With May arriving, Pokemon GO fans have a new slate of limited time events coming to the popular mobile title. New quest lines have appeared, tasking players with performing a number of different actions within the game while also adding new Pokemon into the game like Larvesta and Volcarona. Naturally, players can also participate in LTM events like Community Day, which is placing the spotlight on the Fire Fox known as Fennekin.
In addition, players will also be able to challenge the ever present enemy squad known as Team GO Rocket. Occupying the sky in their hot air balloon, as well as various PokeStops, players can collect Rocket Radars to challenge group leadership, ultimately leading to the big prize: a battle with Pokemon series villain Giovanni. These battles are a great way for players to earn some powerful attacking Shadow Pokemon as well.
As expected, Giovanni is once again invading Pokemon GO and players can take him on one they get their hands on a Super Rocket Radar. However, the Team Rocket leader can be a tough out as he typically has powerful Pokemon at his disposal including a legendary as his final one. Here is what players should expect as well as which Pokemon to bring to score a victory.
Giovanni's First Pokemon
In typical fashion, Giovanni leads off the battle with his signature Pokemon, Persian. Persian is a normal type Pokemon, which typically means no strengths or weaknesses, but inside of Pokemon GO, Persian goes down especially quick to Fighting type Pokemon. Players should be prepared for Normal, Dark, Rock, and Fairy moves as well.
As such, players will want to take certain fighting type Pokemon into battle with them. The best options (though not the only possible ones) are as follows:
- Lucario with Counter fast attack and Aura Sphere or Power-Up Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Conkeldurr with Counter fast attack and Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Machamp with Counter fast attack and Cross Chop or Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Rhyperior with Mudslap fast attack andStone Edge for the Charged Attack.
- Tyranitar with Smack Down fast attack and Crunch for the Charged Attack.
- Hariyama with Counter fast attack and Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.
Giovanni's Second Pokemon
The second Pokemon Giovanni uses is any one of three options. For May 2023, players could see either Kingler, Nidoking, or Kingdra. Here's how to deal with all three.
Kingler
Compared to the other two options, Kingler is a pure Water type, which makes countering it a bit easier. Electric and Grass type moves and players should do well to avoid Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water types as well.
- Torterra with Razor Leaf fast attack and Frenzy Plant for the Charged Attack.
- Zekrom with Charge Beam fast attack and Wild Beam for the Charged Attack.
- Raikou with Thunder Shock fast attack and Wild Charge for the Charged Attack.
- Ampharos with Volt Switch fast attack and Thunder Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Sceptile with Bullet Seed fast attack and Leaf Blade for the Charged Attack.
- Xurkitree with Thunder Shock fast attack and Power Whip for the Charged Attack.
Nidoking
Another dual type is Nidoking which is Poison and Ground. The best options to go with are Pokemon with Ground, Water, Psychic, and Ice-type moves while avoiding Fighting, Rock, Bug, Fairy, Poison, and Electric.
- Kyogre with Waterfall fast attack and Hydro Pump for the Charged Attack.
- Hoopa (Unbound) with Confusion fast attack and Psystrike for the Charged Attack.
- Mamoswine with Mud Slap fast attack and Avalanche for the Charged Attack.
- Rhyperior with Mudslap fast attack and Earthquake for the Charged Attack.
- Swampert with Watergun fast attack and Hydro Cannon for the Charged Attack.
- Mewtwo with Confusion/Psycho Cut fast attack and Psystrike for the Charged Attack.
- Alakazam with Confusion fast attack and Psychic for the Charged Attack.
Kingdra
The final possibility in round 2 is Kingdra, the Dragon and Water dual type. As such, players will want to focus on Pokemon with Dragon and Fairy moves, while avoiding Pokemon with Steel, Fire, and Water typing.
- Dragonite with Dragon Tail fast attack and Outrage for the Charged Attack.
- Clefable with Charm fast attack and Dazzling Gleam for the Charged Attack.
- Garchomp with Dragon Tail fast attack and Outrage for the Charged Attack.
- Salamence with Dragon Tail fast attack and Outrage for the Charged Attack.
- Togekiss with Charm fast attack and Dazzling Gleam for the Charged Attack.
- Gardevoir with Charm fast attack and Dazzling Gleam for the Charged Attack.
Giovanni's Third Pokemon
Unlike the other Team GO Rocket leaders, the final battle with Giovanni is against a Shadow Legendary. This month is Regice, a pure ice team which means Fighting, Fire, Rock, and Steel types are the player's best bet. Here are some solid options:
- Lucario with Counter fast attack and Aura Sphere or Power-Up Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Conkeldurr with Counter fast attack and Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.
- Metagross with Bullet Punch fast attack and Meteor Mash for the Charged Attack.
- Reshiram with Fire Fang fast attack and Fusion Flare for the Charged Attack.
- Chandelure with Fire Spin fast attack and Overheat for the Charged Attack.
- Terrakion with Double Kick fast attack and Sacred Sword for the Charged Attack.
If the player is able to get through this gauntlet of Pokemon, their reward will be to capture Shadow Regice. With a limited supply of Pokeballs to use, players should make sure to use their berries, particular Golden Razz Berries to improve the odds of catching this legendary Pokemon.
Pokemon GO is available now on mobile devices.