How to Find Giovanni in Pokémon GO: Getting a Super Rocket Radar and Beating Him
By Matt · Published · Updated You can only battle Giovanni with a Super Rocket Radar equipped. You get one from special research once a season, or by beating all three Rocket Leaders (Cliff, Arlo and Sierra) after building Rocket Radars from Mysterious Components. Giovanni always opens with Shadow Persian, so Fighting types make the first part of the battle easy.
How to get a Super Rocket Radar
You can only battle Giovanni with a Super Rocket Radar equipped. Think of it like a raid pass for Giovanni. There are two ways to get one.
1. Special research. About once a season, a Team GO Rocket event gives special research that ends with a Super Rocket Radar. You need to log in while the event is on to receive it, otherwise you’ll wait until next season.
2. The Rocket Leaders.
- Beat Team GO Rocket grunts at PokéStops or balloons. Each win gives a Mysterious Component.
- Combine six Mysterious Components into a Rocket Radar, which shows you where a Rocket Leader is.
- Beat all three Rocket Leaders (Cliff, Arlo and Sierra) to earn a Super Rocket Radar.
You can also run into Rocket Leaders by luck at PokéStops and in balloons, but you still need the Super Rocket Radar to battle Giovanni.
If you lose, you keep the radar
Losing to Giovanni doesn’t use up your Super Rocket Radar, so you can heal up and try again. It’s only used once you beat him and reach the catch screen.
How to beat Giovanni
Giovanni’s line-up follows the same pattern each season:
- First: always Shadow Persian.
- Second: one of three Pokémon that can vary between seasons. Recently it’s been Rhyperior, Nidoking or Kangaskhan.
- Third: a Shadow legendary that changes every season or so. As of late October 2026 it’s Shadow Zekrom.
Fighting types are the tried and true answer for the first two, since Persian, Kangaskhan and Rhyperior are all weak to Fighting. Machamp, Mega Lucario or Annihilape are great picks. Then bring one Pokémon that beats his current Shadow legendary. Shadow Zekrom is weak to Dragon, Ground, Fairy and Ice, so White Kyurem or Garchomp work well.
Matt's takeTwo Fighting types and one Pokémon for his legendary is the easy formula. Whenever he switches legendaries, I'll cover it in my weekly guide.
FAQ
How do I find Giovanni in Pokémon GO?
Equip a Super Rocket Radar. It shows the PokéStop where Giovanni is hiding. You can't battle him without one.
How do I get a Super Rocket Radar?
From special research, usually once per season during a Team GO Rocket event. You can also earn one by beating Cliff, Arlo and Sierra, after building Rocket Radars from Mysterious Components.
What happens if I lose to Giovanni?
You keep your Super Rocket Radar and can try again. It's only used up once you beat him and reach the catch screen.
What is the best team for Giovanni?
Fighting types like Machamp, Mega Lucario or Annihilape handle Shadow Persian and usually his second Pokémon. For his last Pokémon, check what Shadow legendary he's using and bring something it's weak to.
How often does Giovanni change his Shadow Pokémon?
Usually every season or so. The new one arrives with the season's Team GO Rocket special research.
Get Matt's full take
The extended write-up on Patreon has Matt’s commentary, what to prioritise and Matt’s own plan.