Tips for Defeating Pokémon GO (January 2025)

Pokémon GO presents players with an exciting opportunity to battle various Grunts from Team Rocket, unlocking rare rewards in the process. Among the most notable is a Grunt who ominously laughs with “Ke Ke Ke Ke…”prior to battle, hinting at the specific Pokémon types they utilize. Understanding this clue can be crucial for players seeking to build an effective team to counter these foes.

Team Ke Ke Ke Ke primarily employs Ghost-type Pokémon, but their lineup can include a diverse array of creatures that may not exhibit clear weaknesses. Unlike some higher-tier leaders of Team Rocket, encounters with this Grunt come in three distinct waves, each featuring different Pokémon. To successfully take them on, familiarizing yourself with the potential challengers is essential before assembling your counter team.

Quick Links

Grunt Team & Counters in Pokémon GO (January 2025)
Demolish Ghosts With The Perfect Team
Rewards For Beating Rocket Grunts In Pokémon GO
Catch A Shadow Pokémon For Yourself

Insights into Grunt Team & Counters (January 2025)

Strategies to Overcome Ghost-types

Engaging the Ke Ke Ke Ke Grunt involves navigating through three challenging phases, each presenting players with a varied selection of Pokémon. In the first and third waves, three different Pokémon could be deployed, while the second wave limits the options to two. Importantly, every Pokémon that appears is a Shadow variant, boasting higher health and enhanced attack power.

Successfully battling against Shadow Pokémon necessitates a well-thought-out strategy with counters that exploit the Grunt’s Pokémon weaknesses. The table below illustrates the potential Pokémon lineup along with effective counters:

Wave	Pokémon	Type(s)	Weaknesses	Best Counters
1	(Shadow) Duskull	Ghost	Dark, Ghost	Tyranitar Houndoom Weavile Darkrai Hydreigon
1	(Shadow) Golett	Ghost/Ground	Dark, Ghost, Grass, Ice, Water	Swampert Froslass Tyranitar Dawn Wings Necrozma skeptical
1	(Shadow) Drifloon	Ghost/Flying	Dark, Ghost, Electric, Ice, Rock	Tyranitar Froslass Gengar Manectric Rhyperior
2	(Shadow) Dusclops	Ghost	Dark, Ghost	Tyranitar Houndoom Weavile Darkrai Hydreigon
2	(Shadow) Sableye	Ghost/Dark	Fairy	Gardevoir In love Holy Cocoa Xerneas Diancie
3	(Shadow) Alolan Marowak	Ghost/Fire	Dark, Ghost, Ground, Rock, Water	Tyranitar Swampert Garchomp Dawn Wings Necrozma Groudon
3	(Shadow) Froslass	Ghost/Ice	Dark, Ghost, Fire, Rock, Steel	Dusk Mane Necrozma Heatran Blaziken Metagross Tyranitar
3	(Shadow) Gengar	Ghost/Poison	Dark, Ghost, Ground, Psychic	Tyranitar Garchomp Alakazam Gallade Mewtwo

Some of the most effective counters you can deploy against the Ke Ke Ke Ke Grunt’s team are:

Tyranitar – Excellent against almost all opponents
Garchomp – Provides versatility in countering
Gardevoir – Perfect for tackling troublesome Fairy weaknesses

Among these, Tyranitar is arguably the top choice for this battle due to its Dark and Rock-type moves, which effectively counter the majority of the Grunt’s Pokémon. However, be cautious of Shadow Sableye in the second wave, as it shares a Dark typing with Tyranitar. Equipping Gardevoir is advisable, given its Fairy-type attacks can swiftly deal with Sableye.

Gardevoir also offers coverage against Shadow Gengar in the third phase. Meanwhile, Garchomp remains a strategic pick, aligning well with Tyranitar’s strengths while covering for each other’s vulnerabilities. Players might be tempted to utilize other Ghost-types, but it’s crucial to connect that Ghost-types are effective against one another, which can create risky moments.

Rewards for Defeating Team Rocket Grunts

Secure Your Own Shadow Pokémon

Sableye Pokémon With A Moon In The Background — Custom Image by: Katarina Cimbaljevic

Should you lose a battle against Team Rocket Grunts, the opportunity to rematch is always available, allowing you to earn rewards on your terms. Victorious players will earn Stardust as their primary reward, along with a special item known as a Mysterious Component. Collecting six of these components enables you to challenge one of three Team Rocket leaders, opening doors to even more rewards.

A significant reward for overcoming the Ke Ke Ke Ke Grunt is the chance to capture a Shadow Sableye. As we approach new events in Pokémon GO for 2025, having a Pokémon like Shadow Sableye with only one type weakness could prove beneficial. Defeating the Team Rocket Grunt initiates an encounter where you can catch Shadow Sableye much like any wild Pokémon.

Notably, there is a 1 in 64 chance for the Shadow Sableye to be a Shiny variant. Thus, rematching the Grunt multiple times could enhance your odds of encountering a Shiny version.

Engage with as many Team Rocket Grunts as possible to acquire their Shadow Pokémon. Not only will defeating the Ke Ke Ke Ke Grunt provide you with a Mysterious Component necessary for assembling a Rocket Radar, but it will also add another powerful ally to your Pokémon collection.

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