Giovanni’s staff had a refresh in Pokémon Go following the arrival of the spring 2025 “Crown Conflict: Taken Over” occasion.
Because it stands in June 2025, following an replace rolled out on Could 13, Giovanni’s staff sees a number of prospects, together with a finale in opposition to Dialga, the newest legendary to see the Shadow remedy.
For individuals who wish to catch Shadow Dialga, attempt to get it performed ahead of later, as there’ll possible be one other Group Rocket refresh in coming months that’ll swap out the legendary for a brand new one.
Nevertheless, know that everytime you face Giovanni, he’s a tricky opponent to battle, and this web page will record out his present staff and counters should you’re having bother.
Find out how to discover Giovanni in Pokémon Go
Group Go Rocket boss Giovanni is often solely obtainable to battle whereas finishing Group Go Rocket Particular Analysis. We get a brand new set of one of these analysis each few months, sometimes with a brand new Shadow legendary Pokémon as a reward on the very finish.
From mid-Could 2025, this quest is “Crown Conflict: Taken Over.”
As a part of the hunt, after beating all three Group Go Rocket leaders, you’ll get a Tremendous Rocket Radar, permitting you to search out Giovanni.
Similar to the leaders, Giovanni will seem in Group Go Rocket balloons or at taken over PokéStops with the Tremendous Rocket Radar geared up. He received’t typically be within the first you encounter — there shall be decoy grunts alongside the best way — however maintain attempting and Giovanni will seem.
As soon as you discover him and use the radar, you possibly can 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 sometimes a fairly powerful battle.
Pokémon Go Giovanni staff line-up
At present, Giovanni could have the next staff:
- Persian (regular)
- Kangaskhan (water/dragon)
Rhyperior (floor/rock)
Nidoking (poison/floor) - Dialga (metal/dragon)
You’ll sort of discover that should you convey a fighting-type, a grass-type, and a ground-type Pokémon, you need to be largely set to counter Giovanni this time round because of some properly shared counters throughout his staff. Not too shabby! We record some choices for you beneath.
Pokémon Go Giovanni counters
As a result of there are fewer potential get together choices for Giovanni than there are for the Rocket leaders, he’s truly simpler to plan in opposition to, even when his Pokémon are a lot stronger. You have to to convey the strongest Pokémon you will have, along with your A-game to be able to take him down.
Opening Pokémon (Persian) counters
For Persian, convey a fighting-type Pokémon, resembling:
- 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 attainable Pokémon counters
If he makes use of Kangaskhan throughout the second encounter, contemplate fighting-types resembling:
- 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
(Sure, these are the identical Pokémon from the really useful record for Persian. You’ll be able to convey two if Persian finally ends up taking certainly one of them out.)
If he makes use of Rhyperior throughout the second encounter, contemplate grass-types resembling:
- Decidueye with Leafage and Frenzy Plant
- Venusaur with Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant
If he makes use of Nidoking as his second Pokémon, you need to use water-, grass-, or ground-types like:
- Kyogre with Waterfall and Hydro Pump
- Primarina with Waterfall and Hydro Cannon
- Kartana with Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade
- Rillaboom with Razor Leaf and Grass Knot
- Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
- Garchomp with Mud Shot and Earth Energy
Closing Pokémon (Dialga) counters
For the ultimate encounter in opposition to Dialga, we advocate utilizing a ground-type Pokémon, resembling:
- Groudon with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
- Garchomp with Mud Shot and Earth Energy
Find out how 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 attainable. From there, it’s a case of switching to the counters which swimsuit the line-up that follows.
After defeating Giovanni, you’ll get to catch whichever Shadow legendary seems within the last encounter. It’s a assured catch, so don’t neglect to make use of a Pinap Berry to attain some further sweet.
Lastly, know that successful in opposition to Giovanni is an environment friendly method of incomes Shadow Shards for Purified Gems, with every battle rewarding 4 Shards — sufficient to make one Gem.