Pokémon Go Rocket Giovanni counters, team in March 2023

Giovanni’s team had a refresh in Pokémon Go as part of the “Shadowy Skirmishes” Special Research.

As of March 2023, his team remains unchanged following the research’s debut, and will likely be the same for a few months yet.

However, know that whenever you face Giovanni, he’s a tough opponent to battle, and this page will list out his Current team Counters if you’re having trouble.

Giovanni’s location PokémonGo

Giovanni, Team Go Rocket boss, is often only available for battle during Team Go Rocket’s Special Research. We get a new set of this type of research every few months, typically with a new Shadow legendary Pokémon as a reward at the very end. After beating all three Team Go Rocket leaders, you’ll get a Super Rocket Radar, allowing you to hunt down Giovanni.

Just like the leaders, Giovanni will appear in Team Go Rocket balloons or at taken over PokéStops if you have the Super Rocket Radar. Once you find him and use the radar, you can battle him as many times as it takes to beat him (as long as you’re within distance of the PokéStop), which is great, because he is typically a pretty tough battle.

Pokémon Go Giovanni team

Giovanni currently has the following team.

• Persian (normal)
• Nidoking (poison/ground)
  Cloyster (water/ice)
  Garchomp (dragon/ground)
• Registeel (steel)

Pokémon Go Giovanni counters

Because there are less potential party options for Giovanni than there are for the Rocket Leaders, he’s actually easier to plan against, though his Pokémon are much stronger. You will need to bring the strongest Pokémon you have and your A game in order to take him down.

He uses NidokingTake into account GroundTypes of:

• Garchomp Mud Shot and Earth Power
• Mamoswine With Mud Slap or Bulldoze
• Groudon Earthquake and Mud Shot
• Rhyperior Mud Slap, Earthquake

He uses CloysterTake into account fightingThese types of:

• Terrakion Double kick and Sacred Sword
• Machamp Dynamic Punch and counter
• Lucario With Counter and Aura Sphere
• Conkeldurr Dynamic Punch and counter

He uses GarchompTake into account IceBut, -types Registeel can withstand ice type moves.You will have to use another counter (e.g. fighting- or ground-types) in order to stop it. Powerful ice-type Pokémon include:

• Galarian DarmanitanIce Fang and Avalanche
• Mamoswine Powder Snow and Avalanche
• Glaceon Frost Breath, Avalanche
• Beavile Ice Shard and Avalanche

How to beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go

I personally use a beefed up Machamp first to both get rid of his Persian quickly while also quickly building up Charge Moves to get through Giovanni’s two shields. After that, I’ll try to find a counter for both his second Pokémon and the Registeel, if that’s possible.

Shadow Registeel can be gotten from Giovanni after defeating Giovanni. It’s a guaranteed catch, so don’t forget to use a Pinap Berry to score some extra candy.