Giovanni Pokémon GO counters are Pokémon that will help you defeat him with ease, regardless of which line-up Giovanni uses. Giovanni is the Team GO Rocket Boss and his signature Pokémon is a Shadow Legendary Pokémon (Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres). You can catch a Shadow Articuno, Zapdos or Moltres by defeating Giovanni. Giovanni’s Shadow Legendary changes every month.
Giovanni’s Pokémon Line Up
Giovanni always uses a Persian as his first Pokémon. Giovanni’s second Pokémon can be a Dugtrio, a Rhydon or a Hippowdon. His third Pokémon is Articuno.
Counters recommendation
The following Pokemon are good Giovanni counters, no matter which Pokémon line-up he has:
Slot #1 | Slot #2 | Slot #3 |
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Smack Down | Water Gun | Counter |
Stone Edge | Hydro Cannon | Power Up Punch |
Crunch | Earthquake | Shadow Ball |
- Tyranitar covers Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos (Stone Edge)
- Swampert covers Dugtrio, Rhydon and Hippowdon
- Lucario covers Persian and burns shields
Other recommended Giovanni counters include Machamp (Counter, Cross Chop), Kyogre (Waterfall, Hydro Pump), Gyarados (Dragon Brath / Waterfall and Hydro Pump), Melmetal, Torterra (Razor Leaf, Frenzy Plant, Stone Edge).
Countering Giovanni’s Pokémon
Persian
Persian uses Dark and Normal fast moves, and it uses Dark, Rock or Fairy charge moves. We recommend starting with Tyranitar simply because it helps him charge up Stone Edge in preparation for Articuno. You should switch to a Fighting type as soon as you can. You should use Fighting types with counter and easy-to-charge Charge moves to burn Giovanni’s shields.
Recommended Persian counters
Pokémon | Fast move | Charge move |
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Counter | Power Up Punch |
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Counter | Cross Chop |
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Counter | Blaze Kick |
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Mud Shot | Power Up Punch |
Giovanni’s second Pokémon will be Dugtrio, Rhydon or a Hippowdon. All of them are easily countered by Swampert or Kyogre.
Dugtrio
Dugtrio uses Ground and Dark fast moves, and Ground or Rock charge moves. Dugtrio’s counters rarely resist Sucker Punch, which is unfortunate. Luckily, Hydro Cannon almost always overpowers Dugtrio before it can chip through your health pool. Burn the remainder of Giovanni’s shields here.
Recommended Dugtrio counters
Pokémon | Fast move | Charge move |
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Mud Shot | Hydro Cannon Muddy Water |
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Waterfall | Hydro Pump |
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Waterfall | Hydro Pump |
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Razor Leaf | Frenzy Plant Stone Edge |
Rhydon
Rhydon uses Ground or Fighting fast moves, and Water, Ground or Rock charge moves. Rhydon is one of the easiest Giovanni’s Pokémon, as it has a double weakness to Water and Grass. Remember to shield against charge moves.
Recommended Rhydon counters
Pokémon | Fast move | Charge move |
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Mud Shot | Hydro Cannon Muddy Water |
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Waterfall | Hydro Pump |
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Waterfall | Hydro Pump |
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Razor Leaf | Frenzy Plant Stone Edge |
Hippowdon
Hippowdon uses Electric, Ice, Fire or Dark fast move, and Rock, Ground or Normal charge moves. Luckily, our good old Swampert takes reduced or normal damage from anything Hippowdon throws at it. Shield against every Charge move.
Recommended Hippowdon counters
Pokémon | Fast move | Charge move |
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Mud Shot | Hydro Cannon Muddy Water |
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Waterfall | Hydro Pump |
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Razor Leaf | Frenzy Plant Stone Edge |
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Dragon Breath | Draco Meteor |
Giovanni’s last Pokémon is Shadow Articuno, a Flying and Ice type with a double weakness to Rock.
Shadow Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos counters
Articuno
Articuno uses Ice fast moves, and Ice and Rock charge moves. Articuno’s double weakness to Rock makes him very fragile versus strong Rock types. Switch in your charged up Tyranitar and lay waste to Giovanni’s Aricuno!
Moltres
Moltres uses Fire and Flying fast moves, and Fire and Rock charge moves. Similar to Articuno, Moltres has a double weakness to Rock type moves. Tyranitar easily defeats Moltres, while taking reduced damage from everything Moltres throws at it.
Recommended counters for Shadow Articuno and Shadow Moltres
Pokémon | Fast move | Charge move |
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Smack Down | Stone Edge |
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Lock On | Stone Edge |
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Smack Down | Stone Edge |
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Shadow Claw | Blast Burn |
Zapdos
Zapdos uses Electric fast moves, and Electric, Flying and Rock type charge moves. Tyranitar takes normal damage from Electric moves, which makes him a bit weaker in this fight. Luckily its easily replaced by Rhyperior and Mamoswine.
Recommended counters for Shadow Zapdos
Pokémon | Fast move | Charge move |
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Smack Down | Stone Edge |
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Powder Snow | Avalanche |
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Smack Down | Stone Edge |
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Lock On | Blizzard |