Team GO Rocket's leaders put up some of the toughest fights in the game. Here's the best Pokémon to challenge them with!
Editor's Note: Due to the global pandemic and amount of travel required to complete Team GO Rocket battles at PokéStops, Team GO Rocket monthly Special Research has been far more limited. As of July 7, 2020, Team GO Rocket hot air balloons can now spawn on the map, allowing players to once again challenge Team GO Rocket in a safe way while social distancing. Please follow your local health department's recommendations, and don't risk getting sick over a game.
Team GO Rocket has invaded Pokémon Go. Executives Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo are here and you'll have to fight your way through them to get to the head honcho himself, Giovanni. These fights are tough and it's gonna take more than a handful of recommended Pokémon. But, if you can beat Giovanni, you'll get the chance to catch your very own Legendary Shadow Pokémon! Right now, that Shadow Pokémon is none other than Shadow Mewtwo, the most powerful, game-breaking Pokémon in all of Pokémon Go!
Even well-seasoned players, like myself, have struggled against the leaders of Team GO Rocket. Fortunately, we here at iMore know exactly what you need to take on each of these big bads! And make sure to check out our best Pokémon Go accessories, so you an be fully equipped on your Pokémon Journey!
What is Team GO Rocket?
Team GO Rocket is the current incarnation of the criminal organization from the original Pokémon games and shows. Led by Giovanni, Team Rocket has always been lurking in the shadows of the Pokémon world, stealing any Pokémon they can get their hands on, along with all the Poké Balls and Pokémon related technology possible. They're the bad guys. Worse even, as Team GO Rocket, they've invaded the world of Pokémon Go along with Shadow Pokémon, formerly good Pokémon who have been corrupted through a mysterious technique that leaves them in constant pain, forced to assist in Team GO Rocket's criminal endeavors.
How do I challenge the leaders of Team GO Rocket?
While Team GO Rocket Grunts have been taking over PokéStops since July 2019, beginning in November 2019, their leaders have joined the fight. By fighting six Grunts, you can collect Mysterious components, which can, in turn, be used to create a Rocket Radar. Once in possession of a Rocket Radar, you can track down Team GO Rocket Hideouts, and challenge one of three Team GO Rocket Executives.
These Executives are much stronger than the Grunts and actually know how to use their Shields, so prepare for a tough battle and prioritize burning through their shields early. Each of the three executives will reward you with their first Shadow Pokémon, which has the potential to be Shiny, and a Strange Egg, if you have room in your bag.
Additionally, if you defeat all three Team GO Rocket Executives, you can be rewarded with a Super Rocket Radar once per month that will lead you to the Boss of Team GO Rocket: Giovanni! For more details on how to get to the Team GO Rocket Executives and Giovanni, check out our Looming Shadows guide.
Earning or purchasing Rocket Radars to challenge Team GO Rocket?
After you've constructed your first Rocket Radar, additional Rocket Radar can be purchased in the PokéShop for 200 PokéCoins each. While $2 worth of PokéCoins (or less if you're able to earn them,) might seem like a small amount to pay for a Rocket Radar, previous Community Days have featured paid special research that included a Rocket Radar among the generous rewards for only $1 and other events have rewarded Rocket Radars as well. You will still need to track down the right Executives to battle, but if you don't have to fight your way through several grunts each time, this could make completing the Team GO Rocket Special Research a little more doable.
Rescuing Strange Eggs from Team GO Rocket?
New as of October 12, 2020, Trainers can now earn Strange Eggs by defeating the Leaders of Team GO Rocket. These special eggs only carry a select few Poison and Dark type Pokémon, as well as Pokémon that evolve into Poison or Dark types, and they require a whopping 12 KM to hatch. Currently, the following Pokémon can be hatched from Strange Eggs:
Team GO Rocket Aerial Attacks?!
As of July 7, 2020, Team GO Rocket has now taken to the skies. Four times a day, a Team GO Rocket balloon can appear on the map. These encounters work almost identically to Team GO Rocket PokéStop Invasions. Under normal circumstances, Trainers can expect:
- Without a Rocket Radar, you will encounter Grunts.
- Jesse and James in their Meowth hot air balloon are no longer appearing, but should they return, they give you the chance to earn two Mysterious Components for the one balloon.
- With a normal Rocket Radar equipped, you will encounter one of the Team GO Rocket Executives.
- With a Super Rocket Radar equipped, you will have the chance to encounter Giovanni, himself.
- The first balloon will show up between midnight and 6 AM local time.
- The second balloon will show up between 6 AM and noon local time.
- The third balloon will show up between noon and 6 PM local time.
- The final balloon will show up between 6 PM and midnight local time.
The line ups for Shadow Pokémon are the same as if you encountered Team GO Rocket at a PokéStop. If you don't beat the Executive or Giovanni, your Radar will remain intact until you are able to defeat a Team GO Rocket leader.
How to beat Team GO Rocket executive Cliff
Cliff is the first of the Team GO Rocket Executives and their counterpart to Team Mystic's Leader Blanche. Cliff brings in a team of three Pokémon with the second and third being chosen from a pool of different strong Shadow Pokémon. Fortunately, you can battle an Executive as many times as it takes to beat them. So, if you lose the first time, take note of which Pokémon fill those second and third slots and plan your next attack accordingly.
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Cliff's first Pokémon is Grimer. This pure Poison type Pokémon should be an easy win. If you want the type advantage, it's weak to Psychic and Ground; Pokémon like Lugia, Landorus (Therian), Rhyperior, Garchomp, or Groudon would make a great choice. However, you could also use this time to build up your charged attack or burn through Cliff's shield.
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In his second slot, Cliff could send out Venusaur. This Grass and Poison type is weak to Fire, Ice, Psychic, and Fighting type moves. Good choices for countering include either version of Mega Charizard, Reshiram, Heatram, Ho-Oh, Salamence, and Mega Abomasnow.
- Cliff could also send out the Fighting type Pokémon, Crobat. Psychic, Electric, Ice, and Rock type moves are super effective against this Flying and Poison type, so consider bringing along Raikou, Melmetal, Regirock, Alolan Golem, or Magnezone.
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Or Cliff could pick Machamp for his second Pokémon. A pure Fighting type, you'll do added damage with Psychic, Fairy, or Flying type attacks. The best counters include Lugia, Mega Charizard Y, Mewtwo, Zapdos, and Cresselia.
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For the third slot, Cliff may bring Tyranitar. This Rock and Dark type pseudo-Legendary has access to Dark, Rock, Steel, and Fire type moves, and is takes super effective damage from Fighting, while also being weak to Ground, Bug, Steel, Water, Grass, and Fairy. Some of the best counters include Chesnaught, Mega Gyarados, Cobalion, Zamazenta (Hero of Many Battles), Machamp, Pangoro, Obstagoon, and Virizion.
- Charizard could be Cliff's final Pokémon. This Fire and Flying type is weak to Water and Electric type moves, but has a increased weakness to Rock, so that should be your first choice. Regirock, Omastar, Melmetal, Raikou, Rhyperior, Tyranitar, and either version of Golem are the best counters.
- Cliff's last Pokémon could also be Arcanine. A pure Fire type, Arcanine is weak to Water, Ground, and Rock type damage. The top counters here are Garchomp, Swampert, Rhyperior, Landorus (Incarnate), Golem, and Regirock.
How to beat Team GO Rocket executive Sierra
Much like her counterparts, Sierra's team choices make all the difference in what you should bring to fight her, and her Shadow Pokémon have ridiculous CP. Be prepared to fight her more than once.
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Currently, Sierra's first Pokémon is Nidoran♀. Sneasel is a pure Poison type, meaning its weak to Psychic and Ground type attacks; however, it's also incredibly weak, so you might consider using this time to burn through Sierra's shields and build up your other counters' charged attack. If you really want the best match up though, Rhyperior or Excadrill will make this a laughably short fight.
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For her second slot, she could go with Beedrill. As a Bug and Poison type, Beedrill takes increased damage from Fire, Psychic, Flying, and Rock type moves. Pokémon like Heatran, Aggron, either Mega Charizard, Dialga, Ho-Oh, and Terrakion perform best here.
- Slowbro could be Sierra's second Pokémon. This Psychic and Water type is weak against Grass, Electric, Bug, Ghsot, and Dark type moves. Your best options for countering it are Mega Gyarados, Zarude, Hydreigon, Shiftry, Yveltal, Mega Ampharos, Leafeon, Mega Abomasnow, or Tyranitar.
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If Sierra's second Pokémon is Vileplume, its weaknessed include Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Ice. Heatran, either Mega Charizard, Jirachi, Reshiram, Ho-Oh, or Metagross would be a great choice here.
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If Houndoom is her third choice, this Dark and Fire type is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water type attacks. The best counters include Omastar, Mega Gyarados, Regirock, Swampert, and Samurott.
- Marowak could be Sierra's final Pokémon. As a pure Ground type, Marowak is weak to Water, Grass, and Ice type attacks. Mega Gyarados or Mega Venusaur would be best in this slot, but other options include Trevenant, Leavanny, Tropius, and Gourgeist.
- Sierra's last Pokémon could also be Nidoking. Water, Ice, Ground, and Psychic types deal super effective damage to this pure Poison and Ground type. Your best options for countering are Excadrill, Jirachi, Empoleon, Mega Gyarados, Mega Gengar, Metagross, Kyogre, or Rhyperior.
How to beat Team GO Rocket executive Arlo
Another challenging Executive, Arlo can bring out a wide variety of Shadow Pokémon with crazy high CP. Expect to fight a second or third time before you get the right combination to defeat him.
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Currently, Arlo's first Pokémon is Gligar. This Ground and Flying type takes increased damage from Water and super effective damage from Ice. The best counters include Ho-Oh, Articuno, Togekiss, Suicune, Kyogre, Empoleon, and Regice.
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In the second slot, Arlo could go with Lapras. A Water and Ice type, its weaknesses include Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Rock. Mega Abomasnow, Magnezone, Machamp, Lucario, Mega Venusaur, Ludicolo, Mega Ampharos, or Omastar make great counters here.
- Mawile could be Arlo's final Pokémon. You'll want a strong Fire or Ground type to counter this Steel Fairy. Mega Houndoom, Reshiram, either Mega Charizard, Entei, or Heatran would serve you well.
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Arlo's second Pokémon could be the pure Normal type, Cradily. It's a Rock and Grass type, meaning Steel, Fighting, Ice, and Bug types make the best counters. Pokémon like Genesect, Cobalion, Heatran, Scizor, Lucario, and Escalavier are all great options.
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For his third Pokémon, Arlo may go with Scizor. As a Steel and Bug type, Scizor's only weakness is to Fire but, fortunately, its Steel, Bug, and Dark type moves shouldn't be a problem for your counters. Ho-Oh, Heatran, Either Mega Charizard, Moltres, Reshiram, Mega Houndoom, or Entei would make a great choice here.
- Snorlax could be in Arlo's roster. As a Normal type, its only weakness is Fighting and Snorlax has a lot of HP to burn through. You may want to bring in a Pokémon with high attack and strong Fighting type moves like Obstagoon, Yveltal, Meloetta, Melmetal, or Landorus (Therian); however, you can also rely on other powerful tanks like Mega Gyarados, Mega Houndoom, or Tyranitar.
- If Arlo goes with Gardevoir, this Psychic and Fairy type takes super effective damage from Ghost, Steel, and Poison type attacks. The best performing Pokémon against Shadow Gardevoir are either forme of Giratina, Metagross, Nidoqueen, Scizor, and Dialga.
How to beat Team GO Rocket leader Giovanni
The Founder of Team GO Rocket, Giovanni is the only one bringing in Legendary Shadow Pokémon. For the time being, however, his team is more limited than his Executives. His first Pokémon is always Persian and his last is currently Shadow Ho-Oh.
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Giovanni's first Pokémon is Persian. The best Pokémon to counter Persian are Tyranitar, Machamp, Conkeldurr, Lucario, Mega Gyarados, Terrakion, and Hariyama. However, you can also use this time to build up a charged attack for his second Pokémon.
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For his second Pokémon, Giovanni could bring Kingler. As a pure Water type, Grass and Electric are the types you'll want to counter it. Some of the top counters include Mega Gyarados, Palkia, Mega Ampharos, Mega Venusaur, Ludicolo, Leafeon, Zarude, Zekrom, and Mega Blastoise.
- If he brings Rhyperior, this Ground and Rock type takes increased damage from Steel, Ice, Fighting, and Ground type moves, while taking super effective damage from Grass and Water. Some of the top counters include Torterra, Mega Venusaur, Mega Gyarados, Swampert, Kyogre, Gourgeist, and Leafeon.
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Nidoking could be his second Pokémon. Water, Ice, Ground, and Psychic types deal super effective damage to this pure Poison and Ground type. Your best options for countering are Excadrill, Jirachi, Empoleon, Mega Gyarados, Mega Gengar, Metagross, Kyogre, or Rhyperior.
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Giovanni's third Pokémon is currently Shadow Lugia. The Legendary Bird is a Flying and Psychic type Pokémon so it is weak to Rock, Ice, Ghost, Dark, and Electric type damage. Top counters include Melmetal, Zacian (Hero of Many Battles), Yveltal, Bisharp, Magnezone, Mega Abomasnow, Mega Gyarados, and Regirock.
Jesse, James, and Meowth have blasted off again!
Jesse and James are no longer available to challenge, but they are sure to return at some point in the future. Their previous line ups weren't particularly difficult to beat, especially since neither used their shields.
Previously, Jesse's lineup included:
- Scyther: a Bug and Flying type, Scyther has several weaknesses, including Fire, Flying, Electric, and Ice, but it's quad weakness to Rock is the one you'll want to exploit. Aggron, Rampardos, Rhyperior, Golem, Terrakion, or Tyranitar all work really well here.
- Ekans: a Poison type, Ekans is weak against Ground and Psychic types. However, Ekans is pretty weak. Mewtwo, Alakazm, or Gardevoir could all work well here. Alternatively, you could put in Metagross or whatever Pokémon you plan to use against Stantler, in order to build up their charged attack.
- Stantler: as a Normal type, Stantler's only weakness is Fighting types. However, because of its potential moveset, Steel and Rock types are your best bet here. Metagross, Regirock, Jirachi, or Cobalion are all great choices here.
After beating Jesse, James' lineup included:
- Pinsir: a Bug type, James' first Pokémon is Pinsir. Weak to Flying, Rock, and Fire types, great counters include Ho-Oh, Moltres, Chandelure, or Lugia.
- Koffing: a Poison type, Koffing is weak against Ground and Psychic types. However, Koffing is also really weak. Golurk, Excadrill, Jirachi, Lugia, or Landorus all work well here.
- Grimer: another fairly weak Poison type, the Pokémon you use against Koffing will work well here and likely have its charged attack ready.
Upon beating Jesse, you could catch a Shadow Scyther with the potential to be Shiny, and upon beating James, you could catch a Shadow Pinsir with the potential to be Shiny.
Note: Jesse and James fulfill the requirements for beating two Team GO Rocket Grunts in Research tasks.
Team GO Rocket questions?
There you have it. Follow our guide, and you'll send Team GO Rocket blasting off again! Have any questions about fighting Team GO Rocket, Cliff, Sierra, Arlo, or Giovanni? Want to share your winning team? Drop us a comment below and check out our Best Portable Battery Packs for iPhone in 2020, so your phone never dies while you're battling Team GO Rocket!
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