Pokémon Go Giovanni counters, team line-up in January 2025

Giovanni’s staff had a refresh in Pokémon Go following the arrival of the summer time “Galarian Expedition: Taken Over” occasion.

Because it stands in January 2025, following an replace rolled out on Oct. 8, Giovanni’s staff sees a number of prospects, together with a finale towards Heatran, the most recent legendary to see the Shadow remedy.

For individuals who wish to catch Shadow Heatran, attempt to get it finished earlier than later, as there’ll seemingly be one other Workforce 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 troublesome opponent to battle, and this web page will checklist out his present staff and counters if you happen to’re having hassle.

The right way to discover Giovanni in Pokémon Go

Workforce Go Rocket boss Giovanni is often solely out there to battle whereas finishing Workforce Go Rocket Particular Analysis. We get a brand new set of this sort of analysis each few months, usually with a brand new Shadow legendary Pokémon as a reward on the very finish.

From early October 2024, this quest is “Galar Calling,” the overarching Particular Analysis for the season. The Workforce Go Rocket portion is particularly steps 9 by way of 14.

As a part of the search, after beating all three Team Go Rocket leaders, you’ll get a Tremendous Rocket Radar, permitting you to search out Giovanni.

Similar to the leaders, Giovanni will seem in Workforce Go Rocket balloons or at taken over PokéStops with the Tremendous Rocket Radar geared up. He gained’t typically be within the first you encounter — there can be decoy grunts alongside the way in which — however preserve attempting and Giovanni will seem.

As soon as you discover him and use the radar, you’ll be able to battle him as many occasions 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 robust battle.

Pokémon Go Giovanni staff line-up

At present, Giovanni can have the next staff:

Pokémon Go Giovanni counters

As a result of there are fewer potential celebration choices for Giovanni than there are for the Rocket leaders, he’s really simpler to plan towards, even when his Pokémon are a lot stronger. You will want to convey the strongest Pokémon you may have, and your A-game with the intention to take him down.

Opening Pokémon (Persian) counters

For Persian, convey a fighting-type Pokémon, similar to:

Second doable Pokémon counters

If he makes use of Kingdra throughout the second encounter, contemplate fairy-types similar to:

If he makes use of Rhyperior throughout the second encounter, contemplate grass-types similar to:

If he makes use of Nidoking throughout the second encounter, contemplate ice-types similar to:

Closing Pokémon (Heatran) counters

For the ultimate encounter towards Heatran, we advocate utilizing a ground-type Pokémon, similar to:

The right 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 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 overlook to make use of a Pinap Berry to attain some further sweet.

Lastly, know that successful towards Giovanni is an environment friendly approach of incomes Shadow Shards for Purified Gems, with every battle rewarding 4 Shards — sufficient to make one Gem.