Note: The Pokémon team that Jessie and James use can change at any time. We are building this guide based on the best information we currently have. If things change, we'll update ASAP, so check back for any news or information on new meters you may need.
When do Meowth balloons appear
To find Jessie and James, you're kind of stuck by luck. Like I said, they only appear in Meowth balloons that appear when you first open the game at specific times. These are anytime after midnight, 6 a.m., noon and 18 p.m. at your local time. Opening the game in those six hour windows will cause a Team GO Rocket or Meowth balloon to appear in the sky for the next 20 minutes, so be sure to beat them in that window.
Meowth balloons sometimes have their spawn rate increased, such as at a Christmas event recently. However, most of the time they are quite rare. Estimates put it between 5% and 25% for gamers, but it's probably in the middle of that range. So the only way to meet Meowth Balloons and find Jessie and James is to check back every six hours to see if you have one.
How to beat Jessie and James
Below are the best counters against Jessie and James in Pokémon GO, so go ahead if you know how it all works and just want to pick the right team. However, there are some quick and easy tips you can follow to beat them easier and faster. For one thing, unlike most of the grunts and leaders in Team GO Rocket, Jessie and James use their strongest Pokémon as their first choice, which unlocks some strategy.
As usual, Jessie and James will suspend their attacks if you trade Pokémon or use a charged attack. Using this, you can take out their starting Pokémon faster by placing your actual lead in second or third rank, then immediately swapping them out. Use this time to gain energy for the charged attack (which is hopefully short) and you'll cause another pause and possibly repeat this cycle until you beat them.
But to beat Jessie and James you still need to use the best counters, so check them out below.
Counters against Jessie and James for January 2021
Fortunately, Jessie and James use the same three Pokémon every time you fight them. While this team may get a revamp soon, we'll be sure to update this guide when that happens. So check back later, but for now these are the best counters to use. Below is the Pokemon they will be using and a few counters with the best move set against them.
How to beat Jessie
- Sickle - Rampardos with Smack Down and Rock Slide, Rhyperior with Smack Down and Rock Wrecker, or Terrakion with Smack Down and Rock Slide
- Ekans - Mewtwo with Confusion and Psystrike, Deoxys (Attack) with Zen Headbutt and Psycho Cut, or Alakazam with Confusion and Psychic
- Stantler - Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere, Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch, or Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
How to beat James
- Pinsir - Candlelight with incineration and overheating, Darmanitan with incineration and overheating, or Moltres with Fire Spin and Sky Attack
- Koffing - Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Psystrike, Azelf with Confusion and Future Sight, or Alakazam with Confusion and Future Sight
- Grimer - Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Psystrike, Alakazam with Confusion and Future Sight, or Espeon with Confusion and Psychic
And that's all you need to know to find and defeat Jessie and James in Pokémon GO for January 2021.
