In Pokémon GO, the developers regularly update Giovanni’s lineup of Shadow Pokémon, with significant changes occurring for February 2025. Conquerors of Team GO Rocket’s formidable leader, Giovanni, earn valuable rewards, but victory requires an in-depth understanding of the game’s meta and strategic counter-planning.
Notably, the lineup of Team GO Rocket’s Shadow Pokémon is subject to frequent updates. To effectively prepare for battle, trainers must first locate Giovanni by completing a Special Research quest associated with Team GO Rocket. Access to these quests is only available after reaching Level 8, and upon their completion, players receive a Super Rocket Radar that allows them to track Giovanni down. This guide outlines all Shadow Pokémon Giovanni will have in February 2025, along with the most effective counters to each.
Strategies to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO
Upon locating Giovanni in Pokémon GO, trainers engage in a battle that comprises three rounds. Giovanni commands a powerful team of five Shadow Pokémon, requiring players to employ robust counter Pokémon to triumph. In the initial and third round, trainers face a single Shadow Pokémon, while the second round introduces a variable threat, as Giovanni utilizes one of three potent options from his lineup.
| Rounds | Shadow Pokémon |
|---|---|
| First Round | Shadow Persian |
| Second Round |
|
| Third Round | Shadow Palkia |
Giovanni’s First Round Counters in Pokémon GO
Giovanni consistently initiates battle with his Shadow Persian, a Normal-type Pokémon that boasts enhanced offensive capabilities as a Shadow Pokémon.
Shadow Persian Counters
- Type: Normal
- Weakness: Fighting-type moves
- Resistance: Ghost-type moves
Effective Counters Against Shadow Persian
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Keldeo | Low Kick (Fighting-type) | Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) |
| Terrakion | Double Kick (Fighting-type) | Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw (Steel-type) | Sunsteel Strike (Steel-type) |
| Cobalion | Metal Claw (Steel-type) | Sacred Sword (Fighting-type) |
| Lucario | Force Palm (Fighting-type) | Aura Sphere (Fighting-type) |
Shadow and Mega Counters Against Shadow Persian
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm (Fighting-type) (Legacy) | Aura Sphere (Fighting-type) |
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash (Flying-type) | Dragon Ascent (Flying-type) |
| Shadow Conkeldurr | Counter (Fighting-type) | Dynamic Punch (Fighting-type) |
| Mega Blaziken | Counter (Fighting-type) | Focus Blast (Fighting-type) |
| Mega Lopunny | Low Kick (Fighting-type) | Focus Blast (Fighting-type) |
Giovanni’s Second Round Counters in Pokémon GO
In contrast to the first round, where Giovanni’s choice is predetermined, the second round introduces uncertainty. Giovanni will deploy one of three formidable Pokémon: Shadow Rhyperior, Shadow Nidoking, or Shadow Kingdra, necessitating strategic selection of counters for each.
Shadow Rhyperior Counters
- Type: Ground and Rock
- Weakness: Grass, Water, Fighting, Ground, Ice, and Steel-type
- Resistance: Fire, Flying, Normal, Rock, Electric, and Poison-type
Effective Counters Against Shadow Rhyperior
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Zarude | Vine Whip (Grass-type) | Power Whip (Grass-type) |
| Can | Razor Leaf (Grass-type) | Leaf Blade (Grass-type) |
| Sky Forme Shaymin | Magical Leaf (Grass-type) | Grass Knot (Grass-type) |
| Kyogre | Waterfall (Water-type) | Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) |
| Chesnaught | Vine Whip (Grass-type) | Frenzy Plant (Grass-type) (Legacy) |
Shadow, Mega, and Primal Counters Against Shadow Rhyperior
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Primal Kyogre | Waterfall (Water-type) | Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) |
| Mega Swampert | Water Gun (Water-type) | Hydro Cannon (Water-type) (Legacy) |
| Mega Sceptile | Bullet Seed (Grass-type) | Frenzy Plant (Grass-type) (Legacy) |
| Shadow Kyogre | Waterfall (Water-type) | Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) |
| Mega Blastoise | Water Gun (Water-type) | Hydro Cannon (Water-type) (Legacy) |
Shadow Nidoking Counters
- Type: Poison and Ground
- Weakness: Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water-type
- Resistance: Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, Electric, and Poison-type
Effective Counters Against Shadow Nidoking
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Therian Forme Landorus | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Sandsear Storm (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) |
| Lunar | Confusion (Psychic-type) | Psychic (Psychic-type) |
| Incarnate Form Landorus | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Earth Power (Ground-type) |
Shadow and Mega Counters Against Shadow Nidoking
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Primal Kyogre | Waterfall (Water-type) | Origin Pulse (Water-type) (Legacy) |
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Precipice Blades (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Psychic-type) | Psystrike (Psychic-type) (Legacy) |
| Mega Garchomp | Mud Shot (Ground-type) | Earth Power (Ground-type) (Legacy) |
| Mega Rayquaza | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Dragon Ascent (Flying-type) |
Shadow Kingdra Counters
- Type: Water and Dragon
- Weakness: Dragon and Fairy-type moves
- Resistance: Steel, Fire, and Water-type moves
Effective Counters Against Shadow Kingdra
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Palkia | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Draco Meteor (Dragon-type) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw (Ghost-type) | Moongeist Beam (Ghost-type) |
| Haxor | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Dragon Claw (Dragon-type) |
| Rayquaza | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Outrage (Dragon-type) |
| Salamence | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Outrage (Dragon-type) (Legacy) |
Shadow and Mega Counters Against Shadow Kingdra
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Outrage (Dragon-type) |
| Mega Garchomp | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Outrage (Dragon-type) |
| Origin Forme Palkia | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Spacial Rend (Dragon-type) (Legacy) |
| Shadow Salamence | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Outrage (Dragon-type) |
| Shadow Dragonite | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Dragon Claw (Dragon-type) |
Giovanni’s Third Round Counters in Pokémon GO
In the final round, similar to the first, Giovanni deploys only one Pokémon: Shadow Palkia. To effectively overcome this formidable adversary, trainers must leverage counters that exploit its vulnerabilities within Pokémon GO. Players should also remain cautious of Palkia’s powerful moveset, featuring Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) and Draco Meteor (Dragon-type), with a total DPS of 17.60.
Shadow Palkia Counters
- Type: Water and Dragon
- Weakness: Dragon and Fairy-type moves
- Resistance: Steel, Fire, and Water-type moves
Effective Counters Against Shadow Palkia
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Origin Forme Palkia | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Spacial Rend (Dragon-type) (Legacy) |
| Origin Forme Dialga | Dragon Breath (Dragon-type) | Roar of Time (Dragon-type) (Legacy) |
| Rayquaza | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Breaking Swipe (Dragon-type) (Legacy) |
| Palkia | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Draco Meteor (Dragon-type) |
| Haxor | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Breaking Swipe (Dragon-type) (Legacy) |
Shadow and Mega Counters Against Shadow Palkia
| Pokémon | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Breaking Swipe (Dragon-type) (Legacy) |
| Mega Garchomp | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Outrage (Dragon-type) |
| Mega Salamence | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Draco Meteor (Dragon-type) |
| Mega Gardevoir | Charm (Fairy-type) | Dazzling Gleam (Fairy-type) |
| Origin Forme Palkia | Dragon Tail (Dragon-type) | Spacial Rend (Dragon-type) (Legacy) |
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