For Pokémon GO’s August–early September 2024 Giovanni rotation, prepare for Shadow Persian, one of Shadow Kingdra, Shadow Honchkrow, or Shadow Kangaskhan, and then Shadow Cresselia. Use a Fighting-type Pokémon against Persian, keep separate matchup options ready for the possible middle Pokémon, and finish with a counter suited to Psychic-type Cresselia. This is a historical lineup guide, not a description of Giovanni’s current team.
Giovanni’s September 2024 lineup
Contemporary August 2024 guides reported this battle sequence:
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- Shadow Persian
- One of Shadow Kingdra, Shadow Honchkrow, or Shadow Kangaskhan
- Shadow Cresselia
Niantic’s August 2024 event announcement confirmed Shadow Cresselia as Giovanni’s reward and gave the Special Research claim deadline, but did not list the battle slots. The reported Persian and variable second slot come from contemporary guides by Charlie INTEL and DK Raids.
Choose counters for each battle slot
Shadow Persian: lead with Fighting
Persian is Normal type, so a Fighting-type attack is the natural matchup. Charlie INTEL recommended these Pokémon and moves:
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These are guide recommendations, not independently tested or ranked guarantees. Pick an option that is powered up and has the listed moves if available to you.
Middle slot: prepare for three different possibilities
The second Pokémon may be Shadow Kingdra, Shadow Honchkrow, or Shadow Kangaskhan. Their typings differ, so the cited guides do not support treating one counter as a guaranteed answer to all three. Bring a suitable option for the possible matchups and adjust once you see which Pokémon Giovanni sends out. Charlie INTEL and DK Raids provide matchup-specific suggestions; use the opponent you encounter to choose among them.
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- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
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Shadow Cresselia: save a Psychic matchup answer
Cresselia is Psychic type. Bring a counter with attacks suited to that matchup; Charlie INTEL also notes Future Sight as a Psychic-type move. Treat the guide’s counter advice as recommendations rather than a promise of success: your Pokémon’s level, moves, and how the battle plays out all affect the result.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Find Giovanni with the Super Rocket Radar
Niantic’s Team GO Rocket Leaders & Giovanni support page explains that completing Giovanni-related Special Research earns a Super Rocket Radar. The radar can show decoy Grunts disguised as Giovanni as well as Giovanni’s actual Hideout, so investigate candidate stops to find him. Defeating Giovanni gives an encounter with a rare Shadow Pokémon.
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- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
For this event, Niantic said the new Special Research awarded a Super Rocket Radar and sent players after Giovanni. It could be claimed through September 3, 2024, at 9:59 a.m. local time; that was the deadline to claim the research, not an indication that this lineup remains available now.
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- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
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