Pokemon GO Team Rocket Grunt guide (April 2025): Lineups, taunts, and best counters
Team GO Rocket Grunts have been disrupting Pokemon GO since 2019, and in April 2025, they’re still going strong. While they may be the lowest on the Rocket hierarchy, these encounters shouldn’t be taken lightly. Each Grunt brings a unique lineup of Pokemon based on their taunts — and knowing the right counters is crucial if you want to win easily and stock up on Shadow Pokemon .
Defeating Grunts also rewards Mysterious Components, which you’ll need to challenge Team Rocket Leaders like Arlo, Cliff, Giovanni, and Sierra. Here’s a full breakdown of every Rocket Grunt you can encounter this month, along with their taunts, Pokemon lineups, and the best counters to use.
(Note: Pokemon marked with * can be shiny if you are lucky)
Why it’s important to defeat Rocket Grunts in Pokemon GO
- Earn Mysterious Components to build a Rocket Radar
- Encounter and purify Shadow Pokemon
- Progress toward research tasks and medals
- Prepare for tougher battles against Rocket Leaders and Giovanni
All Team GO Rocket Grunt taunts, lineups, and counters in Pokemon GO (April 2025)
Each Grunt opens with a taunt that hints at their team’s type. Here’s a detailed breakdown of every taunt and how to counter them effectively.
1. Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?
Type: Psychic
Best counters: Tyranitar, Weavile, Houndoom, Haunter (Ghost, Dark, Bug)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
2. Battle against my Flying-type Pokemon!
Type: Flying
Best counters: Tyranitar, Electivire, Abomasnow (Rock, Electric, Ice)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
3. Check out my cute Pokemon!
Type: Fairy
Best counters: Metagross, Gengar, Victreebel, Roserade (Poison, Steel)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
4. Coiled and ready to strike!
Type: Poison
Best counters: Mewtwo, Espeon, Groudon, Tyranitar (Psychic, Ground)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
5. Don’t tangle with us!
Type: Grass
Best counters: Charizard, Moltres, Pyroar, Entei (Fire). Flying, Ice, Bug also effective.
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
6. Do you know how hot Pokemon fire breath can get?
Type: Fire
Best counters: Blastoise, Rhydon, Vaporeon, Tyranitar (Water, Rock, Ground)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
7. Get ready to be shocked!
Type: Electric
Best counters: Rhyperior, Groudon, Golem, Hippowdon (Ground)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
8. Go, my super bug Pokemon!
Type: Bug
Best counters: Moltres, Pyroar, Charizard (Fire). Flying and Rock are backups.
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
9. Ke… ke… ke… ke…
Type: Ghost
Best counters: Gengar, Darkrai, Weavile, Haunter (Dark, Ghost)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
10. Let’s rock and roll!
Type: Rock
Best counters: Machamp, Gyarados, Venusaur (Fighting, Water, Grass)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
11. Normal doesn’t mean weak
Type: Normal
Best counters: Machamp, Conkeldurr, Sirfetch’d (Fighting)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
12. ROAR! … How’d that sound?
Type: Dragon
Best counters: Weavile, Glaceon, Sylveon (Ice, Fairy)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
13. These waters are treacherous (female)
Type: Water
Best counters: Sceptile, Magnezone, Raikou, Leafeon (Grass, Electric)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
14. These waters are treacherous (male)
Type: Water
Best counters: Raikou, Electivire (Electric)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
15. This buff physique isn’t just for show!
Type: Fighting
Best counters: Alakazam, Gardevoir, Togekiss (Psychic, Flying, Fairy)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
16. You’ll be defeated into the ground!
Type: Ground
Best counters: Mamoswine, Weavile, Gyarados (Water, Ice, Grass)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
17. You’re no match for my iron will!
Type: Steel
Best counters: Groudon, Charizard (Ground, Fire)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
18. You’re gonna be frozen in your tracks
Type: Ice
Best counters: Aggron, Machamp, Tyranitar (Fighting, Rock, Fire)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
19. Wherever there is light, there is also shadow
Type: Dark
Best counters: Sylveon, Gardevoir, Togekiss (Fairy)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
20. Random mix (female): Don’t bother, I’ve already won / Get ready to be defeated!
Best counters: Machamp, Abomasnow, Raikou
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
21. Random mix (male): Don’t bother, I’ve already won / Get ready to be defeated!
Best counters: Grass, Fire, and Water-type team
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Also read: How to catch Ditto in Pokemon GO? All new disguises in April 2025
22. Fooled ya, twerp (decoy female)
Note: This is a decoy with no consistent type theme.
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Learning each Rocket Grunt’s taunt and preparing your counters accordingly is the easiest way to breeze through battles and farm Shadow Pokemon. With the right team and a little pattern recognition, you can take down Grunts quickly and move on to the bigger threats.
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