What Pokémon Do You Get After Defeating Giovanni? The Ultimate Guide
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So, you’ve finally geared up, powered up, and psyched yourself up to take on the big boss himself, Giovanni, in Pokémon GO. Congratulations! But the burning question remains: what prize awaits you for your valiant efforts? The short answer is a chance to catch a Legendary Shadow Pokémon. But as always, there’s much more to this than meets the eye. Let’s dive into the specifics of what you can expect after you’ve triumphed over the Team GO Rocket leader.
The Prize: A Legendary Shadow Pokémon
The primary reward for defeating Giovanni is the opportunity to catch a Legendary Shadow Pokémon. This Pokémon is the one that Giovanni is currently using in battle during that specific time period. These Shadow Pokémon are not only rare and powerful, but also carry a distinct visual flair and a damage boost, making them highly sought after by trainers.
How the Catch Encounter Works
After you defeat Giovanni, you’ll enter an encounter screen similar to catching a Raid Boss or other special event Pokémon. You’ll be given a limited number of Premier Balls to use to catch the Shadow Legendary. The number of Premier Balls you receive is based on factors like your damage contribution in the battle, your gym control bonus (if you fought at a friendly gym), and your friendship level with any other trainers who participated in the battle. Remember to use Golden Razz Berries to maximize your chances of a successful catch!
Additional Rewards for Defeating Giovanni
Besides the main attraction of the Legendary Shadow Pokémon, defeating Giovanni also nets you a host of other valuable rewards:
- Stardust: You will receive a whopping 5000 Stardust, which is essential for powering up your Pokémon.
- Item Bundles: You’ll also get 3 Item Bundles, each containing 3 of the following items in a random drop:
- 4x Revives
- 4x Max Revives
- 4x Hyper Potions
Understanding Giovanni’s Rotation
Giovanni doesn’t stick with the same Legendary Pokémon forever. His lineup changes periodically, typically every few months. This means you’ll have new opportunities to catch different Shadow Legendary Pokémon throughout the year. Keeping an eye on Pokémon GO news and community resources will help you stay informed about which Legendary is currently in rotation. This keeps the battles fresh and keeps Trainers wanting to come back to test their skills against Giovanni.
Preparation is Key
Before you even think about challenging Giovanni, you need a Super Rocket Radar. You obtain this by completing specific Team GO Rocket Special Research tasks. These research tasks usually involve defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts, Leaders (Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra), and completing other related objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Giovanni Rewards
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the rewards and mechanics of battling Giovanni in Pokémon GO:
1. What happens if I lose to Giovanni? Can I try again?
Yes, you can rematch Giovanni if you lose. Your Super Rocket Radar will only be consumed if you win the battle. This means you can keep attempting the fight until you are successful, making sure you bring the right Pokémon and using the most effective strategy.
2. How often can I fight Giovanni?
Typically, you can only fight Giovanni once per month through the Special Research questline. While you can technically hold onto a Super Rocket Radar, you’ll usually be limited by the availability of the monthly research.
3. Does Giovanni always have Persian as his first Pokémon?
Yes, Giovanni’s first Pokémon is almost always Persian. This makes preparing your team slightly easier, as you know you’ll need a strong Fighting-type counter right from the start.
4. What are the best Pokémon to use against Giovanni?
The best Pokémon to use against Giovanni depends on his current lineup. However, strong Fighting-types like Lucario, Machamp, and Terrakion are generally effective against his Persian and some of his other possible Pokémon. Be sure to scout his lineup online beforehand.
5. Can Giovanni drop Strange Eggs?
No, Giovanni does not drop Strange Eggs as a reward, regardless of how many open egg slots you have. The primary reward remains the chance to catch his Legendary Shadow Pokémon.
6. Is it better to purify Shadow Pokémon caught from Giovanni?
This is a matter of personal preference. Shadow Pokémon deal more damage (20% damage boost) than their purified counterparts, making them highly valuable in raids and battles. However, purified Pokémon are cheaper to power up and evolve. It depends on your playstyle and resource availability.
7. How do I find Giovanni?
To find Giovanni, you need to equip your Super Rocket Radar. This will reveal potential Giovanni hideouts disguised as PokéStops. You’ll need to visit these PokéStops and battle Team GO Rocket members until you find the real Giovanni.
8. Do I get a Hero Medal increase after defeating Giovanni?
Yes, defeating Giovanni will increase your Hero Medal count, contributing to your overall trainer achievements.
9. What happens if I already have the current Shadow Legendary?
Even if you already have the current Shadow Legendary, you can still battle Giovanni for the other rewards, such as Stardust and healing items. Plus, having multiple Shadow Legendaries can be useful for different battle teams.
10. Does Giovanni’s second Pokémon ever change?
Yes, while Persian is a constant, Giovanni’s second and third Pokémon can vary. Refer to online resources and community reports to get the latest information on his current team composition.
11. What if I complete the Giovanni research late?
If you complete one month’s research in the following month, you’ll receive the next month’s research immediately afterward. This means you won’t miss out on any opportunities to battle Giovanni.
12. How do Shadow Pokémon differ from regular Pokémon?
Shadow Pokémon have a unique visual appearance (a dark aura), a 20% damage boost, but also take more damage. They require more Stardust and Candy to power up initially.
13. Can I trade Shadow Pokémon?
No, Shadow Pokémon cannot be traded. This makes them even more valuable, as you need to earn them yourself.
14. What are the rewards for Giovanni in July 2023?
In July 2023, the main reward for defeating Giovanni was the chance to catch Shadow Regirock. Giovanni’s team also included Persian and other Pokémon that may have changed since then. Always check current information.
15. Where can I find more information about Pokémon GO strategies and gameplay?
You can find more information about Pokémon GO strategies and the influence of games on learning at websites like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Final Thoughts
Defeating Giovanni is a challenging but rewarding experience in Pokémon GO. The chance to catch a Legendary Shadow Pokémon is a significant incentive, and the other rewards, like Stardust and healing items, are always welcome. By understanding Giovanni’s rotation, preparing your team effectively, and leveraging community resources, you can increase your chances of victory and add some incredible Pokémon to your collection!