Team Rocket Grunt (Trainer class)

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

Team Rocket Grunts in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

In the games

Being the underlings of Team Rocket, the grunts have appeared in all of the games this villainous team has appeared in; namely, in Generation I and Generation II, as well as their remakes, FireRed and LeafGreen and HeartGold and SoulSilver, respectively.

In these games, a Team Rocket Grunt is considered a Trainer class. How they 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) 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 finally Team Rocket Grunt (Japanese: ロケットだんのしたっぱ Team Rocket Underling) in Generations III and IV. Additionally, unlike other Trainer classes, Team Rocket Grunts are never given individual names, a tradition continued with the other three villainous teams, whose members are also referred to as simply grunts. However, there are four grunts that appear to be related to each other, the Rocket Brothers, in Silph Co.

Appearance

Male 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 adults in Generation I, though they seem a bit younger, perhaps even teens, in further games.

In Generation II, female Rocket grunts started to appear. In their introductory games, 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. 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, orange-pinkish hair in the games, though their artwork from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen shows their hair as green.

File:GenIRocket.png	File:Team Rocket.png	File:GSC Rocket GruntM.pngFile:GSC Rocket GruntF.png		File:FL RocketGruntM.pngFile:FL RocketGruntF.png	File:HGSS Rocket Grunt M.pngFile:HGSS Rocket Grunt F.png
Image from Red and Blue	Jessie and James's sprite from Yellow	Images from Gold, Silver, and Crystal	Images from Stadium 2	Images from FireRed and LeafGreen	Images from HeartGold and SoulSilver

History

Main article: Team Rocket#In the games

Team Rocket Grunts in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

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 Island One, the player faces two in front of a cave which leads to the Ruby for the Net Center. On Island Four, the player helps Lorelei, who nearly defeated a grunt with her Lapras's Ice Beam while interrogating Team Rocket at Icefall Cave. On Fortune Island, there is a Grunt in front of Altering Cave. On Chrono 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 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 Power Plant in Kanto. 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, where he fell in love and abandoned the idea. Team Rocket has not been seen since.

Pokémon

Team Rocket Grunts use Pokémon from a variety of types, but often employ Poison-type Pokémon more than others. Also, the large majority of their Pokémon were introduced in Generation I, though several they use in the Sevii Islands and Johto were introduced in Generation II.

Kanto Branch

Rattata	Raticate	Ekans	Arbok	Sandshrew	Sandslash
Zubat	Golbat	Machop	Machoke	Grimer	Drowzee
Hypno	Cubone	Marowak	Koffing	Weezing

Sevii Branch

Rattata	Raticate	Ekans	Sandshrew	Sandslash
Zubat	Golbat	Gloom	Vileplume	Machop
Machoke	Grimer	Muk	Hypno	Cubone
Marowak	Koffing	Weezing	Houndour

Johto Branch

Rattata	Raticate	Ekans	Arbok	Zubat
Golbat	Oddish	Gloom	Vileplume	Venonat
Muk	Drowzee	Koffing	Murkrow	Houndour

In the anime

File:Rocket grunt anime.jpg

Rocket grunts in the anime

In the anime, the grunts have had few appearances. They first appear in Battle Aboard the St. Anne, under the command of Jessie, James, and Meowth trapping Trainers and trying to steal their Pokémon. But before Team Rocket could steal the Pokémon from all the Trainers onboard, they were stopped by Ash and his friends.

There are also many Rocket Grunts that appear in one scene from Mewtwo Strikes Back. They are using Mewtwo's psychic abilities to capture a large herd of Tauros.

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

Later, they operate around the Lake of Rage under the command of Professor Sebastian and TRTyson ([[{{{2}}} (move)|{{{2}}}]]) to help in Project R; the project's goal is to force Pokémon to evolve artificially, thus giving the group powerful Pokémon to use. But they were stopped yet again by Ash and his friends, with the help from Lance of the Pokémon G-Men.

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

They have also been seen helping Butch and Cassidy with their stadium scam in The Ole' Berate and Switch. There, they were disguised as several tournament officials.

Their latest appearance was in BW022 where one informs Giovanni that they will arrive shortly in Unova. They will also appear in BW023 and BW024.

Pokémon

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

Tauros (multiple)		Tauros (multiple) ♂
		These Tauros were first seen running wild on a field towards Mewtwo. However, Mewtwo was way too strong for them as they got sent flying by Mewtwo's Psychic. They were then caught by several Team Rocket grunts. None of Tauros's moves are known.
Debut	Mewtwo Strikes Back

Rocket Grunt's Zubat		Zubat
		Zubat was used by Team Rocket in the Rocket battle after the Trainers found out that the Tournament was a scam used to steal the Trainers' Pokémon. None of Zubat's moves are known.
Debut	The Ole' Berate and Switch

Rocket Grunt's Doduo		Doduo
		Doduo was used by Team Rocket in the Rocket battle after the Trainers found out that the Tournament was a scam to steal the Trainers' Pokémon. Doduo was seen being defeated by a Trainer's Rhydon. None of Doduo's moves are known.
Debut	The Ole' Berate and Switch

		Venomoth
		One of the Team Rocket grunts sent out Venomoth when the Trainers found out that the Tournament was a scam to steal the Trainers' Pokémon. He used Venomoth against a Trainer's Ledian. Venomoth's only known move is Supersonic.
Debut	The Ole' Berate and Switch

Rocket Grunt's Skarmory		Skarmory
		Nothing is known about the grunt's Skarmory as it was only had a brief appearance fighting a Trainers Hitmontop. None of Skarmory's moves are known.
Debut	The Ole' Berate and Switch

		Yanma (multiple)
		After Jessie sent her Yanma to Giovanni, one of the Rocket Grunts mentioned that they already have too many Yanma. As a result, Giovanni sent the Yanma back to Jessie and James.
Debut	The Thief That Keeps On Thieving!

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: FRLG chapter info

File:Rocket Grunt Adventures.png

A Team Rocket Grunt in Glimpse of the Glow

Red, Green & Blue arc

• The debut of Team Rocket grunts was in the first round of this chapter, Glimpse of the Glow, where they try to find Mew in Pallet Town forest to finish development Mewtwo.
• In Raging Rhydon they search 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 the Indigo Plateau; Red defeats it with 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 and 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, taking out the grunts and scientists that work there.

Pokémon

Rocket Grunt I's Rhyhorn		Rhyhorn
		Team Rocket's Rhyhorn was first introduced in Mt. Moon where Red and Misty were searching for a Moon Stone. However, this peticular Rhyhorn belonged to Koga, a former admin of Team Rocket and Gym Leader as well. Another Rhyhorn appeared in Tauros the Tyrant.
Debut	Raging Rhydon

Rocket Grunt I's Rhydon		Rhydon
		Koga's Rhyhorn evolved into a Rhydon after injecting it. Another Rhydon reappeared in Tauros The Tyrant where it was controlled by a Tauros.
Debut	Raging Rhydon

Rocket Grunt I's Hitmonlee		Hitmonlee ♂
		Hitmonlee was used to attack the Game Corner in Celadon City. However, he attacked Machamp instead of the Game Corner. He was also under the control of Tauros.
Debut	Tauros the Tyrant

Rocket Grunt I's Machamp		Machamp
		Machamp was used to attack the Game Corner in Celadon City. However, it attacked Hitmonlee instead of the Game Corner.
Debut	Tauros the Tyrant

Rocket Grunt I's Tauros		Tauros ♂
		Tauros is described as the King of the Safari Zone and the leader of his herd. He controlled the other Pokémon and charged at Green and her Wartortle where the Water-type was defeated by their combined power.
Debut	Tauros the Tyrant

Rocket Grunt I's Geodude		Geodude
		Team Rocket were shown to have a Geodude as it was under the control of Tauros.
Debut	Tauros the Tyrant

Rocket Grunt I's Graveler		Graveler
		Graveler was one of the Pokémon controlled by Tauros.
Debut	Tauros the Tyrant

Rocket Grunt I's Jynx		Jynx ♀
		Jynx was used to steal the disc containing Mewtwo from Mew. As Red and Green tried to protect Mew from harm, Jynx froze Red's Saur and Poli, prompting Mew to attack. Jynx's known moves are Ice Punch, Psybeam and Psywave.
Debut	The Jynx Jinx

Rocket Grunt I's Muk		Muk
		Team Rocket used Muk to help them on their mission to get Articuno.
Debut	You Know...Articuno!

Rocket Grunt I's Magnemite		Magnemite
		Magnemite was used to surround Blaine in Cinnabar Island.
Debut	Holy Moltres

Rocket Grunt I's Gengar		Gengar
		Gengar was used to surround Blaine in Cinnabar Island. Gengar's only known move is Night Shade.
Debut	Holy Moltres

		Articuno
		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. Articuno's known moves are Blizzard and Ice Beam.
Debut	You know... Articuno!

		Zapdos
		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. Zapdos's known moves are ThunderShock and Thunder.
Debut	Holy Moltres

		Moltres
		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.
Debut	Holy Moltres

Rocket Grunt I's Zapmolcuno		Zapmolcuno
		Main article: Zapmolcuno 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 Zapmolcuno. Once it was beaten, the three birds separated and returned to the wild.
Debut	The Winged Legends

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

The grunts as well as the Team Rocket Elite Trio were reorganized under Masked Man.

• In One Angry Ursaring, the grunts are sent to cut the tails of Slowpoke living in the Slowpoke Well, but Silver stops them.
• In VS. Ampharos, 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 The Mightiest 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 Stop Snoring, Slowking, the Elite Trio and the grunts ride a train to the Indigo Plateau.
• In Lugia & Ho-Oh (Part 1), grunts intrude upon the Gym Leaders' exhibition match.
• In The Last Battle II, grunts are put under mind control by 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 Rainbow Wing and the Silver Wing.
• In The Last Battle IX, the grunts on the train to the Indigo Plateau are knocked out as Red and Green travel to fight Masked Man. Chuck tells the pair that the grunts will be taken care of.

Pokémon

Rocket Grunt II's Elekid		Elekid ♀
		Elekid is the first revealed Pokémon of Team Rocket's in the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc where it easily knocked Gold out cold but was defeated by Silver's Totodile using Frustration afterwards. Later, Elekid was used to block Suicune from going anywhere else.
Debut	Buzzing Elekid

Cubone (multiple)		Cubone (multiple)
		Cubone were used as reinforcements. They tried to attack Gold.
Debut	Piloswine Whine

Drowzee (multiple)		Drowzee (multiple)
		Drowzee were used as reinforcements. They tried to attack Gold.
Debut	Piloswine Whine

Ledian (multiple)		Ledian (multiple)
		Ledian were used as reinforcements while stuck in the Lighthouse. They tried to attack Gold.
Debut	Piloswine Whine

Rocket Grunt II's Ninetales		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.
Debut	Piloswine Whine

		Piloswine
		Team Rocket's Piloswine was used to destroy the Lighthouse using Earthquake. Carl is mostly seen interacting with Piloswine.
Debut	Piloswine Whine

Rocket Grunt II's Ditto		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.
Debut	Miltank Melee

Houndour (multiple)		Houndour (multiple)
		Team Rocket owns many 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 uses Howl. Houndour's known moves are Bite, Flamethrower, Headbutt, Iron Tail, Faint Attack, and Howl.
Debut	You Ain't Nothin' But a Houndour

		Houndoom (multiple)
		Team Rocket own many Houndoom. Three of them are under the control of Carl in which one of them evolved from a Houndour during his childhood.
Debut	Stop Snoring, Slowking

		Persian (multiple)
		Team Rocket own multiple Persian. Three of them are under the control of Sham.
Debut	Stop Snoring, Slowking

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