In July 2019 , a new evil forceTeam GO Rocketarrived in Pokémon GO , based on Team Rocket from the original Gen 1 games . Team GO Rocket have enchant Pokémon and overpowered them by abnormal means , turning them intoShadow Pokémon . Rocket grunt enshroud out at Poké Stops , stimulate them to ferment dark and pulse ; however they disappear after 30 minutes . The Grunts steal resources from the stops and you must combat them to obtain the stay items and economise the Shadow Pokémon .
Once overcome , the Grunts give up one of their Shadow Pokémon and it can be catch . Shadow Pokémon are initially lowly - level and the only charge move they can have isFrustration . However , through a physical process calledPurificationthey can be relieve . purge Pokémon increase to raze 25 , gain 2 IVs in each stat ( so a 13/13/13 Pokémon will become perfect ) , and will know the moveReturninstead ofFrustration .
An additional facet to GO Rocket commence in November 2019 . After combat Rocket Grunts , aMysterious Componentis obtained ; combining six of them creates aRocket Radarwhich provides an encounter with the Team GO Rocket Leaders : Arlo , Cliff and Sierra . Through various Special Research the magnanimous gaffer of Team Rocket , Giovanni , can also be battled which honor a fabled Pokémon .
Team GO Rocket lineups
Each Rocket Grunt specializes in one Pokémon type - prior to the engagement they give a message that hint at what character they will use . Battles are in the PvP data format , however the Shadow Pokémon they use have massive CP - much gamy than their usual utmost - so come prepared !
potential advantage Pokémon from each Grunt are highlighted in juicy below .
Team GO Rocket Leaders
After combining the Mysterious Components into the Rocket Radar , the Rocket Leaders can be seen at sure stoppage . Unlike Grunt takeover , the Leaders persist at the same stop all day ( 8am-10pm ) , then will rotate to different stops the next day . No Grunt takeover will happen at that stop , while a Leader is there . Their first Pokémon has a chance to be shiny .
Jessie & James embark on appearing in July 2020 , when a new Rocket Balloon lineament was add together . If a Meowth balloon appears you combat each of them in chronological sequence . Their first Pokémon has a probability to be glistening . Jessie & James left in February 2021 .
Giovanni can only be encountered by obtain the Super Rocket Radar via Special or Timed Research , and will reward a darkness Legendary . Sometimes a Decoy Grunt will appear rather of Giovanni .
Shadow Pokémon
All the Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO are listed below , with the Stardust and Candy required to purify them . Not all are currently available as the team rosters for Rocket Grunts change regularly , and some are only used as second / third Pokémon so are not gettable .
