Team Rocket Blasts Off

Learn how to defeat Jessie, James, and Archer in Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee. Get strategies and team recommendations for these post-game battles.

Alright, you've made it to the post-game and Team Rocket is still causing trouble! First up, you'll face Jessie and James in a Double Battle. They've got Arbok and Weezing, both Poison-types at level 52. Jessie's Arbok is the immediate threat with moves like Poison Jab, Rock Slide, Crunch, and Glare. You'll want to take it out quickly with a strong Psychic or Ground-type Pokémon before it can paralyze your team with Glare. James's Weezing is a bit more defensive and has moves like Sludge Bomb, Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, and Thunderbolt. It's less of a priority, so you can deal with it after Arbok is down. If you have a Pokémon that knows Earthquake, it can hit both of them, just make sure your partner Pokémon can handle it or use Protect. Once you defeat them, they'll hand over a cool Blast-Off Set so you can twin with them!

But don't get too comfortable, because there's another Team Rocket member waiting. Head back to Giovanni's office in the Team Rocket Hideout in Celadon City. Use the lift on B1F to get down to B4F, and you'll find Archer, a former Team Rocket admin, in the corner. He's ready for a fight!

Archer's team is a bit tougher, starting with a level 54 Electrode. This Electric-type is fast and can hit hard with Thunder. It also has Foul Play, which uses your Pokémon's Attack stat against you, Reflect to reduce physical damage, and can even self-destruct with Explosion! Ground-types are your best bet here, but be quick because Electrode can use Explosion or Reflect before you get a chance to attack.

Next up is Archer's Weezing, also level 54. It's got Sludge Bomb, Flamethrower, Dark Pulse, and Shadow Ball. Again, Ground-types are a solid choice. However, if Electrode managed to set up Reflect, you might want to switch to a Psychic-type to bypass that defense.

Then comes Golbat, another Poison/Flying-type at level 54. It's annoying as ever with Sludge Bomb, Air Slash, Crunch, and U-Turn. Electric and Rock-types are good counters, as are Ice-types. If you happen to have Mewtwo, it'll handle Golbat with ease.

Finally, Archer has a level 54 Magmar. This Fire-type can use Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Brick Break, and Clear Smog. Ground-types are still your go-to, but if yours are strong enough, a Water-type could also work well here. After you beat Archer, he'll read you a letter he was writing and then vanish. Who knows, maybe you'll run into him again in the Johto region!