What Pokémon Does Giovanni Give Now? Your Ultimate Guide to Shadow Legendaries
The burning question on every Pokémon Go trainer’s mind is: What Pokémon does Giovanni give now? The answer, as of late 2023, is that you have the opportunity to capture Shadow Regigigas after defeating the notorious Team GO Rocket boss. This powerful Shadow Legendary Pokémon is Giovanni’s current final offering in his challenging battles. Battling Giovanni is a significant event, not only because he’s a tough opponent, but also because of the coveted reward – the chance to catch one of the game’s rarest and most powerful creatures. This article will delve deeper into the nuances of facing Giovanni, the specific Pokémon he uses, the rewards you can expect, and answer some crucial frequently asked questions (FAQs) to ensure you’re fully prepared.
Giovanni’s Current Lineup and Strategy
Giovanni’s team is not static; it undergoes changes periodically. However, the core structure of his team usually remains consistent: a first Pokémon, a second, and then his formidable Legendary Shadow final Pokémon. As of late 2023, the lineup typically looks like this:
- Phase One: Persian (Normal-type) – This is his staple first Pokémon, a Normal-type that can be tricky but is generally the weakest of his roster.
- Phase Two: One of several possibilities: Nidoking (Poison/Ground-type), Rhyperior (Ground/Rock-type), or Garchomp (Dragon/Ground-type). These are all quite powerful and require different counter-strategies.
- Phase Three: Shadow Regigigas (Normal-type) – This is the main prize and the most significant challenge. Regigigas has high CP and is notoriously difficult to defeat, especially as a Shadow Pokémon.
Facing this team, especially the Shadow Regigigas, is not something to be taken lightly. It requires careful strategy and appropriate counters to succeed.
The Reward for Victory: Shadow Regigigas and More
Defeating Giovanni is no small feat, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Upon winning the battle, you’ll receive the following:
- Opportunity to Catch Shadow Regigigas: This is the primary reward. This gives you a chance to acquire the legendary Shadow Pokémon itself.
- 5000 Stardust: This is a vital resource used to power up your Pokémon and for trades.
- Potions and Revives: Essential for healing and reviving your Pokémon after tough battles.
- Unova Stone (Potentially): A rare evolution item used to evolve certain Pokémon.
The most crucial of these rewards is, of course, the chance to capture Shadow Regigigas. This is a significant accomplishment, as it adds a very powerful and rare Pokémon to your collection. This Shadow Legendary can be incredibly strong for both PvE and PvP battles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Giovanni and His Rewards
To provide you with an even more comprehensive understanding, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding Giovanni and his Pokémon rewards.
Q1: Can Giovanni’s Shadow Regigigas be Shiny?
No, at the moment Shadow Regigigas cannot be encountered as a shiny from Giovanni. Although shiny Pokémon are highly desired, in this case, you will only be able to catch the regular Shadow Regigigas.
Q2: How Often Does Giovanni’s Legendary Pokémon Change?
Historically, Giovanni’s Shadow Legendary changed on the first of each month. However, in recent times, the change has become less predictable, though it generally shifts with special events, such as the “Showdown in the Shadows”. It is wise to stay informed by following official Pokémon GO updates or reputable community news sources.
Q3: What are the Best Counters for Giovanni’s Persian?
While not the biggest threat, Persian can still hit hard. Fighting-type Pokémon are your best bet. Examples are Machamp, Lucario, and Conkeldurr, which have strong offensive power and will deal super effective damage.
Q4: How Should I Counter Giovanni’s Second Pokémon Choices?
Nidoking is weak to Ground, Psychic, Water, and Ice. Rhyperior is especially vulnerable to Water and Grass attacks. And Garchomp, despite being a tough opponent, is susceptible to Fairy and Ice moves. Choosing your second Pokémon on the basis of what you see is vital to your success.
Q5: What Pokémon Types are Most Effective Against Shadow Regigigas?
Shadow Regigigas, being a Normal-type Pokémon, is vulnerable to Fighting-type attacks. Therefore, strong Fighting-type Pokémon, such as Lucario, Conkeldurr, and Machamp, are the best counters.
Q6: Can I Battle Giovanni Multiple Times in a Month?
No, you can only battle Giovanni once per month. Once you’ve completed the Special Research and defeated Giovanni, you must wait until the new research becomes available the following month. Completing previous research in a following month will immediately give you the new research.
Q7: Does Giovanni Drop Strange Eggs?
No, Giovanni does not drop Strange Eggs as a reward. He is more closely related to Rocket GO encounters. You can obtain Strange Eggs through defeating the Rocket GO grunts.
Q8: Is It Worth Purifying Shadow Pokémon from Giovanni?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs. However, the decision to purify a Shadow Pokémon from Giovanni comes down to personal preference. Shadow Pokémon generally have higher attack stats, while Purified versions have enhanced defenses, making them more balanced.
Q9: What Other Rewards Can I Get Besides a Shadow Legendary?
Besides the chance to catch the Shadow Legendary, you also get 5000 Stardust, Potions, and Revives, and you may potentially receive a Unova Stone. These are valuable for powering up your Pokémon and ensuring you have the necessary items for battles.
Q10: What Happens If I Don’t Have an Empty Pokémon Slot When Catching Shadow Regigigas?
You’ll still catch Shadow Regigigas even if your Pokémon inventory is full. The game will place the Pokémon into your overflow inventory. It is wise, however, to always have an open slot before the encounter.
Q11: Is Shadow Regigigas Good for Battles?
Yes, Shadow Regigigas is a powerful Pokémon for both PvP and PvE battles. Its high attack stat makes it a formidable attacker, and although it lacks the shadow bonus for defense, it will still be a force to be reckoned with.
Q12: Can I Capture Past Shadow Legendary Pokémon?
No, once a specific Shadow Legendary rotation ends, you will not be able to get it from Giovanni again. It is important to make sure that you try and capture the Pokémon when it is available.
Q13: Does Giovanni Ever Use the Same Lineup as the other Rocket Leaders?
No, Giovanni has a unique lineup of Pokémon compared to the other Team GO Rocket Leaders like Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra.
Q14: How Do I Find Giovanni?
Giovanni can be found by completing the Team GO Rocket Special Research. The final stage of the research requires you to find Giovanni after you have defeated all of the other Team Rocket leaders in order to unlock the Super Rocket Radar.
Q15: What Pokémon Did Giovanni Use Before Shadow Regigigas?
Prior to Shadow Regigigas, Giovanni used Shadow Regice, Shadow Regirock, and Shadow Mewtwo as his Legendary Pokémon for different periods of time. The rotations change so if you are not around during a period you may miss the chance for it.
Conclusion
Battling Giovanni in Pokémon Go is a rite of passage for dedicated trainers. The reward of catching the Shadow Legendary Pokémon – currently Shadow Regigigas – is incredibly valuable and worth the challenge. By understanding Giovanni’s lineup, employing the right counters, and being prepared, you’ll increase your chances of success. Be sure to stay up-to-date on changes, so you are not surprised by any new changes or special events. Good luck with your battles!