Team GO Rocket’s big bad is back in a big way after a brief and mysterious disappearance from Pokemon GO. Now that the mobile game's enemy faction has returned there are going to be plenty of reasons to battle grunts and the Rocket leaders throughout the remainder of November 2021. There are some tough battles ahead and they're all leading up towards a dramatic encounter with Giovanni.
Giovanni is back this month and trainers are finally getting to face off against a Shadow Pokemon that has been requested for months. The Team GO Rocket leader has a very tough lineup this month and Pokemon GO players are going to need to prepare a roster that can handle a high DPS Legendary if they want to defeat Giovanni during November 2021.
Like always, Giovanni will kick off the fight with Persian, but after that point things get a little tougher. The second spot has three possible Pokemon (Kinglear or Rhyperior or Nidoking), so it's very likely players may have to prepare for all the options and then take a gamble on their first attempt. Failing and then jumping right back in for a rematch with the correct counters is a totally viable strategy, so just be sure to get through Persian on the first attempt and learn what he has in slot number two. Finally, trainers will end the battle going up against the Legendary Pokemon Lugia.
Giovanni's Updated November 2021 Roster
Persian (like always)
Kinglear or Rhyperior or Nidoking
Lugia
Best Counter for Persian
Tyranitar with Smack Down and Crunch
Machamp with Counter and Cross Chop
Lucario with Counter and Power-Up Punch
Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch
Shadow Machamp with Counter and Cross Chop
Best Counter for Kinglear
Torterra - Razor Leaf/Frenzy Plant
Zapdos -Thunder Shock/Thunderbolt
Vileplume - Razor Leaf/Sludge Bomb
Raikou - Volt Switch/Wild Charge
Magnezone - Spark/Wild Charge
Best Counter for Rhyperior
Torterra - Razor Leaf/Frenzy Plant
Excadrill - Mud Shot/Drill Run
Kyogre - Waterfall/Surf
Swampert - Mud Shot/Hydro Cannon
Cobalion - Metal Claw/Sacred Sword
Best Counter for Nidoking
Empoleon with Waterfall and Hydro Cannon
Mewtwo with Psycho Cut and Psystrike
Mega Blastoise with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
Swampert with Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
Kyogre with Waterfall and Surf
Best Counter for Lugia
Raikou - Volt Switch/Wild Charge
Terrakion - Smack Down/Rock Slide
Magnezone - Volt Switch/Wild Charge
Tyranitar - Smack Down/Stone Edge
Sandslash (Alola) - Powder Snow/Ice Punch
With that lineup of potential counters, players should have no problems countering any configuration of challengers that Giovanni shows up to the fight with. There are obviously lots of other Pokemon that can work as substitutes for this ideal roster, but most players shouldn't have much trouble assembling the team recommended above. All of those Pokemon are very relevant to the current Pokemon GO PvE and PvP metagame, so it's worth investing in them beyond this fight anyway.
Over the next week or so players should begin to learn a lot more about the final days of the Season of Mischief and what is coming next. Be sure to check back in the near future for more Pokemon GO strategy guides, news, and updates. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!
Pokemon GO is available on Android and iOS.