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.
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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.
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