Pokémon GO Team GO Rocket Grunts Counters (November 2023): Best Pokémon To Beat Grunts

Shadow Pokémon are a rare breed only obtainable from defeating Team GO Grunts and Rocket Leaders Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra. Each set of Grunts has its own unique lineup of Pokémon rotates monthly depending on Pokémon types, which tasks you with bringing the best counters to quell their attacks.

Locating Team GO Rocket Grunts can be found at PokéStops as they can be found stealing items from Trainers or hovering over PokéStops, but if you dare engage with them, a battle will ensue. This guide details all the Team GO Rocket Grunt encounters, their line-ups, and the best counters to use against them in Pokémon GO's Season of Adventures Abound.

All Pokémon GO Rocket Grunt Phases, Lineups and Counters

It's a new season and, notably, a new month, as Team GO Rocket is still causing trouble for Trainers. Nevertheless, you can acquire rare Shadow Pokémon by battling Rocket Grunts, which will reward players with Mystery Components (which allow you to battle Team GO Rocket Leaders).

There is plenty of incentive to battle these Grunts, so check out the guide below for November 2023 with all the information provided by notable Pokémon source, PokémonGOHub:

"Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?"

• Pokémon Line-up: Abra, Natu & Spoink; Girafarig & Ralts; Alazkazam, Hypno & Metang
• Best counters: Darkrai, Giratina, Houndoom, Hydreigon, Tyranitar & Weavile

Grunts using this taunt will use Psychic Pokémon, which can be tricky to counter as the best counters are mostly Legendary Pokémon. Dark and Ghost-type Pokémon can counter their attacks, with Darkrai, Giratina, and Houndoom being worthy options.

"Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Ducklett, Natu & Zubat; Golbat, Staravia & Xatu; Crowbat, Dragonite & Gyarados
• Best counters: Magnezone, Raikou, Rhyperior & Tyranitar

This taunt alludes to the encounter featuring Flying types, with most being dual types like Dragonite & Golbat. For this reason, Electric and Rock-type Pokémon can counter any Flying/dual types with Magnezone, Rhyperior, and Tyranitar as good counters.

"Check out my cute Pokémon!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Mawile, Ralts & Snubbull; Granbull, Kirilia & Snubbull; Granbull & Kirilia
• Best counters: Dialga, Metagross & Roserade

Don't be distracted by their appearances, as Grunts using this taunt will bring Fairy-type Pokémon for this battle. Poison and Steel types are the best counters for this encounter, but ensure you have the proper movesets, as this battle will be one of the more challenging fights to face.

"Coiled and ready to strike!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Foongus & Grimer*; Nidorina & Nidorino; Muk & Weezing
• Best counters: Excadrill, Groudon, Garchomp, Mamoswine & Rhyperior

Team GO Rocket Grunts that taint Trainers with the "Coiled" dialogue will utilize Posion-type Pokémon for this encounter. Any Ground-type Pokémon would be the best to counter their attacks, specifically Groudon and Rhyperior and the Ice/Ground-type Mamoswine.

"Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?"

• Pokémon Line-up: Litwick, Numel & Vulpix; Magmar & Quilava; Camerupt, Ninetales & Typholosion
• Best counters: Garchomp, Kyogre, Rhyperior, Swampert, and Tyranitar

Fire-type Pokémon will be spotlighted in this encounter with Team Go Rocket Grunts, with the line-up coming from the same evolution family of Cyndaquil. Fire types are weak to Ground, Rock, and Water-type attacks, with Kyogre, Rhyperior, and Tyranitar being good counters.

"Don't bother, I've already won. Get ready to be defeated! Winning is for winners" (Female Grunt)

• Pokémon Line-up: Snorlax; Gardevoir, Poliwrath & Snorlax; Dragonite, Gyarados & Snorlax
• Best counters: Electivire, Lucario, Machamp, Magnezone & Metagross

"Don't bother, I've already won. Get ready to be defeated! Winning is for winners" (Male Grunt)

• Pokémon Line-up: Bulbasaur, Charmander & Squirtle; Bayleef, Croconaw & Quilava; Blaziken, Sceptile & Swampert 
• Best counters: Electrivire, Lucario, Machamp, Magnezone & Metagoss

This Grunt encounter is tricky to pinpoint as this isn't defined by Pokémon typing but is likely based on power. While Snorlax is weak to Fighting types and Gardevoir vulnerable to Steel types, any of the above counters can be best used in this tough battle.

"Don't tangle with us!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Bellsprout, Cacnea, & Oddish; Bayleef & Gloom; Amoonguss, Cacturne & Meganium
• Best counters: Charizard, Entei, Moltres & Talonflame

Trainers can expect to face Grass-type Pokémon for this encounter, mainly from the same evolution families of Cacnea and Chikorita. Likewise, Grass types are most vulnerable to Fire-type Pokémon, but in this case, Fire/Flying types like Charizard and Talonflame.

"Get ready to be shocked!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Blitzle, Mareep & Shinx; Alolan Geodude & Voltorb; Ampharos & Zebstrika
• Best counters: Garchomp & Groudon

Various Electric-type Pokémon are who you'll face when this taunt is signified, but they can be quickly taken care of. Any Ground-type Pokémon can counter these electrifying attacks, with Garchomp being tripe resistance the best choice.

"Go, my super bug Pokémon!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Joltik, Ledyba & Pineco; Beedril, Kakuna & Weedle; Beedril, Forrestress & Scizor
• Best counters: Any Flying and Fire-type Pokémon like Charizard, Entei, Moltres & Talonflame

If you're much like Misty, best avoid this encounter as Bug-type Pokémon will be utilized in this battle. Unfortunately, it's easy to quell their attacks as Flying and Fire-type Pokémon like Charizard and Talonflame to dispose of quickly, but Shuckle will provide quite a challenge.

“Ke… ke… ke… ke… ke… ke…”

• Pokémon Line-up: Duskull, Gastly & Shuppet; Banette, Dusclops & Golett; Dusknoir, Gengar & Golurk
• Best counters: Darkrai, Hydreigon, Tyranitar, Weavile & Yveltal

Halloween may have come early for Trainers as this taunt indicates that Ghost-type Pokémon will be used for this battle. Unfortunately, it's weak to Dark and Ghost attacks, but we advise using Dark-type Pokémon for this encounter.

"Let's rock and roll!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Alolan Geodude, Cranidos & Shieldon; Anorith, Graveler & Lileep; Alolan Golem & Golem
• Best counters: Garchomp, Kyogre, Lucario, Machamp & Swampert

You'll encounter Rock-type Pokémon, and much like Ground types, they are hard-hitting damage dealers, so coming into this battle will call on equally challenging Pokémon. Luckily, Fighting types are pretty resistant to their attacks due to their combos, and Lucario and Machamp would be great Pokémon to bring into this battle.

"Normal doesn't mean weak"

• Pokémon Line-up: Glameow & Meowth*; Purugly, Raticate & Rattata; Bibarel, Raticate & Ursaring
• Best counters: Breloom, Lucario & Machamp

The "Normal doesn't mean weak" taunt will indicate that this Team GO Rocket Grunt encounter will feature Normal-type Pokémon. Normal-type Pokémon are vulnerable to Fighting-type attacks, with Lucario being the best counter against them.

"ROAR! … How'd that sound?"

• Pokémon Line-up: Dratini & Gible; Alolan Exeggutor & Dragonair; Dragonair, Dragonite & Gabite
• Best counters: Gardevoir, Glaceon, Mamoswine, Togekiss & Walrein

You can encounter Dragon-type Pokémon when this taunt appears, but there's a high chance that the Grunts will use a Dratini. Fairy and Ice-type Pokémon are the best options to counter their attacks, with Mamoswine being the safest option.

"These waters are treacherous (Female Grunt)"

• Pokémon Line-up: Barboach, Psyduck & Shellder; Croconaw & Golduck; Feraligatr  & Walilord
• Best counters: Alolan Exeggutor, Magnezone, Raikou, Roserade, Sceptile & Venusaur

"These waters are treacherous (Male Grunt)"

• Pokémon Line-up: Magikarp & Gyarados
• Best counters: Alolan Exeggutor, Magnezone, Raikou, Roserade, Sceptile & Venusaur

Trainers can encounter a Female or Male Team GO Rocket Grunt when this taunt appears, but the counters are the same. As the Pokémon used for this encounter are Water types, bringing either Electric or Grass-type Pokémon can help you easily defeat the Female or Male Grunt.

"This buff physique isn't just for show!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee & Sneasel; Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee & Hitmontop; Hitmontop
• Best counters: Any Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type Pokémon, including Alakazam, Gardevoir, and Mewtwo.

Another equally tough battle when this taunt is seen as Grunts will be bringing Fighting-type Pokémon for this high-octane encounter. Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type Pokémon will be your best chances of fending off attacks, but we suggest getting Mewtwo for this battle.

"Wherever there is light, there is also shadow"

• Pokémon Line-up: Alolan Grimer & Alolan Rattata; Alolan Raticate & Muk; Alolan Muk
• Best counters: Gardevoir, Lucario, Machamp, Sylveon & Togekiss

Grunts that use this taunt will bring into this battle various Dark-type Pokémon, mainly Alolan Pokémon. Fairy and Fighting types will help you combat their attacks, but you can get a Bug-type Pokémon to handle the dual typings.

"You'll be defeated into the ground!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Drilbur & Wooper; Hippopotas & Rhyhorn; Hippowdon & Quagsire
• Best counters: Kyogre, Mamoswine, Venusaur & Walrein

Ground-type Pokémon will inflict massive damage, so to defeat the Grunts will need the best counters like Grass, Ice, and Water-type Pokémon. Out of all the counters, the Ice/Ground-type Mamoswine will serve you best against the Grunts.

"You're gonna be frozen in your tracks"

• Pokémon Line-up: Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Vulpix & Swinub; Alolan Ninetales, Alolan Sandslash & Snover; Abomasnow, Cloyster & Lapras
• Best counters: Arcanine, Lucario, Machamp, Magnezone & Moltres

This taunt calls on various Ice-type Pokémon used for this battle against the grunts, but luckily, any Ice-resistant Pokémon like Electric, Fighting, and Fire types can counter their icy attacks. Bringing with Lucario or Machamp or Fire-type Pokémon like Arcanine or any Pokémon from its evolution family will help you thwart its attacks.

"You’re no match for my iron will!"

• Pokémon Line-up: Alolan Diglett & Aron; Alolan Sandshrew, Lairon & Metang; Aggron & Scizor
• Best counters: Any Fire and Ground types like Blaziken, Charizard, Entei, Moltres, Rhyperior, and Swampert

Facing off against Steel-type Pokémon may be proven difficult for Trainers going up against these Grunts; however, it is possible due to the viability of a few Fire and Ground Pokémon. Using powerful Charged Attacks to burn or destroy their sturdy shields can also decrease their defenses, making them more vulnerable to the attacks.