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Giovanni Lineup & Counters Guide — Pokémon GO (July 2025)
Learn how to defeat Giovanni in Pokémon GO during the Crown Clash: Taken Over event (July 2025). Includes his full Shadow Pokémon lineup, best counters, how to find him, and all rewards.
📅 Updated: July 2025
✍️ By: Zeroghan, Pokémon GO Hub
📌 Quick Overview
- Giovanni’s July 2025 lineup includes:
Shadow Persian → Rhyperior / Nidoking / Kangaskhan → Shadow Dialga - Strong Fighting, Ground, Water, and Psychic counters are key.
- You’ll need a Super Rocket Radar obtained from Special Research.
- Beat Giovanni to catch Shadow Dialga and receive rare items.
🔍 Giovanni’s Current Lineup
| Slot | Shadow Pokémon |
|---|---|
| #1 | Shadow Persian |
| #2 | Rhyperior / Nidoking / Kangaskhan |
| #3 | Shadow Dialga |
🥊 Best Team to Beat Giovanni
Use this optimal trio:
- Machamp or Mega Lucario — Great for Persian and Kangaskhan.
- Swampert — Covers Rhyperior, Nidoking, and even Dialga.
- Groudon or Excadrill — Excellent for defeating Shadow Dialga.
💡 Pro Tip: Lead with a Fighter to burn Giovanni’s shields quickly.
1️⃣ Shadow Persian Counters (Normal type)
| Pokémon | Moveset |
|---|---|
| Terrakion | Double Kick, Sacred Sword, Rock Slide |
| Machamp | Counter, Close Combat, Stone Edge |
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm, Aura Sphere |
| Tyranitar | Smack Down, Brutal Swing |
| Shadow Conkeldurr | Counter, Dynamic Punch |
✅ Open with a strong Fighting-type for quick shield burns.
2️⃣ Middle Pokémon Counters
🔶 Shadow Rhyperior (Rock/Ground)
| Pokémon | Moveset |
|---|---|
| Mega Swampert | Mud Shot, Hydro Cannon |
| Shadow Kyogre | Waterfall, Origin Pulse |
| Mega Venusaur | Vine Whip, Frenzy Plant |
| Kartana | Razor Leaf, Leaf Blade |
Weak to Water, Grass, Ground, Ice, Steel, Fighting
🟣 Shadow Nidoking (Poison/Ground)
| Pokémon | Moveset |
|---|---|
| Mega Swampert | Mud Shot, Hydro Cannon |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Psycho Cut, Psystrike |
| Shadow Groudon | Mud Shot, Precipice Blades |
| Therian Landorus | Mud Shot, Sandsear Storm |
Weak to Water, Psychic, Ice, Ground
👊 Shadow Kangaskhan (Normal)
| Pokémon | Moveset |
|---|---|
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm, Aura Sphere |
| Annihilape | Counter, Close Combat |
| Terrakion | Double Kick, Sacred Sword |
| Keldeo | Low Kick, Sacred Sword |
Only weak to Fighting. Hits hard — come prepared.
3️⃣ Final Boss: Shadow Dialga (Dragon/Steel)
| Pokémon | Moveset |
|---|---|
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot, Precipice Blades (*) |
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm, Aura Sphere |
| Mega Garchomp | Mud Shot, Earth Power (*) |
| Shadow Excadrill | Mud Slap, Scorching Sands |
| Mega Swampert | Mud Shot, Earthquake |
Weak to Fighting and Ground. Many viable counters available.
🧭 How to Find Giovanni
- Complete the “Crown Clash: Taken Over” Special Research.
- You’ll receive a Super Rocket Radar on step 4.
- Equip it to reveal decoy Grunts and Giovanni’s hideout.
- Visit PokéStops manually to find the real Giovanni.
- Lose? You can rematch without losing your Radar.
- Win? Your Super Rocket Radar is consumed.
🎁 Rewards for Defeating Giovanni
| Reward Type | Items |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed | 5000 Stardust |
| Random Drops | 3 Bundles from below (can repeat) |
| – 4× Max Revives / 4× Max Potions | |
| – 4× Hyper Potions / 4× Revives | |
| – 1× Unova Stone |
✨ Most importantly, you’ll get to catch Shadow Dialga.
❌ Note: Giovanni does not drop Strange Eggs, even with open slots.
✅ Summary
- Start with a Fighting-type to counter Persian and break shields.
- Bring a Water or Ground-type for Rhyperior/Nidoking.
- Finish strong with Ground-types to take down Dialga.
- Defeating Giovanni rewards Shadow Dialga and valuable items.
🔗 For Grunt lineups and leader counters, check out the Rocket Grunt Guide →
Stay strong, Trainer — Giovanni may be tough, but your team is tougher.
