Pokémon Go Grunts Guide: Lineup and Counters (March 2024)

Use this guide to easily take down any Team GO Rocket Grunts!
Pokemon Go Team Rocket PokeStop

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.

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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 A Premier Ball in Pokémon Go. 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 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:NatuRaltsMetang
Option #2:SpoinkGriafarigAlakazam
Option #3AbraHypno
Best Counter:Ghost

Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!

Type: Flying Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:ZatuXatuDragonite
Option #2:DucklettStaraviaGyarados
Option #3ZubatGolbatCrobat
Best Counter:Electric or Ice

Check out my cute Pokémon!

Type: FairyStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:RaltsKirliaKirlia
Option #2:Snubbull SnubbullGranbull
Option #3MawileGranbull
Best Counter:Ghost, Poison, or Steel

Coiled and ready to strike!

Type: PoisonStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:GrimerNidorinaWeezing
Option #2:FoongusNidorinoMuk
Option #3
Best Counter:Ground

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

Type: NoneStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:Bulbasaur/SnorlaxBayleef/Snorlax Sceptile/Snorlax
Option #2:CharmanderCroconaw/PoliwrathSwampert/Gyarados
Option #3SquirtleQuilava/GardevoirBlaziken/Dragonite
Best Counter:Dragon

Don’t tangle with us!

Type: GrassStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:CacneaBayleefCacturne
Option #2:TreeckoGloomMeganium
Option #3OddishAmoongus
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: FireStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:TorchicQuilavaTyphlosion
Option #2:NumelMagmarCamerupt
Option #3VulpixNinetails
Best Counter:Water or Rock

Get ready to be shocked!

Type: ElectricStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:ShinxAlolan GeodudeLuxray
Option #2:MareepVoltorbAmpharos
Option #3BlitzleZebstrika
Best Counter:Ground

Go, my super bug Pokémon!

Type: Bug Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:PinecoWeedleForretress
Option #2:LedybaKakunaScizor
Option #3JoltikBeedrillBeedril
Best Counter:Fire

Ke… ke… ke… ke… ke… ke…

Type: GhostStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:Duskull Dusclops Dusknoir
Option #2:ShuppetBanetteBanette
Option #3DrifloonGolettGolurk
Best Counter:Dark

Let’s rock and roll!

Type: RockStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:Alolan GeodudeGravelerGolem
Option #2:LileepLileepAlolan Golem
Option #3AnorithAnorith
Best Counter:Fighting or Water

Normal doesn’t mean weak.

Type: NormalStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:MeowthRattataUrsaring
Option #2:GlameowRaticateRaticate
Option #3PuruglyBibarel
Best Counter:Fighting

ROAR!…How’d that sound?

Type: DragonStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:Alolan ExeggutorDragonairDragonair
Option #2:GibleAlolan ExeggutorDragonite
Option #3Gabite
Best Counter:Fairy

These waters are treacherous. (Normal)

Type: WaterStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:MudkipCroconawFeraligatr
Option #2:PsyduckGolduckGolduck
Option #3WailmerWailord
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: WaterStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:MagikarpMagikarpMagikarp
Option #2:Gyarados
Option #3
Best Counter:Electric or Grass

This buff physique isn’t just for show!

Type: FightingStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:HitmonleeHitmonleeHitmontop
Option #2:HitmonchanHitmonchan
Option #3HitmontopHitmontop
Best Counter:Psychic

Wherever there is light, there is also shadow.

Type: DarkStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:Alolan GrimerMukAlolan Muk
Option #2:Alolan RattataAlolan Raticate
Option #3
Best Counter:Fighting

You’ll be defeated into the ground!

Type: GroundStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:WooperDonphanHippowdon
Option #2:PhanpyHippopotasQuagsire
Option #3
Best Counter:Grass

You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks.

Type: IceStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:Alolan SandshrewAlolan SandslashLapras
Option #2:Alolan VulpixSnoverAbomasnow
Option #3SwinubCloyster
Best Counter:Fire or Steel

You're no match for my iron will!

Type: IceStage 1Stage 2Stage 3
Option #1:Alolan SandshrewAlolan SandshrewAggron
Option #2:Alolan DiglettLaironScizor
Option #3AronMetang
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 ArloHow to Defeat Sierra, and How to Defeat Cliff!


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Author
Shane Foley
Shane Foley is both a huge gamer and a Contributing Writer at Pro Game Guides. He's been gaming ever since the Nintendo 64 came out, and he knows everything there is to know about Pokémon, Fire Emblem, Zelda, and several other Nintendo franchises.

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Pokémon Go Grunts Guide: Lineup and Counters (March 2024)

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