How to beat Giovanni in Pokemon Go

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Giovanni in Pokemon Go
Credit: Niantic

In Pokemon Go, Giovanni is the leader of the evil Team Rocket. After defeating Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra from Team Rocket, he is the boss that the players will encounter. Due to his power, knowing how to beat Giovanni in Pokemon Go is essential information.

Unlike all other members of Team Rocket, Giovanni offers the most challenging battles. He tends to use his top-tier Shadow Pokémon as his last creature. It is a shadow version of a legendary creature that's quite powerful.

Winning against Giovanni is not easy which is where our guide comes into play. Find out how to beat Giovanni as quickly as possible along with some useful information on the best counters for his Pokemon.

How to beat Giovanni in Pokemon Go

Giovanni is one of the strongest opponents in Pokemon Go. Equally strong counters that can target his team's weaknesses are required to defeat him. Activating the Super Rocket Radar from the “It's a Rocket World” quest will pinpoint Giovanni's location at PokeStops or on Team Rocket balloons.

Pokemon Go Giovanni Pokemon

Giovanni's lineup changes every time the Team Rocket goes through a takeover. Here's his current lineup:

  • Round 1: Persian
  • Round 2: Nidoking/Rhyperior/Garchomp
  • Round 3: Shadow Groudon

Best Pokemon Go Persian counters

In the first round, Giovanni will start the battle with his Persian. It is a normal-type Pokémon that is weak against fighting attacks and is resistant to ghost attacks. This makes it easy to choose a counter against it.

Persian
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Here are some counters that will increase your chance of winning against Persian :

Counter Fast Attack Charge Attack
MachampCounterDynamic Punch
Conkeldurr CounterFocus Blast
HariyamaCounterDynamic Punch
LucarioCounterAura Sphere
TerrakionDouble Kick Sacred Sword

Best Pokemon Go Giovanni round 2 counters

While the Pokémon used in the first round was certain, in the second round, Giovanni has strong choices: Nidoking, Rhyperior, and Garchomp.

Below are the weaknesses, resistance, and types of these Pokémons along with their counters:

Nidoking - Poison and Ground type

Nidoking
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Weakness: Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water-type moves

Resistance: Electric, Poison, Bug, Fairy, Fighting, and Rock-type moves

Counters Fast Attack Charge Attack
KyogreWaterfallSurf
GarchompMud Shot Earth Power
Galarian Darmanitan Ice Fang Avalanche
LunalaConfusionPsychic
EspeonZen headbuttPsychic

Rhyperior: Ground and Rock type

Rhyperior
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Weakness: Grass, Water, Fighting, Ground, Ice, and Steel-type moves

Resistance: Electric, Poison, Fire, Flying, Normal, and Rock-type moves

Counters Fast Attack Charge Attack
Primal KyogreWaterfallOrigin Pulse
Mega SwampertWater GunHydro Cannon
Mega SceptileBullet SeedFrenzy Plant
Shadow KyogreWaterfallOrigin Pulse
Mega BlastoiseWater GunHydro Cannon

Garchomp: Dragon and Ground type

Garchomp
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Weakness: Dragon, Fairy, and Ice-type moves

Resistance: Electric, Fire, Poison, and Rock-type moves

Counters Fast Attack Charge Attack
Galarian Standard Darmanitan Ice Fang Avalanche
WeavileIce Shard Avalanche
MamoswinePowder SnowAvalanche
ArticunoFrost Breath Ice Breath
DragoniteDragon TailOutrage

Best Pokemon Go Giovanni round 3 counters

Just like in the first round, Giovanni has only one Pokémon, Shadow Groudon, in the third round. This ground-type Pokémon is weak against grass, ice, and water-type moves and is resistant to electric, poison, and rock-type moves.

Shadow Gourdon
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Here are some counter Pokémon's you can use to win the final battle against Giovanni:

Counters Fast Attack Charge Attack
Primal Kyogre WaterfallOrigin Pulse
Mega Rayquaza Dragon Tail Dragon Ascent
Mega Swampert Water Gun Hydro Cannon
Mega Sceptile Fury Cutter Frenzy Plant
Shadow Mamoswine Powder Snow Avalanche

Beating Giovanni in Pokémon Go requires a strategic approach and careful selection of counters. Players can develop an effective battle plan by understanding their lineup and weaknesses. With the correct strategy, defeating Giovanni becomes a rewarding and exciting challenge for PokémonGo trainers.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Pokémon GO page.