As one of the toughest challenges in Pokémon Go, taking on Giovanni, the infamous leader of Team Rocket, requires strategy, preparation, and the right team of Pokémon. Giovanni’s lineup changes periodically, and in September 2024, players will face Shadow Cresselia as the final boss.
In this guide, we’ll break down Giovanni’s lineup, his weaknesses, and the best Pokémon counters to help you defeat him and capture the elusive Shadow Cresselia.
Giovanni’s Pokémon Go Lineup (September 2024)
Giovanni’s team typically consists of three Pokémon, with the first and third Pokémon remaining the same, while the second is selected randomly from a pool. Here’s the lineup you’ll be facing this month:
- Phase 1: Shadow Persian
- Phase 2: Shadow Honchkrow / Shadow Kangaskhan / Shadow Kingdra
- Phase 3: Shadow Cresselia
Each phase requires careful planning to exploit the specific weaknesses of Giovanni’s Pokémon.
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How to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go (September 2024)
Phase 1: Shadow Persian
Giovanni always leads with Shadow Persian, a Normal-type Pokémon. It’s weak against Fighting-type moves, making it essential to bring a strong Fighting-type Pokémon to start the battle.
Best Counters for Persian:
- Lucario: Counter (Fast Move) + Aura Sphere (Charge Move)
- Machamp: Counter (Fast Move) + Dynamic Punch (Charge Move)
- Conkeldurr: Counter (Fast Move) + Focus Blast (Charge Move)
Using these powerful Fighting-types, you can deal significant damage and quickly eliminate Persian to move on to the second phase.
Phase 2: Shadow Honchkrow, Kangaskhan, or Kingdra
In the second phase, Giovanni will choose one of three Pokémon: Shadow Honchkrow, Shadow Kangaskhan, or Shadow Kingdra. Each of these requires a specific counter strategy.
- Honchkrow is a Dark/Flying-type Pokémon, weak to Electric, Ice, Rock, and Fairy attacks.
- Best Counters:
- Rampardos: Smack Down (Fast Move) + Rock Slide (Charge Move)
- Magnezone: Volt Switch (Fast Move) + Wild Charge (Charge Move)
- Raikou: Thunder Shock (Fast Move) + Wild Charge (Charge Move)
- Best Counters:
- Kangaskhan is a Normal-type Pokémon, weak to Fighting-type moves.
- Best Counters:
- Mega Lucario: Force Palm (Fast Move) + Aura Sphere (Charge Move)
- Machamp: Counter (Fast Move) + Dynamic Punch (Charge Move)
- Conkeldurr: Counter (Fast Move) + Focus Blast (Charge Move)
- Best Counters:
- Kingdra is a Water/Dragon-type Pokémon, weak to Dragon and Fairy-type moves.
- Best Counters:
- Dragonite: Dragon Tail (Fast Move) + Dragon Claw (Charge Move)
- Mega Gardevoir: Charm (Fast Move) + Dazzling Gleam (Charge Move)
- Salamence: Dragon Tail (Fast Move) + Outrage (Charge Move)
- Best Counters:
Phase 3: Shadow Cresselia
Finally, you’ll face Shadow Cresselia, a Psychic-type Pokémon. Cresselia is weak to Bug, Dark, and Ghost-type moves, making it crucial to have a well-prepared team to exploit these weaknesses.
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Best Counters for Shadow Cresselia:
- Tyranitar: Smackdown (Fast Move) + Crunch (Charge Move)
- Yveltal: Snarl (Fast Move) + Dark Pulse (Charge Move)
- Guzzlord: Dragon Tail (Fast Move) + Crunch (Charge Move)
With these counters, you’ll be able to defeat Shadow Cresselia and earn the chance to capture this elusive Pokémon.
Top Tips to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go
- Power Up Your Pokémon: Make sure your team is fully powered up before facing Giovanni. You’ll need all the strength you can get.
- Use Shields Wisely: Giovanni’s Pokémon hit hard, so save your shields for critical moments, particularly when battling Shadow Cresselia.
- Plan for Multiple Attempts: Giovanni is a tough opponent. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t win on the first try. Adjust your strategy and try again.
Giovanni Pokémon Go Counter Table
| Giovanni’s Pokémon | Weaknesses | Best Counters |
|---|---|---|
| Persian | Fighting | Lucario, Machamp, Conkeldurr |
| Honchkrow | Electric, Ice, Rock, Fairy | Rampardos, Magnezone, Raikou |
| Kangaskhan | Fighting | Mega Lucario, Machamp, Conkeldurr |
| Kingdra | Dragon, Fairy | Dragonite, Mega Gardevoir, Salamence |
| Cresselia | Bug, Dark, Ghost | Tyranitar, Yveltal, Guzzlord |
Conclusion
Defeating Giovanni in Pokémon Go is no small feat, but with the right strategy and counters, you can take down his team and capture Shadow Cresselia. Make sure to power up your team, use your shields wisely, and exploit each Pokémon’s weaknesses to claim victory.
Whether you’re a seasoned Pokémon Go player or new to the game, taking on Giovanni is one of the most rewarding challenges. Good luck, and may you catch them all!
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