The “Team GO Rocket Strikes” returns to Pokemon GO. Spark has gained enough help from Electric-type Pokemon to open the mysterious gate. However, after that, he finds a piece of paper, which, upon closer inspection, contains Team Rocket’s attack plan.

With this event, Team Rocket Grunts are coming with new lineups. Grunts’ new Shadow Pokemon that you will encounter are Voltorb, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Whismur, and Hippopotas.

Team Rocket Leader Cliff, Arlo, Sierra also bring new lineups. The Pokemon that you’re able to catch from there are Shadow Bagon (Arlo), Shadow Poliwag (Sierra), and Shadow Teddiursa (Cliff).

If you’re lucky, you can catch the Shiny forms of the Shadow Pokemon from the respective Team Rocket Leaders.

Pay attention to the types of Pokemon that these Team Rocket Leaders bring to counter them. Arlo will bring Bagon;  Steelix/Blastoise/Charizard; and Scizor/Dragonite/Salamence.

Your best choices to counter them are Dialga, Kyogre, Reshiram. But of course, you still have to adjust your lineup to Arlo’s. For example, if Arlo brings Blastoise as his second Pokemon, then you should bring Zekrom, Electivire, Roserade, etc.

Whereas Sierra will bring Poliwag; Exeggutor/Sharpeedo/Lapras; and Houndoom/Swampert/Shiftry. Therefore, the best counters are Roserade, Machamp, Darkrai. Sierra’s lineup is mostly weak against Grass and/or Fighting-types.

Last but not least, Cliff brings Teddiursa; Omastar/Electivire/Marowak; and Tyranitar/Swampert/Torterra. It’d be wise to bring Machamp, Groudon, or Roserade to counter his lineup.

Be sure to take advantage of Team Rocket’s 2-second Freeze between their Charge Move and Pokemon Switches. You can also remove Frustration from your Shadow Pokemon with Charge TMs during this event. Good luck beating Team Rocket, Trainers!