Pokémon GO developers have updated Giovanni’s lineup of Shadow Pokémon for January 2025. Players who manage to defeat Team GO Rocket’s formidable leader, Giovanni, can earn considerable rewards. However, overcoming such a powerful adversary demands a solid understanding of battle mechanics and strategic selections when assembling counter Pokémon.
The Shadow Pokémon lineup for Team GO Rocket frequently changes, making it essential for trainers to stay informed about the current roster. To engage Giovanni, players first need to complete a Special Research quest connected to Team GO Rocket. Access to these quests is granted after reaching Level 8, and completing them rewards trainers with a Super Rocket Radar, a tool crucial for locating Giovanni. This guide will walk you through the Shadow Pokémon Giovanni will use in January 2025 and the optimal counters for each.
The Shadow Pokémon team utilized by Giovanni is subject to change during Team GO Rocket Takeover events. The most recent adjustment occurred during the October 2024 Galarian Expedition Takeover event.
Effective Strategies to Defeat Giovanni in Pokémon GO
Once you successfully locate Giovanni, you’ll initiate a challenging battle segmented into three distinct rounds. Giovanni has a total of five Shadow Pokémon, each of which poses a significant threat, necessitating the use of effective counters.
In the battle structure, trainers will face one Shadow Pokémon in both the first and third rounds. The second round, however, introduces variability with Giovanni having three formidable choices.
| Round | Shadow Pokémon |
|---|---|
| First Round | Shadow Persian |
| Second Round |
|
| Third Round | Shadow Heatran |
First Round Counters for Giovanni in Pokémon GO
The battle begins with Giovanni’s Shadow Persian, a Normal-type Pokémon known for its enhanced offensive capabilities as a Shadow entity.
Effective Counters for Shadow Persian
- Type: Normal
- Weakness: Vulnerable to Fighting-type moves
- Resistance: Resistant to Ghost-type moves
Conventional 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) |
Advanced Counters Including Shadows and Megas 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) |
Second Round Counters for Giovanni in Pokémon GO
While Giovanni begins with a predetermined Pokémon, his selection in the second round varies significantly. Trainers must prepare to counter one of three powerful options: Shadow Rhyperior, Shadow Nidoking, or Shadow Kingdra. It is crucial to strategize appropriately for each type.
Effective Counters for Shadow Rhyperior
- Type: Ground and Rock
- Weakness: Vulnerable to Grass, Water, Fighting, Ground, Ice, and Steel-type moves
- Resistance: Resistant to Fire, Flying, Normal, Rock, Electric, and Poison-type moves
Conventional 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) |
Advanced Shadow, Mega, and Primal Counters for 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) |
Effective Counters for Shadow Nidoking
- Type: Poison and Ground
- Weakness: Vulnerable to Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water-type moves
- Resistance: Resistant to Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, Electric, and Poison-type moves
Conventional 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) |
| Lunala | Confusion (Psychic-type) | Psychic (Psychic-type) |
| Incarnate in the form of Landorus | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Earth Power (Ground-type) |
Advanced Shadow and Mega Counters for 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) |
Effective Counters for Shadow Kingdra
- Type: Water and Dragon
- Weakness: Vulnerable to Dragon and Fairy-type moves
- Resistance: Resistant to Steel, Fire, and Water-type moves
Conventional 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) |
| Haxorus | 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) |
Advanced Shadow and Mega Counters for 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) |
Third Round Counters for Giovanni in Pokémon GO
In the final round, Giovanni presents only one Pokémon: the Legendary Shadow Heatran. To prevail, trainers must effectively exploit its weaknesses with tailored counters. It’s also important to anticipate Heatran’s moves, as it wields Fire Spin (Fire-type) and Magma Storm (Fire-type), boasting a total DPS of 20.10.
Effective Counters for Shadow Heatran
- Type: Fire and Steel
- Weakness: Vulnerable to Ground, Fighting, and Water-type moves
- Resistance: Resistant to Dragon, Flying, Normal, Psychic, Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ice, Poison, and Steel-type moves
Conventional Counters Against Shadow Heatran
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Therian Forme Landorus | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Sandsear Storm (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Garchomp | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Earth Power (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Groudon | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Rhyperior | Mud-Slap (Ground-type) | Earthquake (Ground-type) |
| Incarnate in the form of Landorus | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Earth Power (Ground-type) |
Advanced Shadow and Mega Counters for Shadow Heatran
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charge Move |
|---|---|---|
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Mega Garchomp | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Earth Power (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Shadow Garchomp | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Earth Power (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Shadow Groudon | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Mega Swampert | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Earthquake (Ground-type) |
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