Pokemon Go Rocket Radars, Mysterious Components and Balloons – a Complete 2023 Guide

ByVictoria Coulson Hours
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Rocket Radar Pokemon Go

With so many items available in Pokemon Go, from different Berries, Pokeballs, Rocket Radars, and Balloons, not to mention the leaders and the boss, there’s certainly a lot for trainers to think about.

As we break things down, we can work out how best to use the available items to ensure the smoothest gameplay, enabling trainers to aim high and reach the all-important Level 50.

Let’s take a detailed look below at how to use Balloons, Mysterious Components, and Rocket Radars effectively.

Back to the beginning – Team Go Rocket Balloons

Credit: Niantic

Team Go Rocket Balloons appear to trainers at 6-hour intervals:

  • 12:00 a.m. to 06:00 a.m.
  • 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • 12:00 p.m. to 06:00 p.m.
  • 06:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Credit: Niantic

The balloons feature a Grunt for trainers to battle, and upon completion, encounter a Shadow Pokemon, and earn themselves a Mysterious Component.

If a balloon is ignored, it will fly away, and trainers will then have to wait until the following time slot to encounter another. However, on some event days, they do spawn more frequently and trainers will be notified of this within the game news section.

Jessie and James – How do we find them?

Credit: Niantic

A Meowth balloon is the only way trainers will ever encounter the notorious Jessie and James.

These balloons will spawn at rare intervals, often during special events.

These balloons will replace the regular Team Go Rocket Balloons, meaning you won’t see both at the same time. And like all other balloons, if you don’t react when you encounter it, it will disappear and you will have to wait for the next time slot to see if one then becomes available.

READ MORE: Pokemon Go: What to buy with your hard-earned coins

Mysterious Components to Rocket Radars – time to encounter the leaders

Team Rocket Leaders Pokemon Go
Credit: Niantic

So you’ve fought off Grunts and earned yourselves a Mysterious Component.

But then what?

Collect 6 Mysterious Components, and these will grant you access to 1 Rocket Radar. Once activated, a Rocket Radar symbol will display on the screen, meaning a Special Balloon will then be summoned containing one of the three Team Leaders – Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra.

Upon battling Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra – who are much harder to defeat than a regular Grunt, trainers will then earn themselves a further component.

Credit: Niantic

Once used, the Rocket Radar will disappear, and trainers will have to earn another 6 by battling a further 6 Grunts to gain another.

If a Rocket Radar is activated you encounter the same Team Leader again, worry not! You can simply leave the battle and your Rocket Radar will remain active to summon another balloon – hopefully containing a different leader. Trainers will need to encounter and defeat all 3 leaders to earn themselves the Super Rocket Radar which can then summon Giovanni.

There’s no limit on how many times a trainer can leave a balloon and wait for the next one – however as we know, this can be somewhat frustrating waiting for the correct leader to finally arrive!

It’s time to meet the Boss

Rocket Radar
Credit: Niantic

So you’ve battled 18 grunts, and defeated all 3 of the team leaders – now it’s time for things to get really tough.

Upon completing the 3 team leaders, trainers will earn themselves the Super Rocket Radar, and once activated, it will summon the one and only Giovanni.

READ MORE: Pokemon Go: How to find Shiny Pokemon

Beat Giovanni January 2023
Credit: Niantic

When Giovanni emerges from his Hideout, you can battle him just like any other team leader.

Giovanni, unlike the other Team Leaders has a 100% catch rate and will feature a Shadow Legendary Pokemon to add to your Pokedex.

Upon completion, trainers will earn themselves:

  • 5000 Stardust
  • Potions
  • Revives

Giovanni will also count towards the Ultra Hero Medal.

Is there another way?

Yes, yes there is. You could save yourself a lot of time and effort.

The Rocket Radars are available to purchase within the in game store, but where’s the fun in that? You would need to purchase 3 to beat all the Team Leaders and then encounter Giovanni.

By battling Grunts you will also earn Shadow Pokemon which are needed for the Level 45 challenges, where trainers need to purify 100 Shadow Pokemon – so it is worth saving them up as you complete your Trainer journey to be the very best!

And there we have it, that’s everything we need to know about Balloons, Mysterious Components and Rocket Radars.

Pokemon Go is available to donwload now on Apple and Android Mobile devices