Giovanni, the elusive leader of Team GO Rocket, is back this September 2025 with a tough lineup led by Shadow Giratina. Defeating him is no small task, but with the right strategy and team composition, trainers can claim victory and earn a guaranteed Shadow Legendary catch. Here’s everything you need to know.
How to Find Giovanni in Pokemon GO September 2025
Before you can battle Giovanni, you’ll need to complete the current Team GO Rocket Special Research, Delightful Days: Taken Over.
- Progress through the storyline until you receive a Super Rocket Radar.
- Equip it to reveal Giovanni’s possible hideouts at invaded PokéStops or in Rocket Balloons.
- Be prepared for decoy grunts disguised as Giovanni — you’ll need to check multiple locations before finding the real boss.
- Once found, you can battle Giovanni repeatedly until you win.
If you haven’t received the new Special Research, you may still have an unfinished older storyline, such as A Troubling Situation. Completing it will unlock the current quest.
See also: Pokemon GO Ditto Disguises September 2025 & Shiny Ditto Guide
The Super Rocket Radar doesn’t always point directly to Giovanni. It highlights both decoy Grunts and Giovanni’s actual hideout, so you’ll need to investigate each location.
Giovanni’s Lineup in Pokemon GO September 2025
The battle consists of three rounds. The first and third Pokémon are fixed, while the second slot rotates between three possibilities:
- Round 1: Shadow Persian
- Round 2: Shadow Rhyperior, Shadow Nidoking, or Shadow Kangaskhan
- Round 3: Shadow Giratina
This lineup requires a versatile counter team that can handle multiple weaknesses effectively.
Giovanni’s team was refreshed with the summer 2025 Rocket Takeover event and updated on August 11. Clear this fight soon — the Shadow Legendary may rotate out in the next refresh.
Best Team to Beat Giovanni (September 2025)
A strong, balanced trio will help cover most of Giovanni’s roster:
- Machamp / Mega Lucario – Excellent for dealing with Persian, Rhyperior, and Kangaskhan thanks to powerful Fighting-type moves.
- Swampert / Primal Kyogre – Provides coverage against Rhyperior and Nidoking with strong Water-type attacks.
- Black Kyurem / Mega Rayquaza – Dominates Shadow Giratina with Dragon- and Ice-type moves.
This setup ensures you can handle the normal, ground, and dragon threats efficiently.
Shadow Persian Counters – Giovanni September 2025
Giovanni always opens with Persian, a Normal-type that resists Ghost moves but is weak to Fighting. It also serves as a shield burner since Giovanni blocks your first two Charged Attacks.
Recommended counters:
- Lucario (Counter + Aura Sphere)
- Terrakion (Double Kick + Sacred Sword)
- Machamp (Counter + Dynamic Punch)
- Conkeldurr (Counter + Dynamic Punch)
Shadow Rhyperior Counters
Rhyperior’s Rock/Ground typing makes it weak to Grass and Water (both double weaknesses), as well as Fighting, Ice, Ground, and Steel.
Recommended counters:
- Primal Kyogre (Waterfall + Origin Pulse)
- Mega Swampert (Water Gun + Hydro Cannon)
- Mega Sceptile (Bullet Seed + Frenzy Plant)
- Groudon (Mud Shot + Precipice Blades)
Shadow Nidoking Counters
Nidoking is Poison/Ground, weak to Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water moves.
Recommended counters:
- Primal Kyogre (Waterfall + Origin Pulse)
- Shadow Mewtwo (Psycho Cut + Psystrike)
- Mega Garchomp (Mud Shot + Earth Power)
- White Kyurem (Ice Fang + Ice Burn)
See also: Pokemon GO Necrozma Shiny Guide: Raid Counters, Fusions & 100% IVs
Shadow Kangaskhan Counters
Kangaskhan is a Normal-type with only one major weakness: Fighting. It can hit surprisingly hard, so bring durable counters.
Recommended counters:
- Mega Lucario (Counter + Aura Sphere)
- Mega Blaziken (Counter + Focus Blast)
- Mega Heracross (Counter + Close Combat)
- Shadow Conkeldurr (Counter + Dynamic Punch)
Shadow Giratina Counters
The final boss, Shadow Giratina (Dragon/Ghost), is the toughest part of the battle. It’s weak to Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost, and Ice moves.
Shadow Giratina can use Dragon Breath or Shadow Claw as its Fast Move, and Shadow Sneak, Dragon Claw, or Ancient Power as Charged Moves. Some counters will perform better depending on its moveset, so prepare accordingly.
Recommended counters:
- Black Kyurem (Dragon Tail + Freeze Shock)
- Mega Rayquaza (Dragon Tail + Outrage)
- Mega Tyranitar (Bite + Brutal Swing)
- Gardevoir (Charm + Dazzling Gleam)
- Mamoswine (Powder Snow + Avalanche)
Rewards for Defeating Giovanni
Victory comes with valuable prizes:
- 5,000 Stardust
- Three item bundles (may include Max Revives, Max Potions, or an Unova Stone)
- Guaranteed Shadow Giratina catch in the final stage
- 4 Shadow Shards, enough to craft one Purified Gem
Tip: Use a Pinap Berry when catching Shadow Giratina to maximize Candy.
Pro Tips for Pokemon GO Giovanni September 2025
- Lead with a Fighting-type to chip Persian and burn Giovanni’s shields early.
- Prepare for the rotating second slot by bringing Water and Grass coverage.
- Save your strongest Dragon, Fairy, or Ice Pokémon for the Shadow Giratina finale.
- Remember: you can retry if you lose, as long as you still have the Super Rocket Radar active.
Quick Reference
- Round 1 (Persian): Lucario, Terrakion, Machamp, Conkeldurr
- Round 2 (Rhyperior): Primal Kyogre, Mega Swampert, Mega Sceptile
- Round 2 (Nidoking): Primal Groudon, Shadow Mewtwo, White Kyurem, Mega Garchomp
- Round 2 (Kangaskhan): Mega Lucario, Mega Blaziken, Mega Heracross, Shadow Conkeldurr
- Round 3 (Giratina): Black Kyurem, Mega Rayquaza, Mega Garchomp, Mega Tyranitar, Gardevoir, Mamoswine
Beating Giovanni in September 2025 requires patience, strategy, and strong counters. With Persian as the opener, a rotating mid-battle threat, and Shadow Giratina as the closer, this fight demands flexibility. Build a team around Fighting, Water, and Dragon/Ice coverage, and you’ll walk away with one of the most coveted Shadow Legendaries in Pokémon GO.
