One of the Elite Challenge tasks found within Pokemon GO's recently-launched GO Fest Battle Challenge sends players to defeat Giovanni, the Team GO Rocket Boss. Toppling this formidable foe will require fans to fight their way through a lineup of three Pokemon, and this guide will detail the weaknesses of and the recommended counters to Giovanni's Pokemon in PoGO.
As of July 2020, the Giovanni encounter in Pokemon GO starts with the Team GO Rocket Boss unleashing Persian, a Normal-type Pokemon that debuted in Generation I. From there, he will unleash one of three Pokemon (Dugtrio, Garchomp, or Nidoking), and he will then close out the fight by using a Shadow Suicune. With that established, here is the information that players need to overcome these Pokemon and defeat Giovanni in Pokemon GO:
How to Beat Giovanni's Persian
As previously mentioned, Persian is a Normal-type, and it is weak to Fighting attacks and resistant to Ghost moves. Here are some recommended counters to Persian in Pokemon GO:
- Melmetal (Thunder Shock | Super Power)
- Machamp (Counter | Cross Chop)
- Rhyperior (Mud Slap | Super Power)
- Conkeldurr (Counter | Dynamic Punch)
- Lucario (Counter | Aura Sphere)
How to Beat Giovanni's Dugtrio
Dugtrio is a Ground-type that is weak to Grass, Ice, and Water attacks and resistant to Electric, Poison, and Rock moves. Players that are trying to defeat Dugtrio in PoGO can turn to these powerful counters:
- Gyarados (Waterfall | Dragon Pulse)
- Tropius (Razor Leaf | Aerial Ace)
- Torterra (Razor Leaf | Frenzy Plant)
- Articuno (Frost Breath | Huricane)
How to Beat Giovanni's Garchomp
Garchomp is a Dragon and Ground-type that is weak to Dragon, Fairy, and Ice attacks and is resistant to Electric moves. Fans should consider using one of the following counters if they are forced to go up against Giovanni's Garchomp:
- Togekiss (Charm | Ancient Power)
- Articuno (Ice Shard | Icy Wind)
- Gardevoir (Charm | Psychic)
- Granbull (Charm | Play Rough)
How to Beat Giovanni's Nidoking
Nidoking is a Ground and Poison-type Pokemon that is weak to Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water attacks and resistant to Electric and Poison moves. Players can take down Nidoking in PoGO with one of the following counters:
- Empoleon (Waterfall | Hydro Cannon)
- Jirachi (Confusion | Doom Desire)
- Kyogre (Waterfall | Surf)
- Excadrill (Mud Slap | Rock Slide)
How to Beat Giovanni's Suicune
Suicune is weak to Electric and Grass attacks and resistant to Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water moves. Here are some counters that players can use to best Suicune in Pokemon GO:
- Raikou (Volt Switch | Wild Charge)
- Magnezone (Spark | Wild Charge)
- Mew (Volt Switch | Wild Charge)
- Mewtwo (Psycho Cut | Thunderbolt)
Pokemon GO is available now in select regions on Android and iOS devices.
Source: Pokemon GO Hub