Giovanni, the powerful leader of Team GO Rocket, wears a black suit with an "R" emblem. Known as one of the toughest PvE opponents, beating him requires strategy, smart thinking, and understanding his patterns. In this article, you'll learn Giovanni's weaknesses, discover his team lineup, and follow clear strategies. After reading this article, you'll know exactly how to beat Giovanni in Pokemon GO and claim victory against this infamous boss.
- Part 1. How to Find Giovanni in Pokemon GO
- Part 2. How to Beat Giovanni in Pokemon GO
- Part 3. More Strategies to Defeat Giovanni Pokemon GO
- Part 4. FAQs about Defeating Giovanni in Pokemon GO
- Part 5. Conclusion
Part 1. How to Find Giovanni in Pokemon GO
Giovanni is not easy to encounter in Pokemon GO. To face him, you first need a Super Rocket Radar, typically earned by completing special research tasks, such as defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts. Only one radar is available per event, and encountering Giovanni is not guaranteed. Occasionally, he also appears on Team GO Rocket Balloons when your radar is active. To locate him, check multiple PokeStops marked by the radar and keep an eye on nearby Rocket Balloons.
Part 2. How to Beat Giovanni in Pokemon GO
Once you find Giovanni in Pokemon GO, defeating him is challenging. His high-powered Pokemon and shields make battles tough for unprepared trainers. This section explains the Pokemon Giovanni have and the best counters to overcome Giovanni. By knowing his lineup and using proper Pokemon types, you can minimize damage and secure victory. Let's explore his current team and how to fight Giovanni in Pokemon GO.
2.1 What Pokemon Does Giovanni Have?
There are three phases in total to win against Giovanni's team, each with a distinct Pokemon lineup as follows.
| Phase | Pokemon | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadow Persian | Fighting-Type |
| 2 | Shadow Rhyperior/ Shadow Nidoking/ Shadow Kangaskhan |
Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel, and Ice-Type/ Ground, Water, Psychic, and Ice-Type/ Fighting-Type |
| 3 | Shadow Tornadus | Electric, Ice, Rock-Type |
2.2 What to Use Against Giovanni?
According to Giovanni's weaknesses, the right Pokemon team lineup is essential. Let's see the best encounters together.
Best Shadow Persian Counters
| Persian Counter | Best Movest |
|---|---|
| Machamp | Counter + Cross Chop |
| Blaziken | Counter + Focus Blast |
| Conkeldurr | Counter + Dynamic Punch |
Best Shadow Rhyperior Counters
| Rhyperior Counter | Best Movest |
|---|---|
| Swampert | Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon |
| Kyogre | Waterfall + Surf / Origin Pulse |
| Rillaboom | Razor Leaf + Frenzy Plant |
Best Shadow Nidoking Counters
| Nidoking Counter | Best Movest |
|---|---|
| Mamoswine | Mud-Slap + Avalanche |
| Garchomp | Mud Shot + Earth Power |
| Kyogre | Waterfall + Surf |
Best Shadow Kangaskhan Counters
| Kangaskhan Counter | Best Movest |
|---|---|
| Machamp | Cross Chop + Dynamic Punch |
| Lucario | Power-Up Punch + Close Combat |
| Conkeldurr | Dynamic Punch + Focus Blast |
Best Shadow Tornadus Counters
| Tornadus Counter | Best Movest |
|---|---|
| Magnezone | Spark + Wild Charge |
| Jolteon | Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt |
| Rampardos | Smack Down + Rock Slide |
Part 3. More Strategies to Defeat Giovanni Pokemon GO
Most of the time, encountering Giovanni in Pokemon GO can be difficult and time-consuming. To make the process easier, MagFone Location Changer offers a practical solution. It allows you to move your in-game location to areas with dense PokeStops and frequent Team GO Rocket Balloons, increasing your chances of finding Giovanni quickly. Without leaving home, you can encounter him, prepare effective counters, and plan battles efficiently. Here's an easy-to-follow usage guide for you.
MagFone Location Changer
Easily change your GPS location in Pokemon GO to anywhere with one click, while not requiring root or jailbreaking!
Step 1 Set Up MagFone Location Changer
Download and launch MagFone Location Changer on your computer. Connect your iPhone or Android device using a USB cable or Wi-Fi. Enable Developer Mode when prompted, then choose a suitable location simulation mode to begin modifying your GPS position.
Step 2 Modify Your Pokemon GO Location
Use the interactive map or enter specific coordinates to select your desired location. After choosing an area with many PokeStops or Rocket Balloons, click Start Modifying. Your in-game location will update instantly, allowing you to search for Giovanni and battle him without moving physically.
In addition to the location changer, below are other effective strategies to improve your chances of encountering Giovanni:
- Tip 1. Start with a Buffer Pokemon: Don't place your main counter first; start with a buffer to bait shields and allow early stun-locks.
- Tip 2. Exploit Freeze Mechanic: Switch to a counter Pokemon during Persian or Giovanni's switch to freeze their attacks for free damage.
- Tip 3. Prioritize Shield Management: Use high HP or fast-charging Pokemon to break Giovanni's two shields before more serious threats.
- Tip 4. Strategic Counter Switching: Swap Pokemon after observing Giovanni's second Pokemon to counter its type efficiently.
Part 4. FAQs about Defeating Giovanni in Pokemon GO
Is Giovanni hard to beat in Pokemon GO?
Yes, Giovanni is a challenging boss, with difficulty similar to other Team GO Rocket Leaders like Cliff. However, with the recommended team setups and battle strategies in this guide, defeating him becomes much more manageable and consistent.
What is the easiest way to beat Giovanni?
The easiest way is to break Giovanni's two shields early using fast-charging Pokemon, then counter each phase with type advantages. Start with a Pokemon that can quickly spam Charged Moves, switch strategically to freeze his attacks, and save at least one shield for the final Shadow Legendary to block heavy damage.
Can you battle Giovanni twice in Pokemon GO?
Yes, if you fail, you can rematch Giovanni without losing your Super Rocket Radar and adjust your team accordingly.
Part 5. Conclusion
Giovanni is one of the most challenging Team GO Rocket bosses in Pokemon GO. By understanding his lineup and exploiting his weaknesses, trainers of any level can prepare more effectively. By the way, tools like MagFone Location Changer can also save time by increasing encounter chances, making it easier to plan battles and ultimately take down this formidable leader.
Olivia Wood
Editor in chief
