Giovanni’s workforce had a refresh in Pokémon Go following the arrival of the winter “Trend Week: Taken Over” occasion.
Because it stands in Might 2025, following an replace rolled out on Jan. 15, Giovanni’s workforce sees a number of potentialities, together with a finale in opposition to Palkia, the newest legendary to see the Shadow remedy.
For many who need to catch Shadow Palkia, attempt to get it executed prior to later, as there’ll probably be one other Workforce Rocket refresh in coming months that’ll swap out the legendary for a brand new one.
Nonetheless, know that everytime you face Giovanni, he’s a tricky opponent to battle, and this web page will listing out his present workforce and counters when you’re having hassle.
The best way to discover Giovanni in Pokémon Go
Workforce Go Rocket boss Giovanni is often solely accessible to battle whereas finishing Workforce Go Rocket Particular Analysis. We get a brand new set of this kind of analysis each few months, usually with a brand new Shadow legendary Pokémon as a reward on the very finish.
From mid-January 2025, this quest is “Trend Week: Taken Over.”
As a part of the hunt, after beating all three Workforce Go Rocket leaders, you’ll get a Tremendous Rocket Radar, permitting you to seek out Giovanni.
Identical to the leaders, Giovanni will seem in Workforce Go Rocket balloons or at taken over PokéStops with the Tremendous Rocket Radar geared up. He received’t usually be within the first you encounter — there can be decoy grunts alongside the way in which — however hold making an attempt and Giovanni will seem.
As soon as you discover him and use the radar, you’ll be able to battle him as many instances because it takes to beat him — so long as you’re inside distance of the PokéStop — which is nice, as a result of he’s usually a fairly powerful battle.
Pokémon Go Giovanni workforce line-up
Presently, Giovanni may have the next workforce:
- Persian (regular)
- Kingdra (water/dragon)
Rhyperior (floor/rock) - Palkia (water/dragon)
Pokémon Go Giovanni counters
As a result of there are fewer potential social gathering choices for Giovanni than there are for the Rocket leaders, he’s really simpler to plan in opposition to, even when his Pokémon are a lot stronger. You will want to deliver the strongest Pokémon you may have, along with your A-game as a way to take him down.
Opening Pokémon (Persian) counters
For Persian, deliver a fighting-type Pokémon, similar to:
- Terrakion with Double Kick and Sacred Sword
- Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch
- Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere
- Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Second doable Pokémon counters
If he makes use of Kingdra through the second encounter, think about fairy-types similar to:
- Togekiss with Appeal and Dazzling Gleam
- Gardevoir with Appeal and Dazzling Gleam
- Sylveon with Appeal and Dazzling Gleam
If he makes use of Rhyperior through the second encounter, think about grass-types similar to:
- Decidueye with Leafage and Frenzy Plant
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
Closing Pokémon (Palkia) counters
For the ultimate encounter in opposition to Palkia, we advocate utilizing a fairy-type Pokémon, similar to:
- Xerneas with Geomancy and Moonblast
- Togekiss with Appeal and Dazzling Gleam
- Gardevoir with Appeal and Dazzling Gleam
The best way to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go
As with preventing the leaders, Giovanni will block the primary two charged assaults with shields. As such, you’ll ideally desire a fighting-type that may chip away at Persian’s well being, whereas additionally having charged strikes to destroy these two shields as quick as doable. From there, it’s a case of switching to the counters which go well with the line-up that follows.
After defeating Giovanni, you’re going to get to catch whichever Shadow legendary seems within the closing encounter. It’s a assured catch, so don’t overlook to make use of a Pinap Berry to attain some further sweet.
Lastly, know that profitable in opposition to Giovanni is an environment friendly approach of incomes Shadow Shards for Purified Gems, with every battle rewarding 4 Shards — sufficient to make one Gem.

Why it issuesPokémon Go set the world alight in summer time 2016. Because of its drip feed of Pokémon from every technology of video games, the arrival of participant battling, buying and selling, and quite a lot of world group occasions, Niantic’s AR RPG continues to be going robust. So, sure — persons are nonetheless taking part in Pokémon Go.
— Matthew Reynolds, Deputy Editor, Service