Pokémon GO is currently fully controlled by Team GO Rocket again. We have looked at which strong Pokémon you should not miss from them.
In the current event Adventure Week: Takeover, which runs until August 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM, Team GO Rocket is back in full strength. Their leader Giovanni is also present and can be challenged by you with the help of the Super Rocket Radar if you complete the appropriate special research.
The Pokémon that the villains have brought along have been rotated among the Rocket Grunts and Rocket Bosses during the event. Some of the Pokémon are really strong, so you shouldn’t miss them.
Except for Giovanni, you will also have the opportunity to find and challenge the Grunts and the Bosses after the event. However, the number of spawns is significantly increased during the event, making it much easier and faster for you to catch many Shadow Pokémon right now.
Be aware that Rocket Grunts can have different Pokémon that you can catch afterward. So there is no guarantee that you will get the Pokémon mentioned here in every battle against the respective Grunts.
Shadow Kaumalat
Where can I find this Pokémon? Kaumalat, the small Dragon and Ground-type Pokémon from Generation 4, can currently be found with the Grunts of Team GO Rocket. You can find the monster with Rocket Grunts who say A good roar is half the victory
.
How strong is this Pokémon? Knakrack, the final evolution of Kaumalat, is a very strong Pokémon. It can shine as both a Dragon and a Ground attacker.
Even in the Master League, you can use Knakrack. While there are even better Pokémon here, the monster is still found at the top of the league.
Shadow Rihorn
Where can I find this Pokémon? Rihorn, the Pokémon from Generation 1 with Ground and Rock types, is also available with the Rocket Grunts. If you want to catch it, look for Grunts who say We will stomp you into the ground!
.
How strong is this Pokémon? If you evolve Rihorn into its final form, Rihornior, you will get a strong attacker. It can be used both as a Ground and a Rock attacker and is found among the list of the strongest attackers in Pokémon GO.
However, you should not use Rihorn and its evolutions in the Battle League. There are definitely far better Pokémon here.
Shadow Quiekel
Where can I find this Pokémon? If you are looking for Quiekel, the Ground and Ice Pokémon from Generation 2, you also need to look for Rocket Grunts. If you find a Grunt saying You are walking on thin ice!
, you might encounter Quiekel with this one.
How strong is this Pokémon? Quiekel can first evolve into Keifel and then into Mamutel. With Mamutel, you get a Pokémon that you can play as a strong Ice attacker. It can also be used as a Ground attacker.
In the Battle League, the use of Mamutel seems to be reduced. It can still be used in the Master League and can be found among the Top 50 here.
Shadow Karnimani
Where can I find this Pokémon? Karnimani, the Water starter from Generation 2, can also currently be found with the Grunts of Team GO Rocket. You need to find and defeat a female Grunt who says Hey, you! These waters are treacherous!
.
How strong is this Pokémon? If you evolve Karnimani into its final form, Impergator, you get a strong Water attacker that still ranks among the best Water attackers today.
However, Impergator shows its true strength in the Battle League. While it plays a rather subordinate role in the Master League, it ranks 6th in the Super League and even 2nd in the Hyper League according to pvpoke.com. So it is worth catching one or more specimens.
Shadow Koknodon
Where can I find this Pokémon? Koknodon is a Rock-type Pokémon from Generation 4. If you want to catch the Shadow variant of this Pokémon, you need to complete raids during the event. You can find the monster in 1*-Shadow Raids.
How strong is this Pokémon? Rameidon, the evolution of Koknodon, is an absolute monster and a fantastic attacker. If you need a good Rock attacker, then you should definitely rely on Rameidon.
However, in the Battle League, Rameidon does not perform well. You should refrain from using it here.
Shadow Trasla
Where can I find this Pokémon? Trasla is a Pokémon that comes from Generation 3. It has the types Psychic and Fairy. You can find it with Rocket Grunts who greet you with the phrase Look how cute my Pokémon is!
.
How strong is this Pokémon? As a Fairy attacker, Guardevoir, the final evolution of Trasla, can be very impressive. While the regular form of the Pokémon is already strong, the Shadow variant is even stronger and should be present in every Fairy team.
If you want to use Guardevoir in the Battle League, you should better say goodbye to that thought. This monster cannot perform well here.
Shadow Praktibalk
Where can I find this Pokémon? Since Generation 5, there is the Fighting Pokémon Praktibalk. You can find this one for the first time with the Grunts of Team GO Rocket during this event. Pay attention to the phrase This muscular body is not just for show
.
How strong is this Pokémon? If you evolve Praktibalk into its final form, Meistagrif, you will get one of the strongest Fighting attackers available in Pokémon GO. If you are looking for strong attackers in this area, you should definitely catch and evolve one or more Praktibalk.
However, outside of raids, you should not plan to use Meistagrif. In the Battle League, there are definitely better alternatives that you should rely on.
Shadow Flampion
Where can I find this Pokémon? Flampion, the Fire Pokémon from Generation 5, can also be found with the Grunts of Team GO Rocket. If you are looking for it, you will find it among the Grunts that say Do you even know how hot a Pokémon’s fire breath can be?
.
How strong is this Pokémon? Although Flampivian, the evolution of Flampion, does not endure much, it is still a strong Fire attacker. The damage this Pokémon can deal is enormous.
However, Flampivian is not suitable for use in the Battle Leagues.
Shadow Cresselia
Where can I find this Pokémon? Cresselia is the new legendary Shadow Pokémon that Giovanni possesses. If you find and defeat Giovanni, you can catch the Shadow Cresselia from him.
How strong is this Pokémon? Cresselia is less suitable for use in raids. Instead, you should use this Pokémon in the Battle League. While it can already be found in the Top 25 in the Super League, it ranks 14th in the Hyper League.
However, it must be mentioned that the Shadow variant performs significantly worse than the purified version of Cresselia.
Additionally, you should use a Charged TM for the Battle League to teach Cresselia the move Grass Knot
.
Other Noteworthy Pokémon
In addition to the aforementioned Pokémon, there are several other Shadow Pokémon that you can currently find with Team Rocket that might be worth your while.
- Shadow Dratini*: Can be decently used as Shadow Dragonair in the Super League and as Shadow Dragonite in the Hyper League. The latter evolution is also in the Top 5 in the Master League and is a solid Dragon attacker. Found with Grunts who say
A good roar is half the victory
. - Shadow Skorgla*: Is in the Top 10 of the Super League and its evolution is also far ahead in the Hyper League. You can find the monster with Grunts who say
Fight against my Flying Pokémon
. - Shadow Machollo*: Evolves into Shadow Machomei and becomes a strong Fighting attacker. It is also in the Top 50 in both Super and Hyper League. Look for this monster with Grunts saying
This muscular body is not just for show
. - Shadow Karpador: The evolution Shadow Garados is a good Water attacker and ranks in the upper echelon of attackers in the Master League. Male Grunts who say
Hey, you! These waters are treacherous!
have the Pokémon. - Shadow Rotomurf: In its evolved form, Shadow Stalobor, the Pokémon can be used as a Ground and Steel attacker. If you are looking for the Pokémon, look for Grunts who say
We will stomp you into the ground!
. - Shadow Schilterus: Shadow Bollterus, the evolution of Shadow Schilterus, can be used very well in the Super League, although the purified variant performs even better. Can be found in 1*-Shadow Raids.
- Shadow Flapteryx: Is not a strong attacker, but is debuting in this event and might therefore be interesting for collectors. Grunts saying
Fight against my Flying Pokémon!
may have this Pokémon. - Shadow Galapaflos: Is also not a strong Pokémon, but it is also available for the first time in the Shadow variant. Found with Grunts who say
Let’s get the ball rolling
.
Pokémon marked with a * can also appear as Shiny.
What do you think about the Pokémon? Which one is your personal highlight? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments and interact with other trainers here. We also have an overview of the upcoming events in August 2024 in Pokémon GO for you.
