How to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go: Counters & Tips
Giovanni is, without a doubt, one of the hardest battles to be had in the game. He is the Team Go Rocket Leader in Pokémon Go, and his powerful lineup with Shadow Pokémon makes it hard to win against him, even for seasoned trainers. If you want to take down Giovanni and capture his prized Shadow Pokémon, then you’re in the right place. In this guide, we will walk you through some of the best strategies and counters to help you beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go.
Table of Contents
The Problem: Why Is Giovanni So Difficult to Beat?
Giovanni’s battles are very challenging for several reasons. First, he’s got a set of powerful Shadow Pokémon with different strengths and weaknesses. The Shadow Pokémon not only inflict more damage than usual but will require specific counters in order to defeat them efficiently. Moreover, Giovanni frequently changes his lineup; hence, trainers must keep themselves updated on the best counters to take down the Pokémon in front of them for a new challenge.
Solution: How to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go
Now that we have identified what the problem is and how frustrating it has been let us turn to the solution. Now, with the strategies from this guide, you are really equipped to be unstoppable against Giovanni and claim victory.
Understanding Giovanni’s Lineup
Before diving into the specific counters, it’s essential to understand Giovanni’s current lineup in Pokémon Go. His team consists of three phases:
- Phase 1: Shadow Persian
- Phase 2: Shadow Honchkrow / Shadow Kangaskhan / Shadow Kingdra
- Phase 3: Shadow Cresselia
Each of these Pokémon presents unique challenges, so it’s crucial to prepare the right counters for each phase.
Phase 1 – How to Counter Giovanni’s Shadow Persian
Giovanni always starts with his signature Pokémon, Shadow Persian. As a Normal-type Pokémon, Persian is weak against Fighting-type attacks. Here are the best counters to use against Persian:
- Terrakion: Double Kick (Fast Move) & Sacred Sword (Charge Move)
- Conkeldurr: Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (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)
- Breloom: Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charge Move)
These Fighting-type Pokémon and moves will help you take down Persian quickly and move on to the next phase of the battle.
Phase 2 – How to Counter Giovanni’s Shadow Honchkrow, Kangaskhan, or Kingdra
Giovanni will challenge you with one of three Pokémon, depending on your choice: Shadow Honchkrow, Shadow Kangaskhan, or Shadow Kingdra. Here’s a breakdown of the best counters to use against each one:
Honchkrow Counters
Honchkrow is a Flying and Dark-type Pokémon, making it weak against Rock, Electric, Ice, and Fairy-type moves.
- Shadow Rampardos: Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Slide (Charge Move)
- Mega Tyranitar: Waterfall (Fast Move) & Origin Pulse (Charge Move)
- Tapu Koko: Volt Switch (Fast Move) & Nature’s Madness (Charge Move)
- Magnezone: Volt Switch (Fast Move) & Wild Charge (Charge Move)
- Shadow Rhyperior: Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Wrecker (Charge Move)
- Shadow Raikou: Thunder Shock (Fast Move) & Wild Charge (Charge Move)
Kangaskhan Counters
Kangaskhan is a Normal-type Pokémon, which means it’s weak to Fighting-type moves.
- Mega Lucario: Force Palm & Aura Sphere
- Mega Heracross: Counter & Close Combat
- Terrakion: Double Kick & Sacred Sword
- Mega Blaziken: Counter & Focus Blast
- Shadow Machamp: Counter & Dynamic Punch
- Conkeldurr: Counter & Dynamic Punch
Kingdra Counters
Kingdra is a Water and Dragon-type Pokémon, making it weak to Dragon and Fairy-type moves.
- Origin Forme Palkia: Dragon Tail (Fast Move) & Spacial Rend (Charge Move)
- Mega Salamence: Dragon Tail (Fast Move) & Outrage (Charge Move)
- Mega Gardevoir: Charm (Fast Move) & Dazzling Gleam (Charge Move)
- Mega Latios: Dragon Breath (Fast Move) & Dragon Claw (Charge Move)
- Shadow Dragonite: Dragon Tail (Fast Move) & Dragon Claw (Charge Move)
- Haxorus: Dragon Tail (Fast Move) & Breaking Swipe (Charge Move)
These counters will give you the upper hand in the second phase of the battle, regardless of which Pokémon Giovanni sends out.
Phase 3 – How to Counter Giovanni’s Shadow Cresselia
In the final phase, you’ll face Giovanni’s Shadow Cresselia, a pure Psychic-type Pokémon. Cresselia is weak against Bug, Dark, and Ghost-type moves, so here are the best counters:
- Mega Tyranitar: Smackdown (Fast Move) & Crunch (Charge Move)
- Yveltal: Snarl (Fast Move) & Dark Pulse (Charge Move)
- Guzzlord: Snarl (Fast Move) & Crunch (Charge Move)
- Dawn Wings Necrozma: Shadow Claw (Fast Move) & Moongeist Beam (Charge Move)
- Mega Absol: Snarl (Fast Move) & Dark Pulse (Charge Move)
- Incineroar: Snarl (Fast Move) & Darkest Lariat (Charge Move)
These counters will help you defeat Cresselia and secure victory in your battle against Giovanni.
Additional Tips for Beating Giovanni
Defeating Giovanni requires more than just selecting the right counters. Here are some additional tips to help you succeed:
Power Up Your Pokémon
Make sure your chosen counters are fully powered up. Giovanni’s Pokémon are tough, and under-leveled counters may not be able to deal enough damage.
Use Shields Wisely
Giovanni’s Pokémon can deal massive damage, so use your shields strategically. Protect your key counters from charged attacks that could knock them out.
Be Prepared for Multiple Attempts
If you lose the first battle, don’t give up. Giovanni will use the same lineup in subsequent attempts, allowing you to adjust your strategy and improve your chances of winning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the best counters for Giovanni’s Shadow Persian?
- A: The best counters for Shadow Persian are Fighting-type Pokémon like Lucario, Machamp, and Conkeldurr with moves like Counter and Dynamic Punch.
Q2: How can I defeat Giovanni’s Shadow Cresselia?
- A: To defeat Shadow Cresselia, use Dark-type Pokémon like Mega Tyranitar, Yveltal, and Guzzlord with moves like Crunch and Dark Pulse.
Q3: What should I do if Giovanni’s Pokémon defeat my team?
- A: If you lose, try again with a different strategy. Giovanni will use the same team, so you can adjust your counters and movesets to improve your chances.
Q4: How do I find Giovanni in Pokémon Go?
- A: To find Giovanni, you need to complete the Team Go Rocket Special Research quest and obtain a Super Rocket Radar, which will help you locate Giovanni’s hideout.
Q5: Can I battle Giovanni more than once?
- A: Yes, if you lose the first battle, you can challenge Giovanni again. He will use the same lineup, giving you a chance to refine your strategy.
Related Post: How to Train in Pokemon Go
Conclusion
Beating Giovanni in Pokémon Go requires a bit of work, but proper strategy and counters can easily defeat him. Having a notion of what his lineup looks like and building a team to overcome him is a surefire way to overcome the challenges that he dishes out and walk away with those valuable Shadow Pokémon. Remember to keep up with the changes that come around about his lineup. You will be able to defeat Giovanni with a fair share of perseverance and the tips above that this guide points out, continuing the journey to become one of the top trainers in Pokémon Go.
This comprehensive blog post has covered all main areas of how to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go through detailed step-by-step guides, strategic counters, and a host of other helpful hints guaranteeing victory in the battle.
