Best Pokémon Go Giovanni counters April 2024: How to defeat the Team Go Rocket boss

Typically speaking, Giovanni's line-up of Pokémon is updated each and every month - and April is no different.

Defeat Giovanni and you'll earn the chance to catch a Shadow Groudon. Definitely worth it.

Here's the best Pokémon Go Giovanni counters in April 2024.

Best Giovanni counters for Pokémon Go in April 2024

As with each of the major trainer battles in Pokémon Go, your fight with Giovanni will last for three rounds. He always uses the same first and last Pokémon, but there are three options he might choose from in that second stage in the middle.

As of April 2024, this is what you can expect to go up against, and what Pokémon types you'll want in each round:

First round:

• Persian (a Normal-type Pokémon, weak against Fighting-type attacks)

Second round:

• Kingdra (a Water and Dragon-type Pokémon, weak against Dragon and Fairy-type attacks)
• Rhyperior (a Ground and Rock-Type Pokémon, weak against Ice, Water, Ground, Fighting, Grass and Steel-type attacks, double weak against Grass and Water-type attacks)
• Garchomp (a Dragon and Ground-type Pokémon, weak against Dragon and Fairy-type attacks, double weak against Ice-type attacks)

Third round:

• Groudon (a Ground-type Pokémon, weak against Grass, Ice and Water-type attacks)

Looking at those Pokémon listed together, a few patterns emerge which could help you put your battle party together.

A powerful Ice-type Pokémon is a great pick against Giovanni. Pokémon like Regice or Mamoswine are super effective against Rhyperior, Garchomp and Groudon.

For Groudon and Rhyperior, a Grass-type or Water-type will be the best course of action – think Roserade and Kyogre.

A good Fighting-type like Machamp would be a great pick against Persian and Rhyperior, while also being capable against Kingdra, Garchomp and Groudon.

It’s worth noting that if Giovanni defeats you once, you can demand a rematch at the same location and he will send out the same team again – which will help you prepare better. See our full thoughts below!

Best Persian counters in Pokémon Go

Being a Normal-type Pokémon, Persian is very weak against Fighting-type attacks. Any Fighting-type move that you dish out should do 160 per cent extra damage.

With this in mind, something like Machamp or Lucario would be a strong counter-attack choice! Lucario's Power-Up Punch or Machamp's Cross Chop would both be solid attacks to use against Persian.

One thing you will not want to use is a Ghost-type Pokémon. Persian has a resistance to these ghoulish creatures, with their attacks doing 39 per cent less damage to Persian. So don't use any of those!

Read more on Pokémon:

• How to play the Pokemon games in order

Best Kingdra counters in Pokémon Go

Being a Water and Dragon-type Pokémon, Kingdra presents something of a challenge, since its dual-typing will eliminate Electric, Grass and Ice's super effectiveness against it.

Kingdra's weaknesses are Dragon and Fairy. Bring a powerful Dragon or Fairy-type Pokémon with you to deal with Giovanni's Kingdra.

What do we recommend in terms of counters, then? Togekiss or Gardevoir are both excellent choices, as they can learn powerful Fairy-type attacks.

Best Rhyperior counters in Pokémon Go

Rhyperior is a Ground and Rock-type Pokémon, so is strong against a number of different types. It will be strong against Poison, Rock, Steel, Fire, Electric, Flying and Bug Pokémon, so you're best leaving them out of your team.

In terms of weaknesses, Rhyperior will be weak against Ice, Water, Ground, Fighting, Grass and Steel Pokémon. So bring something with any of those types along with you and you'll counter Rhyperior well.

Powerful Ice or Water-type Pokémon such as Kyogre, Regice and Blastoise will do well here. Equally, Grass-Type Pokémon like Roserade and Venusaur are examples of Grass-type Pokémon that would work as a solid choice, too.

Best Garchomp counters in Pokémon Go

Garchomp is a Ground and Dragon-type Pokémon, so it will be strong against Dragon, Poison, Rock, Steel, Fire and Electric-type Pokémon. We recommend you don't bring along one of those types to fight against Garchomp (other than Dragon).

As a Dragon and Ground-type Pokémon, Garchomp has a number of weaknesses. It will be weak against Dragon and Fairy-type attacks and double weak against Ice-type attacks.

With this in mind, a strong Ice-type Pokémon should be a great counter against Garchomp. Again, Regice is a strong pick here, as is Mamoswine.

Best Groudon counters in Pokémon Go

As a Ground-type Pokémon, Groudon will be powerful against Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock and Steel-type Pokémon. As a Legendary Pokémon, expect Giovanni's Kyogre to pack a surprise move or two.

It's best to fight against Ground-type with Water, Grass and Ice-type Pokémon and attacks.

We'd recommend you bring along the likes of Kyogre, Sceptile, Roserade, Mamoswine or any other powerful Grass, Water or Ice-type Pokémon you can think of.

For the most part, a team made up of Ice, Water and Fairy should serve you well taking down Giovanni. Just make sure to heal when needed and focus on special attacks that hone in on the opposition Pokémon's weaknesses.

Pokémon Go is available to download on iOS and Android devices.

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