Pokemon GO recently featured a Team GO Rocket takeover event that brought a Special Research task, From the Shadows. Players must finish five steps to complete it to claim rewards, which includes fighting against Team GO Rocket grunts, leaders, and the boss. Some lucky players might encounter the Shiny Shadow Regice as well.
After players have defeated the Team GO Rocket leaders, Arlo, Sierra, and Cliff, they will face the boss. Giovanni is a powerful opponent since he uses Pocket Monsters with high Combat Power.
Players should strategize and build their teams with proper counters after analyzing the roster’s weakness. That said, this guide covers all information about Giovanni’s new lineup, its weaknesses, and the best counters to defeat it.
Pokemon GO guide: Exploring Giovanni’s lineup and how to counter it in April 2023
To battle Giovanni in Pokemon GO, players must first locate him by defeating Team GO Rocket grunts. This involves defeating six grunts to obtain parts for a Rocket Radar. Once it is completed, players will face one of three Team GO Rocket leaders. After defeating all three, a Special Research Task will reward them with a Super Rocket Radar. Giovanni can be challenged at any Team GO Rocket Pokestop or Rocket Balloon with the radar.
Giovanni has five Shadow Monsters to use in battle with the Shiny version of Shadow Persian and Shadow Regice. The Giovanni’s lineup for April is listed below:
First Phase: Shadow Persian
Second Phase: Shadow Nidoking, Shadow Kingler, and Shadow Kingdra
Third Phase: Shadow Regice
Best counters for Giovanni Phase 1 in Pokemon GO
Shadow Persian
Shadow Persian is a Normal-type Pocket Monster with a max CP of 1910 in Pokemon GO. It has a weak defense with the following stats 150 Attack, 136 Defense, and 163 Stamina in the game. This monster is weak against only Fighting-type and fairly resists only Ghost-type attacks.
Shadow Persian becomes powerful in Partly Cloudy weather conditions, dealing extra damage to its opponent. The counters for Shadow Persian comprise Fighting-type monsters due to its single weakness against this type.
Counters for Shadow Persian
- Machamp: Counter, Stone Edge, Close Combat
- Terrakion: Double Kick, Rock Slide, Sacred Sword
- Lucario: Counter, Shadow Ball, Power-up Punch
- Tyranitar: Smack Down, Stone Edge, Crunch
- Breloom: Counter and Dynamic Punch
Best counters for Giovanni Phase 2 in Pokemon GO
Shadow Nidoking
Shadow Nidoking is a dual Poison/Ground-type Pocket Monster with a max CP of 2902. Its Pokemon GO stats consist of 204 Attack, 156 Defense, and 191 Stamina, making it an avid attacker in the game. This critter deals extra damage in Cloudy and Sunny weather conditions.
The Shadow Monster is weak against Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water-type attacks but easily resists Electric, Poison, Bug, Fairy, Fighting, and Rock-type moves. Shadow Nidoking can be his second fighter in the battle.
Counters for Shadow Nidoking
- Mamoswine: Powder Snow, Ancient Power, Avalanche
- Kyogre: Waterfall, Blizzard, Surf
- Swampert: Mud Shot, Earthquake, Hydro Cannon
- Rhyperior: Mud Slap, Surf, Rock Wrecker
Shadow Kingdra
Shadow Kingdra is a dual Water/Dragon-type Pocket Monster with a max CP of 2986 in Pokemon GO. Its stats of 194 Attack, 194 Defense, and 181 Stamina make it an average threat. This monster’s prowess boosts in Rain and Windy weather conditions. Although weak against Dragon and Fairy-type, it can fairly resist Fire, Water, and Steel-type attacks. This Shadow Fighter can be one of his second fighters in the battle.
Counters for Shadow Kingdra
- Primarina: Charm, Hydro Pump, Moonblast
- Dragonite: Dragon Tail, Superpower, Dragon Claw
- Gardevoir: Charm, Shadow Ball, Synchronoise
- Clefable: Charm, Meteor Mash, Moonblast
- Togekiss: Charm, Flamethrower, Ancient Power
Shadow Kingler
Shadow Kingler is a mono Water-type Pocket Monster with a max CP of 3198. It is a great attacker with Pokemon GO stats of 240 Attack, 181 Defense, and 146 Stamina. This monster’s ability gets boosted in Rain weather conditions. Despite being weak against Electric and Grass-type, it can fairly resist damage from Ice, Fire, Water, and Steel-type attacks.
Counters for Shadow Kingler
- Sceptile: Bullet Leaf, Dragon Claw, Leaf Blade
- Torterra: Razor Leaf, Stone Edge, Frenzy Plant
- Kartana: Razor Leaf, Nigh Slash, Leaf Blade
- Raikou: Volt Switch, Shadow Ball, Wild Charge
- Ampharos: Volt Switch, Thunder Punch, Brutal Swing
Best counters for Giovanni Phase 3 in Pokemon GO
Shadow Regice
Shadow Regice is a Legendary Ice-type Pocket Monster with a max CP of 3530. This monster has in-game stats of 179 Attack, 309 Defense, and 190 Stamina. The Legendary Titan becomes powerful in Snow weather conditions, dealing extra damage in battles.
It is weak against Fighting, Fire, Rock, and Steel-type moves, and can only resist Ice-type attacks. Beating Shadow Regice allows players to rescue it, and some lucky ones might encounter a Shiny Shadow version.
Counters for Shadow Regice
- Entei: Fire Spin, Iron Head, Flame Charge
- Tyranitar: Smack Down, Stone Edge, Crunch
- Blaziken: Counter, Blast Burn, Blaze Kick
- Terrakion: Double Kick, Rock Slide, Sacred Sword
- Machamp: Counter, Rock Slide, Cross Chop
- Lucario: Counter, Shadow Ball, Power-Up Punch
Defeating Giovanni in this Special Research task will reward players with 3000 XP, 2000 Stardust, and 2 Gloden Razz Berries with other regular rewards.
That’s all for How to Beat Giovanni on Pokemon GO. This is your chance to catch ’em all and become a true Pokemon GO master. Ready for this new Season 10: Rising Heroes, trainers?
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