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Pokemon GOdevelopers have changed Giovanni Shadow Pokemon lineup for the month of February 2025. Those who defeat the Team GO Rocket Main Boss, Giovanni, get valuable rewards. While that is the case, defeating such a powerful foe requires thorough meta-knowledge and strategic counter-selection.
Pokemon GOTeam GO Rocket Shadow Pokemon lineup changes regularly, and you must know the current lineup to plan a battle roster. But the first task is tofind Giovanni by completing a Special Research questfeaturing Team GO Rocket. Onlyafter Level 8 can you claim these quests; the reward for completion is aSuper Rocket Radar, whichcan locate Giovanni. This guide details all Shadow Pokemon Giovanni possesses in February 2025 and the best counters against them.
Pokemon GOGiovanni’s Shadow Pokemon roster changes at Team GO Rocket events.
How to Beat Giovanni In Pokemon GO
After you findGiovanni inPokemon GO, you may initiate the battle with the Team GO Rocket main boss. The battle is segmented into 3 rounds, andGiovanni has a battle roster with 5 Shadow Pokemon. Each Shadow monster is extremely powerful and requires powerful counters to defeat them.
Pokemon GOtrainers must face1 Shadow Pokemon each for the 1st and 3rd rounds. It is the 2nd round that brings forth an unpredictable threat. The Team GO Rocket main bosspossesses 3 different Shadow monster choices for the 2nd round.
Shadow Palkia
Pokemon GO: Giovanni’s First Round Counters
Giovanni alwaysstarts the battle with his Shadow Persian, aNormal-type Pokemonwith boosted offensive abilities as a Shadow monster.
Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Persian
Force Palm (Fighting-type) (Legacy)
Counter (Fighting-type)
Focus Blast (Fighting-type)
Pokemon GO: Giovanni’s Second Round Counters
Giovanni uses a specific monster in the first round, but the second round’s pick is uncertain. ThePokemon GOTeam GO Rocket’s main boss has strong choices,likeShadow Rhyperior, Shadow Nidoking, or Shadow Kingdra for the second round. You must select appropriate counters for all of them.
Waterfall (Water-type)
Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy)
Frenzy Plant (Grass-type) (Legacy)
Shadow, Mega, And Primal Counters AgainstShadow Rhyperior
Hydro Cannon (Water-type) (Legacy)
Sandsear Storm (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy)
Confusion (Psychic-type)
Psychic (Psychic-type)
Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Nidoking
Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Earth Power (Ground-type) (Legacy)
Outrage (Dragon-type)
Outrage (Dragon-type) (Legacy)
Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Kingdra
Spacial Rend (Dragon-type) (Legacy)
Dragon Claw (Dragon-type)
Pokemon GO: Giovanni’s Third Round Counters
Similar to the first round, Giovanni has justone representative in the third roundof the battle, which isthe Legendary PokemonShadow Palkia. You must use counters that exploit its weaknesses inPokemon GOeffectively to defeat the monster. One also needs to be wary of its best moveset, which comprises Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) and Draco Meteor (Dragon-type), resulting in a total DPS of 17.60.
Roar of Time (Dragon-type) (Legacy)
Breaking Swipe (Dragon-type) (Legacy)
Shadow And Mega Counters Against Shadow Palkia
Charm (Fairy-type)
