GO Companion · Team GO Rocket
Leaders & grunt prep
Current Slot 1–3 pools, named counters with movesets, then grunt dialogue cheat sheets.
Rocket Leaders & Giovanni
Expand each Shadow for weaknesses and counters with recommended moves.
Lineups last verified 2026-08-09. Team GO Rocket Takeovers change Slot 1 — rematch is free until you win.
Pokémon GO Hub August 2026 leader guides (Flying Taxi: Taken Over). Polygon Aug 2026 cross-check for Slot 1 leads.
Battle tips
- Leaders use two shields — spam cheap charged moves first to burn them.
- You can rematch after a loss; the Rocket Radar (or Super Rocket Radar) is only consumed on a win.
- Scout once if unsure of Slot 2/3, then rebuild and rematch.
- Slot 1 is always the Shadow you can catch after winning.
Cliff
Catch after win: Shadow Axew (Slot 1)
Slot 1 · fixed
Shadow AxewDragon
Counters ▾This is the Shadow you can catch.
Weak to Ice, Dragon, Fairy
Dragon
Species page: Axew
- Mamoswine — Powder Snow / Icicle Spear
Ice STAB burns Dragon lead
- Garchomp — Dragon Tail / Twister
Dragon pressure + later Ground coverage
- Walrein — Powder Snow / Icicle Spear
Bulky Ice shield burner
- Baxcalibur — Dragon Breath / Icy Wind
Damage + Attack debuff
- Primarina — Charm / Disarming Voice
Fairy STAB; strong into Slot 3 too
Slot 2 · pick one
Shadow SnorlaxNormal
Counters ▾Weak to Fighting
Normal
Species page: Snorlax
- Lucario — Force Palm / Aura Sphere
Best Fighting shield burner
- Terrakion — Double Kick / Sacred Sword
Fast Sacred Sword pressure
- Machamp — Karate Chop / Cross Chop
Accessible Fighting DPS
- Conkeldurr — Counter / Dynamic Punch
Bulk + Fighting STAB
- Blaziken — Counter / Aura Sphere
Fighting spam; Fire for other branches
Shadow WeezingPoison
Counters ▾Weak to Ground, Psychic
Poison
Species page: Weezing
Slot 3 · pick one
Shadow TyranitarRock / Dark
Counters ▾Weak to Fighting, Water, Fairy, Ground, Bug, Grass, Steel
Rock / Dark
Species page: Tyranitar
- Lucario — Force Palm / Aura Sphere
Double weak to Fighting
- Terrakion — Double Kick / Sacred Sword
Fighting STAB closer
- Conkeldurr — Counter / Dynamic Punch
Reliable Fighting closer
- Primarina — Charm / Disarming Voice
Fairy pressure
- Kyogre — Waterfall / Origin Pulse
Water STAB if Fighting is down
Shadow GalladePsychic / Fighting
Counters ▾Weak to Fairy, Flying, Ghost
Psychic / Fighting
Shadow CameruptFire / Ground
Counters ▾Weak to Water, Ground
Fire / Ground
Suggested team
- Open Ice or Fairy to burn shields on Axew.
- Scout Slot 2: Fighting for Snorlax, Ground for Weezing.
- Primarina covers most Slot 3 options if Lucario is spent.
Arlo
Catch after win: Shadow Tyrunt (Slot 1)
Slot 1 · fixed
Shadow TyruntRock / Dragon
Counters ▾This is the Shadow you can catch.
Weak to Dragon, Fairy, Fighting, Ground, Ice, Steel
Rock / Dragon
Species page: Tyrunt
- Metagross — Bullet Punch / Meteor Mash
Steel resists Rock/Dragon angles
- Garchomp — Dragon Tail / Breaking Swipe
Dragon STAB
- Haxorus — Dragon Tail / Breaking Swipe
Fast Dragon shield burner
- Swampert — Water Gun / Hydro Cannon
Water into Rock; covers Steelix/Charizard later
- Mamoswine — Powder Snow / Avalanche
Ice into Dragon/Ground branches
Slot 2 · pick one
Shadow SlowbroWater / Psychic
Counters ▾Weak to Bug, Dark, Electric, Ghost, Grass
Water / Psychic
Shadow GolurkGround / Ghost
Counters ▾Weak to Ice, Dark, Ghost, Grass, Water
Ground / Ghost
Shadow SteelixSteel / Ground
Counters ▾Weak to Water, Fighting, Fire, Ground
Steel / Ground
Slot 3 · pick one
Shadow ScizorBug / Steel
Counters ▾Weak to Fire
Bug / Steel
Shadow AlakazamPsychic
Counters ▾Weak to Dark, Ghost, Bug
Psychic
Shadow CharizardFire / Flying
Counters ▾Weak to Rock, Electric, Water
Fire / Flying
Suggested team
- Steel or Water leads handle Tyrunt and many Slot 2 options.
- Bring Fire for Steelix / Scizor branches.
- Dark/Ghost covers Slowbro and Alakazam.
Sierra
Catch after win: Shadow Amaura (Slot 1)
Slot 1 · fixed
Shadow AmauraRock / Ice
Counters ▾This is the Shadow you can catch.
Weak to Fighting, Steel, Rock, Water, Grass, Ground
Rock / Ice
Species page: Amaura
- Lucario — Force Palm / Aura Sphere
Double weak to Fighting
- Metagross — Bullet Punch / Meteor Mash
Double weak to Steel
- Terrakion — Double Kick / Sacred Sword
Fighting shield burner
- Conkeldurr — Force Palm / Dynamic Punch
Fighting bulk
- Blaziken — Counter / Aura Sphere
Fighting; Fire for Ferrothorn later
Slot 2 · pick one
Shadow FlygonGround / Dragon
Counters ▾Weak to Ice, Dragon, Fairy
Ground / Dragon
Shadow BlastoiseWater
Counters ▾Weak to Electric, Grass
Water
Shadow FerrothornGrass / Steel
Counters ▾Weak to Fire, Fighting
Grass / Steel
Species page: Ferrothorn
- Charizard — Ember / Blast Burn
Double weak to Fire
- Blacephalon — Incinerate / Mind Blown
Fire nuke
- Lucario — Force Palm / Aura Sphere
Fighting from Amaura lead
- Blaziken — Fire Spin / Blaze Kick
Fire + Fighting
- Groudon — Mud Shot / Fire Punch
Neutral Ground that covers Slot 3 Steelix
Slot 3 · pick one
Shadow HoundoomDark / Fire
Counters ▾Weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, Water
Dark / Fire
Shadow SteelixSteel / Ground
Counters ▾Weak to Fighting, Fire, Ground, Water
Steel / Ground
Shadow MiloticWater
Counters ▾Weak to Electric, Grass
Water
Suggested team
- Fighting or Steel leads crush Amaura and help vs Ferrothorn / Houndoom.
- Ice (Mamoswine) answers Flygon and helps vs Steelix.
- Keep Electric or Grass ready if Slot 2/3 is Water (Blastoise / Milotic).
Giovanni
Catch after win: Shadow Reshiram — Catch reward is the featured Slot 3 Shadow Legendary (currently Reshiram), not Persian.
Slot 1 · fixed
Shadow PersianNormal
Counters ▾Weak to Fighting
Normal
Slot 2 · pick one
Shadow RhyperiorRock / Ground
Counters ▾Weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Ice, Steel
Rock / Ground
Shadow MachampFighting
Counters ▾Weak to Fairy, Flying, Psychic
Fighting
Shadow KangaskhanNormal
Counters ▾Weak to Fighting
Normal
Species page: Kangaskhan
- Lucario — Force Palm / Aura Sphere
Fighting STAB
- Terrakion — Double Kick / Sacred Sword
Fast Fighting
- Machamp — Karate Chop / Cross Chop
Accessible Fighting
- Conkeldurr — Counter / Dynamic Punch
Fighting bulk
- Keldeo — Low Kick / Sacred Sword
Fighting closer
Slot 3 · fixed
Shadow ReshiramDragon / Fire
Counters ▾Featured Shadow Legendary — this is what you catch from Giovanni.
Weak to Dragon, Ground, Rock
Dragon / Fire
Species page: Reshiram
Suggested team
- Always lead Fighting vs Persian to burn shields.
- Scout Slot 2: Water/Grass for Rhyperior, Psychic/Flying/Fairy for Machamp, Fighting for Kangaskhan.
- Need Super Rocket Radar (event / GO Pass). Decoy Giovanni grunts appear first — keep searching PokéStops.
- Radar is only consumed when you win.
Grunt types
Read the opening line, then open the type for current Slot 1 / 2 / 3 pools.
Grunt pools last verified 2026-08-09.
Pokémon GO Hub Team GO Rocket Grunt Lineups and Guide (August 2026) — Flying Taxi: Taken Over.
- Each grunt picks one Pokémon from Slot 1, one from Slot 2, and one from Slot 3.
- Catch is usually Slot 1 (sometimes Slot 2) — not always Slot 3.
- Grunts do not use shields. Rematch keeps the same team.
Full walkthrough: Grunt guide chapter.
Normal
“Normal doesn't mean weak.”
Lead: Fighting ▾
Normal
“Normal doesn't mean weak.”
Lead: Fighting ▾
Lead with: Fighting (Lucario, Machamp, Conkeldurr)
Backup: Bring Rock or Electric if Slot 3 is Flying (Swellow).
Slot 1
Teddiursa, Hoothoot, Porygon
Slot 2
Stufful, Starly, Loudred
Slot 3
Ursaring, Swellow, Kangaskhan
Often catchable: Teddiursa, Hoothoot, Porygon
Fighting
“This buff physique isn't just for show!”
Lead: Psychic, Fairy, Flying ▾
Fighting
“This buff physique isn't just for show!”
Lead: Psychic, Fairy, Flying ▾
Lead with: Psychic (Mewtwo, Metagross) or Fairy
Backup: Flying helps vs Toxicroak / Infernape branches.
Slot 1
Timburr, Machop, Mankey
Slot 2
Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, Hitmontop
Slot 3
Infernape, Toxicroak, Conkeldurr
Often catchable: Timburr, Machop, Mankey, Hitmontop, Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee
Flying
“Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!”
Lead: Electric, Rock, Ice ▾
Flying
“Battle against my Flying-type Pokémon!”
Lead: Electric, Rock, Ice ▾
Lead with: Rock or Electric (Rhyperior, Magnezone)
Backup: Ice for Dragonite Slot 3.
Slot 1
Swablu, Rookidee, Taillow
Slot 2
Zubat, Gligar, Scyther
Slot 3
Dragonite, Swanna, Toucannon
Often catchable: Swablu, Rookidee, Taillow
Poison
“Coiled and ready to strike!”
Lead: Ground, Psychic ▾
Poison
“Coiled and ready to strike!”
Lead: Ground, Psychic ▾
Lead with: Ground (Groudon, Excadrill, Garchomp)
Backup: Psychic if you lack Ground.
Slot 1
Qwilfish, Oddish, Zubat
Slot 2
Nidorina, Nidorino, Galarian Weezing
Slot 3
Weezing, Toxicroak, Amoonguss
Often catchable: Qwilfish, Oddish, Zubat
Ground
“You'll be defeated into the ground!”
Lead: Water, Grass, Ice ▾
Ground
“You'll be defeated into the ground!”
Lead: Water, Grass, Ice ▾
Lead with: Ice or Water (Mamoswine, Kyogre, Swampert)
Backup: Ice is safest vs Flygon / Vibrava (resist Grass).
Slot 1
Gligar, Rhyhorn, Trapinch
Slot 2
Gligar, Baltoy, Vibrava
Slot 3
Golurk, Hippowdon, Flygon
Often catchable: Gligar, Rhyhorn, Trapinch, Baltoy, Vibrava
Rock
“Let's rock and roll!”
Lead: Fighting, Water, Grass, Steel ▾
Rock
“Let's rock and roll!”
Lead: Fighting, Water, Grass, Steel ▾
Lead with: Fighting (Lucario, Conkeldurr) or Water
Backup: Water/Grass if you see Fossil / Ground duals.
Slot 1
Onix, Cranidos, Kabuto
Slot 2
Shieldon, Cranidos, Graveler
Slot 3
Aurorus, Tyrantrum, Golem
Often catchable: Onix, Cranidos, Kabuto
Bug
“Go, my super bug Pokémon!”
Lead: Fire, Flying, Rock ▾
Bug
“Go, my super bug Pokémon!”
Lead: Fire, Flying, Rock ▾
Lead with: Fire (Charizard, Blaziken) or Rock
Backup: Rock is safer vs Bug/Flying duals.
Slot 1
Grubbin, Venonat, Weedle
Slot 2
Pinsir, Dewpider, Anorith
Slot 3
Vikavolt, Scizor, Scolipede
Often catchable: Grubbin, Venonat, Weedle, Pinsir, Dewpider, Anorith
Ghost
“Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke!”
Lead: Ghost, Dark ▾
Ghost
“Ke…ke…ke…ke…ke…ke!”
Lead: Ghost, Dark ▾
Lead with: Dark (Hydreigon, Tyranitar) or Ghost
Backup: Watch Ice from Froslass Slot 3.
Slot 1
Gastly, Duskull, Yamask
Slot 2
Sableye, Dusclops, Cofagrigus
Slot 3
Gengar, Froslass, Cofagrigus
Often catchable: Gastly, Duskull, Yamask, Dusclops, Cofagrigus, Sableye
Steel
“You're no match for my iron will!”
Lead: Fire, Fighting, Ground ▾
Steel
“You're no match for my iron will!”
Lead: Fire, Fighting, Ground ▾
Lead with: Fire (Charizard, Reshiram)
Backup: Fighting fails vs Skarmory / Metang — prefer Fire.
Slot 1
Alolan Sandshrew, Beldum, Aron
Slot 2
Lairon, Metang, Skarmory
Slot 3
Alolan Sandslash, Probopass, Aggron
Often catchable: Alolan Sandshrew, Beldum, Aron
Fire
“Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?”
Lead: Water, Ground, Rock ▾
Fire
“Do you know how hot Pokémon fire breath can get?”
Lead: Water, Ground, Rock ▾
Lead with: Water (Kyogre, Swampert) or Rock
Backup: Ground covers Camerupt mid slot.
Slot 1
Ponyta, Torchic, Litwick
Slot 2
Magmar, Blaziken, Camerupt
Slot 3
Delphox, Magmortar, Darmanitan
Often catchable: Ponyta, Torchic, Litwick
Water
“Isn't it about time you felt like enjoying some sea breeze or water?”
Lead: Electric, Grass ▾
Water
“Isn't it about time you felt like enjoying some sea breeze or water?”
Lead: Electric, Grass ▾
Lead with: Electric (Zekrom, Magnezone) or Grass
Backup: Male Magikarp grunt is mostly Electric fodder. Female line can include Ground duals — pack Grass.
Slot 1
Mudkip, Krabby, Tentacool, Magikarp, Feebas
Slot 2
Swampert, Dewpider, Sharpedo, Magikarp
Slot 3
Greninja, Walrein, Tentacruel, Magikarp, Gyarados
Often catchable: Mudkip, Krabby, Tentacool, Magikarp, Feebas
Female Water and male Magikarp grunts share Water typing but different pools — Magikarp line is Electric-easy.
Grass
“Don't tangle with us!”
Lead: Fire, Ice, Flying, Poison ▾
Grass
“Don't tangle with us!”
Lead: Fire, Ice, Flying, Poison ▾
Lead with: Fire (Charizard, Heatran)
Backup: Bug also works; watch Ghost from Trevenant.
Slot 1
Tangela, Phantump, Treecko
Slot 2
Morelull, Lileep, Sceptile
Slot 3
Chesnaught, Cradily, Trevenant
Often catchable: Tangela, Phantump, Treecko
Psychic
“Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?”
Lead: Dark, Ghost, Bug ▾
Psychic
“Are you scared of psychics that use unseen power?”
Lead: Dark, Ghost, Bug ▾
Lead with: Dark (Hydreigon, Absol) or Ghost
Backup: Gallade Slot 3 wants Fairy/Flying/Ghost.
Slot 1
Drowzee, Wobbuffet, Ralts
Slot 2
Drowzee, Wobbuffet, Duosion
Slot 3
Gallade, Reuniclus, Malamar
Often catchable: Drowzee, Wobbuffet, Ralts
Ice
“You're gonna be frozen in your tracks.”
Lead: Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel ▾
Ice
“You're gonna be frozen in your tracks.”
Lead: Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel ▾
Lead with: Fighting or Rock (safer than Fire vs Water/Ice duals)
Backup: Electric also helps Spheal / Sealeo lines.
Slot 1
Seel, Delibird, Spheal
Slot 2
Alolan Ninetales, Froslass, Sealeo
Slot 3
Glalie, Froslass, Aurorus
Often catchable: Seel, Delibird, Spheal
Dragon
“ROAR! … How'd that sound?”
Lead: Ice, Dragon, Fairy ▾
Dragon
“ROAR! … How'd that sound?”
Lead: Ice, Dragon, Fairy ▾
Lead with: Ice (Mamoswine, Baxcalibur) or Fairy
Backup: Alolan Exeggutor mid is Grass/Dragon — Ice still works.
Slot 1
Dratini, Deino, Noibat
Slot 2
Dragonair, Gabite, Alolan Exeggutor
Slot 3
Dragonite, Garchomp, Salamence
Often catchable: Dratini, Deino, Noibat
Dark
“Wherever there is light, there is also shadow.”
Lead: Fighting, Fairy, Bug ▾
Dark
“Wherever there is light, there is also shadow.”
Lead: Fighting, Fairy, Bug ▾
Lead with: Fighting (Machamp, Lucario)
Backup: Fairy helps vs Hydreigon Slot 3.
Slot 1
Alolan Rattata, Poochyena, Carvanha
Slot 2
Alolan Raticate, Sneasel, Absol
Slot 3
Liepard, Hydreigon
Often catchable: Alolan Rattata, Poochyena, Carvanha
Fairy
“Check out my cute Pokémon!”
Lead: Steel, Poison ▾
Fairy
“Check out my cute Pokémon!”
Lead: Steel, Poison ▾
Lead with: Steel (Metagross, Excadrill)
Backup: Poison for pure Fairy; Steel for Galarian Weezing branches.
Slot 1
Snubbull, Ralts, Alolan Vulpix
Slot 2
Snubbull, Kirlia, Galarian Weezing
Slot 3
Granbull, Alolan Ninetales, Galarian Weezing
Often catchable: Snubbull, Ralts, Kirlia, Alolan Vulpix, Galarian Weezing
Electric
“Get ready to be shocked!”
Lead: Ground ▾
Electric
“Get ready to be shocked!”
Lead: Ground ▾
Lead with: Ground (Groudon, Excadrill, Garchomp)
Backup: Fire/Rock for Galvantula if Ground is awkward.
Slot 1
Helioptile, Voltorb, Shinx
Slot 2
Electabuzz, Voltorb, Alolan Geodude
Slot 3
Ampharos, Galvantula, Luxray
Often catchable: Helioptile, Voltorb, Shinx
Ground immunity — Excadrill, Groudon, or any Ground attacker.
Mixed
“Don't bother — I've already won.”
Lead: Fighting, Electric, Steel ▾
Mixed
“Don't bother — I've already won.”
Lead: Fighting, Electric, Steel ▾
Lead with: Fighting for Snorlax; keep Electric/Steel for Gyarados / Dragonite / Gardevoir
Backup: This is the trickiest grunt — scout and rematch.
Slot 1
Snorlax, Lapras
Slot 2
Snorlax, Poliwrath, Gardevoir
Slot 3
Snorlax, Gyarados, Dragonite
Often catchable: Snorlax, Lapras
Typeless / mixed Snorlax grunt. Alternate taunts: "Get ready to be defeated!" / "Winning is for winners!"
Mixed
“Winning is for winners!”
Lead: Fire, Water, Grass ▾
Mixed
“Winning is for winners!”
Lead: Fire, Water, Grass ▾
Lead with: Bring one strong attacker of each starter-counter type, or rematch after scouting
Backup: Slot 1 tells you the line (Bulbasaur / Charmander / Squirtle).
Slot 1
Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle
Slot 2
Ivysaur, Charmeleon, Wartortle
Slot 3
Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise
Often catchable: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle
Mixed
“Fooled ya, twerp.”
Lead: Fire, Fighting, Psychic ▾
Mixed
“Fooled ya, twerp.”
Lead: Fire, Fighting, Psychic ▾
Lead with: Fire for Bellsprout line; Fighting for Snorlax closer
Backup: Decoy before real Giovanni — keep searching PokéStops with Super Rocket Radar.
Slot 1
Bellsprout
Slot 2
Weepinbell, Raticate
Slot 3
Snorlax, Raticate
Often catchable: Bellsprout