Giovanni is a Team GO Rocket Boss in Pokémon GO, specializing in Shadow Legendary Pokémon. Giovanni is the boss of Team GO Rocket in Pokémon GO. He is the most powerful Team Rocket member and rewards trainers with a chance to catch Shadow Legendary Pokémon after defeating him.
How to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO 2026
Giovanni uses Persian as his first Pokémon, followed by various Pokémon in his second slot, and a Shadow Legendary as his third. Use Fighting-type Pokémon like Machamp or Lucario to take down Persian quickly. For his legendary, prepare type-specific counters.
Best Counters for Giovanni
Here are the best Pokémon to use against Giovanni:
- Machamp — Strong type advantage and high DPS
- Lucario — Strong type advantage and high DPS
- Conkeldurr — Strong type advantage and high DPS
- Terrakion — Strong type advantage and high DPS
- Kyogre — Strong type advantage and high DPS
- Rhyperior — Strong type advantage and high DPS
Tips for Battling Giovanni
- Use shields wisely — Save at least one shield for Giovanni’s third Pokémon
- Lead with a strong counter — Win the lead to set up shield advantage
- Charge move priority — Use fast-charging moves to bait shields early
- Check current lineups — Giovanni’s team rotates with each new season
Giovanni Rewards
Defeating Giovanni rewards you with a chance to catch a Shadow Legendary Pokémon. These are among the rarest encounters in the game. Check our current events page for Giovanni’s current legendary.
Related Guides
- View all Shadow Pokémon available in Pokémon GO
- Check the current events for Team GO Rocket takeover events
- Browse our complete Pokédex for counter stats
Data based on current Pokémon GO meta. Visit Pokémon GO Live for official announcements.