Long-time “Pokémon” fans know that the Team Rocket is who to beat in this series, especially in the franchise’s games. They’re the ultimate enemy. In “Pokémon GO,” the most villainous of all villains is Giovanni, the final boss.
Who Is Giovanni?
Giovanni, sounding so Italian, is the boss of Team Rocket in “Pokémon GO.” His subordinates are Grunts, Jessie and James, and the Team GO Rocket Leaders.
As the final boss, it is crucial that you pull out all the stops to beat him. After you have bravely fought your way through Cliff, Arlo, Sierra, and lots of Grunts, you have no other choice but to face Giovanni. This final boss is tough competition, so you must know all the tips and tricks to beat him. Here’s everything you need to know to be victorious against Giovanni.
Locating Giovanni In The Game
However, before you can actually battle with Giovanni, you must first find him. How? Read on. The only way to find this monster is to work your way through a Team GO Rocket-related Special Research quest, such as Shadowy Skirmishes. You can claim these quests once you reach the eighth level.
Beating Giovanni In ‘Pokémon GO’
Giovanni is evil, so if you wish to defeat him, you must come very prepared. At the beginning of every battle with him, he always uses Persian, his signature Pokémon. Then, his second Pokémon comes from a pool of three. Tougher, isn’t it? Lastly, you will come face-to-face with Shadow Groudon.
Giovanni’s Lineup Summary (April 2024)
Giovanni’s lineup regularly changes in the game, but the star of his current team remains Shadow Groudon, which you’ll have in your collection once you defeat this boss.
Here’s a summary of his current lineup in “Pokémon GO”:
- First Phase: Persian
- Second Phase: Nidoking, Rhyperior, and Garchomp
- Third Phase: Shadow Groudon
Let’s take a closer look.
Phase 1: Persian
Persian is a Normal-type Pokémon, so it is weak against attacks from Fighting-type pocket monsters. But, it is resistant to attacks from Ghost-type monsters.
To stand the best chance of winning, use these counters:
- Breloom – Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charge Move)
- Conkeldurr – Counter (Fast Move) and Focus Blast (Charge Move)
- Hariyama – Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charge Move)
- Lucario – Counter (Fast Move) & Aura Sphere (Charge Move)
- Machamp – Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charge Move)
- Terrakion – Double Kick (Fast Move) and Sacred Sword (Charge Move)
Phase 2: Nidoking, Rhyperior And Garchomp
Nidoking
If Giovanni picks Nidoking in the second phase, know that this Poison/Ground-type Pokémon is weak against Ice-, Ground-, Psychic-, and Water-type attacks. However, it is resistant to Bug-, Electric-, Fairy-, Fighting-, Poison-, and Rock-type attacks.
To beat Nidoking, you can use the following:
- Espeon – Confusion (Fast Move) and Psychic (Charge Move)
- Galarian Darmanitan – Ice Fang (Fast Move) and Avalanche (Charge Move)
- Garchomp – Mud Shot (Fast Move) and Earth Power (Charge Move)
- Glaceon – Ice Shard (Fast Move) and Avalanche (Charge Move)
- Kyogre – Waterfall (Fast Move) and Origin Pulse (Charge Move)
- Mewtwo – Psycho Cut (Fast Move) and Psychic/Psystrike (Charge Move)
Rhyperior
If Giovanni chooses Rhyperior, you should know what to expect. This Ground/Rock-type Pokémon is resistant to Electric-, Fire-, Flying-, Normal-, Poison-, and Rock-type attacks. But, you’ll surely defeat Rhyperior with your Fighting-, Grass-, Ground-, Ice- Steel-, and Water-type Pokémons.
To beat Rhyperior, you can use these:
- Kartana – Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Kyogre – Waterfall & Origin Pulse
- Mega Gyarados – Waterfall and Hydro Pump
- Mega Sceptile – Bullet Seed and Leaf Blade
- Mega Swampert – Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
- Zarude – Vine Whip and Power Whip
Garchomp
This dual Dragon/Ground-type Pokémon is equally as strong, if not stronger. It is weak against Dragon-, Fairy-, and Ice-type attacks but more vulnerable to Ice-type moves, so you might want to focus on them.
But, it is resistant to Electric-, Fire-, Poison-, and Rock-type moves. Here are the best counters to beat Garchomp:
- Articuno – Frost Breath (Fast Move) and Ice Breath (Charge Move)
- Dragonite – Dragon Tail (Fast Move) and Outrage (Charge Move)
- Galarian Darmanitan – Ice Fang (Fast Move) and Avalanche (Charge Move)
- Glaceon – Dragon Tail (Fast Move) and Outrage (Charge Move)
- Mamoswine – Powder Snow (Fast Move) and Avalanche (Charge Move)
- Weavile – Ice Shard (Fast Move) and Avalanche (Charge Move)
Phase 3: Shadow Groudon
Finally, Shadow Groudon, Giovanni’s favorite. It is weak against Grass-, Ice-, and Water-attacks, and resistant to Electric, Poison-, and Rock-type moves. Notice that it is resistant to fewer attacks? It is because it is strong, but here are the counters to beat Shadow Groudon:
- Galarian Darmanitan – Ice Fang (Fast Move) and Avalanche (Charge Move)
- Mega Blastoise – Water Gun (Fast Move) and Hydro Cannon (Charge Move)
- Mega Sceptile – Fury Cutter (Fast Move) and Frenzy Plant (Charge Move)
- Mega Swampert – Water Gun (Fast Move) and Hydro Cannon (Charge Move)
- Primal Kyogre – Waterfall (Fast Move) and Origin Pulse (Charge Move)
- Shadow Mamoswine – Powder Snow (Fast Move) and Avalanche (Charge Move)
Final Words
Among the best teams you can utilize to beat Giovanni in “Pokémon GO” is that which comprises Galarian Darmanitan, Mega Sceptile, and Terrakion.
See? Giovanni and his Pokémons may be strong, but with the right guide, all’s well that ends well.
