Persian Weakness: How to Beat Persian in Pokemon GO

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In Pokemon GO, Persian appears as Giovanni’s first Pokemon in Team GO Rocket battles. Many trainers underestimate it, but Persian can be surprisingly difficult to defeat. If you want to beat Giovanni in Pokemon GO, understanding Persian’s weakness is essential.

In this guide, I’ll introduce Persian weakness, the best Pokemon against Persian, and the best strategies to beat Persian. Let’s get started!

What is Persian in Pokemon GO?

Persian is a Normal-type Pokemon originally introduced in the Kanto region as the evolved form of Meowth. In Pokemon GO, Persian is the first stage Pokemon of Team GO Rocket's boss, Giovanni. This means every trainer who challenges Giovanni must first battle Persian, making it one of the most familiar opponents in Rocket encounters.

Persian's Stats

Max CP

1910 CP

Attack

150 ATK

Defense

136 DEF

Stamina

163 HP

Buddy distance 3 km

Shiny released Yes

Persian Weakness in Pokemon GO

Persian weakness is only Fighting-type moves. This makes the strategy very clear: use strong Fighting-type attackers to gain a big advantage. However, keep in mind that Persian is resistant to Ghost-type moves, so Pokemon like Gengar or Chandelure will not perform well against it.

In my experience, this simple weakness is both an advantage and a challenge.

On the one hand, you don’t need many different counters - just one or two powerful Fighting-types can easily exploit Persian’s weakness in Pokemon GO.

On the other hand, Giovanni’s Persian often uses fast moves like Scratch or Feint Attack, which can quickly drain your HP if you are not ready. That’s why knowing the weakness is only part of the solution, you also need a good strategy and proper timing to beat Persian effectively.

Best Pokemon Against Persian

Since Persian’s weakness in Pokemon GO is Fighting-type moves, the best way to defeat it is by using strong Fighting-type Pokemon with fast and powerful attacks. Here are some of the most reliable choices:

Machamp with Counter (Fast Move) and Dynamic Punch (Charged Move)

Lucario with Counter and Aura Sphere

Conkeldurr with Counter and Dynamic Punch

Hariyama with Counter and Dynamic Punch

Blaziken with Counter and Focus Blast

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Machamp	Counter	Dynamic Punch
Lucario	Counter	Aura Sphere
Conkeldurr	Counter	Dynamic Punch
Hariyama	Counter	Dynamic Punch
Blaziken	Counter	Focus Blast

These Pokemon are considered the best counters to Persian in Pokemon GO, especially when fighting Giovanni. The key is to use Counter as the fast move whenever possible, since it takes advantage of Persian’s only weakness.

From my own battles, I’ve found that having at least two strong Fighting-type Pokemon on your team is the safest strategy. This way, even if Persian burns through your first Pokemon with fast attacks, you’ll still have another ready to finish the fight.

How to Beat Persian in Pokemon GO? [Best Strategies]

Beating Giovanni’s Persian in Pokemon GO can be tricky because of its fast moves and constant pressure. Here are some of the best strategies to help you win consistently:

Tip 1 Use a Location Changer to Get Better Counters

One of the smartest ways to prepare is by using a location changer LocaChange. With LocaChange, you can explore different areas in Pokemon GO without physically moving. This makes it easier to access raids and gyms where strong Fighting-type Pokemon appear more often and farm candies and XL candies for top counters like Machamp or Lucario.

By using a location changer, you’ll build a stronger team faster, giving you a real advantage when facing Giovanni’s Persian.

Key Features of LocaChange

• Teleport in Pokemon GO anywhere to encounter and catch Pokemon without leaving your home.
• Use the 360-degree joystick to auto-walk and quickly collect items.
• Built- in Pokemon GO map shows you Pokemon, Gyms, PokeStops and more data near your location.
• Works well on iOS, Android, and PC. Supports up to 10 devices at the same time.
• More advanced feature: Auto-spin PokeStops, PvP Rankings, Raid Finder, and more.

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Tip 2 Power Up Fighting-Type Pokemon with the Right Balance

Persian’s only weakness is Fighting-type moves, but not all Fighting Pokemon perform the same. From my own battles, Machamp is reliable and easy to get, while Lucario is amazing if you already have one with Aura Sphere, but it’s harder to obtain. If you don’t have the top-tier options, even a strong Hariyama with Counter + Dynamic Punch can carry you.

Tip 3 Save Shields for the “Unexpected” Damage

A lot of trainers burn their shields too early against Persian’s fast attacks. In my experience, the real danger comes from its charged moves like Play Rough or Power Gem, which can knock out even a healthy counter. I usually let my first Pokemon take some chip damage from Persian’s quick moves and save shields for the final charged move.

Tip 4 Bring Backup Counters for Consistency

Even if you have the best counter, Persian’s fast pressure can surprise you. That’s why I always keep a backup Fighting-type Pokemon on my team. For example, I’ll start with Lucario for fast damage, but keep Machamp or Conkeldurr in the back to clean up if things go wrong. This way, you don’t lose momentum, and you can adapt depending on Persian’s moveset.

Is There a Shiny Persian in Pokemon GO?

Yes, Shiny Persian is available in Pokemon GO, but you can’t catch it directly in the wild. To get one, you need to evolve a Shiny Meowth. From my perspective, hunting for Shiny Meowth during events is the most efficient way. If you already have one, evolving into Shiny Persian in Pokemon GO is a nice way to complete your shiny collection and flex in Rocket battles.

FAQs About Persian in Pokemon GO

1. Is Persian good in Pokemon GO?

Yes. Persian is not considered a top-tier Pokemon for raids or PvP. However, Giovanni’s Shadow Persian in Pokemon GO can be surprisingly difficult to defeat because of its fast attacks and bulk. Collectors may also value it, especially the Shiny form.

2. How do you beat Giovanni’s Persian in Pokemon GO?

The best way to beat Giovanni’s Persian is by using strong Fighting-type counters like Machamp, Lucario, or Conkeldurr with moves such as Counter and Dynamic Punch.

3. Can Persian be Shiny in Pokemon GO?

Yes, Shiny Persian is available in Pokemon GO, but you can only get it by evolving a Shiny Meowth with 50 Candy. The Shiny version has a distinct light pink color compared to the regular beige Persian.

4. What’s the best moveset for Persian in Pokemon GO?

The best moveset for Persian in Pokemon GO is Scratch (Fast Move) + Foul Play (Charged Move). This set gives it good damage output in Rocket battles and general use, although Persian is more of a collector’s Pokemon than a competitive one.

Conclusion

Beating Persian in Pokemon GO is all about knowing its weakness. Since Persian’s weakness in Pokemon GO is Fighting-type moves, the best Pokemon against Persian are Machamp, Lucario, and Conkeldurr. These top Persian counters in Pokemon GO make the battle much easier.

If you ever wonder how to beat Persian in Pokemon GO or what Pokemon is good against Persian, remember to plan your team around Fighting-types. And with tools like LocaChange, you can explore more raids and battles worldwide, giving you even more chances to defeat Giovanni’s Persian.

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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.

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