How to Beat Giovanni and Shadow Thundurus in Pokemon GO [January 2026]

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Giovanni, the boss of Team GO Rocket, is one of the toughest challenges in Pokemon GO. In January 2026, he returns with one of the most powerful Shadow Legendaries yet - Shadow Thundurus. Whether you're hunting his latest Shadow Legendary Pokemon or trying to complete your monthly Special Research, this Giovanni guide will tell you how to beat Giovanni: his current lineup, the best counters, and proven battle strategies to help you win. Let's dive in!

Who is Giovanni in Pokemon GO?

Giovanni is the leader of Team GO Rocket and the final boss of Pokemon GO's villainous Team Battles. As the mastermind behind the Shadow Organization, he commands powerful Shadow Pokemon, including rare Shadow Legendaries. Defeating him is one of the game's toughest challenges, but the rewards - such as winning grants a chance to catch his Shadow Legendary - are worth the effort.

How to Find Giovanni in Pokemon GO?

To find Giovanni, you'll need a Super Rocket Radar, a special item earned by completing certain Special Research missions assigned by Professor Willow. These research tasks often include:

• Defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts
• Assembling Rocket Radars to find and defeat Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra
• Completing a storyline mission that culminates in earning the Super Rocket Radar

Once you have the Super Rocket Radar, you can use it to find Giovanni - but it's not always easy. Giovanni doesn't appear at every PokeStop marked by the radar. Instead, you'll often encounter decoy Grunts pretending to be Giovanni. You'll need to tap on each marked PokeStop or Team Rocket balloon until you find the real boss.

Tip

Giovanni can also appear in Team GO Rocket Balloons while your Super Rocket Radar is active. This is often the easiest and quickest way to find him, so check your game every 6 hours when balloons spawn.

Giovanni's Current Team Lineup [January 2026]

Defeating Giovanni in Pokemon GO requires more than just strongest Pokemon - it's about strategy, right team setup, and knowing his exact lineup. Below is his confirmed lineup for January 2026, along with the best Pokemon counters to defeat him efficiently.

Giovanni always opens with Persian, followed by one of three potential second Pokemon, and finishes with a powerful Shadow Legendary. For January 2026, Giovanni's team lineup is:

Phase	Pokemon	Type
First Pokemon	Shadow Persian	Normal-type
Second Pokemon (randomly chosen)	Shadow Kangaskhan	Normal-type
	Shadow Nidoking	Poison- and Ground-type
	Shadow Rhyperior	Ground/Rock-type
Third Pokemon	Shadow Thundurus (Incarnate)	Electric- and Flying-type

How to Beat Giovanni? [January 2026]

Here's a breakdown of the best counters for each phase of Giovanni's battle in January 2026:

1 Best Pokemon Counters for Persian

Persian's Weakness: Fighting-type

Persian's Best Counters:

Persian Counter	Moves
Lucario	Counter + Power-Up Punch / Aura Sphere
Conkeldurr	Counter + Dynamic Punch
Machamp	Counter + Cross Chop
Terrakion	Double Kick + Sacred Sword

Tip

Use a fast-charging move like Power-Up Punch to quickly burn Giovanni's shields.

2 Best Counters for Giovanni's Second Pokemon

Random 1: Kangaskhan (Normal-type)

Kangaskhan's Weakness: Fighting-type

Kangaskhan's Best Counters:

Kangaskhan Counter	Moves
Lucario	Counter + Aura Sphere
Conkeldurr	Counter + Dynamic Punch
Machamp	Counter + Close Combat

Random 2: Nidoking (Poison/Ground-type)

Nidoking's Weakness: Water, Ice, Ground, Psychic-type

Nidoking's Best Counters:

Nidoking Counter	Moves
Mewtwo	Psycho Cut + Psystrike
Kyogre	Waterfall + Surf
Excadril	Mud-Slap + Drill Run

Random 3: Rhyperior (Ground/Rock-type)

Rhyperior's Weakness: Water, Grass, Fighting, Ice, Steel-type

Rhyperior's Best Counters:

Rhyperior Counter	Moves
Kyogre	Waterfall + Surf
Swampert	Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon
Zarude	Vine Whip + Power Whip

3 Best Pokemon Counters for Shadow Thundurus

Shadow Thundurus's Weakness: Ice, Rock-type

Shadow Thundurus's Best Counters:

Shadow Thundurus Counter	Moves
White Kyurem	Ice Fang + Ice Burn
Black Kyurem	Dragon Tail + Freeze Shock
Shadow Regigigas	Hidden Power + Crush Grip

Tip

Shadow Thundurus is an Electric/Flying-type Pokemon, making it weak to Ice- and Rock-type attacks. These two types should be your top priority when building a raid team.
Shadow Thundurus is known for its very high attack power, so choosing Pokemon with strong DPS and decent bulk is crucial for surviving longer in raids.

Bonus: Best Battle Strategy Tips for Beating Giovanni

Tip 1 Use a Pokemon GO Spoofer

Some players choose to use a Pokemon GO spoofer LocaChange - a tool that changes your GPS location - to locate Giovanni encounters more easily, especially when Rocket Balloons aren't appearing or nearby PokeStops are limited. By spoofing to different cities or high-density areas, players can check multiple Rocket PokeStops quickly, access rare Giovanni balloon spawns from different time zones, and avoid wasting time walking to distant locations.

Tip 2 Burn Giovanni's Shields Quickly

Giovanni uses two Protect Shields, and he'll burn them on your first two Charged Attacks - no matter which Pokemon you use them on.

Tip

Open with a Pokemon that can charge moves quickly (e.g., Lucario with Power-Up Punch or Machamp with Cross Chop) to force out those shields before facing stronger threats.

Tip 3 Switch Strategically

Giovanni often delays his own switch, so you can manually swap to a counter after seeing his second Pokemon without penalty. This gives you a tactical edge. For example, if Giovanni sends out Rhyperior, immediately switch to Kyogre or Swampert to shut it down before it builds energy.

Tip 4 Save a Shield for the Final Phase

Shadow Thundurus (like other Shadow Legendaries) can deal massive damage, even to resistant Pokemon. It may use powerful Charged Moves such as Hurricane, Grass Knot, or Dark Pulse, so always keep at least one shield for the final encounter. Blocking a heavy-hitting move at the right time can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Tip 5 Try Multiple Attempts If Needed

If you lose the first time, don't worry. You can rematch Giovanni without losing your Super Rocket Radar. Use the first attempt to scout his second Pokemon if you're unsure, then adjust your team accordingly.

Tip 6 Use Shadows or Megas

If you're an advanced player, consider using Shadow Pokemon with high DPS (like Shadow Mamoswine) or Mega Evolutions like Mega Gardevoir or Mega Swampert for extra power and type advantage.

FAQs About Beating Giovanni in Pokemon GO

1. How often does Giovanni's team change in Pokemon GO?

Giovanni's lineup typically changes every 1 to 2 months, often in sync with:

• New Team GO Rocket Special Research
• Major events like GO Tour or Shadow Raids
• The beginning of a new month or season

Tip: You can save this article. I will update Giovanni's current line-up of the best counters every month.

2. How often can I battle Giovanni?

You can battle Giovanni once a month once you have obtained a Super Rocket Radar from Special Research. If you don't use the radar immediately, it will remain in your inventory for later use.

3. Can I rematch Giovanni if I lose?

Yes! You can rematch Giovanni as many times as needed until you win.

• You won't lose your Super Rocket Radar unless the battle is successfully completed.
• Use early battles to scout his second Pokemon, then adjust your strategy.

4. What rewards do I get for beating Giovanni?

Defeating Giovanni will reward you with valuable items and exclusive encounters, including A Shadow Legendary Pokemon, Stardust, Revives and Potions, as well as bonus items such as a Sinnoh or Unova Stone.

Conclusion

Beating Giovanni in Pokemon GO isn't just about having the strongest Pokemon - it's about knowing the lineup and preparing your team wisely. With this updated January 2026 guide, you're ready to take him down and claim your Shadow Legendary reward. Bookmark this page and check back each month for the latest Giovanni counters and team updates!

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Philip Williams

• Pokémon GO
• GPS Spoofing
• AR Gaming

• AR gaming and GPS spoofing specialist with over a decade of software experience. He is a trusted writer on Pokémon GO tips and safe location-changing strategies, helping over 2 million users worldwide. As an Apple enthusiast and expert in location-changing technology, he brings both technical depth and gaming insight to every guide.