How to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO (June 2025)

Think you're ready to face the big boss himself? Giovanni isn't just any Team GO Rocket leader—he's the boss, and he's not going down without a fight. If you've been wondering how to beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO, you're in the right place. He's sneaky, he's tough, and his Shadow Pokémon pack a serious punch—but with the right strategy (and a little attitude), you can send him blasting off faster than you can say "Super Rocket Radar."

Part 1: What Is Giovanni in Pokémon GO?

Giovanni in Pokémon GO is the boss of Team GO Rocket, the villainous organization causing trouble across the game. He's the toughest opponent among all Rocket leaders and appears as part of monthly Special Research tasks like "Shadowy Skirmishes" or "A Troubling Situation."

Key Facts About Giovanni:

• 🧢 Role: Team GO Rocket's leader (like in the main series games)
• 🎯 Battles: He always uses Shadow Persian first, a random middle Pokémon, and a Shadow Legendary last (currently Shadow Dialga in June 2025)
• 🎁 Rewards: Beating him gives rare items, Stardust, and a guaranteed Shadow Legendary Pokémon
• 🕵️ How to Find Him: Use a Super Rocket Radar (from research tasks) to locate and battle him
• 🔄 Lineup Changes: His team rotates monthly or during special events

Think of Giovanni as the final boss of a Rocket storyline—tough, strategic, but totally beatable with the right Pokémon and plan.

Part 2: How to Beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO?

Ready to take on the ultimate villain in Pokémon GO? If you're wondering how to beat Giovanni in Pokémon GO, this quick guide breaks down his June 2025 team, best counters, and smart strategies to help you crush the Team GO Rocket boss and walk away with a powerful Shadow Legendary!

Giovanni's June 2025 Lineup

• 1. Shadow Persian (always first)
• 2. One of three in slot 2: Shadow Kangaskhan, Shadow Rhyperior, or Shadow Nidoking
• 3. Shadow Dialga as the boss Pokémon

Best Counters by Slot

Slot 1: Shadow Persian (Normal-type)

Weak to Fighting-type moves. Ideal openers:

• Lucario (Counter + Power-Up Punch/Aura Sphere)
• Machamp (Counter + Cross/Dynamic Punch)
• Conkeldurr (Counter + Dynamic Punch)

Tip: Use fast-charge moves to burn Giovanni's first two shields quickly.

Slot 2: Variant Counters

• Shadow Kangaskhan (Normal) → same as Persian: Fighting-types (above)
• Shadow Rhyperior (Rock/Ground) → weak to Grass, Water, Fighting, Ground, Ice, Steel—good picks: Swampert, Kyogre, Mega Sceptile, Zarude
• Shadow Nidoking (Poison/Ground) → weak to Ground, Water, Ice, Psychic—try Swampert, Kyogre, Shadow Groudon, Excadrill

Slot 3: Shadow Dialga (Dragon/Steel)

Weak to Fighting and Ground. Top counters:

• Primal/Shadow Groudon (Mud Shot + Precipice Blades)
• Mega Lucario (Counter + Aura Sphere)
• Excadrill (Mud Slap + Scorching Sands)
• Mega Swampert, Mega Garchomp also excel

🧩 Recommended Team Setup

Cover all bases with a balanced lineup: Machamp, Mega Lucario, Mega Swampert, Primal Groudon, Excadrill, Shadow Groudon

Example team:

• 1. Fighting-type opener (e.g., Machamp or Lucario)
• 2. Broad-coverage mid-slot (e.g., Swampert handles Rhyperior/Nidoking)
• 3. Ground-type closer (e.g., Groudon or Excadrill) for Dialga

💡 Pro Battle Tips

• Shield strategy: Save at least one for Dialga's charged moves.
• Flexible switch-ins: Scout his second Pokémon; switch immediately to the best counter.
• Super Rocket Radar: Keep trying—defeats don't consume the radar until you win.
• Rewards: Defeating Giovanni gives 5,000 Stardust, item bundles (Max Revives/Potions), and a guaranteed Shadow Dialga catch (use a Pinap for extra candy).

✅ Quick Strategy Flow

1. Lead with a strong Fighting-type to break through Persian's shields.

2. Adjust to his second Pokémon:

• Kangaskhan → continue with Fighting
• Rhyperior → switch to Water/Grass
• Nidoking → bring Water/Ground/Ice

3. Save your best Ground/Fighting mon for Shadow Dialga.

4. Catch Dialga with a Pinap Berry, then enjoy your rewards!

With the right counters, shield management, and quick decisions, beating Giovanni (June 2025) is totally doable.

Part 3: How to Effectively Improve Your Chances of Beating Giovanni?

Beating Giovanni in Pokémon GO isn't just about having the right Pokémon—it's also about finding him in the first place. With his location hidden among decoy Rocket leaders, tracking him down can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you're limited by your real-world location. That's where a tool like TunesKit Location Changer comes in.

By simulating GPS movement, it helps you reach Giovanni faster, giving you more chances to battle—and beat—the Team GO Rocket boss without leaving your home. What's more, it also enables you to hatch eggs in Pokemon GO without walking, and it can create custom walking, cycling, or driving routes to mimic natural movement.

Here's how to use TunesKit Location Changer to find & battle Giovanni.

Step 1 Connect Your Device to PC

Download TunesKit Location Changer on your PC or Mac. Connect your iPhone/Android via USB and follow the on-screen prompts to turn on developer mode. Hit the Start button on the main screen, and select the Game Mode to begin.

Step 2Enable Pokémon GO Location Spoofing

Once you've access to the map interface, there are 5 location spoofing modes for you to choose from. You can select the Jump Teleport . Enter the coordinates or name of a city where Giovanni has been reported (e.g., park hotspots or known Rocket stops). And click the Start Moving button.

Step 3Use the Super Rocket Radar

In Pokémon GO, activate the Super Rocket Radar.

You'll see decoy leaders on the map—move around (via TunesKit's Joystick Movement) to visit each PokéStop virtually until the real Giovanni appears.

Step 4Strategically Battle Giovanni

Once you find him, make sure your team is ready (use the strategy guide), and battle him as usual—just don't teleport during or right after the battle.

Why does TunesKit Location Changer help against Giovanni?

• You can quickly scan multiple PokéStops to find Giovanni without walking for hours.
• Helps rural players or those in bad weather locate Giovanni without leaving home.
• Makes it easier to complete time-limited Rocket research quests efficiently.

Part 4: Conclusion

Defeating Giovanni in Pokémon GO isn't just about having powerful Pokémon—it’s about strategy, timing, and being able to consistently track him down before your Special Research expires. With his rotating team lineup and decoy Rocket leaders, simply finding Giovanni can be a frustrating challenge. That's where TunesKit Location Changer comes in as a game-changing tool. It allows you to teleport to any PokéStop, simulate walking routes, and locate Giovanni quickly and efficiently—all without leaving your home or jailbreaking your device.