Once you defeat all the Team Go Rocket Leaders, it’s time to take on their boss. It won’t be an easy task, but here is how to beat Giovanni in Pokemon GO.
How to Beat Team Go Rocket Boss Giovanni in Pokemon GO
For being the boss of Team Go Rocket, this battle isn’t especially difficult if you have proper counters. In fact, it’s one of the most straightforward of these leader battles since Giovanni’s first and third Pokemon will always be set in stone. Here are all of Giovanni’s possible Pokemon:
- Pokemon 1
- Persian (Normal)
- Pokemon 2
- Nidoking (Poison/Ground)
- Kingler (Water)
- Rhyperior (Rock/Ground)
- Pokemon 3
- Latias (Dragon/Psychic)
Giovanni Battle 1
Persian
It makes sense — when it comes to lore — that Persian is Giovanni’s first Pokemon, but you would expect the head of Team GO Rocket to have a stronger mon. Persian isn’t anything special, so overpower it with your Conkeldurr, Lucario, Machamp, etc.
Best Picks: Conkeldurr, Lucario, Machamp, Heracross, Sirfetch’d
Battle 2
Nidoking
Nidoking is susceptible to Ice-, Ground-, Psychic-, and Water-type attacks, so you can pick a handful of different Pokemon here. Just make sure that you shield its first charge move if you’re using a Pokemon that is part Steel like Jirachi or Empoleon.
Best Picks: Palkia, Kyogre, Empoleon, Jirachi, Gyarados
Kingler
Kingler with Crabhammer is quietly one of the best Water attackers in the game, so don’t take this crab lightly. If you’re lucky, then the Kingler you face will have some weaker like X-Scissor or Vise Grip. Palkia is a big bulky wall of water that can still deal massive damage to Kingler. Otherwise, use a Grass- or Electric-type Pokemon here.
Best Picks: Palkia, Ludicolo, Leafeon, Zarude, Zekrom
Rhyperior
If you’re banking on running into this guy or Nidoking, then an Ice-type is the best way to go. Just be careful since Rhyperior’s Rock attacks can take out huge chunks of HP very quickly. A Water or Grass Pokemon is a much safer option here.
Best Picks: Torterra, Gyarados, Swampert, Gurogeist (Super), Kyogre
Giovanni Battle 3
Latias
Half of the eon duo has been captured by Giovanni! Fortunately, this is the only Pokemon that Giovanni has in his third spot so you can adequately prepare for Shadow Latias. Finally, it’s time for Bug-type Pokemon to shine. As long as they’re also part Steel. Conveniently, other Steel-types are solid options here as well.
Best Picks: Mega Steelix, Genesect, Heatran, Scizor, Mew
Best Pokemon Team
There are a ton of options for this battle up until you get to Shadow Lugia, but you can only pick three mons to go to battle with you. Here’s a solid team that should help you best Giovanni.
My ideal team for beating Giovanni is:
- Lucario (Counter | Power-Up Punch)
- Palkia (Dragon Breath | Aqua Tail)
- Mega Steelix (Dragon Tail | Crunch)
Secondary Team:
- Machamp (Counter | Cross Chop)
- Gyarados (Waterfall | Aqua Tail)
- Genesect (Fury Cutter | X-Scissor)
That’s all there is to know about how to beat Team Go Rocket Boss Giovanni in Pokemon GO. Now that you’ve beaten Giovanni, it’s time to take on Cliff, Sierra, and Arlo all over again.