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Longtime fans of the Pokemon series will clearly recognize Team Rocket leader Giovanni and his nefarious organization for being a constant thorn in the side of players and other protagonists. No matter the medium, such as the TV show, books, and video games, Team Rocket continues to get in players way in order to capture or steal rare and powerful Pokemon. Its secretive leader Giovanni, typically seen with his Persian, has been included as a boss character in numerous games in the franchise, including the hit mobile game, Pokemon GO.

To that end, the popular mobile title has its own branch of the enemy faction known as Team GO Rocket who appear randomly at PokeStops as well as flying in hot air balloons. While the grunts may not be much of a challenge, creating a Rocket Radar gives players the opportunity to go up against stronger opponents in the form of leaders Cliff, Arlo, and Sierra. For a limited time during specific events, players can also equip a Super Rocket Radar and face off against Giovanni himself.

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Following his arrival last May, Giovanni is once again invading Pokemon GO starting on July 9 as part of Niantic's six-year Anniversary event. A new special research questline will be available through September, giving players a chance to earn a Super Rocket Radar to face off against Giovanni and his strong team of Pokemon. Here is what players should expect as well as which Pokemon to bring to score a victory.

Pokemon Persian

Giovanni's First Pokemon

As expected, Giovanni leads off the battle with his signature Pokemon, Persian. Persian is a normal type Pokemon, which typically means no strengths or weaknesses, but inside of Pokemon GO, Persian goes down especially quick to Fighting type Pokemon. Players should be prepared for Normal, Dark, Rock, and Fairy moves as well.

As such, players will want to take certain fighting type Pokemon into battle with them. The best options (though not the only possible ones) are as follows:

  • Lucario with Counter fast attack and Aura Sphere or Power-Up Punch for the Charged Attack.
  • Conkeldurr with Counter fast attack and Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.
  • Machamp with Counter fast attack and Cross Chop or Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.
  • Rhyperior with Mudslap fast attack andStone Edge for the Charged Attack.
  • Tyranitar with Smack Down fast attack and Crunch for the Charged Attack.
  • Hariyama with Counter fast attack and Dynamic Punch for the Charged Attack.

Giovanni's Second Pokemon

The second Pokemon Giovanni uses is any one of three options. For July 2022, players could see either Machamp, Nidoking, or Rhyperior. Here's how to deal with all three.

Pokemon - Machamp

Machamp

As a Fighting type Pokemon, Machamp is weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy-type moves while avoiding Rock, Bug, and Dark.

  • Mewtwo with Confusion/Psycho Cut fast attack and Psystrike for the Charged Attack.
  • Alakazam with Confusion fast attack and Psychic for the Charged Attack.
  • Hoopa (Unbound) with Confusion fast attack and Psystrike for the Charged Attack.
  • Moltres with Wing Attack fast attack and Sky Attack for the Charged Attack.
  • Rayquaza with Air Slash fast attack and Hurricane for the Charged Attack.
  • Deoxys with Zen Headbutt fast attack and Psycho Boost/Zap Cannon for the Charged Attack.
pokemon go nidoking reward friend fest

Nidoking

Another dual type is Nidoking which is Poison and Ground. The best options to go with are Pokemon with Ground, Water, Psychic, and Ice-type moves while avoiding Fighting, Rock, Bug, Fairy, Poison, and Electric.

  • Kyogre with Waterfall fast attack and Hydro Pump for the Charged Attack.
  • Hoopa (Unbound) with Confusion fast attack and Psystrike for the Charged Attack.
  • Mamoswine with Mud Slap fast attack and Avalanche for the Charged Attack.
  • Rhyperior with Mudslap fast attack and Earthquake for the Charged Attack.
  • Swampert with Watergun fast attack and Hydro Cannon for the Charged Attack.
  • Mewtwo with Confusion/Psycho Cut fast attack and Psystrike for the Charged Attack.
  • Alakazam with Confusion fast attack and Psychic for the Charged Attack.
A Rhyperior standing in a forest and raising one arm triumphantly in the Pokemon anime

Rhyperior

The Ground/Rock Type Pokemon Rhyperior is particularly weak to Water and Grass type moves.

  • Swampert with Mud Shot fast attack and Hydro Cannon for the Charged Attack.
  • Empoleon with Waterfall fast attack and Hydro Cannon for the Charged Attack.
  • Torterra with Razor Leaf fast attack and Frenzy Plant for the Charged Attack.
  • Roserade with Razor Leaf fast attack and Solar Beam for the Charged Attack.
  • Kyogre with Waterfall fast attack and Surf for the Charged Attack.
  • Zarude with Vine Whip fast attack and Power Whip for the Charged Attack.
Latios from Pokemon GO

Giovanni's Third Pokemon

While Shadow Latias was featured in the past couple months, July brings about its opposite with Latios. Just like Latias, this is another Psychic and Dragon type, so players will have plenty of options to pick from in taking it down. Make sure to select Pokemon with Bug, Dark, Dragon, Fairy, Ghost, and Ice-Type moves for the best chance.

  • Gengar with Shadow Claw fast attack and Shadow Ball for the Charged Attack.
  • Dialga with Dragon Breath fast attack and Draco Meteor for the Charged Attack.
  • Garchomp with Dragon Tail fast attack and Outrage for the Charged Attack.
  • Hydreigon with Dragon Breath fast attack and Brutal Swing for the Charged Attack.
  • Salamence with Dragon Tail fast attack and Outrage for the Charged Attack.

If the player is able to get through this gauntlet of Pokemon, their reward will be to capture Shadow Latios. With a limited supply of Pokeballs to use, players should make sure to use their berries, particular Golden Razz Berries to improve the odds of catching this legendary Pokemon.

Pokemon GO is available now on mobile devices.

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