique isn’t just for show!

Type: Fighting	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Hitmonlee	Hitmonlee	Hitmontop
Option #2:	Hitmonchan	Hitmonchan
Option #3	Hitmontop	Hitmontop
Best Counter:		Psychic

Wherever there is light, there is also shadow.

Type: Dark	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Alolan Grimer	Muk	Alolan Muk
Option #2:	Alolan Rattata	Alolan Raticate
Option #3
Best Counter:		Fighting

You’ll be defeated into the ground!

Type: Ground	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Wooper	Donphan	Hippowdon
Option #2:	Phanpy	Hippopotas	Quagsire
Option #3
Best Counter:		Grass

You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks.

Type: Ice	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Alolan Sandshrew	Alolan Sandslash	Lapras
Option #2:	Alolan Vulpix	Snover	Abomasnow
Option #3	Swinub		Cloyster
Best Counter:		Fire or Steel

You're no match for my iron will!

Type: Ice	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
Option #1:	Alolan Sandshrew	Alolan Sandshrew	Aggron
Option #2:	Alolan Diglett	Lairon	Scizor
Option #3	Aron	Metang
Best Counter:		Fire or Ground

That's all there is to know about the Team Go Rocket Grunts currently in the game! This list has changed before and may change again, so be sure to check back any time there is an update!

Did you know defeating Grunts is the only way to find a Team GO Rocket Leader? You can read all about it in our guide on How to Find a Team GO Rocket Leader in Pokémon Go. Or, once you find them, you can continue using our guides to see How to Defeat Arlo, How to Defeat Sierra, and How to Defeat Cliff!

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