Pokemon GO Giovanni counters and lineup (September '25): How to beat the GO Rocket Boss

Defeating Pokemon GO Giovanni's team requires in-depth knowledge of the best counters that will work against him. His current ace is Incarnate Shadow Tornadus. This follows Shadow Giratina, Shadow Palkia and Shadow Dialga from the last seasons.

To find the best Pokemon GO Giovanni' team counters in your collection, use these search strings:

• Fighting&@Fighting&cp2000-
• Water&@Water&cp2000-
• Ice&@Ice&cp2000-

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Best team to defeat Pokemon GO Giovanni (September 2025)

The following is Sportskeeda Gaming's recommendation for the best team composition to counter Giovanni's lineup:

• Mega Lucario with Force Palm, Aura Sphere, and Flash Cannon
• Primal Kyogre with Waterfall, Origin Pulse, and Blizzard
• White Kyurem with Ice Fang, Ice Burn, and Focus Blast

This list consists of the most accessible creatures of this type. A Fighting-type, a Water-type and an Ice-type attacker will easily get you across the line when it comes to beating Giovanni in Pokemon GO in September 2025.

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How to find Giovanni in Pokemon GO

You will need a Super Rocket Radar to find Giovanni in Pokemon GO. You will get the item from the Delightful Days Taken Over Giovanni Special Research. In it, you are tasked with defeating the three GO Rocket Leaders: Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo, after which you will get the Super Rocket Radar.

With the item equipped, Giovanni will spawn in GO Rocket balloons or GO Rocket PokeStops like other leaders from the outfit. Unlike the latter, you may encounter a grunt disguised as the GO Rocket Boss.

Once you have found the right one, don't worry if you can't beat him on the first try. You can battle Giovanni as many times as you want.

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Pokemon GO Giovanni lineup in September 2025

Pokemon GO Giovanni lineup (Image via The Pokemon Company)

You will find Giovanni sporting the following lineup:

Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 3
Shadow Persian (Normal-type)	Shadow Rhyperior (Ground- & Rock-type)	Incarnate Shadow Tornadus (Flying-type)
	Shadow Kangaskhan (Normal-type)
	Shadow Nidoking (Poison- & Ground-type)

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Pokemon GO Giovanni Counters

How to beat the Pokemon GO Giovanni team in Pokemon GO

To defeat Giovanni's team, utilize one Fighting-type, one Water-type, and one Ice-type. There are no apparent threats from the team.

Make sure to bait out both shields while Persian is on the field, ideally with a Fighting-type that is quick to Fast Moves (Force Palm/Power-Up Punch Lucario is a good set-up). Once that is done, switch to the required type counters for each Pokemon you face.

Best Fighting-type counters to Giovanni: Good against Persian, Rhyperior and Kangaskhan

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Mega Lucario	Force Palm	Aura Sphere
Mega Blaziken	Counter	Focus Blast
Terrakion	Double Kick	Sacred Sword
Keldeo	Low Kick	Sacred Sword
Shadow Conkeldurr	Counter	Dynamic Punch
Shadow Machamp	Karate Chop	Cross Chop

Best Water-type counters to Giovanni: Good against Nidoking and Rhyperior

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Primal Kyogre	Waterfall	Origin Pulse
Mega or Shadow Swampert	Water Gun	Hydro Cannon
Mega Blastoise	Water Gun	Hydro Cannon
Mega Gyarados	Waterfall	Hydro Pump
Shadow Kingler	Bubble	Crabhammer
Shadow Empoleon	Waterfall	Hydro Cannon

Best Ice-type counters to Giovanni: Good against Nidoking, Rhyperior, and Incarnate Tornadus

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Black Kyurem	Dragon Tail	Freeze Shock
White Kyurem	Ice Fang	Ice Burn
Shadow Mamoswine	Powder Snow	Avalanche
Shadow Weavile	Ice Shard	Avalanche
Kyurem	Dragon Breath	Glaciate
Baxcalibur	Ice Fang	Avalanche

You don't need to have a Pokemon with a second Charged Attack. If you are wondering how to get so, check out our guide on how to unlock a second Charged Attack for your Pokemon in Pokemon GO.

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Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Pokemon Type Calculator