In Pokémon Go, Team Go Rocket Grunts are back on the streets (and in the skies), giving Trainers a steady stream of short battles and chances to collect Shadow Pokémon. While they may not pose the same threat as Team Leaders or Giovanni himself, these Grunts still play a key role in your journey toward dominating the Shadow Pokémon meta.
Facing off against a Grunt is also your first step in taking on the bigger Rocket challenges. Beat them, and you’ll earn components for a Rocket Radar, which leads to battles against Cliff, Sierra, Arlo, and eventually, Giovanni. While Gigantamax Pokémon remain outside this equation for now, Shadow Pokémon are still among the most powerful creatures in the game, trailing only behind Mega Evolutions in raw potential.
Here’s a detailed look at the current Grunt lineups and how to beat them in June 2025, along with general advice for building an efficient and flexible team.
Understanding the Grunt System and Lineup Rotation
Team Go Rocket Grunts rotate their lineups regularly, so if you’ve taken a break from the game, you may notice different Pokémon showing up in battles. This rotation means you’ll want to stay updated to maximize your rewards and adapt your battle strategy accordingly.
Each Grunt specializes in a theme—like Bug, Electric, or Fire—and can throw out a variety of Pokémon from that type. There are three potential Pokémon per slot, so each encounter can vary slightly, even within the same type.
A Streamlined Strategy: The All-Rounder Team
For players looking for a straightforward, no-fuss way to take on any Grunt, there’s a powerful trio to consider: Rhyperior, Lucario, and Charizard. Ideally, each of these Pokémon should have perfect IVs (15/15/15), be fully leveled up, and have a second Charged Move unlocked.
This team offers great type coverage and the ability to adapt quickly in battle:
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Rhyperior (with Mud-Slap and Rock Wrecker) is your tanky opener, ideal for dealing heavy fast move damage and soaking hits.
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Lucario brings Power-Up Punch and Shadow Ball, offering both fast debuffs and strong counterplay to many Grunt types.
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Charizard (especially Mega Charizard X with Dragon-type coverage) provides extra versatility and a powerful offensive edge, especially against Bug, Grass, and Steel types.
One major benefit of this team is simplicity. You won’t have to memorize individual counters for each Grunt, and you can rely on a consistent approach. However, it’s resource-heavy. If one of these Pokémon loses viability due to a moveset change or meta shift, you might have to start over with another team.
General Tips for Beating Grunts
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Swap strategically. When you switch Pokémon mid-battle, the Grunt will pause for a moment. Use this window to gain an edge.
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Lead smart. Start with Rhyperior, but be ready to switch to Lucario or Charizard based on your opponent’s lineup.
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Use shields wisely. Most Grunts don’t use shields, so use your own defensively to ensure you survive to land Charged Attacks.
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Shadow Pokémon tip. Defeated Grunts often leave behind a Shadow Pokémon for you to catch. These can be purified or kept for battle.
June 2025: Grunt Types and Counters
Here’s a quick reference to the current Grunt themes and what to expect from each type in June 2025. Each Grunt has a unique battle phrase that hints at their Pokémon type:
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Bug Grunt – Bring Rock or Fire types.
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Dark Grunt – Fighting and Fairy types are your best bet.
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Decoy Grunt – These act as filler encounters with easier lineups.
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Dragon Grunt – Ice and Fairy types will be key here.
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Electric Grunt – Ground types like Rhyperior shine in this matchup.
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Expert Grunt – These may feature trickier combinations; flexible teams help.
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Male and Female Grunts – These may not follow the standard typing themes and can offer mixed lineups.
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Fairy Grunt – Use Steel or Poison types.
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Fighting Grunt – Fly high with Flying or Psychic Pokémon.
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Fire Grunt – Water and Rock types are effective.
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Flying Grunt – Rock and Electric moves are ideal.
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Grass Grunt – Fire, Flying, or Bug Pokémon counter well.
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Ground Grunt – Water and Ice attacks work best.
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Ghost Grunt – Use Dark and Ghost moves for mirror matchups.
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Ice Grunt – Fire and Rock types are reliable here.
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Normal Grunt – Fighting types dominate.
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Poison Grunt – Ground and Psychic Pokémon offer an edge.
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Psychic Grunt – Dark, Bug, and Ghost types are strong counters.
Final Thoughts
Team Go Rocket Grunts may not be the toughest challenge in Pokémon Go, but they provide valuable rewards, including Stardust, Shadow Pokémon, and Rocket Radar components. Whether you take a targeted approach with specific counters or rely on a high-level universal team, staying updated with Grunt lineups is essential for efficient progression—especially if you’re hunting Shadow Pokémon or gearing up for battles against Team Leaders and Giovanni.