Last month, the Team GO Rocket Leader Giovanni returned with a vengeance.

He said goodbye to Shadow Zapdos and returned to battle with a formidable Shadow Ho-Oh.

To capture the Shadow Ho-Oh and free it from Team GO Rocket's clutches, players first have to take down the leader and his three fearsome Pokemon - which can often be easier said than done.

So, let's take a look at how to beat Giovanni in July 2021 and consider the weaknesses and counters of all of his Pokemon.

POKEMON GO - Every Legendary Pokemon In the Game Ranked from Best to Worst

What Pokemon Does Giovanni Bring to Battles This Month?

As you'd expect, Giovanni has a range of difficult Pokemon to take down, starting with his surprisingly strong Persian and ending with the Ho-Oh.

You can find the full breakdown below:

Pokemon One

  • Shadow Persian

Pokemon Two

  • Shadow Garchomp
  • Shadow Kangaskhan
  • Shadow Nidoking

Pokemon Three

  • Shadow Ho-Oh

How to Beat Giovanni in July 2021 - All Weaknesses and Best Counters

Slot One: Shadow Persian - (Weaknesses = Fighting)

  • Lucario - Counter/Aura Sphere
  • Conkeldurr - Counter/Dynamic Punch
  • Mega Lopunny - Low Kick/Focus Blast
  • Machamp - Counter/Dynamic Punch
  • Breloom - Counter/Dynamic Punch
  • Blaziken - Counter/Focus Blast
  • Sirfetch'd - Counter/Close Combat
  • Hariyama - Counter/Dynamic Punch

Slot Two: Shadow Garchomp – (Weakness = Dragon, Fairy and Ice x4)

  • Mega Abomasnow - Powder Snow/Weather Ball
  • Mamoswine - Powder Snow/Avalanche
  • Galarian Darmanitan - Ice Fang/Avalanche
  • Glaceon - Frost Breath/Avalanche
  • Weavile - Ice Shard/Avalanche
  • Mewtwo - Confusion/Ice Beam
  • Articuno - Ice Shard/Ice Beam
  • Kyurem - Dragon Breath/Blizzard

Slot Two: Shadow Kangaskhan – (Weaknesses = Fighting)

  • Lucario - Counter/Aura Sphere
  • Conkeldurr - Counter/Dynamic Punch
  • Mega Lopunny - Low Kick/Focus Blast
  • Machamp - Counter/Dynamic Punch
  • Breloom - Counter/Dynamic Punch
  • Heracross - Counter/Close Combat
  • Blaziken - Counter/Focus Blast
  • Hariyama - Counter/Dynamic Punch
  • Sirfetch'd - Counter/Close Combat

Slot Two: Shadow Nidoking – (Weaknesses = Ground, Ice, Psychic and Water)

  • Mewtwo - Confusion/Psystrike
  • Mega Blastoise - Water Gun/Hydro Cannon
  • Mega Gyarados - Waterfall/Hydro Pump
  • Therian Landorus - Mud Shot/Earthquake or Incarnate Landorus - Mud Shot/Earth Power
  • Kyogre - Waterfall/Surf
  • Mamoswine - Mud Slap/Avalanch
  • Excadrill - Mud-Slap/Earthquake
  • Metagross - Zen Headbutt/Psychic

Slot Three: Shadow Ho-Oh – (Weaknesses = Electric, Water and Rock x4)

  • Rampardos - Smack Down/Rock Slide
  • Rhyperior - Smack Down/Rock Wrecker
  • Terrakion - Smack Down/Rock Slide
  • Tyranitar - Smack Down/Stone Edge
  • Landorus - Rock Throw/Rock Slide
  • Mega Ampharos - Charge Beam/Power Gem
  • Aerodactly - Rock Throw/Rock Slide
  • Gigalith - Smack Down/Rock Slide
  • Omastar - Rock Throw/Rock Slide

Which Team Should You Bring?

Obviously, this can vary depending on Giovanni's middle Pokemon, but there are a few deductions you can make.

Starting with a Fighting-type is the only way to go. Giovanni's Persian's only weakness is Fighting, so if you want any chance against it, then that's the way to go. Plus, his Kangaskhan is also weak against Fighting moves.

That's Persian/Kangaskhan covered, so now onto Nidoking and Garchomp - both of which are weak against Ice-type moves.

Finally, seeing as Rampardos is the best counter for Ho-Oh, that's who I'd bring. However, any Rock-type Pokemon is a sound choice here.

Overall, I'd choose:

  • Lucario
  • Mamoswine
  • Rampardos