Learn how to defeat Giovanni in Pokémon during the month of January 2026 in Pokémon GO. This page details Giovanni’s Pokémon lineup, the most effective counters, and the best team to win against Giovanni. We also list the steps to find Giovanni, understand the rewards for defeating him, and common issues with Team GO Rocket Special Research.

• Currently being updated with the start of Precious Pals: Taken Over 
• Other GO Rocket guides: Arlo lineup and counters, Sierra lineup and counters, Cliff lineup and counters, Team GO Rocket Grunt lineups

Giovanni’s Pokémon Lineup

Giovanni’s current lineup includes Shadow Pokémon such as Persian, Rhyperior, Machamp, Kangaskhan, and the Shadow Incarnate Forme Thundurus.

Slot #1

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Slot #2

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Slot #3

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How to find Giovanni

In order to find Giovanni, you need to complete the previous Team GO Rocket Research quest lines and pick up the Precious Pals Taken Over Special Research. If you don’t have it, you probably have an unfinished research from before. Check on the bottom of the article for a full list of TGR research lines.

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Shadow Persian Counters

Shadow Persian

Persian is a Normal-type Pokémon, weak to Fighting type moves. It takes reduced damage from Ghost type moves and has a wide move pool variety. Best counters are strong Fighters, but also Steel-typed Pokémon like Melmetal and Dialga.

Open with a strong Pokémon that can burn Giovanni’s shields efficiently – the aim is at least one. Since we are always facing Persian, we strongly recommend going with a strong Fighting type.

Shadow Rhyperior Counters

Shadow Rhyperior

Rhyperior is a Rock and Ground-type Pokémon. Rhyperior is weak to Grass (2x), Water (2x), Fighting, Ground, Ice, and Steel moves. It is strong against Fire, Flying, Normal, Rock, Electric, and Poison moves.

Shadow Machamp Counters

Shadow Machamp

Shadow Machamp is a Fighting type, and as such is weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy moves. It is strong against Bug, Rock, and Dark moves.

Shadow Kangaskhan Counters

Shadow Kangaskhan

Kangaskhan is a pure Normal-type Pokémon. So, it is only weak to Fighting type moves. It takes reduced damage from Ghost-type moves. Be aware that Kangaskhan can hit pretty hard!

Shadow Incarnate Form Thundurus Counters

Incarnate Shadow Thundurus

Giovanni’s Shadow Thundurus is an Electric and Flying-type Pokémon. It is weak to Ice, and Rock-type moves, which means you have a wide choice of counters available.

Shadow Thundurus can have Thunder Shock or Astonish for its fast move, and Thunder Punch, Thunder, Brick Break, or Cruch for charged moves. Based on this, we selected counters which perform almost always well.

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How to find Giovanni in Pokémon GO

In order to find Giovanni, you need to complete a currently active Team GO Rocket Special Research. Depending on the time you played, this can vary. Currently, Giovanni has returned with Shadow Thundurus as part of the Precious Pals Taken Over Special Research.

Once you complete the fourth step of the current Rocket Special Research, you will get a Super Rocket Radar.

• It works like a regular Rocket Radar, but it tracks Giovanni, not GO Rocket leaders.
• The Super Rocket Radar doesn’t immediately lead you to Giovanni; it displays locations of both decoy Grunts disguised as Giovanni and Giovanni’s actual Hideout.
• You’ll need to approach each PokéStop and investigate yourself to find where Giovanni’s hiding.
• You can rematch if you lose, and your Super Rocket Radar will be consumed if you win.

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Rewards for defeating Giovanni in Pokémon GO

Trainers who manage to defeat Giovanni will receive selection of rare reward bundles, including the chance to get a Legendary Shadow Pokémon.

• Trainers receive 5,000 Stardust for defeating Giovanni
• Defeating Giovanni rewards three item bundles including Max Potions or Max Revives
• Trainers have the opportunity to catch the Legendary Shadow Pokémon used by Giovanni at the moment of defeating him. 
• Giovanni does not drop Strange Eggs as a reward, regardless of open egg inventory slots.

Reward bundles

Guaranteed

5000×




Stardust

Random drop of three of these (can stack)

Defeating Team GO Rocket Boss Giovanni yields three item bundles, each of which has an equal chance of containing 4 Max Potions or 4 Max Revives. As an example, a typical reward drop might contain 8 Max Potions and 4 Max Revives.

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How to get the latest Team GO Rocket Special Research

Every single time there is a new Rocket Takeover event, we get a bunch of readers wondering why they haven’t received the new Special Research to go along with it (yet).

The most likely explanation is: You still have an unfinished Team GO Rocket research in your (right) Special Research tab.

If you have any of these Special Research stories, and you have progressed beyond the first page of it, you need to finish it, before you can receive any new Team GO Rocket Special Research:

• A Troubling Situation (This is the prerequisite research that you need to finish in order to receive any of the future Team GO Rocket Special Research storylines)

Any of these Special Research could be blocking you from getting the newest Team GO Rocket Special Research:

• Looming in the Shadows
• A Challenging Development
• The Take-Over Continues
• A Professor’s Work is Never Done
• The Shadowy Threat Grows
• An Inter-egg-sting Development
• The Higher They Fly…
• A Seven-Colored Shadow
• Silent Schemes
• Field Notes: Team GO Rocket
• Ultra Beast Protection Efforts
• Shadowy Skirmishes
• From the Shadows
• Showdown in the Shadows (Team GO Rocket Special Research)
• Timeless Travels Special Research
• It’s a Rocket World
• Adventure Week: Taken Over
• Fashion Week: Taken Over Special Research
• Delightful Days: Taken Over Special Research
• Psychic Spectacular: Taken Over Special Research
• Precious Pals: Taken Over Special Research

The post Pokémon GO Giovanni Lineup and Counters (January 2026) appeared first on Pokémon GO Hub.