In Pokémon GO the Rocket Balloons have now appeared! We reveal all the details about the balloons and whether it has changed much in the game.
What are Rocket Balloons? These hot air balloons are now floating through the world of Pokémon GO. When you click on them, you can fight a Grunt or Boss from Team Rocket.
The balloons have already been teased for several days. Now they have found their way into the game.
Sierra, Arlo and Cliff through Rocket Balloon
This is how the balloons appear: The Rocket Balloons simply appear on your screen. They then float above you and you can click on them.
According to an initial analysis on reddit the balloons appear at fixed times:
- 00:00 – 05:59 – First Balloon
- 06:00 – 11:59 – Second Balloon
- 12:00 – 17:59 – Third Balloon
- 18:00 – 23:59 – Fourth Balloon
How does the battle work? You fight here just like against a Rocket Grunt from the PokéStop. Click the balloon and select your team. The Grunt also tells you which type of Pokémon he chooses beforehand.
The battle proceeds just the same and you also receive the same rewards. The Rocket Balloon essentially brings the Grunts to you at home.
Are there bosses in the balloons as well? Yes, if you have a Rocket Radar, you can also battle Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra from the balloon.
Even Giovanni can appear in the Rocket Balloon, provided you have a fully completed Super Rocket Radar.
If you are having trouble with the bosses, check out our guides:
- This is how you defeat Arlo
- The best counters against Sierra
- This is how you can defeat Cliff
- Giovanni counter guide
Are they stealing your Pokémon now? The teasers for Team Rocket showed that the villains plan to steal your Pokémon. However, there are currently no reports that your Pokémon are in danger.
So the Grunts are not as dangerous as feared. However, this may be a function that comes later to the game.
If you are not a big fan of Team Rocket, you can look forward to other new features. An image for the 4th anniversary of Pokémon GO has already shown Generation 6 and Mega Evolutions.
