Just like the series, he is the most powerful enemy in Pokemon GO, and to defeat him in battle, you need a solid strategy. But tracking him can be equally difficult, as he’ll be baiting you mostly. In this guide, we have explained all the details you need to beat Giovanni in Pokemon GO and his best counters.
Pokemon GO Giovanni Lineup in February 2026
The Battle against Giovanni in Pokemon GO is like a Trainer Battle. But has three different Battle Phases, and you need to complete them all to defeat it. While his Phase 1 and Phase 3 Pokemon are the same, he’ll use any one of the three Pokemon in Phase 2. That said, here’s a list of the current Pokemon GO Giovanni lineup in February 2026: Giovanni’s lineup changes every time there is a new Team GO Rocket Takeover event. He follows a new lineup in February 2026 that was introduced during the Precious Pal event. We can expect a new lineup to be introduced at the next Takeover event, and when it does, we’ll update our list.
How to Easily Beat Giovanni in Pokemon GO
Beating Giovanni in Pokemon GO won’t be a walk in the park. You need a solid strategy, based on the Pokemon that he uses, and make a note of their weaknesses and resistances. Make sure that you bring some of your best Pokemon that can counter Giovanni’s entire team, and match its weaknesses. Giovanni starts every battle using his favourite Shadow Persian. The second Pokemon is a random one from the three we’ve mentioned. Finally, you’ll then face Shadow Thundurus Incarnate Form. To make your battle with Giovanni in Pokemon GO much easier, here are some tips that you should follow:
Like other GO Rocket Leaders, Giovanni uses two shields to block your first two moves. Try exhausting them as early as possible so that you can deal Charged Move damage. Use a Pokemon with a high Fast Move damage during the first round, and a low energy cost Charged Attack to break shields quickly. Once done, you can bring out your strongest Pokemon that matches the counter of the current Phase. Whenever you use a Charge Attack or switch out, there is a 3-second cooldown that Giovanni follows. Ensure that you use the cooldowns effectively to avoid taking damage as much as possible and prevent your Pokemon from fainting.
Pokemon GO Giovanni Phase 1: Shadow Persian Counters
Shadow Persian, the cat Pokemon is the first one that Giovanni brings out against you. It is weak against Fighting-type and resistant to Ghost-types. Here are some of the best counters that you can bring against Giovanni’s Persian: Bringing in a fighting-type Pokemon is the main strategy to clear this phase easily. However, if you don’t have any good fighting ones, then Tyranitar can be another great alternative, due to its resistance against Shadow Persian’s moveset.
Pokemon GO Giovanni Phase 2: Shadow Rhyperior, Shadow Nidoking, and Shadow Kangaskhan Counters
The strategy for Phase 2 of Pokemon GO Giovanni’s battle will be the same across the three different Pokemon. Focus on bringing in your best Pokemon that match their weaknesses, while also generating a lot of energy. This will be useful to deal a lot of Charged Attack damage, and one-shot them.
Shadow Rhyperior Counters
Shadow Rhyperior is a Ground and Rock Pokemon. This makes it weaker to Grass (2x), Water (2x), Fighting, Ground, Ice, and Steel moves and strong against Fire, Flying, Normal, Rock, Electric, and Poison moves. Consider bringing in any of the best counters we have listed below:
Shadow Nidoking Counters
Shadow Nidoking is a Poison and Ground Pokemon, making it weak to Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water moves. It is strong against Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, Electric, and Poison moves, so avoid bringing Pokemon that share these typings. While normal Pokemon and Mega Evolutions can tank attacks quite well, shadow Pokemon are like paper with low defence. When using them, you need to be extra cautious.
Shadow Kangaskhan Counters
Kangaskhan is a pure Normal Pokemon, like Shadow Persian. So, it is only weak to Fighting-type moves and resists Ghost-type moves. If you are using Lucario, Terrakion, Tyranitar or any Rock and Steel-types to counter Kangaskhan, then look out for its Mud Slap Fast Attack. It hits like a truck and deals super-effective damage to them.
Pokemon GO Giovanni Phase 3: Shadow Incarnate Form Thundurus Counters
Finally, Giovanni’s last Pokemon is a Shadow Incarnate Form Thundurus. It is an Electric / Flying-type Pokemon, making it weak against Ice, and Rock-type moves. On the other hand, it is resistant to Electric, Flying, Steel, Bug, Fighting, Grass, and Ground-type attacks. Shadow Incarnate Form Thundurus can have Thunder Shock or Astonish for its fast move, and Thunder Punch, Thunder, Brick Break, or Crunch as its Charged Move. Based on this, we selected the most effective counters:
Where to Find Giovanni in Pokemon GO?
To find Giovanni in Pokemon GO, you need to track him using a Super Rocket Radar. You need to complete an active Team GO Rocket Special Research to get a Super Rocket Radar. You can get one in February 2026 by completing Precious Pals Taken Over Special Research. A Super Rocket Radar works like a normal Rocket Radar, but only tracks Giovanni in Pokemon GO. However, it doesn’t lead you to Giovanni, but displays the locations of both decoy Grunts disguised as him and his actual Hideout. You must approach PokeStops, interact with the GO Rocket Balloons, and investigate them to find the real Pokemon GO Giovanni. After finding him, you can challenge him to a battle. Losing the battle won’t consume your Super Rocket Radar, but if you win, then the item will disappear. Also, be mindful that you can store only one Super Rocket Radar in your bag. This means that if you already have one in your bag, it will be wasted if you claim a new one.
Best Team to Beat Giovanni in Pokemon GO
Now that you know about all the best counters to Giovanni’s Pokemon GO lineup, it’s time for you to assemble the best team. The best team that we recommend using against Giovanni comprises Mega Lucario, White Kyurem, and Tyranitar. Mega Lucario or any other fighting-type Pokemon can counter Shadow Persian easily. However, Phase 2 can be a bit challenging, and that’s when our remaining two Pokemon come into play. Given that you have used Power-up Punch to burn Giovanni’s shields in the first round, your Lucario’s attack will be boosted. Using Lucario, you can obliterate Giovanni’s Shadow Kangaskhan and Shadow Rhyperior. However, if you face Nidoking, then switch White Kyurem in. White Kyurem can easily take out Shadow Nidoking and Shadow Thundurus with super-effective ice moves, while also tanking damage. Tyranitar is a great addition to the team, as it can deal super-effective rock-type damage to Thundurus.
All Pokemon GO Giovanni Bosses Difficulty Ranked
Team GO Rocket was introduced in Pokemon GO in 2019. Ever since then, the GO Rocket Leader has had a variety of lineups, which players faced. The most difficult one to defeat was his Mewtwo in Pokemon GO. We looked at the stats, moveset, and other factors of Pokemon GO Giovanni’s past lineups and made a list, ranked based on difficulty from toughest to easiest.
Pokemon Go Giovanni Rewards
Trainers who defeated Giovanni in Pokemon GO will get a selection of reward bundles, including the chance to encounter the Shadow Legendary Pokemon. Here’s a list of all the rewards you can get:
5,000 Stardust (Guaranteed) 4 Revives (Random Drop) 4 Max Revives (Random Drop) 4 Hyper Potions (Random Drop) 4 Max Potions (Random Drop) 1 Charged TM (Random Drop) 1 Fast TM (Random Drop) 1 Unova Stone (Random Drop) Shadow Incarnate Form Thundurus (Guaranteed)
How to Get the Latest Team GO Rocket Special Research
The best way to get the latest Team GO Rocket Special Research is by reaching at least level 8 and completing the last Team GO Rocket Special Research. If you are new or a returning player, make sure that you have completed the prerequisite Special Research ‘Troubling Situation.’ After meeting the requirements, you are eligible for the latest GO Rocket Special Research. We have listed all the past Team GO Rocket Special Researches below. Check if you have any of them in the Special Research tab, and finish them.
Looming in the Shadows A Challenging Development The Take-Over Continues A Professor’s Work is Never Done The Shadowy Threat Grows An Inter-egg-sting Development The Higher They Fly… A Seven-Colored Shadow Silent Schemes Field Notes: Team GO Rocket Ultra Beast Protection Efforts Shadowy Skirmishes From the Shadows Showdown in the Shadows (Team GO Rocket Special Research) Timeless Travels Special Research It’s a Rocket World Adventure Week: Taken Over Fashion Week: Taken Over Special Research Delightful Days: Taken Over Special Research Psychic Spectacular: Taken Over Special Research Precious Pals: Taken Over
That’s everything you need to know about Giovanni in Pokemon GO. Which team did you use to defeat him? Let us know in the comments. Name Email ID
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