Steel-type Male Grunt Counters
Gruntsteel“You're no match for my iron will!”
Team GO Rocket Grunt. Grunts never shield. One Pokemon is picked at random from each slot; tap one for its own counters and movesets. ★ = can be caught afterwards (Alolan Sandshrew, Aron, Beldum).
Best against the whole line-up
Each slot's leaders re-fought against all three slots on the moveset that won their slot; power is the mean over the slots. Level 50, 15/15/15, no Megas.
| # | Pokemon | Moves | Power | Wins | Time | By slot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Cobalion | fightingDouble Kick fightingClose CombatfightingSacred Sword | 7.954 | 100% | 5.8 s 1.2 charged | Slot 1 9.6Slot 2 5.8Slot 3 8.5 |
| 2 |  Melmetal | electricThunder Shock fightingSuperpowersteelDouble Iron Bash | 7.235 | 100% | 6.2 s 1.3 charged | Slot 1 9.9Slot 2 5.0Slot 3 6.8 |
| 3 |  Kingambit | fightingLow Kick fightingFocus BlastdarkFoul Play | 6.759 | 100% | 6.6 s 1.2 charged | Slot 1 9.1Slot 2 6.3Slot 3 4.9 |
| 4 |  Heatran | fireFire Spin fireFire BlastgroundEarth Power | 6.632 | 100% | 7.4 s 1.0 charged | Slot 1 8.2Slot 2 6.8Slot 3 4.9 |
| 5 |  Solgaleo | fireFire Spin fireFlamethrowersteelIron Head | 6.172 | 100% | 8.0 s 1.0 charged | Slot 1 8.5Slot 2 5.9Slot 3 4.1 |
| 6 | Shadow Heatran | fireFire Spin fireFire BlastgroundEarth Power | 6.141 | 100% | 6.8 s 0.8 charged | Slot 1 8.0Slot 2 5.9Slot 3 4.6 |
| 7 |  Zygarde (Complete) | darkBite groundBulldozedarkCrunch | 6.115 | 100% | 8.0 s 1.5 charged | Slot 1 6.9Slot 2 5.7Slot 3 5.7 |
| 8 |  Raikou | electricThunder Shock electricWild ChargefightingAura Sphere | 5.991 | 100% | 5.5 s 1.1 charged | Slot 1 6.5Slot 2 6.3Slot 3 5.1 |
| 9 |  Shadow Empoleon | steelMetal Sound waterHydro CannonwaterHydro Pump | 5.959 | 100% | 6.5 s 1.2 charged | Slot 1 7.5Slot 2 6.1Slot 3 4.2 |
| 10 |  Keldeo | fightingLow Kick fightingSecret SwordfightingSacred Sword | 5.825 | 100% | 5.7 s 0.8 charged | Slot 1 7.4Slot 2 5.0Slot 3 5.0 |
| 11 |  Volcanion | fireIncinerate fireOverheatgroundEarth Power | 5.688 | 100% | 7.3 s 0.8 charged | Slot 1 7.2Slot 2 5.8Slot 3 4.1 |
| 12 |  Jirachi | psychicConfusion fightingAura SpheresteelDoom Desire | 5.664 | 100% | 8.1 s 1.6 charged | Slot 1 7.8Slot 2 4.1Slot 3 5.1 |
| 13 |  Victini | normalQuick Attack fireV-createfireOverheat | 5.590 | 97% | 7.1 s 1.4 charged | Slot 1 7.2Slot 2 6.3Slot 3 3.2 |
| 14 |  Gholdengo | ghostHex fightingFocus BlastghostShadow Ball | 5.510 | 100% | 7.6 s 1.3 charged | Slot 1 8.3Slot 2 4.9Slot 3 3.4 |
| 15 |  Virizion | fightingDouble Kick fightingClose CombatfightingSacred Sword | 5.461 | 94% | 5.8 s 1.1 charged | Slot 1 6.4Slot 2 3.9Slot 3 6.1 |
Slot 1 counters
You 1 shield, Rocket 0. Averaged over every Pokemon this slot can hold and every moveset it can roll.
Shadow Alolan SandshrewCP 2,765 · Atk 238 · Def 147 · HP 916 movesets
Shadow AronCP 2,805 · Atk 232 · Def 159 · HP 919 movesets
Shadow BeldumCP 2,088 · Atk 189 · Def 150 · HP 811 movesets
| # | Pokemon | Moves | Power | Wins | Time | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melmetal | electricThunder Shock fightingSuperpowersteelDouble Iron Bash | 9.917 | 100% | 4.8 s 1.0 charged | |
| 2 | Cobalion | fightingDouble Kick fightingClose CombatfightingSacred Sword | 9.551 | 100% | 5.0 s 1.0 charged | |
| 3 | Kingambit | fightingLow Kick fightingFocus BlastdarkFoul Play | 9.091 | 100% | 5.5 s 1.1 charged | |
| 4 |  Doublade | bugFury Cutter fightingSacred SwordsteelIron Head | 9.063 | 100% | 5.0 s 1.0 charged | |
| 5 |  Marshadow | fightingCounter fightingClose CombatfireFire Punch | 8.502 | 100% | 4.7 s 0.0 charged | |
| 6 | Solgaleo | fireFire Spin fireFlamethrowersteelIron Head | 8.462 | 100% | 6.3 s 0.5 charged | |
| 7 |  Annihilape | fightingCounter fightingClose CombatfightingLow Sweep | 8.458 | 100% | 5.2 s 0.3 charged | |
| 8 | Gholdengo | ghostHex fightingFocus BlastghostShadow Ball | 8.276 | 100% | 6.5 s 1.2 charged | |
| 9 |  Ceruledge | fireEmber fireHeat WavefireFlamethrower | 8.225 | 100% | 5.5 s 1.1 charged | |
| 10 | Heatran | fireFire Spin fireFire BlastgroundEarth Power | 8.178 | 100% | 6.3 s 0.5 charged | |
| 11 |  Aegislash (Shield) | psychicPsycho Cut ghostShadow BallsteelFlash Cannon | 8.107 | 100% | 6.5 s 1.2 charged | |
| 12 |  Skeledirge | ghostHex fireBlast BurnfireFlamethrower | 8.059 | 100% | 6.5 s 1.2 charged |
Best for each Pokemon this slot can roll
vs Shadow Alolan Sandshrew- 1
Shadow Darmanitan (Standard) Incinerate / Overheat, Focus Blast10.00100% - 2
Shadow Chandelure Incinerate / Overheat, Flame Charge10.00100% - 3
Shadow Entei Fire Fang / Overheat, Fire Blast10.00100%
vs Shadow Aron- 1Melmetal Thunder Shock / Superpower, Double Iron Bash10.00100%
- 2Cobalion Double Kick / Close Combat, Sacred Sword10.00100%
- 3
Shadow Excadrill Mud-Slap / Earthquake, Drill Run9.65100%
vs Shadow Beldum- 1
Hoopa Astonish / Shadow Ball, Psychic10.00100% - 2
Dragapult Astonish / Shadow Ball, Outrage10.00100% - 3Gholdengo Astonish / Shadow Ball, Focus Blast10.00100%
Power = share of the Rocket Pokemon's HP you remove per share of your own HP lost (2 = you win with half your HP left; under 1 = you faint first; capped at 10), to three decimals so near-ties show. Wins = share of fights won over every Pokemon and moveset counted. Time = fast-attack time (turns x 0.5 s) and the charged attacks thrown by both sides. Each charged attack also pauses the battle for its minigame, so a counter that needs three charged attacks takes longer in real time than one that wins on fast attacks alone, even when its seconds look similar.
Slot 2 counters
You 1 shield, Rocket 0. Averaged over every Pokemon this slot can hold and every moveset it can roll.
Shadow LaironCP 4,416 · Atk 295 · Def 218 · HP 10212 movesets
Shadow SkarmoryCP 4,546 · Atk 279 · Def 247 · HP 1078 movesets
Shadow MetangCP 3,699 · Atk 261 · Def 195 · HP 1029 movesets
| # | Pokemon | Moves | Power | Wins | Time | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heatran | fireFire Spin fireFire BlastgroundEarth Power | 6.792 | 100% | 8.1 s 1.3 charged | |
| 2 | Victini | normalQuick Attack fireV-createfireOverheat | 6.347 | 100% | 6.2 s 1.2 charged | |
| 3 | Raikou | electricThunder Shock electricWild ChargefightingAura Sphere | 6.310 | 100% | 5.5 s 1.0 charged | |
| 4 | Kingambit | fightingLow Kick darkDark PulsedarkFoul Play | 6.308 | 100% | 7.0 s 1.2 charged | |
| 5 | Melmetal | electricThunder Shock fightingDynamic PunchelectricThunderbolt | 6.223 | 100% | 7.4 s 1.3 charged | |
| 6 | Shadow Empoleon | steelMetal Sound waterHydro CannonwaterHydro Pump | 6.144 | 100% | 7.2 s 1.2 charged | |
| 7 |  Magnezone | electricVolt Switch electricWild ChargeelectricZap Cannon | 6.088 | 100% | 6.5 s 1.2 charged | |
| 8 | Solgaleo | fireFire Spin fireFlamethrowersteelIron Head | 5.945 | 100% | 8.1 s 1.3 charged | |
| 9 | Shadow Heatran | fireFire Spin fireFire BlastgroundEarth Power | 5.857 | 100% | 7.9 s 1.0 charged | |
| 10 | Volcanion | fireIncinerate fireOverheatgroundEarth Power | 5.787 | 100% | 7.9 s 1.0 charged | |
| 11 | Cobalion | fightingDouble Kick fightingClose CombatfightingSacred Sword | 5.772 | 100% | 7.3 s 1.5 charged | |
| 12 | Zygarde (Complete) | darkBite groundBulldozedarkCrunch | 5.718 | 100% | 9.2 s 1.8 charged |
Best for each Pokemon this slot can roll
vs Shadow Lairon- 1Empoleon Metal Sound / Hydro Cannon, Hydro Pump8.72100%
- 2Cobalion Double Kick / Close Combat, Sacred Sword8.59100%
- 3Shadow Empoleon Metal Sound / Hydro Cannon, Hydro Pump8.37100%
vs Shadow Skarmory- 1Magnezone Volt Switch / Wild Charge, Zap Cannon7.20100%
- 2Heatran Fire Spin / Fire Blast, Magma Storm6.85100%
- 3Raikou Thunder Shock / Wild Charge, Thunder6.10100%
vs Shadow Metang- 1
Necrozma (Dusk Mane) Psycho Cut / Dark Pulse, Sunsteel Strike7.82100% - 2Kingambit Low Kick / Dark Pulse, Foul Play7.67100%
- 3Zygarde (Complete) Bite / Earthquake, Crunch7.64100%
Power = share of the Rocket Pokemon's HP you remove per share of your own HP lost (2 = you win with half your HP left; under 1 = you faint first; capped at 10), to three decimals so near-ties show. Wins = share of fights won over every Pokemon and moveset counted. Time = fast-attack time (turns x 0.5 s) and the charged attacks thrown by both sides. Each charged attack also pauses the battle for its minigame, so a counter that needs three charged attacks takes longer in real time than one that wins on fast attacks alone, even when its seconds look similar.
Slot 3 counters
You 1 shield, Rocket 0. Averaged over every Pokemon this slot can hold and every moveset it can roll.
Shadow AggronCP 6,459 · Atk 364 · Def 279 · HP 11324 movesets
Shadow Alolan SandslashCP 5,226 · Atk 328 · Def 215 · HP 11812 movesets
Shadow ProbopassCP 4,473 · Atk 256 · Def 297 · HP 1028 movesets
| # | Pokemon | Moves | Power | Wins | Time | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cobalion | fightingDouble Kick fightingClose CombatfightingSacred Sword | 8.539 | 100% | 5.0 s 1.0 charged | |
| 2 | Melmetal | electricThunder Shock fightingSuperpowerfightingDynamic Punch | 6.992 | 100% | 5.5 s 1.0 charged | |
| 3 | Virizion | fightingDouble Kick fightingClose CombatfightingSacred Sword | 6.053 | 100% | 5.0 s 1.0 charged | |
| 4 | Zygarde (Complete) | darkBite groundEarthquakegroundBulldoze | 5.708 | 100% | 7.6 s 1.3 charged | |
| 5 | Excadrill | groundMud Shot groundEarthquakegroundDrill Run | 5.649 | 100% | 5.5 s 1.0 charged | |
| 6 |  Zamazenta (Crowned Shield) | steelMetal Claw fightingClose CombatsteelBehemoth Bash | 5.387 | 100% | 7.5 s 1.3 charged | |
| 7 |  Snorlax | psychicPsywave fightingSuperpowergroundEarthquake | 5.293 | 100% | 5.5 s 1.0 charged | |
| 8 | Jirachi | psychicConfusion fightingAura SpheresteelDoom Desire | 5.079 | 100% | 6.5 s 1.1 charged | |
| 9 | Kingambit | fightingLow Kick fightingFocus BlastdarkDark Pulse | 5.079 | 100% | 6.5 s 1.1 charged | |
| 10 | Keldeo | fightingLow Kick fightingSecret SwordfightingSacred Sword | 5.026 | 100% | 5.5 s 1.0 charged | |
| 11 | Heatran | fireFire Spin groundEarth PowerfireFire Blast | 4.925 | 100% | 7.9 s 1.0 charged | |
| 12 |  Kommo-o | steelMetal Sound fightingClose CombatfightingUpper Hand | 4.919 | 100% | 5.5 s 1.0 charged |
Best for each Pokemon this slot can roll
vs Shadow Aggron- 1Cobalion Double Kick / Close Combat, Sacred Sword7.30100%
- 2Melmetal Thunder Shock / Superpower, Dynamic Punch6.29100%
- 3Empoleon Waterfall / Hydro Cannon, Hydro Pump5.19100%
vs Shadow Alolan Sandslash- 1Cobalion Double Kick / Close Combat, Sacred Sword8.62100%
- 2Heatran Fire Spin / Fire Blast, Magma Storm7.94100%
- 3Melmetal Thunder Shock / Superpower, Dynamic Punch7.21100%
vs Shadow Probopass- 1Cobalion Double Kick / Close Combat, Sacred Sword9.70100%
- 2Virizion Double Kick / Close Combat, Sacred Sword8.92100%
- 3Zygarde (Complete) Bite / Earthquake, Bulldoze8.46100%
Power = share of the Rocket Pokemon's HP you remove per share of your own HP lost (2 = you win with half your HP left; under 1 = you faint first; capped at 10), to three decimals so near-ties show. Wins = share of fights won over every Pokemon and moveset counted. Time = fast-attack time (turns x 0.5 s) and the charged attacks thrown by both sides. Each charged attack also pauses the battle for its minigame, so a counter that needs three charged attacks takes longer in real time than one that wins on fast attacks alone, even when its seconds look similar.