Pokemon GO Rocket Grunts counters April 2024: Weaknesses, best Pokemon to use, how to beat, and more

Pokemon GO Team GO Rocket Grunts April 2024 teams can be a nuisance to deal with. So, how can trainers counter and beat them? Overall, there are 22 Team GO Rocket Grunts that can be battled, with 21 appearing throughout claimed Pokestops and Team GO Rocket balloons, and one reserved for battling in Giovanni's stead as a decoy to distract pursuers.

With 22 distinct teams to battle, Team GO Rocket Grunts are incredibly diverse. The good news is that they offer cues on what team they'll be using.

All Team GO Rocket Grunt teams and their weaknesses in Pokemon GO as of April 2024

What are the current Team GO Rocket Grunt lineups in Pokemon GO (Image via Niantic)

With so many Team GO Rocket Grunt teams in Pokemon GO, it might seem difficult to determine which Grunt is using which team. Fortunately, the Grunts' pre-battle lines show what team they're using. Based on what a Grunt says before a fight, it's possible to know what team they'll use and counter accordingly.

The current lineup of Team GO Rocket Grunts' Shadow Pokemon is as follows (omitting duplicates) based on their taglines in the game:

Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power? (Psychic) - Slowpoke, Wobbuffet, Girafarig, Ralts, Gallade, Metagross, Alakazam
Battle against my Flying-type Pokemon! (Flying) - Gligar, Murkrow, Starly, Xatu, Staravia, Staraptor, Dragonite, Skarmory
Check out my cute Pokemon! (Fairy) - Mawile, Ralts, Alolan Vulpix, Kirlia, Snubbull, Granbull, Ninetales, Gardevoir
Coiled and ready to strike! (Poison) - Koffing, Foongus, Croagunk, Nidorina, Nidorino, Toxicroak, Weezing, Amoonguss
Don’t tangle with us! (Grass) - Hoppip, Seedot, Turtwig, Grotle, Ferrothorn, Cacturne, Amoonguss, Torterra
Do you know how hot Pokemon fire breath can get? (Fire) - Growlithe, Houndour, Chimchar, Houndoom, Monferno, Ninetales, Infernape
Get ready to be shocked! (Electric) - Mareep, Blitzle, Joltik, Alolan Geodude, Voltorb, Galvantula, Ampharos, Luxray
Go, my super bug Pokemon! (Bug) - Pineco, Shuckle, Dwebble, Weedle, Skorupi, Shuckle, Scizor, Forretress, Beedrill
Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke! (Ghost) - Misdreavus, Drifloon, Golett, Dusclops, Banette, Froslass, Gengar
Let’s rock and roll! (Rock) - Cranidos, Shieldon, Onix, Lileep, Anorith, Graveler, Golem, Rampardos, Bastiodon
Normal doesn’t mean weak. (Normal) - Meowth, Stantler, Teddiursa, Rattata, Purugly, Ursaring, Bibarel
ROAR! … How’d that sound? (Dragon) - Alolan Exeggutor, Gible, Dratini, Dragonair, Gabite, Salamence, Garchomp, Dragonite
These waters are treacherous. (Water, Male) - Magikarp, Gyarados
These waters are treacherous. (Water, Female) - Piplup, Corphish, Barboach, Crawdaunt, Prinplup, Whiscash, Wailord, Empoleon
This buff physique isn’t just for show! (Fighting) - Sneasel, Makuhita, Machop, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Hitmontop, Machamp, Toxicroak, Infernape
You’ll be defeated into the ground! (Ground) - Alolan Diglett, Wooper, Drilbur, Rhyhorn, Whiscash, Quagsire, Torterra
You’re no match for my iron will! (Steel) - Ferroseed, Skarmory, Alolan Sandshrew, Lairon, Metang, Alolan Sandslash, Scizor, Empoleon
You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks. (Ice) - Snorunt, Snover, Swinub, Froslass, Alolan Ninetales, Glalie, Abomasnow
Wherever there is light, there is also shadow. (Dark) - Houndour, Stunky, Alolan Rattata, Alolan Muk, Alolan Raticate, Skuntank
Don’t bother – I’ve already won/Get ready to be defeated!/Winning is for winners! (Various, Male) - Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Grovyle, Combusken, Marshtomp, Sceptile, Blaziken, Swampert
Don’t bother – I’ve already won/Get ready to be defeated!/Winning is for winners! (Various, Female) - Snorlax, Poliwrath, Gardevoir, Gyarados, Dragonite
Fooled ya, twerp. (Decoy Rocket Grunt) - Bellsprout, Raticate, Weepinbell, Snorlax

Each Grunt has a fairly defined weakness in Pokemon GO (Image via Niantic)

Since most of the Rocket Grunts in Pokemon GO stick to a specific elemental type, countering them comes down to knowing the weaknesses of each team. While dealing super-effective damage isn't necessarily mandatory to beat the Grunts, it does allow the battle to progress and conclude quickly so players can reap the rewards.

Each Grunt's team weaknesses in Pokemon GO can be found below:

Fire Grunt - Ground-, Water-, and Rock-type moves
Rock Grunt - Water-, Grass-, Ground-, Fighting-, Ice-, and Steel-type moves
Water Grunt (Male) - Electric- and Grass-type moves, Electric in particular for Gyarados
Water Grunt (Female) - Electric- and Grass-type moves
Poison Grunt - Ground- and Psychic-type moves
Grass Grunt - Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, Ice-, and Poison-type moves
Bug Grunt - Fire-, Flying-, and Rock-type moves
Ground Grunt - Grass-, Ice-, and Water-type moves
Dragon Grunt - Dragon-, Fairy-, and Ice-type moves
Fairy Grunt - Poison- and Steel-type moves
Steel Grunt - Fighting-, Fire-, and Ground-type moves
Psychic Grunt - Bug-, Dark-, and Ghost-type moves
Flying Grunt - Electric-, Ice-, and Rock-type moves
Dark Grunt - Bug-, Fairy-, and Fighting-type moves
Ice Grunt - Fighting-, Fire-, Rock-, and Steel-type attacks
Electric Grunt - Ground-type moves
Ghost Grunt - Dark- and Ghost-type moves
Fighting Grunt - Fairy-, Flying-, and Psychic-type moves
Normal Grunt - Fighting-type moves
Various Grunt (Male) - Treecko's line is weak to Bug-, Fire-, Flying-, Ice-, and Poison-type moves. Torchic's is weak to Ground-, Rock-, and Water-type moves as well as Flying- and Psychic-type moves for Combusken/Blaziken. Mudkip is weak to Electric- and Grass-type moves, while Marshtomp and Swampert are only weak to Grass-type moves
Various Grunt (Female) - Fighting-type moves beat Snorlax. Electric-, Fairy-, Flying-, Grass-, and Psychic-type moves counter Poliwrath. Gardevoir is weak to Ghost-, Poison-, and Steel-type moves. Gyarados is weak to Electric- and Rock-type moves and Dragonite is susceptible to Ice-, Dragon-, Fairy-, and Rock-type attacks
Decoy Grunt - Fire-, Flying-, Ice-, and Psychic-type moves will counter Bellsprout and Weepinbell in Pokemon GO. Meanwhile, Raticate and Snorlax are weak to Fighting-type moves

Best Pokemon to use to beat Team GO Rocket Grunts in Pokemon GO

Rhyperior can counter multiple Grunt teams in Pokemon GO (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Since there are so many Team GO Rocket Grunt teams in Pokemon GO, using a single lineup to counter all of them is incredibly difficult. However, a well-rounded team is capable of countering multiple Grunt teams while also dealing solid damage to most of the others. Meanwhile, their durability ensures that the Shadow form damage boost of Grunt teams doesn't wipe them out.

For a recommended team to counter many Grunts, Pokemon GO players can give this lineup of creatures and moves a try:

Rhyperior with Mud-Slap, Wrock Wrecker, and Surf
Moltres with Fire Spin, Sky Attack, and Overheat
Empoleon with Metal Claw, Hydro Cannon, and Blizzard

Tips for beating Team GO Rocket Grunts in Pokemon GO

Some tactics can be used to make Team GO Rocket battles easier in Pokemon GO (Image via Niantic)

Since Team GO Rocket battles in Pokemon GO are considered PvE battles, a few tricks can be employed to make fights easier. As an example, there's a short delay after hitting a Rocket Grunt's Pokemon with a Charged Move before it's able to attack again. If you time your Charged Moves wisely, you can rack up a ton of damage while essentially stunning a Rocket momentarily.

It's also important to note that since Grunt battles are PvE fights, Pokemon GO trainers can exit them at any time. If players' current lineups aren't getting the job done, they can depart the fight and re-enter it with a better team comp. Meanwhile, the Grunt should remain where they are.

All in all, Team GO Rocket battles against Grunts in Pokemon GO aren't too difficult. With the right counters, their Shadow Pokemon should be fairly easy to stop in most cases, especially since they receive a debuff to their Defense stat since they're in Shadow form.

Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

Ditto disguises || Armarouge vs Ceruledge in Pokemon GO: Who should you evolve Charcadet into? || Is the Wonder Ticket worth it in Pokemon GO World of Wonders? || GO Battle League World of Wonders || Buddy evolution Adventure Together guide || Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO || Sierra counters || Cliff counters || Arlo counters || Giovanni counters