Giovanni Shields Twice and Leads With a Rotation
Like the leaders, Giovanni carries two Protect Shields and blocks your first two Charged Attacks. His first Pokemon is usually a consistent anchor for the season, while his second and third slots rotate from a small pool of meta relevant picks. Checking the current season research is the only way to know the exact lineup, because it changes several times a year (Niantic Help Center, 2026).
As of the 2026 season, Giovanni's lead is often a Normal or Dark type anchor, with the back two slots pulled from prominent legendaries and strong attackers. The pattern holds: lead anchor, then two rotating counters you must scout (Polygon, 2026).
How to Pick Counters That Win
Because Giovanni shields your first two Charged Attacks, your third Pokemon throws the only unblocked hit. That means your team order is a counter strategy by itself. Lead with a tanky typed matchup that soaks damage, follow with a second counter, and keep a healthy third counter for the free hit (Eurogamer, 2026).
Fast Attack type is what carries the early fight. While your Charged Attacks are shielded, only Fast Attacks deal damage. A Pokemon with a fast, super effective Fast Attack keeps Giovanni's health dropping even when nothing gets through his shields (Pokemon GO Hub, 2025).
Most failure comes from copying a single season's counter list after Giovanni rotates. The lead counter stays useful, but the back two slots change. Re scout at the start of each season and swap only the second and third counters instead of rebuilding the whole team.
Reaching Giovanni
A Super Rocket Radar from special research points to Giovanni specifically. A normal Rocket Radar only finds Sierra, Arlo, or Cliff. Do not waste a Super Radar on grunts, and complete the associated special research to keep the Radar available (Niantic Help Center, 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many shields does Giovanni have?
Two. He blocks your first two Charged Attacks, and your third lands unblocked (Polygon, 2026).
Does his team change?
Yes. The lead is stable for a season, but the second and third slots rotate from a small pool (Eurogamer, 2026).
How do I get to Giovanni?
A Super Rocket Radar from special research is required. A normal Radar only finds the three leaders (Niantic Help Center, 2026).
What matters most, CP or type?
Type and Fast Attack speed. Shields block Charged Attacks, so Fast Attack damage wins the early fight (Pokemon GO Hub, 2025).
Final Thought
Giovanni is a shield math problem with a rotating back end. Keep your lead tanky, let the first two Charged Attacks be absorbed, and land the unblocked third on a healthy counter. Re scout every season so your back two slots match his current rotation.