The level of competence in his organization aside, Giovanni is a genuinely intimidating man, though more so in the games than in the anime. He’s the most dangerous kind of criminal, a charismatic and goal-oriented one. He knows precisely what he wants, how to get it, and who needs to be stepped on to do so. That ruthlessness translates into his skill as a Pokémon trainer, but you can still beat him. Here’s how to beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO, specifically in his November 2021 incarnation.
Giovanni will come at you with the following lineup in Pokémon GO:
- Persian
- Kingler, Rhyperior, or Nidoking
- Shadow Lugia
Taking the cross-section of these Pokémon’s particular weaknesses into account, you should bring along a Fighting type, a Water type, and an Electric type.
How to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon Go (April 2024)
Persian is a pure Normal type, and nothing to write home about besides. You can make quick work out of it with a strong Fighting type like Machamp or Conkeldurr. If you’re feeling gutsy, you can bring a Cobalion with Sacred Sword with you and have it pull double duty against both Persian and Rhyperior.
If Giovanni sends out Nidoking, you’ll want a strong Water type like Empoleon or Kyogre to exploit its weaknesses and resist its moves. Ground types are effective against Nidoking as well, but are vulnerable against Iron Tail. For Kingler, you may have to bring out your Electric type early in order to deal with it. To ensure it still has some fuel in its tank, pick a sturdy Electric type like Magnezone or Raikou.
You’ll want to make sure your Electric type has some fight left in them, because you’ll want them on deck for Shadow Lugia. If you need someone else to pull double duty, you can try swapping your Fighting type out with a Tyranitar or your Water type with an Alolan Sandslash. It’s a bit of a tricky fight due to weird type coverage, but that’s Giovanni for you: always a step ahead.
For more related guides, learn how to beat Arlo, Cliff, Sierra, and Giovanni. You can also check out our Pokemon GO Rocket Grunts guide to learn a thing or two.
