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Do Super Rocket Radars Disappear in Pokémon GO? Your Comprehensive Guide

Yes and no. A Super Rocket Radar will be consumed after you successfully defeat Giovanni, the Team GO Rocket Boss, but it will not disappear if you lose the battle. You can rematch Giovanni as many times as it takes to defeat him without losing your Super Rocket Radar. It’s crucial to understand how these items function to optimize your encounters and shadow legendary captures in Pokémon GO.

Understanding Rocket Radars and Super Rocket Radars

In the world of Pokémon GO, Team GO Rocket presents a recurring challenge. To combat this threat effectively, players utilize Rocket Radars and Super Rocket Radars. These tools are essential for tracking down Team GO Rocket Leaders and, ultimately, the head honcho, Giovanni. Let’s dive into the specifics of each.

Rocket Radars: Your Key to Battling Team GO Rocket Leaders

Rocket Radars are crafted by collecting Mysterious Components. Each time you defeat a Team GO Rocket Grunt at a PokéStop (or from a Rocket Balloon), you are rewarded with a Mysterious Component. Gather six of these, and they automatically combine to form a Rocket Radar. This radar then allows you to locate Team GO Rocket Hideouts, where you’ll face off against Leaders like Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra.

After defeating a Leader, your Rocket Radar is consumed, and you must collect another six Mysterious Components to build a new one.

Super Rocket Radars: Hunting Down Giovanni

A Super Rocket Radar is a special item used to track down Giovanni. Unlike regular Rocket Radars, these are not assembled from Mysterious Components collected from Grunts. Instead, they are exclusively obtained through Special Research tasks centered around Team GO Rocket. These Special Research storylines are typically released every few months and often coincide with the introduction of a new Shadow Legendary Pokémon.

How to Obtain Super Rocket Radars

The primary way to obtain a Super Rocket Radar is by completing specific Team GO Rocket Special Research. To access these tasks, tap the binoculars icon at the bottom right of your screen. Here are the key points to remember:

Completion of “A Troubling Situation”: You must first complete the “A Troubling Situation” Special Research before Giovanni Special Research is assigned to you.
Limited Availability: These Special Research lines are typically available for a limited time, coinciding with specific events or releases.
Step-by-Step Process: The research involves completing various tasks related to Team GO Rocket, such as defeating Grunts, Leaders, and purifying Shadow Pokémon. The reward for completing the final stage of the research is usually a Super Rocket Radar.

The Fate of Your Super Rocket Radar

Now, let’s address the main question: What happens to your Super Rocket Radar after you use it?

Successful Battle: If you successfully defeat Giovanni, your Super Rocket Radar will be consumed. This means you will need to complete another Special Research to obtain another one.
Unsuccessful Battle: If you lose to Giovanni, don’t worry! Your Super Rocket Radar remains in your inventory, allowing you to try again. You can rematch him as many times as necessary until you emerge victorious.
Encounter Not Initiated: The Super Rocket Radar will remain in your inventory if you equip the radar and then do not initiate an encounter with Giovanni. For instance, if a player equips the radar and the location of Giovanni is at a PokéStop, and that PokéStop is then removed (as can happen occasionally), the radar will remain in the inventory, even after the equipped Giovanni PokéStop is removed from the game.

Stacking Rocket Radars

It is possible to hold more than one Rocket Radar, and even more than one Super Rocket Radar. Players can obtain extra regular Rocket Radars through the in-game shop for 100 coins. Players who experienced a glitch that prevented them from capturing the Shadow Legendary have received an extra Super Rocket Radar manually awarded by Niantic Support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Rocket Radars, Super Rocket Radars, and battling Giovanni in Pokémon GO:

1. How often can I battle Giovanni?

Typically, you can only battle Giovanni once per month through the Special Research tasks. However, Niantic occasionally releases additional opportunities during special events.

2. What happens if I have a Rocket Radar and Super Rocket Radar at the same time?

You can hold both types of radars simultaneously. When you equip the Rocket Radar, it will allow you to find Team GO Rocket Leaders. When you equip the Super Rocket Radar, it will allow you to find Giovanni. Make sure to equip the appropriate radar depending on whether you wish to battle a Team GO Rocket Leader or Giovanni.

3. Can I stack multiple Super Rocket Radars?

Yes, you can stack multiple Super Rocket Radars. This is particularly useful if you want to save them for future events or when a Shadow Legendary Pokémon that you desire becomes available.

4. Why am I not getting Mysterious Components from Grunts?

If you already have a Rocket Radar in your inventory, you will not receive any more Mysterious Components from defeating Grunts. Use your existing radar first to start collecting components again.

5. What Pokémon does Giovanni currently have?

As of October 2023, Giovanni has Shadow Regirock. This can change periodically, so stay updated on the latest Pokémon GO news.

6. How do I beat Giovanni?

Giovanni’s team composition changes, so you’ll need to adapt your strategy accordingly. Use Pokémon with effective type matchups against his team. Pay attention to his Pokémon’s weaknesses and build your team to exploit them. Typically, it is a good idea to have a strong Fighting-type Pokémon to quickly take down Giovanni’s first Pokémon.

7. What are the rewards for defeating Giovanni?

Upon defeating Giovanni, you’ll receive various rewards, including Potions, Revives, and the chance to catch his Shadow Legendary Pokémon.

8. Is Shadow Regirock worth getting?

Shadow Pokémon receive a significant attack boost, making them powerful attackers. However, Regirock is generally considered not worth the investment due to Regirock’s stats.

9. Can I rematch Giovanni if I lose?

Yes, you can rematch Giovanni if you lose. Your Super Rocket Radar will not be consumed until you win the battle.

10. Why can’t I find Giovanni Special Research?

Make sure you have completed the “A Troubling Situation” Special Research. Giovanni Special Research is only assigned to Trainers who have completed it.

11. Can I buy Super Rocket Radars in the shop?

No, Super Rocket Radars cannot be purchased from the in-game shop. They are exclusively obtained through Special Research tasks.

12. How often does Giovanni’s Shadow Legendary Pokémon change?

Giovanni’s Shadow Legendary Pokémon typically changes every few months in line with the release of Team GO Rocket Special Research quests.

13. What happens if my Item Bag is full?

If your Item Bag is full, you won’t be able to collect Mysterious Components. Make sure to clear some space in your bag before battling Team GO Rocket Grunts.

14. Can I use a Rocket Radar and Super Rocket Radar simultaneously?

No, you can only have one type of radar equipped at a time. Choose whether you want to hunt Team GO Rocket Leaders or Giovanni.

15. Where can I learn more about the science of games and learning?

For more information on games and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org or https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Conclusion

Super Rocket Radars are valuable tools for encountering and battling Giovanni in Pokémon GO. Understanding how they are obtained, consumed, and retained will help you make the most of your Team GO Rocket encounters. Good luck, Trainer, and may your battles with Giovanni be victorious!

Do super rocket radars disappear?