Pokemon GO's Season of Alola may be coming to an end, but there are still plenty of challenges for players to take on. One of the most popular activities among players is the Team GO Rocket leaders, tough trainers that Pokemon GO players can hunt down for a chance to catch rare Shadow Pokemon.
Players pursuing the Poni Island Path in the Alola to Alola Research this month will need to defeat a Team GO Rocket leader, and who better to face than the big boss himself, Giovanni. Giovanni's line-up can be tough to beat, particularly as his second Pokemon is semi-random, but players should be able to take him down with the right team.
Giovanni's First Pokemon
Like always, Giovanni will kick off the battle with his signature Pokemon, Persian. Persian is a Normal-type Pokemon, which means it's only weak to Fighting-types. It can also use Normal, Dark, Rock, and Fairy moves, so players should be careful when picking their counter.
Ultimately, the best counter for Persian will be a strong Fighting-type that relies on Fighting moves exclusively:
- Machamp - Counter/Cross Chop or Dynamic Punch
- Hariyama - Counter/Dynamic Punch
- Lucario - Counter/Aura Sphere or Power-Up Punch
- Conkeldurr - Counter/Dynamic Punch
Giovanni's Second Pokemon
Giovanni's second Pokemon can be one of three in Pokemon GO this June: Honchkrow, Gyarados, or Rhyperior. Here's how to deal with them.
Honchkrow
Honchkrow is a Dark/Flying-type Pokemon, meaning it's weak to Rock, Electric, Ice, and Fairy-type moves.
- Thundurus - Thunder Shock/Thunderbolt
- Darmanitan - Ice Fang/Avalanche
- Zacian - Quick Attack/Play Rough
- Zekrom - Charge Beam/Wild Charge
Gyarados
Gyarados is also a dual Flying-type, in this case, Flying/Water. This makes it weak to Electric and Rock-type Pokemon.
- Thundurus - Thunder Shock/Thunderbolt
- Zekrom - Charge Beam/Wild Charge
- Electivire - Thunder Shock/Wild Charge
- Raikou - Volt Switch/Wild Charge
Rhyperior
Rhyperior is why there aren't any Rock-type Pokemon recommended for countering Gyarados and Honchkrow. As a Rock/Ground-type, Rhyperior is only weak to Water and Grass moves.
- Torterra - Razor Leaf/Frenzy Plant
- Kyogre - Waterfall/Surf
- Zarude - Vine Whip/Power Whip
- Empoleon - Waterfall/Hydro Cannon
Giovanni's Third Pokemon
Giovanni's final Pokemon in June 2022 is also his most dangerous: the Dragon/Psychic-type Latias. Latias has very high stats but also comes with many weaknesses, including Bug, Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost, and Ice-type moves. Of these, the safest choices are Ghost, Dark, Fairy, and Ice-types.
- Gengar - Shadow Claw/Shadow Ball
- Zacian - Snarl/Play Rough
- Darmanitan - Ice Fang/Avalanche
- Mamoswine - Powder Snow/Avalanche
Pokemon GO players who manage to defeat Giovanni in June 2022 will earn themselves a chance to capture the powerful Shadow Latias.
Pokemon GO is available now on mobile devices.