Team Rocket Counters
Team Rocket has invaded Pokemon Go and Pokebattler is here to help you fight them off! Battles are 3v3 with you facing your 3 Pokemon off against Team Rocket's boosted Pokemon. These battles can be extremely challenging so make sure you prepare before you challenge them!
Team Rocket Grunts are not very difficult as they do not shield. Team Rocket Executives and Giovanni have higher stats and will shield the first two specials used. Resisting the quick attack and using Pokemon that can force the shadow Pokemon to use their shields is the best way to beat these tough foes!
Breaking News
Team Rocket Invasions In Pokemon GoBattle Executive Cliff, Executive Sierra and Executive Arlo in Team Rocket Battles
Executives have appeared in all cities with Pokemon that appear to be boosted 15% to all stats for a 32% boost in CP!You need a Rocket Detector to discover a single Team Rocket Executive. To create one you need to
- Defeat Team Rocket Grunts to obtain a Mysterious Component
- Use 6 Mysterious Components to create a Rocket Detector
- Use the Rocket Detector to bring up a map showing where a Team Rocket Executive is
- Unova Stone
- Sinnoh Stone
- Max Revive
- Revive
- Max Potion
- Hyper Potion
You also will have the chance to catch a shiny Shadow Pokemon! Team Rocket Executives are significantly more difficult as they can use shields in battle.
Giovani uses Shadow Legendary Birds
There is a quest to summon Giovanni which will take a minimum of 5 days to complete. Their stats are 25% boosted from regular grunts. Giovanni currently has Shadow Articuno, Shadow Moltres and Shadow Zapdos confirmed as the current Giovanni Legendary Bird for this. If you finish the quest, you will fight Giovani and have a 100% catch rate on the birds so make sure to hitit!
Team Rocket Leaders
Team Rocket leaders feature more difficult fights including shielding! Make sure you are prepared for all Team Rocket has in store for you!
I will not tolerate your interference.You cannot stop me...but I’m amused by your attempt.Your professor has not prepared you for what is to come.You’ve made it this far. Let me see just how strong you are.You will never defeat Team GO Rocket.
Fooled ya, twerp.I can’t believe you fell for it!In the name of the boss, I’ll destroy you!You’ll never get to him!It feels good to see you disappointed.
It’s time to learn your place in the world.I never lose.Prepare yourself for a world of hurt.Arrogance leads to failure.Your defeat comes on swift wings.
My strength comes from my loyalty to Team GO Rocket.I will do anything and everything for Team GO Rocket.I owe the boss my life. I’d do anything for him.Team GO Rocket saved me. It’s time to return the favor!Add my name to your list of weaknesses.
I envy you—you get to battle me!This will be a battle I’m sure you’ll never forget.You already know this, but you don’t stand a chance.You can’t possibly match my skill, dear.I do hope you like the taste of failure!
Team Rocket Grunts
Team Rocket grunts are easier fights with no shields.
Don't bother - I've already wonGet ready to be defeatedWinning is for winners
Don't bother - I've already wonGet ready to be defeatedWinning is for winners
Go, my super bug Pokemon!
ROAR! ...How'd that sound?
Get ready to be shocked!
This buff physique isn't just for show!
Do you know how hot Pokemon fire breath can get?
Battle against my Flying-type Pokemon!
Ke... ke... ke... ke... ke... ke!
Don't tangle with us!
You'll be defeated into the ground
Normal does not mean weak.
Coiled and ready to strike!
Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?
Let's rock and roll!
These waters are treacherous!
These waters are treacherous!
Featured Team Rocket Mechanics Research Article
Team Rocket Update
Update #2, A special guest has taken over the Pokebattler channel to provide you critical information about how to build a Team Rocket battle party!
On July 22nd, Team GO Rocket started to mysteriously steal Pokestops and challenge players to Trainer Battles putting up little black tents over Pokestops! With them, they brought purple shrouded Shadow Pokemon, with Combat Power far higher than we’ve seen previously in Trainer Battles.
Check out our article by PVPoke master KakunaMattata for updates on the actual CP formula, which Niantic keeps changing to keep us on our toes.
July 28th at 4pm local time the event which they’ve been teasing is set to launch. through the Pokemon Go social media channels, ‘taken over’ by Team GO Rocket, and the New York City takeover ad stunts. A live streaming countdown on the Pokemon Go Youtube channel led to the announcement by Team Rocket of a global takeover.
Pokebattler was updated just 2 hours after Team Rocket took over New Zealand to help with the threat. Pokebattler currently gives a good idea of which Pokemon to use to beat the Team Rocket Invasion but there is still much research to do! It seems that Team Rocket’s Pokemon are not as effective as they should be given their enormous stats. Perhaps the Pokemon are resisting the orders of Team Rocket? Time will tell!
Here are the current stats used by Pokebattler for these Shadow Pokemon:
Pokemon | CP | Tier | Level | Attack | Defense |
| Shadow Bulbasaur | 3381-3649 | 1 | 27 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Ivysaur | 5229 – 5561 | 1 | 27 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Charmander | 2957 – 3209 | 1 | 27 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Charmeleon | 5081 – 5410 | 1 | 27 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Squirtle | 2848 – 3096 | 1 | 27 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Wartortle | 4559 – 4871 | 1 | 27 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Zubat | 1974 – 2183 | 1 | 27 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Golbat | 6110 – 6470 | 1 | 27 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Crobat | 8246 – 8662 | 1 | 27 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Dratini | 3370-3654 | 2 | 30 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Dragonair | 6097-6475 | 2 | 30 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Dragonite | 13234 – 13793 | 2 | 30 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Venusaur | 9425 – 9894 | 2 | 30 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Charizard | 10023 – 10508 | 2 | 30 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Blastoise | 8522-8968 | 2 | 30 | x3 | x2 |
| Shadow Snorlax | 11207-11732 | 2 | 30 | x3 | x2 |
In the initial wave, there were different multipliers applied and we were able to do some research regarding Trainer Level CP adjustment. It appears that something like (TrainerLevel – 15) / (40 – 15) works. Pokebattler has assumed that this caps out at TrainerLevel 20 for a minimum of 5/35 but there is lots more research to do here! Here are some Shadow Pokemon that were encountered by players with different trainer levels:
| Pokemon | CP | Trainer Level | Trainer Level Factor | IVs |
| Snorlax | 2356 | 40 | x1 | 12/5/7 |
| Snorlax | 2151 | 38 | x0.92 | 8/6/14 |
| Rattata | 1487 | 40 | x1 | 14/12/8 |
| Rattata | 1128 | 34 | x0.76 | 15/9/10 |
If you know more about what the heck is going on with these Team Rocket Events let us know on Twitter!
UPDATE: We have new info on the Team Rocket ‘Grunt Teams’! The Grunts give hints as to what you are going to fight. The 3rd Pokemon will be of the type, and typically the other two Pokemon will be the same type or Normal type. There are also 3 hints that are used when you will be fighting a Tier 2 raid! So if you see anything about winning or defeated, know you will be fighting a harder fight.
| Hint from Grunt Team | 3rd Pokemon |
| Don’t tangle with us | Grass Type |
| Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get | Fire Type |
| These waters are treacherous | Water Type |
| Normal doesn’t mean weak | Normal Type |
| ROAR! … How’d that sound | Dragon Type |
| Coiled and ready to strike | Poison Type |
| My bird Pokémon wants to battle with you | Flying Type |
| Winning is for winners. | Tier 2 Pokemon |
| Don’t bother, I’ve already won | Tier 2 Pokemon |
| Get ready to be defeated | Tier 2 Pokemon |
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