A guide on how to defeat the Team GO Rocket boss Giovanni in Pokémon GO. This page describes how to find Giovanni, how to defeat him and which Pokémon are the best counters for Giovanni’s Pokémon.
In November 2021, Giovanni has returned, equipped with Shadow Lugia and a select few Shadow Pokémon. Our guide has been updated accordingly.
💡 Note: In Trainer Battles, counters need not always be Pokémon that do super-effective damage. We include Pokémon that are more viable to defeat Giovanni, rather than those who do maximum damage.
On this page
Giovanni’s Pokémon Lineup
GO Rocket Leader Giovanni uses the following Pokémon: Persian as his first Pokémon, Kingler, Nidoking or Rhyperior as his second Pokémon and Shadow Lugia as his final Pokemon.
Countering Giovanni’s Shadow Pokémon
Persian
Persian
Weak to Fighting, resist Ghost.
Persian uses Dark and Normal fast moves, and it uses Dark, Rock or Fairy charge moves. This combination makes Tyranitar, Terrakion and Machamp the best counters to Persian. Melmetal needs to have Super Power Fighting to be effective.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Fast move | Charge move |
|---|---|---|
Tyranitar
|
Smack Down |
|
Terrakion
|
Smack Down |
|
Machamp
|
Counter |
|
Lucario
|
Counter |
|
Conkeldurr
|
Counter |
|
Heracross
|
Counter |
|
Kingler
Kingler
Giovanni’s Shadow Kingler has two distinct weaknesses: Grass and Electric moves. Considering it’s wide move pool, we suggest going with a Torterra, Vileplume, Zapdos or Raikou, or something in the similar vein. Slight variations apply due to Kingler’s fast moves.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
Torterra
|
|
Zapdos
|
|
Vileplume
|
|
Raikou
|
|
Magnezone
|
|
Rhyperior
Rhyperior
Giovanni’s Shadow Rhyperior is 2x weak to Grass and Water moves, but also 1x weak to Ground, Fighting, Ice and Steel! We will use these weaknesses heavily to counter it, while also leaning in to Pokémon that take reduced damage from its fast moves.
Rhyperior’s pool of charge moves is pretty wide and scary, so it’s better to shield and defeat it before he has a chance to use it.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
|
Torterra
|
|
Excadrill
|
|
Kyogre
|
|
Swampert
|
|
Cobalion
|
|
Wild pick: Empoleon with Waterfall and Hydro Cannon
Nidoking
Nidoking
Giovanni’s Shadow Nidoking is weak to Ground, Ice, Psychic and Water moves. This is nice, but beware of Iron Tail as fast move, as it decimates all Ground counters. In order to tackle that, we’re including some Water types as well.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
Stunfisk
|
|
|
Excadrill
|
|
|
Kyogre
|
|
Empoleon
|
|
Sandslash (Alola)
|
|
Wild pick: Rhyperior with Mud Slap and Surf
Lugia
Giovanni’s Shadow Lugia is weak to Dark, Electric, Ghost, Ice and Rock moves – but you probably want to stick with Electric and Rock, with an Ice counter thrown in the mix.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
|
Raikou
|
|
|
Terrakion
|
|
|
Magnezone
|
|
|
Tyranitar
|
|
|
Sandslash (Alola)
|
|
Wild pick: Rhyperior with Mud Slap and Surf
How to find Giovanni
In order to find Giovanni, you need to complete a currently active Special Research. Depending on the time you played, this can vary. Once you complete a particular step of the special research, you will get a Super Rocket Radar. It works like a regular Rocket Radar, but it tracks Giovanni, not GO Rocket leaders.
The Super Rocket Radar doesn’t immediately lead you to Giovanni; it displays locations of both decoy Grunts disguised as Giovanni and Giovanni’s actual Hideout. You’ll need to approach each PokéStop and investigate yourself to find where Giovanni’s hiding.
You can receive Giovanni Special Research once per month. Currently, Giovanni has returned with Shadow Lugia and new Shadow Pokémon.
More Team GO Rocket Guides
- GO Rocket Grunts Guide: Counters and Lineups
- Giovanni Counters Guide
- Arlo Counters Guide
- Sierra Counters Guide
- Cliff Counters Guide
