Giovanni in September 2023 used a predictable lineup in Pokémon GO, so you can build a very specific team and game plan around it.

Quick Scoop

In September 2023, Giovanni’s team in Pokémon GO was:

  • Slot 1: Persian (always).
  • Slot 2: One of three Shadow Ground‑types: Rhyperior , Garchomp , or Nidoking (many guides lump Nidoking with other Ground‑types because of moves/coverage).
  • Slot 3: Shadow Regirock as the legendary.

If you remember that pattern, the core idea is:

  • Bring a Fighting‑type to shred Persian and break shields.
  • Bring an Ice‑type to punish his Ground‑types.
  • Bring a Water‑ or Fighting‑type closer to neutral for Shadow Regirock.

Step 1: Unlocking the Giovanni Battle

Before you can even beat Giovanni in September 2023 , you have to unlock him.

  1. Defeat the three Team GO Rocket leaders: Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo using a Rocket Radar each.
  1. Completing their Special Research rewards you a Super Rocket Radar , which lets you find Giovanni at invaded PokéStops or in Rocket Balloons.
  1. Only once that’s done can you actually enter the boss fight.

Step 2: Beating Persian (Slot 1)

Persian is always first and is the key to the whole fight.

Why Persian is dangerous

  • It hits hard with Fast Moves like Scratch or Feint Attack.
  • Giovanni blocks your first two Charged Moves , so you must break his shields efficiently.

Best strategy vs Persian

  • Use a Fighting‑type with a fast‑charging move.
  • Put your fighter in the second slot , start battle, then instantly switch to it to trigger Giovanni’s short delay and get free hits in.

Good counters for September 2023 Persian:

  • Machamp with Counter + Cross Chop / Dynamic Punch.
  • Lucario with Counter + Power‑Up Punch / Aura Sphere.
  • Budget alternatives: any solid Fighting‑type with a cheap Charged Move (e.g., Hariyama, Blaziken with fast‑charging moves).

Your goal here:

  • Burn both shields as fast as possible with low‑energy Charged Moves.
  • Chip Persian down without wasting your own shields early.

Step 3: Handling Slot 2 (Rhyperior, Garchomp, or Nidoking)

Giovanni’s second Pokémon in September 2023 could be a Shadow Rhyperior or Shadow Garchomp , all of which are predominately Ground‑type and therefore share weaknesses.

Shared weaknesses

  • All three are weak to Ice‑type attacks.
  • Rhyperior is also double weak to Water , and Rock/Ground gives extra targets for Grass and Fighting.

Recommended counters

Bring a dedicated Ice‑type :

  • Mamoswine with Powder Snow + Avalanche is one of the best picks.
  • Other Ice‑types (Weavile, Glaceon, etc.) also work if they have a quick Ice Charged Move.

For Rhyperior specifically:

  • Strong Water‑types like Swampert, Kyogre, or Gyarados are excellent; Rhyperior’s double Water weakness lets them melt it extremely fast.

General tips:

  • Keep your Fighting‑type alive if possible; it still hits Rhyperior and Nidoking hard.
  • Use the switch delay window when swapping or firing Charged Moves to sneak in extra fast moves.

Step 4: Beating Shadow Regirock (Slot 3)

The third Pokémon in September 2023 was Shadow Regirock.

Regirock’s key traits:

  • Pure Rock‑type → weak to Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water.
  • As a Shadow, it hits much harder but is also more fragile than its non‑shadow version.

Practical counters:

  • If your Fighting‑type Machamp or Lucario is still alive, it’s great into Regirock.
  • Water‑types (Swampert, Kyogre, Feraligatr, etc.) are also very solid, especially if you already brought them for Rhyperior.
  • Ground‑types (Groudon, Garchomp with appropriate moves) and Steel‑types (Metagross with Meteor Mash) are strong backups.

Because Giovanni’s shields are usually gone by this point, you can:

  • Use high‑damage Charged Moves instead of only spammy ones.
  • Spend your own shields here to preserve your closers and secure the win.

Step 5: General Giovanni Tactics That Matter

A few mechanics make Giovanni (and Rocket bosses) much easier once you exploit them.

  • Shield burning : He always blocks the first two Charged Moves, so prioritize low‑energy charge attacks early (Cross Chop, Power‑Up Punch, Disarming Voice, etc.).
  • Switch delay exploit : When you switch Pokémon or use a Charged Move, Giovanni pauses briefly (around ~2 seconds reported by players), giving you free fast moves.
  • High CP matters : Under‑leveled Pokémon will just melt; guides and forum posts emphasize that you need reasonably powered counters to stand a chance.
  • Fast‑charging moves > nukes early: You want more frequent stuns and shield breaks, not one big move that might never land before you faint.
  • Don’t be afraid to rematch : Many players describe trying multiple different teams and orders before they find a lineup that feels comfortable.

Example Team for September 2023

Here’s a sample team that lines up well with the known roster.

  • Slot 1: Bulky opener / backup counter
    • Example: Swampert (Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon) or Metagross (Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash).
  • Slot 2: Fighting‑type shield breaker
    • Example: Machamp (Counter + Cross Chop) or Lucario (Counter + Power‑Up Punch).
  • Slot 3: Ice‑type or Water‑type
    • Example: Mamoswine (Powder Snow + Avalanche) or Kyogre (Waterfall + Surf).

Play pattern:

  1. Start with your bulky opener.
  2. Immediately switch to the Fighting‑type to abuse the delay and shred Persian while burning shields.
  3. Use Ice‑type vs Garchomp/Nidoking and Water‑type vs Rhyperior/Regirock; swap as needed to keep type advantage.

Forum‑Style Takeaways & “Latest” Perspective

Players discussing how to beat Giovanni across later seasons (2024–2025) still repeat the same core advice:

  • Use a Fighting‑type in the second slot for Persian.
  • Favor fast‑charging moves and type‑advantaged counters for his Ground‑type second slot.
  • Save shields and strong closers for his Shadow legendary (in September 2023, Regirock).

Even though his exact lineup changes every season, those September 2023 fundamentals still match how people beat him in more recent lineups.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.