Pokemon Go Team Rocket battles, shadow pokemon and more explained

The Pokemon Go Team Go Rocket invasion has been in the game for a while, but the way trainers interact with them and the events surrounding how you deal with them have changed over the years. Whether you’re facing Team Go Rocket grunts, Rocket Leaders, the big boss himself, Giovanni, or Jessie and James from the Pokemon anime, there’s a lot that Pokemon Go trainers need to know.

We’ve got everything you need to know about Pokemon Go Team Rocket, including links to more specific guides for beating leaders, Giovanni, shadow Pokemon, and more.

How to find the Pokemon Go Team Rocket

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Trainers first need to know how to find Team Go Rocket in Pokemon Go. There are two ways to find and fight them.

The first is via Pokestops. On the world map, trainers can encounter a black colored Pokestop. They will also see a Team Go Rocket avatar standing next to them. Trainers can simply spin the Pokestop and grunt will invite you into a Pokemon battle.

The second way is the Team Go Rocket balloons that appear above your trainer in the world. These balloons pop up frequently and simply tap the balloon to engage a grumbler (or leader) and a challenge is given.

Beating these grunts will reward trainers with some Stardust from the Pokemon Go Mystery Components you need to build a Rocket Radar and a chance to catch a certain Shadow Pokemon.

As for what Team Rocket Grunting uses, this is stated in their dialogue. Here is a list of the dialogs and corresponding types they use to build your team before the battle.

Pokemon Go Shadow and Refined Pokemon

Shadow Pokemon are essentially corrupted versions of regular Pokemon with the offensive move Frustration and significantly lower CP than normal. Purify will be available above the option to enhance it and teach it a new move. The cost for this is different depending on the Pokemon, but it usually only costs a few thousand stardust and a few candies.

Shadow Pokemon’s attacks are stronger than their regular or purified versions, but their defenses are also lower. Purifying shadow Pokemon means the resulting CP will be significantly higher, but of course they lose the badass purple smoke and red eyes. Find out more in our guide on how to purify shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go, and visit our Pokemon Go shadow Pokemon guide to see the full list of shadow Pokemon in the game.

Other Pokemon Go Team Rocket information

There’s lots of other information that will come in handy as Team Rocket tries to stop their scourge.

• Invaded Pokestops have a time limit of exactly 30 minutes.
• Shadow Pokemon at every invaded stop are the same for everyone
• You must be at least level eight to find occupied Pokestops.
• After completing the battle, the Pokestop returns to normal
• Shadow Pokemon has a chance to shine
• Purifying a shadow Pokemon adds two points to each IV stat, so 13/13/13 shadow Pokemon will be 100% when purified.
• Refinement also increases the Pokemon’s level to 25
• Shadow Pokemon can be traded and placed in gyms
• You can’t replace frustration with a TM, but there are some events that allow trainers to do so. Regarding returns, these can be exchanged with TMs.
• Purified Pokemon cost slightly less to evolve

Good luck in stopping Team Rocket!

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