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Team Rocket Grunt (Trainer class)

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Team Rocket Grunt
ロケットだんのしたっぱ Team Rocket Underling
VSTeam Rocket Grunt M PE.pngVSTeam Rocket Grunt F PE.png
VS models from Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Other names Rocket Grunt (ロケットだんいんのしたっぱ Team Rocket Underling Member) (Generation II)
Rocket (ロケットだんいん Team Rocket Member) (Generation I)
Introduced in Generation I
Appears in Red, Blue, and Yellow
Gold, Silver, and Crystal
FireRed and LeafGreen
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Stadium 2
Masters EX
Gender Either
Counterpart {{{counterpart}}}
Notable members Rocket Siblings,
Jessie and JamesY
Animated debut Battle Aboard the St. Anne (Animated series)
File 2: Cubone (Origins)
The Chase (Generations)
TCG debut Gym Heroes
TCG card Minion of Team Rocket
Manga debut Team Rocket and Dark Charmeleon (HIBAPC)
A Glimpse of the Glow (Adventures)
The Great Search! Let's Rescue The Slowpoke! (The Golden Boys)
Pikachu Was Kidnapped! (Pocket Monsters)
Cerulean City (Zensho)
Aim to be the Strongest! The Hot-Blooded Brotherly Combination!! (PMHGSSJBA)

Team Rocket Grunts (Japanese: ロケットだんのしたっぱ Team Rocket Underling) are members of Team Rocket. They act as fodder, enforcers, soldiers, workmen, crooks, and backup for various leaders in the criminal organization.

In the core series games

Being the underlings of Team Rocket, the grunts have appeared in all of the games the villainous team is featured in; namely, the Generation I and II games and their respective remakes.

How grunts are referred to has varied slightly throughout the generations. A grunt is called Rocket (Japanese: ロケットだんいん Team Rocket Member; shortened to だんいん Member in end-battle dialogue) in Generation I, Rocket Grunt (Japanese: ロケットだんいんのしたっぱ Team Rocket Underling Member) in Generation II, and Team Rocket Grunt (Japanese: ロケットだんのしたっぱ Team Rocket Underling) in Generations III, IV, and VII.

Unlike other Trainer classes, Team Rocket Grunts are never given individual names, a tradition continued with the other villainous teams, whose members are also referred to as simply Grunt. Internally, the Trainer class is Rocket in Generations I and II, and Team Rocket since Generation III, with the name from Generation II onwards being Grunt. Despite them all having the same in-game name, there are four grunts that appear to be related to each other, the Rocket BrothersRBYFRLG/Rocket SistersPE, in Silph Co. In all generations, this Trainer class does not include a gender symbol (♂/♀).

In Pokémon Yellow, the Team Rocket trio is also collectively referred to as Rocket, and Jessie and James are never named in game dialogue or in the manual. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Jessie and James are no longer treated as generic Grunts, now being named characters with the Team Rocket Trainer class.

Team Rocket Grunts use Pokémon from a variety of types, but often employ Poison-type Pokémon more than others. The majority of their Pokémon are from evolutionary lines introduced in Generation I.

Appearance

Male Team Rocket Grunts are depicted as men wearing black uniforms with a big red R on them, as well as gray gloves and boots (white in Generations I and II). They also wear a black cap, which in the first three Generations completely hides their short hair, though it is shown as pink in Generation IV. In Generation I, they each hold a whip, though, in a similar change to the Cooltrainers, it is omitted in all further depictions. They also seem to be middle-aged adults in Generation I, though they appear younger in further games. Jessie was the first female Team Rocket Grunt to debut in Pokémon Yellow. Alongside James, their appearances match their animated series counterparts.

In Generation II, female Team Rocket Grunts were expanded upon. These female grunts are depicted as red haired women in white Team Rocket uniforms without caps, with their design being very similar to Cassidy and their outfit similar to Jessie's. However, their overworld sprites had caps and black uniforms like the males. In Generations III and IV, their design is drastically changed, and they are shown more similar to their male counterparts, wearing a black uniform with a red R, a black cap, and gray gloves and boots, though they wear black shorts or a skirt instead of pants. They are shown to have short, pink hair in the games, though their artwork from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen shows their hair as green.

Artwork

RG TR Grunt.png FireRed LeafGreen Team Rocket grunts.png HeartGold SoulSilver Team Rocket Grunt.png
Artwork from
Red and Green 		Artwork from
FireRed and LeafGreen by Ken Sugimori[1] 		Artwork from
HeartGold and SoulSilver

Sprites and models

In the core series

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Missing overworld models from LGPE; need higher quality images from LGPE
Spr RG Rocket.png Spr Y Rocket.png Spr Y Jessie James.png Spr GS SW97 Rocket Grunt.png Spr GS Rocket Grunt M.pngSpr GS Rocket Grunt F.png Spr FRLG Team Rocket Grunt M.pngSpr FRLG Team Rocket Grunt F.png
Sprite from
Red and Blue 		Sprite from
Yellow 		Jessie and James's sprite
from Yellow 		Prototype sprite from
Spaceworld '97 demo 		Sprites from
Generation II 		Sprites from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Rocket OD.png Bird Keeper I OD.png Jessie OD.png James OD.png Rocket Grunt M II OD.pngRocket Grunt F II OD.png Team Rocket Grunt M III OD.pngTeam Rocket Grunt F III OD.png Tamer OD.png
Overworld sprite from
Generation I 		Nugget Bridge Grunt's overworld sprite from
Generation I 		Jessie's overworld sprite from
Yellow 		James's overworld sprite from
Yellow 		Overworld sprites from
Generation II 		Overworld sprites from
FireRed and LeafGreen 		Nugget Bridge Grunt's overworld sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Spr HGSS Rocket Grunt M.pngSpr HGSS Rocket Grunt F.png VSTeam Rocket Grunt M PE.pngVSTeam Rocket Grunt F PE.png VSJames PE.png VSJessie PE.png
Sprites from
HeartGold and SoulSilver 		VS models from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! 		James's VS model from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! 		Jessie's VS model from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Rocket Grunt M OD.pngRocket Grunt F OD.png Roughneck OD.png
Overworld sprites from
HeartGold and SoulSilver 		Former member's overworld sprite,
in civilian attire, from
Black and White

In other games

SJP Rocket.png S2 Rocket Grunt M.pngS2 Rocket Grunt M alt.pngS2 Rocket Grunt M alt2.png S2 Rocket Grunt F.pngS2 Rocket Grunt F alt.pngS2 Rocket Grunt F alt2.png Spr Masters Team Rocket Grunt M.pngSpr Masters Team Rocket Grunt F.png VSTeam Rocket Grunt M Masters.png VSTeam Rocket Grunt F Masters.png
Portrait from
Stadium 		Rocket Grunt♂ portraits from
Stadium 2 		Rocket Grunt♀ portraits from
Stadium 2 		Overworld models from
Masters EX 		VS models from
Masters EX

History

Main article: Team Rocket → In the core series games

In Pokémon Red and Blue and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the grunts are found throughout Kanto creating general disruption. They first appear in Mt. Moon, going after Fossils. One grunt is found at the end of the Nugget Bridge recruiting for Team Rocket, and another had stolen a TM from an elderly couple in Cerulean City. In Celadon City, the grunts operate a base under the Game Corner trafficking Pokémon all over the world, and they are also responsible for the murder of the mother Marowak in Pokémon Tower as part of a plan to steal Cubone and sell their skulls. They also appear when they take over the Silph Co. headquarters. After the player defeats them there, Giovanni disappears, later reappearing at his own Gym, and the grunts are not seen after this in the original games. However, in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, two grunts remain in an old man's house next to the restaurant in Celadon City; they will never leave, nor will they battle the player. Additionally, in Pokémon Yellow, both Jessie and James are from the Rocket Trainer class, and appear next to the regular grunts in Mt. Moon, the Game Corner and Silph Co.

In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, grunts are also found on several of the Sevii Islands, even after Giovanni's defeat. On One Island, the player faces two in front of a cave which leads to the Ruby for the Pokémon Network Center. On Four Island, the player helps Lorelei, who nearly defeated a grunt with her Lapras's Ice Beam while interrogating Team Rocket at Icefall Cave. On Six Island, there is a grunt in front of Altering Cave. On Five Island, the player finds a group of male and female grunts operating from a warehouse obtaining a large number of Pokémon, most of them rare, and trying to make a working prototype of the high-frequency sound wave machine which would influence evolution. After the player defeats the grunts and the two Admins, they will pull out, but not before telling the player that they will find Giovanni and restore Team Rocket. They have not been seen in the Sevii Islands since.

In the Generation II games and their remakes, three years after the events of the original games, Team Rocket, under the administration of the Executives, create havoc throughout Johto gaining profit and trying to communicate with their old leader, Giovanni. The grunts are first seen operating in the Slowpoke Well, led by Proton, cutting off Slowpoke's tails to sell. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, a Grunt is seen bothering a Kimono Girl at the Ecruteak City Dance Theater. In Mahogany Town, the player finds Team Rocket HQ underneath a souvenir shop, in which Team Rocket have been using a fully-working high-frequency sound wave machine that influences Pokémon evolution, transmitting it from an antenna in a tree. They also help their Executives take over the Goldenrod Radio Tower, as well as guard the Radio Director, who is hidden in the Goldenrod Tunnel. After defeating Archer, most grunts are gone for good. However, a lone grunt appears in Cerulean City later on, unaware of the disbanding of Team Rocket, who has stolen the Machine Part from the Kanto Power Plant. After he is defeated, he states that he will return to his home country and revive Team Rocket there. It is later revealed that when he returned home to Icirrus City, he fell in love and started a family, effectively abandoning the idea for a quiet and peaceful life with his wife and child. Team Rocket has not been seen since.

Trainer list

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow


Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal


Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen


Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver


Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!


Pokémon Stadium


Pokémon Stadium 2


In the spin-off games

Two Mii Brawlers dressed as Team Rocket Grunts

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

A Team Rocket Outfit and Hat were included in the third wave of downloadable costumes for Mii Fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The outift set is designed for use with Mii Brawler. The Miis used to demonstrate the outfits are based on the male and female Grunts that appear in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

  • Team Rocket Outfit icon

    Team Rocket Outfit icon

  • Team Rocket Hat icon

    Team Rocket Hat icon

In animation

Pokémon the Series

History

Original series
Team Rocket Grunts in the original series

The Grunts debuted in Battle Aboard the St. Anne, under the command of Jessie, James, and Meowth. Together, they trapped numerous Trainers aboard the St. Anne and attempted to steal all of their Pokémon. However, before Team Rocket could succeed in their plan, they were stopped by Ash and his friends.

Multiple Team Rocket Grunts briefly appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back. They used Mewtwo's Psychic abilities to capture a large herd of Tauros.

In Johto, operating from an undersea base, Grunts under the command of Dr. Namba, Butch, and Cassidy attempted to harness a Lugia and its child, but Ash, his friends, and Ritchie stopped them.

Later, they operated around the Lake of Rage under the command of Professor Sebastian and Tyson to assist with Project R; the project's goal was to force Pokémon to evolve artificially, thus giving the group powerful Pokémon to use. However, they were stopped yet again by Ash and his friends, with the help of Lance of the Pokémon G-Men.

They also appeared in copious amounts during Mewtwo Returns, led by Giovanni and Domino, to recapture Mewtwo and build a new base for Team Rocket on Mount Quena. However, they were all mind-wiped and transported away from the mountain at the end of the movie.

Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

Several Grunts were briefly seen helping Butch and Cassidy with their stadium scam in The Ole' Berate and Switch. There, they were disguised as several tournament officials.

Pokémon the Series: Black & White
A Team Rocket Grunt in Pokémon the Series: Black & White

In A Venipede Stampede!, a Grunt informed Giovanni that they would arrive shortly in Unova. They were also to appear in two unaired episodes to do battle with Team Plasma, which would have been the first time Team Rocket as a whole (not counting Jessie, James, and Meowth) was seen battling against another villainous team.

In Meloetta and the Undersea Temple!, more Grunts greeted Giovanni as he arrived to Unova to supervise Team Rocket's Operation Tempest. Two Grunts later appeared at Cynthia's villa, attempting to steal Meloetta from Ash and his friends. The latter got assistance from Ridley, who used his Golurk to battle the Grunts' Golem and Rhydon while Ash and others ran away with Meloetta.

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Team Rocket Grunts in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

In Filling the Light with Darkness!, multiple Grunts formed part of a special unit under the command of Matori and Gozu. They were onboard a helicopter as it approached Alola and activated their helicopter's cloaking device.

In Full Moon and Many Arms!, they were afflicted with the same effect that all of the adults in Alola were suffering from. Despite this, they managed to catch Dawn Wings and Dusk Mane Necrozma, only for it to break free. After this, the helicopter activated its cloaking device.

In The Prism Between Light and Darkness!, their aircraft came under attack from Professor Kukui and Faba as they were about to follow the Ultra Guardians through an Ultra Wormhole. Several of them, led by Gozu, left the helicopter and touched down on Ten Carat Hill. They got ready to battle, only for Gozu to stop them, having decided to handle Kukui and Faba himself with his Mega Aggron.

Eventually, in Securing the Future!, Kukui sent out his Incineroar and defeated Aggron. Gozu's team subsequently returned to the recently repaired helicopter and prepared to head through the Ultra Wormhole. However, Tapu Koko attacked the helicopter, forcing the unit to retreat.

In Spying for the Big Guy!, three Team Rocket Grunts appeared onboard the aircraft Matori took from Alola after she apparently captured Stufful. Bewear then showed up and broke through the window to rescue Stufful, who was revealed to be Meowth in disguise.

Team Rocket Grunts appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, which is a remake of Mewtwo Strikes Back.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

In A Little Rocket R & R!, Matori led a group of Grunts to steal Pokémon in the Resort Area. They initially succeeded, but with Jessie and James's help, Ash and Goh managed to get the stolen Pokémon back and force Matori and her Grunts to retreat.

The Matori Matrix Grunts reappeared in Nightfall? Nightmares! and A Midsummer Night's Light!, where they were hunting Cresselia in Sinnoh with Matori's lead, but ended up being thwarted in their efforts.

In The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!, many Grunts were seen in the cafeteria at Team Rocket HQ.

Pokémon

の
This article is missing information on this character's Japanese voice actor and English voice actor.
You can help by adding this information.

Team Rocket Grunts have been known to use the following Pokémon:

Tauros (multiple) ♂
Team Rocket's Tauros
Team Rocket's Tauros in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution

These Tauros were first seen running wild on a field towards Mewtwo. However, Mewtwo was too strong for them and sent them flying with its Psychic. They were then caught by a group of Team Rocket Grunts.

None of the Tauros's moves are known.

Zubat
Team Rocket's Zubat

Zubat was used by Team Rocket to battle Trainers after they found out the tournament they were competing in was a scam used to steal their Pokémon.

None of Zubat's moves are known.

Doduo
Team Rocket's Doduo

Doduo was used by Team Rocket to battle Trainers after they found out the tournament they were competing in was a scam used to steal their Pokémon. It battled a trainer's Rhydon.

None of Doduo's moves are known.

Venomoth
Team Rocket's Venomoth

Venomoth was used by Team Rocket to battle Trainers after they found out the tournament they were competing in was a scam used to steal their Pokémon. It went up against a Trainer's Ledian.

Venomoth's only known move is Supersonic.

Skarmory
Team Rocket's Skarmory

Skarmory was used by Team Rocket to battle Trainers after they found out the tournament they were competing in was a scam used to steal their Pokémon. It went up against a Trainer's Hitmontop.

None of Skarmory's moves are known.

Golem
Team Rocket's Golem

Golem was used by a Rocket Grunt alongside a Rhydon to capture Meloetta. It was stopped from doing so however by Ridley and his Golurk. Though the full battle wasn't shown onscreen, Golem was apparently defeated.

Golem's known moves are Rollout, Rock Blast and Steamroller.

Rhydon
Team Rocket's Rhydon

Rhydon was used by a Rocket Grunt alongside a Golem to capture Meloetta. It was stopped from doing so however by Ridley and his Golurk. Though the full battle wasn't shown onscreen, Rhydon was apparently defeated.

Rhydon's known moves are Hyper Beam and Megahorn.

Rhyperior
Team Rocket's Rhyperior
Debut A Little Rocket R & R!
Voice actors
Japanese Kenta Miyake

Rhyperior was used by a Rocket Grunt attacking the Resort Area. It managed to defeat Goh's Raboot, and when Team Rocket was later forced to retreat, Rhyperior provided cover for their escape.

Rhyperior reappeared in Nightfall? Nightmares!, assisting in the search for Cresselia, and in A Midsummer Night's Light!, where it fought against Ash, Goh, Dawn, and Chloe.

Rhyperior's only known move is Stone Edge.

Purugly
Team Rocket's Purugly

Purugly was used by a Rocket Grunt attacking the Resort Area. It managed to defeat Ash's Riolu, but it later lost to Pikachu.

Purugly reappeared in Nightfall? Nightmares!, assisting in the search for Cresselia, and in A Midsummer Night's Light!, where it fought against Ash, Goh, Dawn, and Chloe.

Purugly's known moves are Fury Swipes and Slash.

Toxicroak
Team Rocket's Toxicroak
Debut A Little Rocket R & R!
Voice actors
Japanese
English Bill Rogers

Toxicroak was used by a Rocket Grunt attacking the Resort Area. It managed to defeat Ash's Pikachu, but it later lost to Goh's Raboot.

Toxicroak reappeared in Nightfall? Nightmares!, assisting in the search for Cresselia, and in A Midsummer Night's Light!, where it fought against Ash, Goh, Dawn, and Chloe.

Toxicroak's known moves are Sludge Bomb, Venoshock, and Poison Jab.

Skuntank
Team Rocket's Skuntank

Skuntank was used by a Rocket Grunt attacking the Resort Area. It created a wall of fire to stop Ash from saving his Pikachu from the Grunts.

Skuntank reappeared in Nightfall? Nightmares!, assisting in the search for Cresselia, and in A Midsummer Night's Light!, where it fought against Ash, Goh, Dawn, and Chloe.

Skuntank's only known move is Flamethrower.

Temporary
Clone Pokémon
Mewtwo's Clone Pokémon

When starting their assault on Mount Quena in Mewtwo Returns, Team Rocket used a special paralyzing ray cannon to paralyze Mewtwo's cloned Blastoise, Gyarados, Wigglytuff, Ninetales, Vaporeon, Dewgong, Golduck, Hitmonlee, and Pidgeot, which had come forth to face the Team Rocket assault, and then caught them with special "Team Rocket Balls" dropped from a Team Rocket airship. They were soon released when Mewtwo used its Psychic powers to destroy the Poké Balls that were confining the clones.

None of the clone Pokémon's moves are known.

Mentioned
Yanma (multiple)
Team Rocket's Yanma

After Jessie sent her Yanma to Giovanni, one of the Team Rocket Grunts mentioned that they already have a large number of Yanma. As a result, Giovanni sent the Yanma that Jessie caught back to Jessie and James.

None of Yanma's moves are known.

Voice actors

の
This article is missing information on this character's Japanese voice actor and English voice actor.
You can help by adding this information.

Language Voice actor
Japanese Chinami Nishimura (SM088-SM089, SM122)
Ryota Iwasaki (SM088-SM090, SM122)
Yasuhiro Mamiya (JN024, JN075)
Yuki Shin (JN024, JN074, JN075)
Yuji Ueda (JN075)
English Mike Liscio (SM087-SM090)
Roger Callagy (SM088-SM090)
Riley Joseph (SM088-SM090)
Erica Schroeder (SM089)
Simona Berman (SM090)
Ryan Nicolls (SM090)
Christian Banas (JN024)
Mike Pollock (JN024)


Pokémon Origins

Team Rocket Grunts in Pokémon Origins

In Pokémon Origins, several Team Rocket Grunts were seen. In File 2: Cubone, Red first encountered a Grunt in Cerulean City, who was retrieving the stolen TM28 (Dig) from him. A group of Grunts were later seen taking over the Pokémon Tower and making its top floor their base. When Red and Blue later infiltrated the Tower, their path was blocked by the ghost of a Marowak. While Red tried to battle the spirit, Blue sneaked by it and made it to the upper floors, swiping the Silph Scope from one of the Grunts, which he then gave to Red, allowing him to identify the ghost. After Marowak's spirit had been calmed, Red battled against one of the Team Rocket Grunts, and, thanks to the help of Cubone, was able to defeat the Grunt's Koffing with his Jolteon, forcing the Grunts to retreat.

In File 3: Giovanni, a pair of Team Rocket Grunts were seen when Red raided the Rocket Hideout. Several more Grunts were seen patrolling around Saffron City after the organization had taken over the Silph Co. office building. Once Red has cleared through the building, he entered Silph Co.'s president's office, where he found Giovanni and a Grunt watching over the president. The Grunt was also seen being responsible of carrying around a suitcase containing Giovanni's Poké Balls. Several disguised Team Rocket Grunts were later seen serving Giovanni at the Viridian Gym.

Pokémon

Koffing
Team Rocket Grunt's Koffing

One of the Rocket Grunts used a Koffing to battle against Red's Jolteon at the Pokémon Tower. Despite proving surprisingly tough, Jolteon was eventually able to defeat it with a Thunderbolt.

Koffing's known moves are Tackle and Smog.

Pokémon Generations

A trio of Team Rocket Grunts in Pokémon Generations

Team Rocket Grunts first appeared in The Chase. A male Grunt was seen being arrested in Celadon Game Corner during a raid and a female Grunt was seen being interrogated by the International Police for information about Giovanni.

Four Team Rocket Grunts appeared in The Lake of Rage at the Team Rocket HQ. One male Grunt was shown alerting the others to the presence of Lance and Ethan, before they worked to stop Lance. However, all of them were easily overpowered by Lance's Dragonite.

Team Rocket Grunts also appeared in The Legacy, infiltrating the Goldenrod Radio Tower and sending out a broadcast announcing their comeback, hoping that Giovanni would hear them and return to lead them. This didn't happen, however, and the takeover ended in a failure.

Pokémon

Magnemite
Team Rocket Grunt's Magnemite

Magnemite was used to battle Lance's Dragonite, but was easily defeated.

Magnemite's only known move is Thunderbolt.

Raticate
Team Rocket Grunt's Raticate

Raticate was used to battle Lance's Dragonite, but was easily defeated.

Raticate's only known move is Hyper Beam.

Grimer
Team Rocket Grunt's Grimer

Grimer was used to battle Lance's Dragonite, but was easily defeated.

Grimer's only known move is Sludge.

Golbat
Team Rocket Grunt's Golbat

Golbat was used to battle Lance's Dragonite, but was easily defeated.

Golbat's only known move is Giga Drain.

Houndoom
Team Rocket Grunt's Houndoom

Houndoom was used to battle Lance's Dragonite, but was easily defeated.

Houndoom's only known move is Flamethrower.

Zubat
Team Rocket Grunt's Zubat
Debut The Legacy

Zubat was used to help infiltrate the Goldenrod Radio Tower.

None of Zubat's moves are known.

Arbok
Team Rocket Grunt's Arbok
Debut The Legacy

Arbok was used to help infiltrate the Goldenrod Radio Tower.

None of Arbok's moves are known.

Koffing
Team Rocket Grunt's Koffing
Debut The Legacy

Koffing was used to help infiltrate the Goldenrod Radio Tower.

None of Koffing's moves are known.

In the manga

How I Became a Pokémon Card

The Grunts have made recurring appearances in How I Became a Pokémon Card.

Pokémon

Team Rocket Machamp HIBAPC.png
Machamp 		Team Rocket Primeape Caterpie HIBAPC.png
Primeape 		Team Rocket Primeape Caterpie HIBAPC.png
Caterpie 		Team Rocket Various 1 HIBAPC.png
Psyduck
Team Rocket Various 1 HIBAPC.png
Geodude 		Team Rocket Various 1 HIBAPC.png
Graveler 		Team Rocket Scyther HIBAPC.png
Scyther 		Team Rocket Hitmonlee HIBAPC.png
Hitmonlee ♂
Team Rocket Spinarak String Shot HIBAPC.png
Spinarak 		Team Rocket Magmar SmokeScreen HIBAPC.png
Magmar 		Team Rocket Various 2 HIBAPC.png
Haunter 		Team Rocket Various 2 HIBAPC.png
Qwilfish
Team Rocket Various 2 HIBAPC.png
Electabuzz 		Team Rocket Onix HIBAPC.png
Onix 		Team Rocket Sandslash HIBAPC.png
Sandslash 		Team Rocket Vulpix HIBAPC.png
Vulpix

Pokémon Adventures

Team Rocket Grunts in Dealing With A Koffing Fit

Red, Green & Blue arc

The debut of Team Rocket Grunts was in Glimpse of the Glow, where they try to find Mew in Pallet Town forest to finish Mewtwo's development.

In Raging Rhydon, they search for a Moon Stone in Mt. Moon. However, this mission also fails.

In Tauros the Tyrant, the Grunts go after Green, hoping they can get back a disc containing information on Mew.

In The Jynx Jinx, the Grunts try to capture Mew, but Red and Green interfere.

In You Know... Articuno!, the Grunts are sent to catch Articuno.

In Holy Moltres, an army of Grunts is sent to take out Blaine, who left Team Rocket due to the creation of Mewtwo. After Red helps Blaine escape, the Grunts use Moltres, that they captured on Indigo Plateau; Red defeats it with Aero, an Aerodactyl that he brought back to life.

In Peace of Mime, Saffron City is taken over by the Grunts.

In The Winged Legends, the Grunts try to get out of Saffron City because of the fight between Red, Green and Koga. The Gym Leaders not aligned with Team Rocket block all the exits, keeping the Grunts in.

In And Mewtwo Too!?, the Cinnabar Island base is destroyed by Mewtwo, killing the Grunts and scientists inside.

Pokémon
Rhydon
Team Rocket's Rhydon

A Rhydon appeared in Tauros The Tyrant among Team Rocket's Pokémon.

None of Rhydon's moves are known.

Hitmonlee ♂
Team Rocket's Hitmonlee

Hitmonlee was used to attack Green in Celadon City. However, after a quick evasion by Green's Wartortle, he attacked Ken's Machamp instead. He was also under the control of Tauros.

None of Hitmonlee's moves are known.

Geodude and Graveler
Team Rocket's Geodude and Graveler

Team Rocket were shown to have a Geodude and Graveler that was under Tauros's control.

None of Geodude and Graveler's moves are known.

Rhyhorn
Team Rocket's Rhyhorn

A Rhyhorn appeared in Tauros the Tyrant, where it was controlled by Ken's Tauros.

None of Rhyhorn's moves are known.

Magnemite
Team Rocket's Magnemite
Debut Holy Moltres

Magnemite was used to surround Blaine in Cinnabar Island.

None of Magnemite's moves are known.

Articuno
Team Rocket's Articuno
Main article: Legendary birds (Adventures)

This Articuno was originally seen at the Seafoam Islands. Even though Red tried to stop Team Rocket for the first try, they were finally able to catch this Legendary bird because of its energy loss, and was sent to Koga afterwards.

Zapdos
Team Rocket's Zapdos
Debut Holy Moltres
Main article: Legendary birds (Adventures)

Zapdos was used as an experiment from Team Rocket. Lt. Surge took control of it prior to Zap! Zap! Zapdos!. Around the end of the battle against Red, it ended up shocking Lt. Surge with its tremendous Thunder attack after Saur's Razor Leaf tore up his insulating underwear, rendering it useless and nearly killing him. As a result, Red earned his Badge and stole his electric-proof gloves. It was later recaught by Green.

Moltres
Team Rocket's Moltres
Debut Holy Moltres
Main article: Legendary birds (Adventures)

Moltres, having been captured near the Indigo Plateau, first appeared on Cinnabar Island, where it fought against Blaine and Red before being sent to Sabrina.

Thu-Fi-Zer
Team Rocket's Thu-Fi-Zer
Main article: Legendary birds (Adventures) → Thu-Fi-Zer

During the battle between Red, Blue and Green, and the Rocket Triad members, Lt. Surge, Koga, and Sabrina, Moltres was combined with Articuno and Zapdos to create Thu-Fi-Zer. Once it was beaten, the three birds separated and returned to the wild.

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

The Grunts and the Team Rocket Elite Trio were reorganized under the Masked Man.

In Ursaring Major, the Grunts are sent to cut the tails of Slowpoke living in the Slowpoke Well, but Silver stops them.

In Ampharos Amore, the Grunts and the two sub-leaders, Sham and Carl, are sent to destroy the Tin Tower, and are successful. However, they then lose a battle with Gold and Silver.

In Oh, It's Ho-Oh!, Carl gives a speech telling the Grunts that it is time for the public to officially learn about the return of Team Rocket.

In Slick Slowking, the Elite Trio and the Grunts ride a train to the Indigo Plateau.

In Lugia and Ho-Oh on the Loose, Part 1, Grunts intrude upon the Gym Leaders' exhibition match.

In The Last Battle II, Grunts are put under mind control by the Masked Man. Although the Elite Trio were saved from the mind control by Lt. Surge, they are told by him to help free the other Grunts from the Masked Man's mind control.

In The Last Battle VII, Grunts are sent to retrieve the Silver and Rainbow Wings.

In The Last Battle IX, the Grunts on the train to the Indigo Plateau are knocked out as Red and Green travel to fight the Masked Man. Chuck tells the pair that the Grunts will be taken care of.

Pokémon
Cubone (multiple)
Team Rocket's Cubone

Cubone were used as reinforcements. They tried to attack Gold.

None of Cubone's moves are known.

Drowzee (multiple)
Team Rocket's Drowzee

Drowzee were used as reinforcements. They tried to attack Gold.

None of Drowzee's moves are known.

Ledian (multiple)
Team Rocket's Ledian

Ledian were used as reinforcements while stuck in the Lighthouse. They tried to attack Gold.

None of Ledian's moves are known.

Ninetales
Team Rocket's Ninetales

Team Rocket used Ninetales while infiltrating the Lighthouse in Olivine City. It attacked Gold but it was stopped along with the other Pokémon by Gold's Exbo.

None of Ninetales's moves are known.

Ditto
Team Rocket's Ditto

Ditto first appeared as a Suicune in disguise while Team Rocket surrounded the real one. Ditto's stretchiness was able to grab both Crystal and Eusine but Crystal escaped with her Monee.

Ditto's only known move is Transform.

Houndour (multiple)
Team Rocket's Houndour

Team Rocket owns several Houndour. One of them is owned by the Masked Man in which it was used to overwhelm Gold's team. The same Houndour was used to take on Lt. Surge while he found Team Rocket's base. Many Houndour are summoned if the leader calls for them.

Houndour's known moves are Bite, Flamethrower, Iron Tail, Headbutt, and Feint Attack.

Houndoom (multiple)
Team Rocket's Houndoom

Team Rocket owns several Houndoom. Three of them are under the control of Carl in which one of them evolved from a Houndour during his childhood.

Houndoom's known moves are Roar. One Houndoom also knows Ember.

Persian (multiple)
Team Rocket's Persian

Team Rocket owns several Persian. Three of them are under the control of Sham.

Persian's known moves are Roar. One Persian also knows Scratch.

HeartGold & SoulSilver arc

In One Tough Togepi, a picture of two Grunts was shown to Gold by Professor Oak, alerting to their upcoming return.

In Dealing With A Koffing Fit, Silver arrives at Lance's hideout and finds pictures of Team Rocket's recent activities, all of them matching their past deeds, indicating their return. Later in the same chapter, many Grunts appear at Cliff Cave, watching Carr be deposed from his position of Boss by the four Executives.

In Weavile Wobbles But It Won't Fall Down and Pleased as Punch With Parasect, some Grunts appear again in Silver's and Crystal's imagination, respectively.

In All About Arceus IX, some Grunts appear at Ilex Forest, attacking the Team Rocket Elite Trio under the Executives' orders. They are stopped by Gold's Pibu and Spiky-eared Pichu and end up following Giovanni during his departure.

Pokémon
Sentret (multiple)
Team Rocket's Sentret

Team Rocket sent out these Sentret to battle with the Team Rocket Elite Trio when they were assigned the job to protect Ilex Forest from intruders.

None of Sentret's moves are known.

Furret (multiple)
Team Rocket's Furret

Team Rocket sent out these Furret to battle with the Team Rocket Elite Trio when they were assigned the job to protect Ilex Forest from intruders.

Furret's only known move is Fury Swipes.

Diamond & Pearl arc

In High-tailing It from Haunter, the Grunts under the control of the Masked Man were briefly seen when the Advanced level Grunt was talking to Diamond about the past accomplishments of the Pokédex holders.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

A Team Rocket Grunt in Pokémon Gold and Silver: The Golden Boys

The Team Rocket Grunts serve Grey instead of Giovanni since it is based on the events of Pokémon Gold and Silver.

Pokémon

Murkrow
Team Rocket's Murkrow

Murkrow is Team Rocket's most relied Pokémon. They first appear when Team Rocket attack the Slowpoke. Later, the grunts send Murkrow out to raid the Pokémon Summit.

None of Murkrow's moves are known.

Electrode (multiple)
Team Rocket's Electrode

Team Rocket planted Electrode in the Pokémon Summit where they explode during their command.

Electrode's only known move is Explosion.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

The Team Rocket Grunts appear in Pokémon Pocket Monsters, where they serve Giovanni.

Pokémon

Meowth
Team Rocket Grunt's Meowth

Meowth is the Grunts' only known Pokémon.

None of Meowth's moves are known.

Pokémon Zensho

Team Rocket Grunts first appear in PZ03, where they invade Miracle Cycle. Later, they show up in the Cerulean Gym. In both of Satoshi's encounters, he easily defeats them.

Pokémon

Beedrill
Team Rocket's Beedrill

One of the Team Rocket Grunts sends out Beedrill in order to prevent the storekeeper from revealing stuff about how they are bad guys. Before Beedrill did anything, it ends up getting easily beaten by Satoshi's Charmander.

None of Beedrill's moves are known.

Zubat
Team Rocket's Zubat

Zubat was only seen in a flashback when Team Rocket was telling Satoshi about what they do to Pokémon.

None of Zubat's moves are known.

Gyarados
Team Rocket's Gyarados

Team Rocket send out Gyarados when they invade the Cerulean Gym. It wasn't long before Gyarados gets zapped by Satoshi's Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

None of Gyarados's moves are known.

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Team Rocket in Jō's Big Adventure

The Team Rocket Grunts first appear in a cameo in JBA1, where they are seen arguing with Kurt about their treatment of the Slowpoke. In JBA2, Jō comes to Kurt's rescue and the grunts battle Jō. They return in JBA4, where they battle Jō once more, but this time with Tsubaki. Jō's Totodile and Tsubaki's Meganium manages to take out all of their Pokémon. They have not been seen since.

Pokémon

Zubat → Golbat
Team Rocket's Golbat
Team Rocket's Golbat

One of the grunts sent out a Zubat to battle Jō's Totodile. However, it was interrupted by a Zubat belonging to Proton. The Zubat belonging to the grunt was revealed to have evolved into a Golbat when it battled with Jō again. Golbat was taken out by Tsubaki's Meganium's Razor Leaf.

None of Golbat's moves are known.

Ekans
Team Rocket's Ekans

One of the grunts sent out an Ekans to battle Jō's Totodile. However, it was interrupted by Proton. Later, it battled with Jō's Totodile again and Tsubaki's Meganium but was defeated by Meganium's Razor Leaf.

None of Ekans's moves are known.

Rattata → Raticate
Team Rocket's Raticate
Team Rocket's Raticate

One of the grunts sent out a Rattata to battle Jō's Totodile. However, it was interrupted by Proton. Later, it was sent out again where it was revealed to have evolved into a Raticate.

None of Raticate's moves are known.

In the TCG

Artwork

Artwork from the cards:

Minion of Team Rocket.png Rocket Sneak Attack.png The Rocket Trap.png
Male Team Rocket Grunt Female Team Rocket Grunt Grunts in mission

Cards

This is a listing of cards mentioning or featuring Team Rocket Grunts or their Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Rocket's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion 		Rarity # Japanese
Expansion 		Rarity #
Rocket's Hitmonchan Fighting Gym Heroes Rare Holo 11/132 Leaders' Stadium Rare Holo  
Best of Game   9      
Rocket's Moltres Fire Gym Heroes Rare Holo 12/132 Leaders' Stadium Rare Holo  
Rocket's Scyther Grass Gym Heroes Rare Holo 13/132 Leaders' Stadium Rare Holo  
Rocket's Snorlax Colorless Gym Heroes Rare 33/132 Challenge from the Darkness Rare  
Rocket's Mewtwo Psychic Gym Challenge Rare Holo 14/132 Challenge from the Darkness Rare Holo  
Best of Game   8      
Rocket's Zapdos Lightning Gym Challenge Rare Holo 15/132 Challenge from the Darkness Rare Holo  
Rocket's Wobbuffet Psychic       Pokémon VS Rare Holo 093/141
Rocket's Raikou Lightning       Pokémon VS Rare Holo 094/141
Rocket's Entei Fire       Pokémon VS Rare Holo 095/141
Rocket's Suicune Water       Pokémon VS Rare Holo 096/141
Meowth Pokémon M Colorless       Movie Commemoration Random Pack   017/022
Koffing Psychic Unbroken Bonds Common 73/214 Double Blaze C 034/095
Marowak Fighting Unbroken Bonds Rare 91/214 Double Blaze U 046/095
Other related cards
Card Type English
Expansion 		Rarity # Japanese
Expansion 		Rarity #
Here Comes Team Rocket! T [Su] Team Rocket Rare Holo 15/82 Rocket Gang SuperRare Holo  
Team Rocket Rare 71/82      
EX Team Rocket Returns Rare Holo 111/109 Rocket Gang Strikes Back Rare Holo 085/085
Rocket's Sneak Attack T [Su] Team Rocket Rare Holo   Rocket Gang Rare Holo 16/82
Team Rocket Rare 72/82      
      Pokémon Web Rare 040/048
The Rocket's Trap T Gym Heroes Rare Holo 19/132 Leaders' Stadium Rare Holo  
The Rocket's Training Gym T [St] Gym Heroes Rare 104/132 Leaders' Stadium Rare  
Minion of Team Rocket T Gym Heroes Uncommon 113/132 Challenge from the Darkness Uncommon  
Rocket's Hideout T [St] Neo Revelation Uncommon 63/64 Awakening Legends Uncommon  
EX Team Rocket Returns Uncommon 87/109 Rocket Gang Strikes Back Uncommon 081/085
Rocket's TM 01 T [TM]       Pokémon VS Uncommon 127/141
Rocket's Mission T [Su] EX Team Rocket Returns Uncommon 88/109 Rocket Gang Strikes Back Uncommon 080/085
      Black Deck Kit   019/020
      Silver Deck Kit   019/020
Rocket's Tricky Gym T [St] EX Team Rocket Returns Uncommon 90/109 Rocket Gang Strikes Back Uncommon 082/085
Team Rocket's Handiwork Su Fates Collide Uncommon 112/124 Awakening Psychic King U 077/078
Fates Collide Rare Ultra 124/124 Awakening Psychic King SR 087/078
Boss's Orders Giovanni Su Rebel Clash Rare Holo 154/192 Rebellion Crash R 092/096
 


Trivia

  • Internally, there are four separate "ROCKET" Trainer classes in Generation II, for the male and female variants of both Grunts and Admins.

In other languages

Language Title
Mandarin Chinese 火箭隊隊員
Huǒjiànduì duìyuán
Denmark Flag.png Danish Team Rocket-soldat
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Strijder van Team Rocket
France Flag.png French RocketRBY
Sbire RocketGSC
Sbire Team RocketFRLG
Rocket SbireHGSS
Sbire de la Team RocketPE
Germany Flag.png German Team RocketRBY
Rocket RüpelGSCHGSS
Team Rocket RüpelFRLG
Italy Flag.png Italian RocketRBY
Recluta, RocketGSC
Recluta, Team RocketFRLGHGSS
South Korea Flag.png Korean 로켓단 조무래기 Roket-dan Jomuraegi
Portuguese Brazil Flag.png Brazil Recruta da Equipe Rocket
Portugal Flag.png Portugal Grunt da Equipa Rocket
Russia Flag.png Russian Член Команды Ракета Chlen Komandy Raketa
Spain Flag.png Spanish RocketRBY
Rocket SoldadoGS
Soldado RocketC
Soldado Team RocketFRLG
Team Rocket SoldadoHGSS
Recluta del Team RocketPE
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Dư đảng của Nhóm Rocket

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rocket's Mission (EX Team Rocket Returns 88)

Related articles

Rocket-logo.png Team Rocket Rocket-logo.png
Rocket Game Corner • Team Rocket Hideout • Viridian Gym • Team Rocket HQ • Rocket Warehouse
Boss Admins
VSGiovanni Classic Masters.png VSArcher Masters.png VSAriana Masters.png VSPetrel Masters.png VSProton Masters.png
Giovanni
(Masters • Pocket Monsters) 		Archer
(Masters) 		Ariana
(Masters) 		Petrel
(Masters) 		Proton
(Masters)
Other members
Jessie (Masters) • James (Masters) • Meowth • Team Rocket Grunts (Rocket Siblings) • Scientists (Gideon)
Grey (Golden Boys) • Kaede (How I Became a Pokémon Card)
Boss: Giovanni • Madame Boss (formerly)
Secretary: Matori
Executives: Iron-Masked Marauder
Notable members: Team Rocket trio (Jessie • James • Meowth)
Miyamoto • Mondo • Attila • Hun • Domino • Rocket Scout
Wendy • Tyson • Jubei • Viper • Pierce • Gozu
Scientists: Dr. Fuji • Dr. Namba • Sebastian • Dr. Zager
Lower members: Team Rocket Grunts (Matori Matrix)
Former members: Butch • Cassidy • Christopher
Dub only: Annie • Oakley
Locations: Viridian Gym • Team Rocket HQ
Team Rocket Academy • Bewear's den
Related: Mechas (Rocket Prize Master) • Motto • Blasting off • Arsenal
Mirror Team Rocket • Alternate World Team Rocket
See also: Games • Adventures
Boss: Giovanni • Masked Man (formerly)
Executives: Carl • Sham • Archer • Ariana • Petrel • Proton
Notable members: Ken, Al, and Harry • Carr • Orm
Lower members: Team Rocket Grunts
Former members: Koga • Sabrina • Lt. Surge • Blaine
Will • Karen • Sird
Locations: Rocket Game Corner • Team Rocket Hideout
Silph Co. • Viridian Gym • Team Rocket HQ
Rocket Warehouse • Trainer Tower • Cliff Cave
Related: Neo Team Rocket • Team Rocket airship


Grunts
Team Rocket Grunt • Team Aqua Grunt • Team Magma Grunt
Team Galactic Grunt • Team Plasma Grunt • Team Flare Grunt
Team Skull Grunt • Team Rainbow Rocket Grunt
Team GO Rocket Grunt • Team Yell Grunt • Team Star Grunt
Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Kanto Ace Trainer* • Beauty • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt* • Bug Catcher • Burglar • Camper* • ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE
Channeler • Elite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPE • Engineer • Fisherman • Gamer* • Gentleman • Gym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE
Hiker • Juggler • Lass • Picnicker* • Poké Maniac* • Pokémon Trainer*GSCPE • Psychic • RivalFRLG • Rocker • Roughneck*
Sailor • Scientist • Super Nerd • Swimmer • Tamer • Team Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPE • Team Rocket Grunt* • Youngster
BoarderHGSS • Double TeamHGSS • FirebreatherGSCHGSS • GuitaristGSCHGSS • MediumGSCHGSS
PokéfanGSCHGSS • School Kid*GSCHGSS • SkierHGSS • TeacherGSCHGSS • TwinsGSCFRLGHGSS
Cool CoupleFRLG • Crush KinFRLG • Sis and BroFRLG • Young CoupleFRLGHGSS
Coach TrainerPE • Karate MasterPE • Punk GuyPE • Team RocketPE • Team Rocket AdminPE
Master TrainersPE
Unused Trainer class:
ChiefRGBY
Sevii Islands Aroma Lady • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt • Bug Catcher • Camper • Cool Couple • Cooltrainer • Crush Girl
Crush Kin • Cue Ball • Fisherman • Gentleman • Hiker • Juggler • Lady • Lass • Painter • Picnicker • PokéManiac
PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Psychic • Ruin Maniac • Scientist • Sis and Bro • Swimmer • Tamer
Team Rocket Admin • Team Rocket Grunt • Twins • Tuber • Young Couple • Youngster
Trainer Tower only:
Beauty • Burglar • Engineer • Rocker • Sailor • Super Nerd
Johto Ace Trainer* • Beauty • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt* • Boarder • Bug Catcher • Burglar • Camper
Champion • Executive* • Firebreather • Fisherman* • Gentleman • Guitarist • Hiker • Juggler • Kimono Girl • Lass
Leader • Medium • Picnicker • Pokéfan • Poké Maniac* • PKMN Trainer • Policeman* • Psychic • RivalHGSS • Sage
Sailor • School Kid* • Scientist • Skier • Super Nerd • Swimmer • Teacher • Team Rocket Grunt* • Twins • Youngster
Mystery Man*CHGSS • Double TeamHGSS • ElderHGSS • PasserbyHGSS • Young CoupleHGSS
Battle Frontier only:HGSS

Aroma Lady • Artist • Battle Girl • Cameraman • Clown • Collector • Cowgirl • Cyclist • Dragon Tamer • Idol
Jogger • Lady • Ninja Boy • Parasol Lady • PI • Poké Kid • PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Rancher • Reporter
Rich Boy • Roughneck • Ruin Maniac • Socialite • Tuber • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker
Arcade Star • Castle Valet • Factory Head • Hall Matron • Tower Tycoon


Pasio Trainer classes
Ace Trainer • Aether Foundation • Aether Foundation Employee • Beauty • Black Belt • Camper • Collector • Hex Maniac
Hiker • Lass • Masked Man • Masked Woman • Poké Fan • Poké Kid • Pokémon Ranger • Preschooler • Punk Girl
Rising Star • Scientist • Sightseer • Street Thug • Swimmer • Team Aqua Grunt • Team Flare Grunt
Team Galactic Grunt • Team Magma Grunt • Team Plasma Grunt • Team Rocket Grunt • Team Yell Grunt • Youngster
Project CharacterDex logo.png This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.

 

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