Giovanni, the boss of Team Rocket, has finally returned to Pokémon GO. The villain is one of the most fun objectives to complete in the game. Whether through quests or independently, players can battle Giovanni by encountering him through Radar Rocket, obtained after gathering 6 Mysterious Components.
If you still haven't managed to defeat the villain and capture your Ho-oh Sombroso, check out below all the tips you need to beat Giovanni in August 2022 with all ease. Enjoy!
Pokemon used by Giovanni and his counters
Giovanni will use 3 pokemons. The first and third are fixed, while the second can vary. Know the order!
1º Pokémon: Persian
Because it is a Normal type pokemon, use strong type pokemon Fighter on the table:
- Machamp (Counter-Attack + Cross Strike)
- Lucario (Counterattack + Empowering Fist)
- Conkeldurr (Counter + Dynamic Punch)
- Heracross (Counter + Melee)
Pokemon: Machamp, Cloyster or Golem
The second Pokemon used by Giovanni can vary between the three above. Fortunately, they all have the same weakness against Fighter, allowing you to use the same Pokemon mentioned above.:
- Machamp (Counter-Attack + Cross Strike)
- Lucario (Counterattack + Empowering Fist)
- Conkeldurr (Counter + Dynamic Punch)
- Heracross (Counter + Melee)
However, if your opponent is a Machamp, it will also deal double damage to your Fighters, and considering that the next pokemons suggested below are from Pedra, there is a chance that a single Machamp will counter your entire team. In this case, we suggest using Machamp's main counters:
- Mewtwo (Confusion + Psychic Strike)
- Togekiss (Enchant + any hit)
- Rayquaza (Air Attack + Hurricane)
3º Pokémon: Ho-Oh
Giovanni will end the fight using Ho-OH. For being a type pokemon Fogo e Flying, use strong counters with attacks like Pedra,
- Rhyperior (Knocked Down + Rock Breaker)
- Rampardos (Knockdown + Stone Slide)
- Terrakion (Knockdown + Stone Slide)
- Tyranitar (Knocked Down + Stone Edge)
- Landorous (Stone Throw + Stone Slide)
Attention: Remember that you can exit combat at any time. So, if you take 2 Fighters and 1 Stone (the best option), you can restart the fight as soon as you notice that the second opponent is a Machamp, and then choose an appropriate counter.
General tips for defeating Giovanni
No matter which team Giovanni uses or what mission you are on, the tips below can always apply:
- It is possible to defeat Giovanni with numerous different teams. The counters mentioned above are by far the best options, but if you don't have these pokemons, just choose the ones with the same type and correct moves.
- Whenever you find Giovanni, the villain will use the same team for your entire stay at that PokéStop, that is, if you lose, you can battle again already knowing which pokémons he will use. So, use your first attempts to find his second pokémon (since the first and third are fixed). Choose your team based on that.
- Don't worry too much about your Pokemon's CP. Most important of all is to use the right counters (with the right moves) for each of Giovanni's Pokemon.
- Giovanni will always use both shields as soon as he receives Charged Attacks. Therefore, a very used strategy is to start combat with pokémons that carry energy very quickly, such as Swampert (Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon) and Melmetal (Shock Thunder + Stone Slide).
See also:
- Pokémon GO: All Stages of the "Let's Go Meltan!"
- Pokemon GO: the best pokemons for the Great League! (PvP)
- Meet the best Pokémon in the Ultra League in Pokémon GO!
- The best pokemons for the Pokemon GO Master League!
