Can Giovanni Be Found at PokeStops in Pokémon GO?
The short answer is: yes, Giovanni can be found at PokéStops, but with specific conditions. It’s not a matter of just stumbling upon him randomly. This article will detail exactly how, when, and why the elusive Team GO Rocket boss Giovanni appears at PokéStops, along with other ways you can encounter him, including 15 frequently asked questions that will clear up any confusion.
Giovanni and PokéStops: The Specifics
To encounter Giovanni at a PokéStop, you first need to have a Super Rocket Radar equipped. This isn’t your regular Rocket Radar; it’s the upgraded version that allows you to track down Giovanni instead of just the Team GO Rocket Leaders. The Super Rocket Radar is typically obtained as a reward for completing specific Team GO Rocket Special Research, which are released by Niantic every few months.
Once you have the Super Rocket Radar and it is equipped, Giovanni has a chance to spawn at some PokéStops between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM local time. It’s not guaranteed that he will appear at the very first PokéStop you check, so some searching might be needed. You’ll have to keep checking different PokéStops until you find the one Giovanni is hiding out at.
It’s important to note that the spawns are not completely random. There appears to be a priority given to which PokéStops Giovanni will appear at. Usually, you can assume that if other Rocket Stops are there, and some have spawned a Leader, Giovanni will most likely appear at a nearby, or sometimes, far away Stop. It usually appears as the highest priority spawn.
An Alternative to PokéStop Searching
If you’re not feeling like running around and checking various PokéStops, there is a guaranteed way to encounter Giovanni: the Team GO Rocket balloon. When a Super Rocket Radar is equipped, Giovanni will be guaranteed to appear in the next Team GO Rocket balloon that appears. This can be particularly convenient if you live in an area with few PokéStops or you are unable to travel.
Understanding the Timing
The window for Giovanni appearing at PokéStops is between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM local time. Outside of this timeframe, you won’t be able to find Giovanni at PokéStops, even with a Super Rocket Radar equipped. Therefore, planning your hunt within these hours is essential.
Team GO Rocket Special Research and Giovanni
The availability of Giovanni is primarily tied to the Team GO Rocket Special Research. This is a type of in-game quest that involves battling Team GO Rocket grunts, leaders (Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra), and eventually, Giovanni himself. These research storylines usually debut new Shadow Legendary Pokémon, making defeating Giovanni a highly sought-after activity.
Currently, as of November 2023, the active Special Research is “Showdown in the Shadows.” This means that players need to complete the tasks associated with this research to obtain a Super Rocket Radar, which in turn allows them to find Giovanni. Each new research quest is typically released every few months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics of encountering and battling Giovanni in Pokémon GO:
1. Can you randomly encounter Giovanni without a Super Rocket Radar?
No, you cannot randomly encounter Giovanni without a Super Rocket Radar equipped. You need the Super Rocket Radar to even have the possibility of encountering him at PokéStops or in Rocket Balloons.
2. How often can you battle Giovanni?
You can typically battle Giovanni once per month. The availability is tied to completing the monthly Team GO Rocket Special Research. If you complete one month’s research in the following month, you’ll receive the next month’s research immediately.
3. What happens if you have multiple Super Rocket Radars?
If you have multiple Super Rocket Radars, you can use them whenever you wish within the 6am-10pm window or use them on Rocket Balloons. However, you will only receive one Special Research and one encounter per month to get the Shadow Legendary and Giovanni encounter. You can keep any unused Super Rocket Radars.
4. What is Giovanni’s team line-up in November 2023?
In November 2023, Giovanni starts with his Persian, followed by a choice of one from various Pokemon, like Nidoking, Rhyperior, or Garchomp and his final Pokémon is the Shadow Regigigas. The exact line-up can vary, with his choice of second Pokémon and Shadow Legendary rotating every few months.
5. Does Giovanni’s legendary Shadow Pokémon change?
Yes, Giovanni’s Shadow Legendary Pokémon changes every few months. This keeps the battles engaging and provides a reason to keep up with the latest Team GO Rocket Special Research.
6. How do you get a Super Rocket Radar?
You typically get a Super Rocket Radar as a reward for completing Team GO Rocket Special Research tasks. These are quest lines that involve battling Team GO Rocket grunts and leaders.
7. Should you save your Super Rocket Radar?
It can be beneficial to save a Super Rocket Radar, if you have more than one. You might choose to save your second one, and unequip it from your bag, so that Rocket Balloons will no longer be Giovanni and instead contain Leaders and Grunts.
8. Can you unequip your Super Rocket Radar?
Yes, you can unequip your Super Rocket Radar from your item bag. This allows you to return to fighting Rocket Grunts and Leaders in balloons and at PokéStops until you decide to re-equip the radar and hunt for Giovanni again.
9. What rewards do you get for defeating Giovanni?
Upon defeating Giovanni, you will receive 5000 Stardust, several item bundles (including revives, max revives, and hyper potions), an advancement in your Hero medal, and the opportunity to capture the Shadow Legendary Pokémon he is using for that rotation. This includes a 100% catch rate on the Shadow Legendary.
10. What was Giovanni’s legendary Pokémon in July 2023?
In July 2023, Giovanni used a Shadow Registeel as his legendary. His line up was also known for his Persian and one of Nidoking, Rhyperior or Garchomp.
11. What was Giovanni’s legendary Pokémon in April 2023?
In April 2023, Giovanni’s legendary was Shadow Regice. His line up was also known for his Persian and one of Nidoking, Kingler, or Kingdra.
12. What was Giovanni’s legendary Pokémon in May 2023?
In May 2023, Giovanni’s legendary was Shadow Regirock. His line up was also known for his Persian and one of Kingler, Nidoking, or Kingdra.
13. What was Giovanni’s legendary Pokémon in June 2023?
In June 2023, Giovanni’s legendary Pokémon was Shadow Registeel. His line up was also known for his Persian and one of Nidoking, Kingler, or Kingdra.
14. Does Giovanni appear outside the 6 AM – 10 PM local time window?
No, Giovanni does not appear at PokéStops outside the 6 AM to 10 PM local time window. However, the Rocket Balloon mechanic is not time-specific, and Giovanni may still appear outside of the window.
15. What are good counters for Giovanni’s Pokémon?
Good counters for Giovanni typically include strong Fighting-type and Rock-type Pokémon for his Persian. For his various secondary Pokemon, such as Nidoking, consider strong Ground-types. For Rhyperior, consider Water-type and Grass-type Pokémon. For Garchomp, use strong Ice-type attackers due to its double weakness. Finally, you will need to choose your best Pokémon to counter the current Shadow Legendary.
Conclusion
While Giovanni can be found at PokéStops, it’s not just a random occurrence. You need a Super Rocket Radar equipped, and even then, he only appears between 6 AM and 10 PM local time. The guaranteed encounter in a Team GO Rocket balloon is a valuable alternative. By understanding these mechanics and keeping an eye on the current Team GO Rocket Special Research, you can successfully hunt down Giovanni and claim his Shadow Legendary rewards. This comprehensive guide should help you navigate the encounters and stay informed about the ever-changing dynamics of Giovanni and Team GO Rocket in Pokémon GO.