Pokémon GO Giovanni March 2023: How to Beat

Niantic, Pokémon Company

Giovanni, the leader of Team GO Rocket in Pokémon GO, has a rotating team that can pose a problem for players challenging him. While he does have some constants on his team, like his iconic Persian, other members can rotate in and out, leading for new strategies to be devised to take care of him.

Players access the Giovanni fight after beating the three Rocket Leaders (Cliff, Arlo and Sierra) and additional GO Rocket grunts. Doing so unlocks the Special Research Task which will allow players to encounter and challenge Giovanni in battle.

Pokémon GO Giovanni March 2023: How to Beat

Here is a brief description on each of Giovanni's Pokémon in the month of March, and some suggestions for Pokémon to bring to the fight in order to beat Giovanni, with their best moves for the fight.

First Pokémon: Persian

Persian is a mono Normal-type Pokémon, so players best bets will be bringing strong Fighting-type Pokémon to pack a punch. Here are some:

  • Lucario - Counter and Aura Sphere
  • Breloom - Counter and Dynamic Punch
  • Machamp - Counter and Dynamic Punch

Second Pokémon: Cloyster, Garchomp or Nidoking

Cloyster is a Water- and Ice-type Pokémon, so players should bring either a Fighting- or Electric- type to handle it. Garchomp, the infamous Dragon- and Ground-type, will require players to bring a Ice-type to devastate it the most. Finally, Nidoking is a Poison- and Ground-type, so players can bring Water- or Ground-type Pokémon to take care of it in battle. Here is one suggestion for each of these Pokémon:

  • Cloyster: Lucario - Counter and Aura Sphere
  • Garchomp: Glaceon - Ice Shard and Avalanche
  • Nidoking: Espeon - Confusion and Psychic

Third Pokémon: Shadow Registeel

Shadow Registeel, the Shadow form of the Steel-type Generation III legendary, is Giovanni's final battle for the rest of the year, just like the Shadow Mewtwo from the year prior. Shadow Registeel is best taken on with either a Fire-, Ground- or Fighting-type Pokémon. Here is one Pokémon of each recommended type that players should consider:

  • Chandelure - Fire Spin and Overheat
  • Lucario - Counter and Aura Sphere
  • Excadrill - Mud-Slap and Earthquake