Mastering Giovanni: Tips to Defeat Him in Pokémon GO (Feb 2026)

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There are only a few trainers in Pokémon GO as tough as Giovanni, the secret leader of Team Rocket. In February 2026, there’s been a big change in how Giovanni approaches battles, especially after a recent event called “Taken Over” shook up his strategy. But if you have the right Pokémon to counter him, you can still defeat Giovanni by finding his team’s main weaknesses.

The only way to face Giovanni is by completing special research tasks related to Team Rocket. Doing this will earn you the Super Rocket Radar, an item that helps you locate fake Giovannis until you find the real one. Fortunately, once you locate Giovanni, you can challenge him as many times as you want. The Super Rocket Radar stays active until you win a battle against him.

Giovanni’s Team and How to Beat Them (February 2026)

Giovanni usually has three waves of Pokémon in battle. The first and third Pokémon are always the same, but the second wave can be one of three different Pokémon, which means your counters need to be adaptable. As of February 2026, one of these second Pokémon has changed, adding a new twist to the fight.

Note: All Team Rocket members, including Giovanni, use Shadow Pokémon. These Pokémon are tougher because they have increased attack power and more health, making them harder to defeat.

Here’s a breakdown of Giovanni’s team in each wave, along with the best counters for each Pokémon:

Wave	Pokémon	Weaknesses	Top Counters
1	Shadow Persian (Normal)	Fighting	Blaziken, Conkeldurr, Lucario, Heracross, Hariyama
2	Shadow Machamp (Fighting)	Fairy, Flying, Psychic	Alakazam, Gardevoir, Gallade, Salamence, Lugia
2	Shadow Kangaskhan (Normal)	Fighting	Same as Persian: Blaziken, Conkeldurr, Lucario, Heracross, Hariyama
2	Shadow Rhyperior (Ground/Rock)	Ground, Water, Ice, Steel, Grass, Fighting	Swampert, Chesnaught, Kyogre, Sceptile, Tangrowth
3	Incarnate Form Thundurus (Electric/Flying)	Ice, Rock	Rhyperior, Diancie, Tyrantrum, Mamoswine, Black/White Kyurem

Giovanni’s team has added Macahmp and Incarnate Forme Thundurus, replacing some older Pokémon like Nidoking. While some counters from previous months still work, you’ll need to adjust your team based on these new Pokémon.

Example Team of Counters (February 2026)

Mamoswine: Excellent against Thundurus, resisting its Ice moves and hitting back with Ice attacks.
Gallade: Useful against Persian or Kangaskhan with Psychic and Fighting moves, and it can resist and counter Machamp.
Chesnaught: Great for beating Rhyperior with Grass or Fighting moves, and it’s a good all-around counter for the second wave.

Rewards for Beating Giovanni (February 2026)

When you finally defeat Giovanni, you’ll receive:

5,000 Stardust — the game’s in-game currency.
An encounter with Giovanni’s captured Incarnate Form Thundurus, giving you a chance to catch this powerful Legendary Pokémon, useful for future raids or gym battles.
Three item bundles, each containing a selection of helpful items like Max Revives, Max Potions, or a Unova Stone.

Getting a Shadow Legendary Pokémon is a big reason players keep challenging Giovanni, and the rewards make the effort worthwhile. There’s also a slim chance of encountering a shiny Thundurus with enough persistence.

Why This Matters

Although the roster change may seem minor, the new Legendary and adjustments in his team mean you should rethink your approach to battling Giovanni. Since these changes are likely to stay for a while, knowing the right counters now can save you frustration later.

By preparing with Pokémon like Mamoswine, Gallade, and Chesnaught, you’ll be ready to take him on and claim those rewards.