Pokémon Go - Team Go Rocket Balloons explained, including spawn rates and how to find

Publish date: 2023-05-20

Team Go Rocket Hot Air Balloons can be spotted floating through the skies in Pokémon Go.

These balloons will allow you to battle the Team Go Rocket Grunts and, if you fulfil the requirements, either a Team Go Rocket Leader or, the head of the organisation himself, Giovanni.

It's also possible to find special Meowth balloons during certain events, allowing you to fight Jessie and James.

Team Go Rocket's invasion of Pokémon began with them occupying PokéStops with their dangerous Shadow Pokémon, which eventually led to trainers tracking down Giovanni in an attempt to save a legendary Shadow Pokémon from his clutches.

Like Remote Raiding, Team Go Rocket Hot Air Balloons are helping make Pokémon Go more accessible for players in rural areas and those who prefer to stay at home.

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Team Go Rocket Hot Air Balloons in Pokémon Go explained

Team Go Rocket Hot Air Balloons are the latest attempt by the evil organisation to take over the world of Pokémon Go!

Flying high above the map, these hot air balloons act as roaming invaded PokéStops, allowing you to battle a Team Go Rocket Grunt and, if you defeat them, capture one of their Shadow Pokémon.

Since Team Go Rocket Hot Air Balloons have the ability to move, it may take some time for you to find one. If you're having trouble we recommend zooming the camera out to the maximum, so that you have the widest view of the surrounding area (especially the sky), and then keep an eye on the ground.

If a Team Go Rocket Hot Air Balloon is floating nearby, then a small circle shadow will appear on the map, indicating where it is in the sky.

Once you've found a Team Go Rocket Hot Air Balloon, interacting with it will allow you to battle a Team Go Rocket Grunt, giving you the chance to rescue their Shadow Pokémon.

Finally, it's important to note that if you have any large, floating, Pokémon buddies following, such as Rayquaza, these Pokémon may knock the balloon off course, making it harder for you to find.

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Spawn rate for Team Go Rocket Hot Air Balloons in Pokémon Go explained

You have the chance to encounter a total of four Team Go Rocket Hot Air Balloons in Pokémon Go every day.

Each possible hot air balloon has its own dedicated period of the day when it could appear. These time frames are:

Thank you to gildenilson from reddit for the help with this information.

How to battle a Team Go Rocket Leader in a Rocket Hot Air Balloon in Pokémon Go

To encounter a Team Go Rocket Leader in a Rocket Hot Air Balloon all you have to do is activate a completed Rocket Radar.

Once the Rocket Radar has been activated, you can select the balloon and there, rather than the regular Rocket Grunt, will be one of the evil organisations three leaders - Arlo, Cliff and Sierra.

It's important to note that the Team Leader that you encounter will be randomly selected, which means that, if you're looking for a specific leader, you might find yourself unlucky.

Still, if you have a Rocket Radar going spare, this is a great way to use it.

The Season of Go has arrived! The Pokémon TCG Crossover event is here, which includes the release of Wimpod and Golisopod. While Go Fest 2022 may be behind us, there are still three special research quests you might be working on - Pokémon Go Fest 2022, Rhi's Arrival and A Radiant World. Meanwhile, the Great League and Great League and Great League Remix are currently running in the Go Battle League Season 11. This season has also seen the lowering of the level requirement for Candy XL and introduced the first Ultra Beast, Nihilego.

How to battle Giovanni in a Rocket Hot Air Balloon in Pokémon Go

If you've been having trouble tracking down Giovanni at the invaded PokéStops, then the Rocket Hot Air Balloons are the solution to your problem.

All you have to do is equip the Super Rocket Radar once you see a hot air balloon and then select the hot air balloon in question. There, just like with the Team Go Rocket Leaders, you'll find Giovanni ready and waiting to battle you.

Now all you have to do is defeat him and hopefully catch the latest Shadow Legendary Pokémon.

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