(Pokemon Go) Defeat Giovanni in Pokémon GO: A Guide

How to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO 🎯

Giovanni, the head of Team GO Rocket, presents a significant challenge in Pokémon GO. Defeating him requires strategic team building and knowledge of his Pokémon lineup. The battle occurs in three stages, each featuring a different Pokémon. Success hinges on exploiting their weaknesses and using your shields wisely. Remember that Giovanni’s lineup can change, so staying updated on the latest counters is crucial for victory. With the right preparation, you can overcome this formidable opponent and claim valuable rewards. This guide will walk you through each stage and provide the best counters for each of Giovanni’s Pokémon.

Giovanni First Round: Shadow Persian 🐱

Giovanni always begins the battle with his Shadow Persian. This Normal-type Pokémon boasts fast attacks and can quickly deplete your shields. Due to its Normal typing, Shadow Persian is only weak to Fighting-type attacks. Bringing a strong Fighting-type Pokémon as your lead is essential to swiftly defeat Persian and gain an early advantage. Be ready to use your shields strategically to mitigate Persian’s fast charged attacks and conserve your Pokémon’s health. Utilizing a lead with fast charged attacks will allow you to burn through Giovanni’s shields faster and allow for easier hits against his next pokemon.

Best Regular Counters

• Lucario: Known for its powerful Fighting-type attacks. Consider a moveset of Counter and Aura Sphere.
• Machamp: A classic Fighting-type choice. Use Counter as a fast move and Dynamic Punch as a charged move.
• Breloom: A Grass/Fighting type. Consider using Counter as its fast move and Dynamic Punch as a charged move.

Best Shadow and Mega Counters

• Shadow Machamp: Enhanced damage output compared to the regular version. Use Counter and Dynamic Punch.
• Mega Lopunny: This mega evolution provides a strong Fighting-type attacker. Low Kick paired with Focus Blast is your best moveset.
• Mega Blaziken: Fire and Fighting type. Consider using Counter and Focus Blast.

Giovanni Second Round ⚔️

The second round presents more variability. Giovanni will use one of three possible Shadow Pokémon: Rhyperior, Nidoking, or Kingdra. This uncertainty requires a versatile team composition capable of handling different typings and movesets. Having a lead that can quickly use charged attacks will help reveal which Pokémon Giovanni uses faster, then allow for a quick change to a favorable counter. Study the weaknesses and resistances of each potential opponent to build an adaptable strategy. Proper knowledge is necessary to take down these varied opponents with efficiency. Be prepared to switch Pokémon based on which one Giovanni chooses.

Shadow Rhyperior

Shadow Rhyperior is a Ground/Rock type, making it doubly weak to Water and Grass, as well as weak to Ice and Fighting. A strong Water or Grass type will be your best bet for this fight.

Regular Counters

• Kyogre: Powerful Water-type attacker. Waterfall and Surf work well together.
• Gyarados: Water and Flying. Waterfall and Hydro Pump is a solid moveset.
• Swampert: A good pick thanks to being resistant to electric attacks. Water Gun paired with Hydro Cannon will allow for success.

Shadow, Mega, Primal Counters

• Primal Kyogre: An immensely powerful water-type. Waterfall paired with Origin Pulse will allow for a quick defeat.
• Mega Swampert: Grass Knot paired with Hydro Cannon makes for a solid combo.
• Shadow Swampert: Use water gun paired with hydro cannon for increased damage.

Shadow Nidoking

Shadow Nidoking is a Poison/Ground type, leaving it weak to Ground, Water, Ice, and Psychic attacks.

Regular Counters

• Mewtwo: A top tier psychic type. Confusion with Psychic is a solid moveset.
• Groudon: Ground type. Mud Shot with Earthquake will prove successful.
• Glaceon: Ice type. Use Ice Shard paired with Avalanche.

Mega and Shadow Counters

• Mega Groudon: This beast is weak to water but strong in all other aspects. Pair Mud Shot with Precipice Blades.
• Shadow Mewtwo: Boosts the already strong Mewtwo and deals increased damage. Psycho Cut paired with Psystrike.
• Shadow Metagross: Steel and psychic. Use psychic attacks for success.

Shadow Kingdra 🐉

Shadow Kingdra is a Water/Dragon type, making it weak to Dragon and Fairy.

Mega and Shadow Counters

• Mega Gardevoir: Fairy type, and resistant to Kingdra’s water attacks. Charm paired with Dazzling Gleam.
• Mega Rayquaza: Use Dragon Tail paired with Breaking Swipe for best results.
• Shadow Salamence: Dragon type. Dragon Tail paired with Outrage will work well.

Giovanni Third Round: Shadow Palkia 🌊🐲

The final challenge is Shadow Palkia, a Water/Dragon-type Pokémon. Like Kingdra, its dual typing makes it weak to both Dragon and Fairy-type attacks. This Pokémon is extremely strong, so you need to have a team that can take hard hits. Choose your counters wisely to ensure you can deal enough damage to defeat Palkia before it overwhelms your team. This is the final round, so make sure to use any remaining shields you have wisely, so you can deal significant damage while taking minimal hits.

Best Regular Counters

• Rayquaza: A legendary Dragon-type known for its high attack. Dragon Tail with Outrage makes a good combo.
• Dialga: Dragon and Steel-type. Dragon Breath paired with Draco Meteor is a powerful moveset.
• Palkia: The normal version of the pokemon you are facing. Dragon Tail paired with Draco Meteor.

Best Mega and Shadow Counters

• Mega Gardevoir: With its resistance to Water-type attacks, it can be a good pick in this fight. Charm paired with Dazzling Gleam.
• Mega Rayquaza: The most powerful dragon type available. Dragon Tail paired with Outrage will devastate your opponent.
• Shadow Dragonite: The second best dragon type in the game. Dragon Tail paired with Dragon Claw.

Other Recommendations

Beyond Pokémon selection, mastering battle mechanics like timing your charged attacks and effectively using shields is crucial. Remember that Giovanni often uses his shields early, so capitalize on this by leading with a Pokémon that can quickly charge their attacks. Don’t be afraid to switch Pokémon to gain a type advantage or avoid a devastating attack. Furthermore, research optimal movesets for your chosen counters to maximize their damage output.