Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 features Persian, one of three possible second Pokémon and Shadow Reshiram as his final opponent and catch reward.
Giovanni remains one of the toughest Team GO Rocket battles in Pokémon GO. His Shadow Pokémon deal increased damage, he uses two Protect Shields and his second team member is randomly selected each time you encounter him.
The Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 lineup contains Persian in the first position, followed by Machamp, Kangaskhan or Rhyperior. Giovanni finishes the battle with Shadow Reshiram.
This guide covers the best Giovanni counters for July 2026, recommended teams, how to find Giovanni and the rewards available for defeating him.
Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 Lineup
The complete Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 lineup is shown below.
| Battle Position | Possible Pokémon |
|---|---|
| First Pokémon | Persian |
| Second Pokémon | Machamp, Kangaskhan or Rhyperior |
| Third Pokémon | Shadow Reshiram |
Persian is guaranteed to appear first, while Giovanni randomly chooses one of three Pokémon for the middle position.
Shadow Reshiram will always appear as Giovanni’s final Pokémon during the current rotation.
Best Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 Counters
The best counters for Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 need to defeat Persian quickly, cover all three possible middle opponents and survive against Shadow Reshiram.
| Giovanni’s Pokémon | Weaknesses | Best Counters |
|---|---|---|
| Persian | Fighting | Mega Lucario, Terrakion, Machamp, Lucario |
| Machamp | Fairy, Flying, Psychic | Crowned Sword Zacian, Mewtwo, Shadow Mewtwo, Togekiss |
| Kangaskhan | Fighting | Mega Lucario, Terrakion, Machamp, Annihilape |
| Rhyperior | Grass, Water, Fighting, Ground, Ice, Steel | Primal Kyogre, Kyogre, Kartana, Crowned Sword Zacian |
| Shadow Reshiram | Dragon, Ground, Rock | Rhyperior, Landorus Therian Forme, Primal Groudon, Terrakion |
Mega Lucario is particularly useful because it can defeat Persian, remove Giovanni’s Protect Shields and potentially return against Kangaskhan.
The safest complete team will depend on which middle Pokémon Giovanni selects.
Best Team for Giovanni in July 2026
A strong general team for Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 is:
| Team Position | Recommended Pokémon | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| First | Mega Lucario | Defeat Persian and remove shields |
| Second | Crowned Sword Zacian or Primal Kyogre | Cover Machamp and Rhyperior |
| Third | Rhyperior or Landorus Therian Forme | Defeat Shadow Reshiram |
No single team perfectly covers every possible lineup, but this selection provides answers to the most dangerous opponents.
Mega Lucario can handle Persian and Kangaskhan. Crowned Sword Zacian offers coverage against Machamp and can also perform well against Rhyperior, while Rhyperior or Landorus can target Shadow Reshiram’s weakness to Ground-type attacks.
Players who encounter Rhyperior may prefer to restart the battle and add a powerful Water- or Grass-type counter.
How to Beat Persian
Persian is always the first opponent in the Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 battle.
As a Normal-type Pokémon, Persian is only weak to Fighting-type attacks.
| Best Persian Counter | Recommended Moves |
|---|---|
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm and Aura Sphere |
| Terrakion | Double Kick and Sacred Sword |
| Machamp | Counter and Cross Chop |
| Lucario | Force Palm and Aura Sphere |
| Annihilape | Counter and Close Combat |
Mega Lucario is the strongest overall choice because it deals excellent Fighting-type damage and has access to fast Charged Attacks.
Terrakion is another excellent Persian counter when it knows Double Kick and Sacred Sword.
Use the Switch Trick Against Persian
Do not begin the battle with your Persian counter in the first team position.
Instead, place Mega Lucario, Terrakion or Machamp in the second position. As soon as the battle starts, immediately switch to it.
Team GO Rocket opponents briefly stop attacking whenever you:
- Switch Pokémon.
- Use a Charged Attack.
- Cause them to use a Protect Shield.
- Defeat one of their Pokémon.
This delay gives your Fighting-type counter several free Fast Attacks against Persian.
The switch strategy can make the Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 battle significantly easier, especially if Persian has a Fast Attack that deals heavy damage.
Remove Giovanni’s Protect Shields Quickly
Giovanni uses two Protect Shields during every battle.
He will normally use them against the first two Charged Attacks you activate, regardless of how much damage those attacks would deal.
Your opening Pokémon should therefore have a Charged Attack that becomes available quickly.
Good shield-breaking moves include:
| Pokémon | Fast Charged Move |
|---|---|
| Lucario | Power-Up Punch |
| Terrakion | Sacred Sword |
| Machamp | Cross Chop |
| Melmetal | Rock Slide |
| Swampert | Hydro Cannon |
Removing both shields against Persian allows your remaining Pokémon to use powerful Charged Attacks without interruption.
Power-Up Punch Lucario is particularly effective because every use also increases Lucario’s attack.
Best Machamp Counters
Machamp is one of three possible second opponents in Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026.
Machamp is a Fighting-type Pokémon and is weak to Fairy-, Flying- and Psychic-type attacks.
| Best Machamp Counter | Recommended Moves |
|---|---|
| Crowned Sword Zacian | Air Slash and Play Rough |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Psycho Cut and Psystrike |
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut and Psystrike |
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash and Dragon Ascent |
| Togekiss | Charm and Dazzling Gleam |
| Gardevoir | Charm and Dazzling Gleam |
Mewtwo and Shadow Mewtwo can defeat Machamp quickly with Psychic-type damage.
Crowned Sword Zacian is a useful option because it can also provide coverage against Rhyperior if Giovanni selects a different second Pokémon.
Avoid using Pokémon weak to Fighting-type attacks, especially if Machamp has a powerful Fast Attack.
Best Kangaskhan Counters
Kangaskhan is a Normal-type Pokémon, so it shares Persian’s weakness to Fighting.
| Best Kangaskhan Counter | Recommended Moves |
|---|---|
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm and Aura Sphere |
| Terrakion | Double Kick and Sacred Sword |
| Machamp | Counter and Dynamic Punch |
| Lucario | Force Palm and Aura Sphere |
| Annihilape | Counter and Close Combat |
| Conkeldurr | Counter and Dynamic Punch |
If Mega Lucario survives the Persian battle, it may be able to continue directly into Kangaskhan.
Saving a Fighting-type Charged Attack before Persian is defeated can give you an immediate advantage against Kangaskhan.
Best Rhyperior Counters
Rhyperior is the most complicated second opponent in the Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 lineup.
As a Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon, Rhyperior is especially weak to Grass- and Water-type attacks.
| Best Rhyperior Counter | Recommended Moves |
|---|---|
| Primal Kyogre | Waterfall and Origin Pulse |
| Kyogre | Waterfall and Origin Pulse |
| Kartana | Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade |
| Mega Sceptile | Bullet Seed and Frenzy Plant |
| Swampert | Water Gun and Hydro Cannon |
| Zarude | Vine Whip and Power Whip |
| Crowned Sword Zacian | Metal Claw and Behemoth Blade |
Grass and Water attacks deal double-super-effective damage against Rhyperior because both of its types share those weaknesses.
Primal Kyogre and regular Kyogre are among the safest choices. Kartana deals enormous Grass-type damage but may struggle to withstand Rhyperior’s attacks.
If you lose the first battle after discovering Giovanni has Rhyperior, adjust your team before trying again.
Best Shadow Reshiram Counters
Shadow Reshiram is Giovanni’s final Pokémon and the main reward from Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026.
Reshiram is a Dragon- and Fire-type Pokémon. It is weak to Dragon-, Ground- and Rock-type attacks.
| Best Shadow Reshiram Counter | Recommended Moves |
|---|---|
| Rhyperior | Mud-Slap and Rock Wrecker |
| Landorus Therian Forme | Mud Shot and Sandsear Storm |
| Primal Groudon | Mud Shot and Precipice Blades |
| Groudon | Mud Shot and Precipice Blades |
| Terrakion | Smack Down and Rock Slide |
| Rampardos | Smack Down and Rock Slide |
| Excadrill | Mud-Slap and Scorching Sands |
| Garchomp | Mud Shot and Earth Power |
Rhyperior is one of the best accessible counters because it can deal super-effective Ground- or Rock-type damage.
Landorus Therian Forme and Primal Groudon are also excellent choices if available.
Dragon-type attackers can deal super-effective damage, but they are risky because Reshiram’s Dragon attacks will also deal super-effective damage against them.
Ground- or Rock-type counters are usually safer.
Best Moves Against Shadow Reshiram
Ground-type attacks are generally the safest option against Shadow Reshiram.
| Attack Type | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Ground | Super effective |
| Rock | Super effective |
| Dragon | Super effective but risky |
| Water | Neutral |
| Ice | Neutral |
| Fairy | Neutral |
Reshiram’s Fire typing removes the normal Dragon weakness to Ice and Fairy attacks, leaving Dragon, Ground and Rock as its three weaknesses.
Using Rhyperior, Groudon or Landorus avoids the mutual Dragon weakness created by using Pokémon such as Rayquaza, Palkia or Garchomp with Dragon attacks.
How to Find Giovanni in July 2026
Finding Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 requires a Super Rocket Radar.
The Super Rocket Radar awarded through the Flying Taxi GO Pass had to be claimed by July 1, 2026. Players who claimed it before the deadline can still use it, while previously saved Super Rocket Radars may also work.
To find Giovanni:
- Open your Item Bag.
- Find the Super Rocket Radar.
- Equip the Super Rocket Radar.
- Check the map for marked PokéStops.
- Visit the marked locations.
- Defeat or ignore any decoy Team GO Rocket Grunts.
- Continue searching until you find Giovanni.
The Super Rocket Radar does not immediately identify which marked PokéStop contains the real Giovanni.
Some locations will contain decoy Grunts pretending to be Giovanni.
Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 – Can Giovanni Appear in Balloons?
Giovanni can currently only be found at PokéStops following the Flying Taxi: Taken Over changes.
This means players should not wait for a Team GO Rocket balloon while using their Super Rocket Radar.
Equip the radar and visit the marked PokéStops on the map instead.
This is different from previous Giovanni rotations, when an equipped Super Rocket Radar could cause Giovanni to appear in a balloon.
Can You Battle Giovanni More Than Once?
You can challenge Giovanni repeatedly after finding him until you win.
Losing the battle does not consume the Super Rocket Radar.
This gives you an opportunity to learn which second Pokémon Giovanni is using and rebuild your team with better counters.
The Super Rocket Radar is consumed after Giovanni has been defeated.
Each radar therefore normally provides one successful Giovanni encounter and one opportunity to catch his current Shadow Legendary Pokémon.
Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 Battle Strategy
Use the following strategy when attempting the Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 battle:
- Place your Persian counter in the second team slot.
- Immediately switch to the Persian counter.
- Use quick Charged Attacks to remove both shields.
- Preserve your own shields when possible.
- Identify Giovanni’s second Pokémon.
- Restart with a better counter if necessary.
- Save at least one shield for Shadow Reshiram.
- Use Ground- or Rock-type attacks against Reshiram.
- Take advantage of every Team GO Rocket attack delay.
It is usually better to lose once and adjust your team than repeatedly use a team that does not cover Giovanni’s middle Pokémon.
Should You Use Your Shields Against Persian?
Try to avoid using both Protect Shields against Persian.
Shadow Reshiram can deal substantial damage with its Charged Attacks, so keeping at least one shield for the final battle is highly recommended.
However, preserving shields is not worth losing your opening Pokémon before Giovanni’s shields have been removed.
Use a shield against Persian when it allows your Fighting-type Pokémon to activate another Charged Attack and remove one of Giovanni’s remaining shields.
Rewards for Beating Giovanni in July 2026
Defeating Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 provides several rewards.
| Giovanni Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| Stardust | 5,000 Stardust |
| Healing items | Max Potions or Max Revives |
| Evolution item | Possible Unova Stone |
| Medal progress | Progress towards the Ultra Hero medal |
| Pokémon encounter | Shadow Reshiram |
The most valuable reward is the encounter with Shadow Reshiram.
The Premier Balls available for the encounter depend on your medals, remaining Pokémon and other battle bonuses.
Shadow Reshiram cannot flee while you still have Premier Balls, but the encounter ends if all available balls are used.
Can Shadow Reshiram Be Shiny?
Yes, Shadow Reshiram caught from Giovanni has a chance of being shiny.
A shiny encounter is not guaranteed, and Niantic does not publish the exact shiny rate for Giovanni’s Shadow Legendary Pokémon.
Shiny Reshiram replaces much of its usual grey colouring with brighter white tones and has golden rings around its tail.
Use a Golden Razz Berry for each throw if your priority is securing the encounter.
Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 – Should You Purify Shadow Reshiram?
Most players should avoid immediately purifying Shadow Reshiram.
Shadow Pokémon receive an attack bonus but also take increased damage. This can make Shadow Reshiram a powerful raid attacker despite the higher Stardust and Candy cost required to power it up.
Purification:
- Raises each IV by two points.
- Reduces Stardust and Candy costs.
- Raises the Pokémon to level 25.
- Replaces Frustration with Return.
- Removes the Shadow attack bonus.
Check Shadow Reshiram’s IVs and potential uses before deciding.
Purifying a Pokémon cannot be reversed.
Can Shadow Reshiram Fuse With Kyurem?
Shadow Reshiram cannot be fused with Kyurem.
Purified Reshiram is also unable to fuse.
Players who want to create White Kyurem must use an eligible standard Reshiram rather than the Shadow Reshiram obtained from Giovanni.
The Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 reward remains useful as a separate attacker and collector’s Pokémon, but it cannot be used for Kyurem fusion.
How to Remove Frustration From Shadow Reshiram
Shadow Reshiram will know Frustration when caught.
Frustration can only be removed using a Charged TM during selected Team GO Rocket events that explicitly allow it.
Outside those event periods, attempting to use a Charged TM will not remove Frustration.
You can unlock a second Charged Attack at any time, but Frustration will remain in the first attack slot until an eligible event begins.
Do not purify Shadow Reshiram solely to remove Frustration unless you have already decided that you do not want the Shadow version.
Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Giovanni’s first Pokémon? | Persian |
| What is Giovanni’s second Pokémon? | Machamp, Kangaskhan or Rhyperior |
| What is Giovanni’s final Pokémon? | Shadow Reshiram |
| What is the best Persian counter? | Mega Lucario or Terrakion |
| What is the best Reshiram counter? | Rhyperior, Landorus or Groudon |
| What is Giovanni’s catch reward? | Shadow Reshiram |
| Can Shadow Reshiram be shiny? | Yes |
| Can Shadow Reshiram fuse with Kyurem? | No |
| Where can Giovanni be found? | At PokéStops using a Super Rocket Radar |
| Does losing consume the radar? | No |
| Does winning consume the radar? | Yes |
The Pokémon GO Giovanni July 2026 battle is much easier once Persian’s shields have been removed and Giovanni’s middle Pokémon has been identified.
Begin with a fast Fighting-type counter, prepare Water or Psychic coverage for the second position and finish with a strong Ground- or Rock-type Pokémon against Shadow Reshiram.
