Defeating Giovanni in Pokémon GO: July 2025 Tips & Strategies

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Team GO Rocket continues to pose a significant challenge to trainers in Pokémon GO this summer, with Boss Giovanni leading the charge in July 2025. As the original Team Rocket leader, he commands the highest CP Pokémon in the game, making his team tough to beat. However, if you manage to win, the rewards are quite enticing.

Even though Pokémon GO Fest 2025 has ended, trainers still have much to engage with, including Team GO Rocket. To take on Giovanni, you’ll need to defeat the Grunts and three Leaders first. He can be found at Pokéstops and in Rocket Balloons, so it’s essential to know his lineup this month and how to counter it effectively for a shot at victory.

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Boss Giovanni’s Lineup & Counters (July 2025)

Rewards for Beating Giovanni (July 2025)

Giovanni’s Lineup & Counters (July 2025)

A Consistent Yet Formidable Lineup

Even with the arrival of the Delightful Days season in Pokémon GO, Team GO Rocket’s lineup remains unchanged, including Giovanni’s. He utilizes a set of five Pokémon, selecting three for each battle. His opener and closer are always fixed, while his second Pokémon is drawn randomly from a pool of three options.

Giovanni will always start with Persian and conclude with the Legendary Pokémon Dialga. The second Pokémon can be one from Kangaskhan, Nidoking, or Rhyperior.

Wave	Pokémon & Type	Weaknesses	Best Counters
1	Persian – Normal	Fighting	Lucario Machamp Terrakion Heracross
2	Nidoking – Poison/Ground	Ground, Ice, Psychic, Water	Groudon Garchomp Mamoswine Swampert
2	Kangaskhan – Normal	Fighting	Lucario Machamp Terrakion Heracross
2	Rhyperior – Rock/Ground	Ground, Water, Ice, Fighting, Grass, Steel	Lucario Groudon Mamoswine Swampert
3	Dialga – Dragon/Steel	Fighting/Ground	Lucario Groudon Terrakion Garchomp

Fighting-type Pokémon are your best bet for overcoming Giovanni this month. Their attacks are especially effective against four out of his five Pokémon: Persian, Kangaskhan, Rhyperior, and Dialga. Lucario stands out as the top Fighting-type attacker. If you have its Mega Evolution, use it as your starter. Including a second Fighting-type member in your lineup is advisable. Consider options like Mega Heracross, Mega Blaziken, Terrakion, or Machamp for backup if Lucario can’t get the job done.

Every Pokémon Giovanni uses is a Shadow variant, enhancing their stats in Pokémon GO.

While Fighting-types are crucial, consider bringing a Ground-type Pokémon in case Giovanni chooses Nidoking. Generation 3 Groudon is the strongest Ground-type attacker in Pokémon GO, making it an excellent choice for your final slot.

Rewards for Defeating Giovanni (July 2025)

A Range of Rewards for Victors

Although Giovanni’s Pokémon lineup hasn’t changed since June 2025, the rewards available are still among the best in Pokémon GO. After defeating him, you’ll immediately encounter Shadow Dialga.

While catching Dialga can be challenging, you can boost your chances by using Golden Raspberries and Ultra Balls.

In addition to facing Giovanni, you’ll earn 5,000 Stardust for your efforts, helping you power up any Pokémon in your collection. You’ll also receive common in-game items, with Max Revives, Revives, Max Potions, Potions, and an Unova Stone among the possible rewards. As long as you build your team around Fighting-type Pokémon, defeating Giovanni in July 2025 is one of the more manageable challenges he has presented yet in Pokémon GO.