Pokemon GO: How to Beat Giovanni May 2021
Shadow Pokemon currently play a massive part in the Pokemon GO PVP Meta.
The special, slightly more powerful monsters are only obtainable via battles with Team GO Rocket grunts, leaders and the boss, Giovanni.
This month, alongside the opportunity to catch a Shadow Moltres, players will need to beat Giovanni for part of the Luminous Legends X Timed Research.
With that in mind here’s how to beat Giovanni in May 2021, including counters for some of his strongest Pokemon.
What Pokemon Can Giovanni Bring to Battles?
Giovanni is notoriously the most difficult of all of the Team GO Rocket gang, with every single Pokemon he controls being powerful. Here is the line-up you can expect from him this month:
Slot One
Slot Two
- Garchomp
- Kangaskhan
- Nidoking
Slot Three
- Shadow Moltres
This month, Giovanni has Shadow Moltres in his grasp! If you haven’t already, complete the latest Team GO Rocket Special Research, The Higher They Fly…, to earn a Super Rocket Radar. This will help you track down the Team GO Rocket Boss and save Shadow Moltres!
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) May 2, 2021
How to Beat Giovanni in May 2021 – Best Counters
Here are all of the counters you should consider to beat Giovanni this month, including their best movesets.
Slot One: Persian – (Weaknesses = Fighting)
- Lucario – Counter/Aura Sphere
- Conkeldurr – Counter/Dynamic Punch
- Mega Lopunny – Low Kick/Focus Blast
- Machamp – Counter/Dynamic Punch
- Blaziken – Counter/Focus Blast
- Breloom – Counter/Dynamic Punch
- Hariyama – Counter/Dynamic Punch
Slot Two: Garchomp – (Weakness = Dragon, Fairy and Ice x4)
- Galarian Darmanitan – Ice Fang/Avalanche
- Mamoswine – Powder Snow/Avalanche
- Mega Abomasnow – Powder Snow/Weather Ball
- Weavile – Ice Shard/Avalanche
- Glaceon – Frost Breath/Avalanche
- Articuno – Ice Shard/Ice Beam
- Mewtwo – Confusion/Ice Beam
Slot Two: Kangaskhan – (Weaknesses = Fighting)
- Conkeldurr – Counter/Dynamic Punch
- Lucario – Counter/Aura Sphere
- Machamp – Counter/Dynamic Punch
- Mega Lopunny – Low Kick/Focus Blast
- Breloom – Counter/Dynamic Punch
- Hariyama – Counter/Dynamic Punch
- Mega Charizard Y – Wing Attack/Blast Burn
Slot Two: Nidoking – (Weaknesses = Ground, Ice, Psychic and Water)
- Mewtwo – Confusion/Psystrike
- Mega Blastoise – Water Gun/Hydro Cannon
- Therian Landorus – Mud Shot/Earthquake or Incarnate Landorus – Mud Shot/Earth Power
- Mega Gyarados – Waterfall/Hydro Pump
- Kyogre – Waterfall/Surf
- Mamoswine – Mud Slap/Avalanche
- Metagross – Zen Headbutt/Psychic
Slot Three: Moltres – (Weaknesses = Electric, Rock x 4, Water)
- Rampardos – Smack Down/Rock Slide
- Rhyperior – Smack Down/Rock Wrecker
- Terrakion – Smack Down/Rock Slide
- Tyranitar – Smack Down/Stone Edge
- Gigalith – Smack Down/Rock Slide
- Aerodactyl – Rock Throw/Rock Slide
- Omastar – Rock Throw/Rock Slide
All of the above counters are listed in order of effectiveness.
Best Team Compositions
Unless you know which Pokemon Giovanni has in the middle of his pack, it’s hard to judge the best team.
There are however certain predictions that can be made. This is the team I would personally initially start with.
- Lucario
- Mamoswine
- Rampardos
From there, should Giovanni throw out something expected, it’s best to dip out and change your team. You should find this covers most bases though.
