Defeating Giovanni in Pokemon GO: Strategies for January 2025
In Pokémon GO, the developers regularly update Giovanni’s lineup of Shadow Pokémon, with significant changes occurring for February 2025. Conquerors of Team GO Rocket’s formidable leader, Giovanni, earn valuable rewards, but victory requires an in-depth understanding of the game’s meta and strategic counter-planning.
Notably, the lineup of Team GO Rocket’s Shadow Pokémon is subject to frequent updates. To effectively prepare for battle, trainers must first locate Giovanni by completing a Special Research quest associated with Team GO Rocket. Access to these quests is only available after reaching Level 8, and upon their completion, players receive a Super Rocket Radar that allows them to track Giovanni down. This guide outlines all Shadow Pokémon Giovanni will have in February 2025, along with the most effective counters to each.
Strategies to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO
Upon locating Giovanni in Pokémon GO, trainers engage in a battle that comprises three rounds. Giovanni commands a powerful team of five Shadow Pokémon, requiring players to employ robust counter Pokémon to triumph. In the initial and third round, trainers face a single Shadow Pokémon, while the second round introduces a variable threat, as Giovanni utilizes one of three potent options from his lineup.
Rounds Shadow Pokémon First Round Shadow Persian Second Round- Shadow Rhyperior
- Shadow Nidoking
- Shadow Kingdra
Giovanni’s First Round Counters in Pokémon GO
Giovanni consistently initiates battle with his Shadow Persian, a Normal-type Pokémon that boasts enhanced offensive capabilities as a Shadow Pokémon.
Shadow Persian Counters
- Type: Normal
- Weakness: Fighting-type moves
- Resistance: Ghost-type moves
Effective Counters Against Shadow Persian
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Keldeo Low Kick (Fighting-type) Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) Terrakion Double Kick (Fighting-type) Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) Dusk Mane Necrozma Metal Claw (Steel-type) Sunsteel Strike (Steel-type) Cobalion Metal Claw (Steel-type) Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) Lucario Force Palm (Fighting-type) Aura Sphere (Fighting-type)Shadow and Mega Counters Against Shadow Persian
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Mega Lucario Force Palm (Fighting-type) (Legacy) Aura Sphere (Fighting-type) Mega Rayquaza Air Slash (Flying-type) Dragon Ascent (Flying-type) Shadow Conkeldurr Counter (Fighting-type) Dynamic Punch (Fighting-type) Mega Blaziken Counter (Fighting-type) Focus Blast (Fighting-type) Mega Lopunny Low Kick (Fighting-type) Focus Blast (Fighting-type)Giovanni’s Second Round Counters in Pokémon GO
In contrast to the first round, where Giovanni’s choice is predetermined, the second round introduces uncertainty. Giovanni will deploy one of three formidable Pokémon: Shadow Rhyperior, Shadow Nidoking, or Shadow Kingdra, necessitating strategic selection of counters for each.
Shadow Rhyperior Counters
- Type: Ground and Rock
- Weakness: Grass, Water, Fighting, Ground, Ice, and Steel-type
- Resistance: Fire, Flying, Normal, Rock, Electric, and Poison-type
Effective Counters Against Shadow Rhyperior
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Zarude Vine Whip (Grass-type) Power Whip (Grass-type) Can Razor Leaf (Grass-type) Leaf Blade (Grass-type) Sky Forme Shaymin Magical Leaf (Grass-type) Grass Knot (Grass-type) Kyogre Waterfall (Water-type) Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) Chesnaught Vine Whip (Grass-type) Frenzy Plant (Grass-type) (Legacy)Shadow, Mega, and Primal Counters Against Shadow Rhyperior
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Primal Kyogre Waterfall (Water-type) Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) Mega Swampert Water Gun (Water-type) Hydro Cannon (Water-type) (Legacy) Mega Sceptile Bullet Seed (Grass-type) Frenzy Plant (Grass-type) (Legacy) Shadow Kyogre Waterfall (Water-type) Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) Mega Blastoise Water Gun (Water-type) Hydro Cannon (Water-type) (Legacy)Shadow Nidoking Counters
- Type: Poison and Ground
- Weakness: Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water-type
- Resistance: Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, Electric, and Poison-type
Effective Counters Against Shadow Nidoking
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Therian Forme Landorus Mud Shot (Ground-type) Sandsear Storm (Ground-type) (Legacy) Mewtwo Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy) Dawn Wings Necrozma Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) Lunar Confusion (Psychic-type) Psychic (Psychic-type) Incarnate Form Landorus Mud Shot (Ground-type) Earth Power (Ground-type)Shadow and Mega Counters Against Shadow Nidoking
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Primal Kyogre Waterfall (Water-type) Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) Primal Groudon Mud Shot (Ground-type) Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy) Shadow Mewtwo Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy) Mega Garchomp Mud Shot (Ground-type) Earth Power (Ground-type) (Legacy) Mega Rayquaza Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Dragon Ascent (Flying-type)Shadow Kingdra Counters
- Type: Water and Dragon
- Weakness: Dragon and Fairy-type moves
- Resistance: Steel, Fire, and Water-type moves
Effective Counters Against Shadow Kingdra
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Palkia Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Draco Meteor (Dragon-type) Dawn Wings Necrozma Shadow Claw (Ghost-type) Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) Haxor Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Dragon Claw (Dragon-type) Rayquaza Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Outrage (Dragon-type) Salamence Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Outrage (Dragon-type) (Legacy)Shadow and Mega Counters Against Shadow Kingdra
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Mega Rayquaza Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Outrage (Dragon-type) Mega Garchomp Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Outrage (Dragon-type) Origin Forme Palkia Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Spacial Rend (Dragon-type) (Legacy) Shadow Salamence Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Outrage (Dragon-type) Shadow Dragonite Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Dragon Claw (Dragon-type)Giovanni’s Third Round Counters in Pokémon GO
In the final round, similar to the first, Giovanni deploys only one Pokémon: Shadow Palkia. To effectively overcome this formidable adversary, trainers must leverage counters that exploit its vulnerabilities within Pokémon GO. Players should also remain cautious of Palkia’s powerful moveset, featuring Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) and Draco Meteor (Dragon-type), with a total DPS of 17.60.
Shadow Palkia Counters
- Type: Water and Dragon
- Weakness: Dragon and Fairy-type moves
- Resistance: Steel, Fire, and Water-type moves
Effective Counters Against Shadow Palkia
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Origin Forme Palkia Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Spacial Rend (Dragon-type) (Legacy) Origin Forme Dialga Dragon Breath (Dragon-type) Roar of Time (Dragon-type) (Legacy) Rayquaza Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Breaking Swipe (Dragon-type) (Legacy) Palkia Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Draco Meteor (Dragon-type) Haxor Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Breaking Swipe (Dragon-type) (Legacy)Shadow and Mega Counters Against Shadow Palkia
Pokémon Fast Move Charged Move Mega Rayquaza Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Breaking Swipe (Dragon-type) (Legacy) Mega Garchomp Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Outrage (Dragon-type) Mega Salamence Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Draco Meteor (Dragon-type) Mega Gardevoir Charm (Fairy-type) Dazzling Gleam (Fairy-type) Origin Forme Palkia Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) Spacial Rend (Dragon-type) (Legacy)Source & Images
Related Articles:
Top 10 Survival Games Featuring Soulslike Mechanics
14:03July 13, 2025Top 10 Metroidvania Games to Convert You into a Fan
13:05July 13, 2025Comprehensive Reggie Guide: Master the Art of Dating Everything
18:44July 12, 2025Top 10 Iconic Boss Fights From the PS1 Era
15:03July 12, 2025Download Artweaver 8.0.1 Build 2692 for Enhanced Digital Artwork
Going Dutch Triumphs in One Major Aspect Where Shifting Gears Falls Short
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
