He’s back. And honestly, he's kind of a pain this time. If you’ve been hunting down Team GO Rocket grunts and leaders just to get that Super Rocket Radar, you already know the drill. But the Pokemon Go Giovanni November 2024 rotation brings a specific kind of heat—literally. We are looking at Shadow Heatran.
It’s not just about having high CP monsters. It’s about not getting wiped by a Magma Storm or an Iron Head before you even get your first shield down. Giovanni isn't playing around this month, and if you go in with a generic "top attackers" list, you're probably going to see that "Battle Lost" screen more than once.
Finding Giovanni in November 2024
First things first. You can’t just stumble into him at a PokeStop. You need that Super Rocket Radar. Most players got theirs through the "Galactic Expedition" special research or the "Taken Treasure" event sequences that have been rolling through the late-year cycle.
Once you equip it, he could be at a nearby stop or in the next Rocket Balloon. Pro tip: if you see a Decoy Grunt at a stop, just keep moving or check a balloon. Balloons are guaranteed to be the big boss if the radar is active. It saves a lot of walking.
The Lineup: What You’re Actually Fighting
Giovanni always starts with Persian. It’s his signature. It’s also surprisingly annoying because its fast moves (Scratch or Faint Attack) can chew through health faster than you’d expect for a cat.
Phase two is where it gets tricky. In November 2024, Giovanni is pulling from a pool that typically includes Nidoking, Kingler, or Rhyperior. This is the "middle child" of the fight—the one designed to bait your shields or drain your energy before the main event.
💡 You might also like: The Combat Hatchet Helldivers 2 Dilemma: Is It Actually Better Than the G-50?
Finally, there’s the big guy: Shadow Heatran.
Why Shadow Heatran is a Problem
Heatran is a Fire/Steel type. That’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it has a massive double weakness to Ground-type moves. On the other hand, it resists... basically everything else. Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ice, Poison, Steel—it laughs at all of them. If you bring a Dragonite or a Sylveon here, you’re going to have a bad time.
The Strategy: Breaking the Shields
You have to burn his two shields immediately. If you don't, your heavy hitters will waste their Charged Attacks on nothing. This is why Lucario or Machamp are almost mandatory for the lead position.
Beating Persian
Don't use your best Ground-type first. Use a Fighting-type with a fast-charging move. Lucario with Power-Up Punch is the gold standard here. Because Power-Up Punch charges so quickly, you can force Giovanni to use both shields before Persian is even at half health. Plus, it buffs Lucario’s attack every time you use it. By the time Persian faints, your Lucario is a wrecking ball.
If you don't have Lucario, Poliwrath with Power-Up Punch or Machamp with Cross Chop works. Just stay away from slow moves like Dynamic Punch for the opener. You need speed, not raw power, in the first 30 seconds.
📖 Related: What Can You Get From Fishing Minecraft: Why It Is More Than Just Cod
Managing the Second Slot
This is where people usually fail. Because Giovanni can swap between three different Pokemon, you need a flexible middle-man.
- Nidoking: If he brings out the poison king, Ground or Water moves will do the trick. Swampert is the king here (Mud Shot/Hydro Cannon).
- Kingler: This is the curveball. If you brought a Fire-type for later, Kingler will ruin your day. Use a strong Electric or Grass-type, or just power through with a neutral heavy hitter like Kartana.
- Rhyperior: This is actually a gift. Rhyperior is double-weak to Water and Grass. Again, Swampert or even a Kyogre makes short work of this.
How to Crush Shadow Heatran
Once you get to the finale of the Pokemon Go Giovanni November 2024 encounter, it’s all about Ground damage.
Landorus (Therian Forme) with Sandsear Storm is arguably the best counter in the game right now for this specific fight. It’s fast, it hits like a truck, and it exploits that $2.56x$ damage multiplier for Ground moves against Heatran.
If you aren't sitting on a legendary genie, go with Garchomp (Mud Shot/Earth Power) or Groudon (Mud Shot/Precipice Blades). Even a high-level Excadrill with Drill Run can finish the job, though it’s a bit glassier, so make sure you have at least one shield left for yourself.
The "Stun Lock" Trick
Remember the "switch timer" and "charge move lag." Every time you swap a Pokemon or use a Charged Attack, Giovanni’s Pokemon freezes for about two seconds. Use this. Don't start with your Fighting-type; start with something else and immediately switch to your Lucario. That free two-second window allows you to get extra Fast Attacks in without taking damage. It’s often the difference between winning with a sliver of health and losing entirely.
👉 See also: Free games free online: Why we're still obsessed with browser gaming in 2026
Is Shadow Heatran Worth It?
Honestly? It's okay. In the current meta, Shadow Heatran is a beast in Raids against Steel or Ice bosses. In Master League, it has some play, but the Shadow version's lowered defense makes it a bit of a liability against the sea of Landorus and Palkia clones out there.
However, for PvE (Raids), a high-IV Shadow Heatran is a top-tier Fire attacker. It’s worth the effort, especially since we don't know when the rotation will swap to something less useful like the Regi-trio again.
Final Checklist for November
To wrap this up and get you that encounter, make sure you've checked these boxes:
- Check your items: Ensure you have at least 5-10 Max Potions and Revives. You might need to trial-and-error his second Pokemon.
- The Lead: Use a "Shield Breaker." Lucario, Poliwrath, or Machamp.
- The Closer: Bring Ground-types. Landorus, Garchomp, Rhyperior, or Groudon.
- The Timing: If you lose, look at what his second Pokemon was. It stays the same for that specific PokeStop or Balloon encounter. Adjust your team and go back in immediately.
Don't forget to catch the Heatran with a Silver Pinap berry if you're low on candy, though it's a guaranteed catch as long as you hit it with the ball. Good luck. He’s tough, but your Ground-types are tougher.
Actionable Next Steps
Start by checking your "Special" research tab to see if you have "Galactic Expedition" or any older Team Rocket research active; you can't get the Super Rocket Radar without finishing the early stages of these quests. Once the radar is equipped, wait for a Rocket Balloon rather than hunting at PokeStops to ensure you don't waste time on Decoy Grunts. Finally, prioritize powering up a Ground-type with Mud Shot, as the high energy generation is the specific mechanical advantage needed to outpace Shadow Heatran's high-damage Steel moves.