So, you’re looking to take down the boss. Honestly, facing Giovanni in Pokemon GO during August 2024 feels a bit different than previous takeovers. The stakes are high because we aren't just talking about another Shadow bird or a recycled beast; we’re talking about the debut of Shadow Cresselia.
If you’ve been coasting through Grunt battles with your eyes half-closed, Giovanni is going to be a massive wake-up call. He doesn't play fair. His stats are boosted through the roof, and if you don't have a plan for that Persian, you're going to burn through Max Revives faster than a Charizard through a pile of leaves.
Basically, the Adventure Week: Taken Over event flipped the script. Starting August 8, 2024, the lineup shifted, and the strategy you used for Shadow Groudon earlier in the year is officially obsolete.
The August 2024 Lineup: Who is Giovanni Hiding?
You can’t just walk in with your strongest Legendaries and hope for the best. You've gotta know the phases. Giovanni always follows a three-slot structure, but that middle slot is where he usually ruins everyone's day.
- Slot 1: Persian (Always)
- Slot 2: Kangaskhan, Honchkrow, or Kingdra
- Slot 3: Shadow Cresselia (The Big Prize)
The Persian is a nightmare. It sounds silly—it's just a cat, right? Wrong. That thing’s Fast Moves (especially Scratch) can shred a Tyranitar or a Dragonite before you even get a Charged Move off. You need a Fighting-type, and you need it immediately.
Then comes the "random" middle child. In August 2024, you’re looking at a trio of very different threats. Honchkrow is fragile but hits like a truck. Kangaskhan is just a bulky wall of meat. Kingdra? That’s the real problem. Its typing (Water/Dragon) means it only has two weaknesses: Fairy and Dragon. If you aren't prepared for Kingdra, it will sweep your entire team.
How to Beat Giovanni's Team (The Actual Strategy)
The biggest mistake people make is starting with their "anti-Persian" Pokémon in the first slot. Don't do that.
Instead, put your Fighting-type in the second or third slot and switch to them the second the battle starts. This triggers a "stun" animation where Giovanni’s Pokémon stops attacking for about two or three seconds. It sounds small, but in a high-stakes Rocket battle, those extra Fast Moves are the difference between winning and watching your screen fade to red.
Beating the Persian
You need a shield-breaker. Lucario with Power-Up Punch is the gold standard here. Why? Because Power-Up Punch charges incredibly fast and it buffs your Attack every time you use it. By the time Persian is gone, your Lucario is a hitting machine. Terrakion with Sacred Sword is another beastly choice if you have one powered up.
Dealing with the Middle Trio
If he pulls out Honchkrow, switch to a Rock or Ice type. Rhyperior (Smack Down/Rock Wrecker) is great, but even a Mamoswine works.
If it’s Kangaskhan, stay with your Fighting-type. It’s weak to exactly the same things as Persian.
Now, if he brings out Kingdra, you better have a Fairy-type ready. Togekiss or Gardevoir with Charm will melt Kingdra’s HP. Don't try to out-Dragon a Shadow Kingdra; its Dragon Breath will hurt you way more than you hurt it.
Taking Down Shadow Cresselia
Finally, the main event. Shadow Cresselia is a Psychic-type tank. It has massive Defense. To crack it, you need Bug, Ghost, or Dark moves. Tyranitar with Brutal Swing is the MVP here. It resists Psychic moves and deals massive "Super Effective" damage. Hydreigon is another fantastic backup, though it’s a bit squishier.
Why Shadow Cresselia is a Big Deal
Most people think "Shadow = Good for Raids." That's usually true because of the 20% attack boost. But Cresselia is a defensive Pokémon. In the Great League or Ultra League (PvP), Cresselia is already a queen. Making it a Shadow version is... complicated.
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It loses some of that legendary bulk for more power. Some high-level players at The Silph Road and PvPoke actually argue that the regular version is better for most scenarios, but a Shadow Cresselia with Grass Knot can be a terrifying surprise in the right hands. Plus, it just looks cool. Honestly, sometimes that’s enough of a reason to hunt it down.
Finding the Boss in August 2024
You can’t just find Giovanni on the map. You need the Super Rocket Radar. For this specific window, you had to claim the Adventure Week: Taken Over Special Research.
A quick tip: If you still have an old Super Rocket Radar from a previous season (like from the Groudon or Kyogre events), you can use it now to get Cresselia. You aren't "locked" to the month the radar was issued. You get whatever Pokémon Giovanni is currently holding the moment you fight him.
If you see a Rocket Balloon and it’s a Grunt, just wait. If you have the Super Rocket Radar equipped, the boss will eventually show up in a balloon, or you can check PokeStops. Just be careful—sometimes it’s a Decoy Grunt. They look like Giovanni from a distance, but they’re just there to waste your time. Look for the PokeStops that are shaking and a bit darker.
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Actionable Steps for Your Next Encounter
If you’re stuck on this fight, here is exactly what you should do right now:
- Check your moves: Make sure your Lucario or Machamp actually has Fighting moves. Using a Machamp with Steel-type "Bullet Punch" is a recipe for disaster.
- The "Switch" Trick: Start the fight with a different Pokémon, then immediately swap to your Fighting-type to freeze Giovanni for a few seconds.
- Burn the shields: Use fast-charging moves like Power-Up Punch or Cross Chop. Giovanni always uses his two shields on the first two Charged Moves you throw. Waste them on weak attacks so your big hitters can land later.
- TM away Frustration: If you catch that Shadow Cresselia before the event ends on August 12, use a Charged TM immediately to get rid of the move "Frustration." You can only do this during specific Team GO Rocket Takeover windows. If you miss the August 12 deadline, you’re stuck with a useless move until the next event, which could be months away.
Go get that Radar equipped. Cresselia is waiting, and honestly, those Shadow fossils (Archen and Tirtouga) from the Grunts aren't bad prizes to pick up on your way to the big boss either.