You've finally tracked down Giovanni. Your heart is thumping, the music is intense, and then it happens. That smug, oversized cat appears. Most players assume Persian is just a filler Pokémon, a warm-up before the "real" fight against a Shadow Legendary. They're wrong. Honestly, Persian is often the reason people burn through their entire stash of Max Potions. It attacks with a blistering speed that can shred a standard team before you've even charged up a single move. Finding the right Pokémon GO Persian Counter isn't just about picking a strong type; it's about understanding the weird mechanics of Team GO Rocket battles.
Persian is a Normal-type. In the main series games, that’s boring. In Pokémon GO, it’s a nightmare because it only has one weakness: Fighting. But here is where it gets tricky. If you bring a glass cannon, Persian’s "Scratch" fast move—which is deceptively high-damage—will delete you in seconds. You need bulk. You need spammy moves. You need to know exactly which move set that specific Persian is running, or you're going to see the "Battle Lost" screen faster than you can say "Meowth, that's right."
The Science of Beating Giovanni’s Persian
Every time you face Giovanni, Persian is the lead. It never changes. Because Team GO Rocket members have massively inflated stats, a "normal" Persian becomes a raid-boss-level threat. The primary goal isn't just to kill it. It's to survive it while stripping away Giovanni’s two Protect Shields.
If you don't burn those shields on Persian, his second and third Pokémon will absolutely steamroll you. This is why the best Pokémon GO Persian counter isn't always the one that hits the hardest. It's the one that hits the fastest. You want moves that charge in three or four seconds.
Why Lucario is the King (Mostly)
Lucario is widely considered the gold standard here. Why? Because of Power-Up Punch. This move is a total cheat code in Rocket battles. It requires very little energy, meaning you can spam it to force Giovanni to use his shields early. Plus, every time you use it, Lucario’s Attack stat goes up. By the time Persian faints, your Lucario is a buffed-up monster ready to take a chunk out of whatever comes next.
But there’s a catch. Lucario is squishy. If Persian is using "Scratch," Lucario might not even make it to the third Power-Up Punch. You have to be frame-perfect with your switches. A common pro tip is to start with a different Pokémon and immediately switch into Lucario. This triggers a short "stun" period where the AI stops attacking for about two seconds. Those two seconds are the difference between winning and losing.
The Machamp Alternative
If you don't have a Lucario with the right moves, Machamp is the old reliable. Most trainers have a high-IV Machamp from years of Community Days or Raids. You want Counter as the fast move—obviously—and Cross Chop as the charged move. Cross Chop is the key. Don't bother with Dynamic Punch. It takes too long to charge. You need to be spamming.
📖 Related: Winning the Alien Invasion Dress to Impress Theme Without Looking Basic
Shadow Machamp is even better if you can handle the defensive drop, but for most players, a standard high-level Machamp gets the job done. Just watch out for "Play Rough." If Giovanni’s Persian is running that Fairy-type move, your Machamp is going to have a very bad day. It’s one of those "know your enemy" moments. If you see your health bar turning yellow instantly, back out, swap your team, and try again.
Breaking Down the Move Sets
Persian can run two different fast moves: Scratch and Feint Attack.
Scratch is the killer. It’s a Normal-type move, so nothing resists it except Rock, Steel, or Ghost. This is why Fighting types—who don't resist Normal—struggle to stay alive. Feint Attack is Dark-type. It’s actually much easier to deal with because many common counters resist Dark moves or at least don't take neutral "STAB" (Same Type Attack Bonus) damage from it.
Melmetal: The Tank Strategy
Maybe you’re tired of your Fighting types dying. Enter Melmetal. This big hunk of iron is arguably a better Pokémon GO Persian counter than the actual Fighting types in specific scenarios. Because Melmetal is a pure Steel-type, it resists Persian’s Scratch.
✨ Don't miss: Korblox and Headless Codes: What Most People Get Wrong
The strategy here is simple:
- Use Thunder Shock as your fast move. It generates energy incredibly fast.
- Spam Superpower.
- Because Superpower is a Fighting-type move, it hits Persian for super-effective damage.
The only downside is that Superpower debuffs your own Attack and Defense. You have to "cycle" the moves—hit twice, then maybe switch out to clear the debuffs. It's a technical way to play, but it’s much safer than praying your Lucario survives.
Terrakion and the Legendaries
Not everyone thinks about using Legendaries for Rocket grunts or leaders, but Terrakion has become a beast lately. With the move Sacred Sword, it has one of the best "energy-to-damage" ratios in the entire game. Terrakion is a Rock/Fighting type. That Rock typing is massive. It means it resists Scratch.
If you have a Terrakion at Level 40 or higher, Persian becomes a joke. You can usually farm up enough energy to hit two Sacred Swords back-to-back, clearing the shields and leaving Persian with a sliver of health.
The Budget Options
Not everyone has a maxed-out Terrakion or a Lucario. What if you're a casual player?
- Poliwrath: This is the secret MVP. If you have a Poliwrath with Counter and Power-Up Punch (or Dynamic Punch), it’s incredibly tanky. It can soak up a lot of damage while slowly grinding Persian down.
- Conkeldurr: It’s basically a beefier Machamp. Higher attack, decent bulk. Use Counter and Dynamic Punch. It’s not as "spammy," but it hits like a truck.
- Buzzwole: If you were active during Ultra Beast events, Buzzwole is a hilarious counter. It’s so physically defensive that Persian’s scratches feel like tickles.
Understanding the "Stun" Mechanic
If you want to master the Pokémon GO Persian counter game, you have to abuse the AI. Team GO Rocket AI is predictable.
Whenever a Pokémon faints, whenever you use a Charged Move, or whenever you switch Pokémon, the AI freezes for about two to three seconds. This is your window. You can usually get 2-3 "free" fast moves in. If you time your Charged Moves correctly, you can effectively keep Persian in a perpetual state of being stunned. This is why moves like Power-Up Punch or Cross Chop are better than high-damage moves like Close Combat. You want to trigger that stun as often as possible.
What to Do if You Keep Losing
Sometimes, the RNG just hates you. If Giovanni’s Persian has Scratch and you’re using a team of glass cannons, you’ll lose. Period.
First, check your levels. If your counters are under Level 30, you're going to struggle regardless of type advantages. Use some Stardust. It's worth it. Second, look at your lead. Are you starting with your counter? Don't. Start with your second Pokémon and switch into your Persian counter immediately. That two-second head start is vital.
Third, look at your second and third Pokémon. Sometimes the best way to beat Persian is to not focus entirely on it. If you have a Giratina or a Dialga in the back, they can sometimes "brute force" through Persian even without the type advantage, simply because their base stats are so high. But honestly, sticking to Fighting types is the way to go for 90% of players.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Encounter
To wrap this up and get you that Shadow Legendary, follow these specific steps. Don't overcomplicate it.
👉 See also: Hardcore Punk DTI: Why the Subculture is Taking Over Dress to Impress
- Check your moves: Ensure your Fighting type has a fast-charging move. If you see "Stone Edge" or "Close Combat," change it. You need Cross Chop, Power-Up Punch, or Sacred Sword.
- The "Switch-In" Trick: Put your counter in the second slot of your team. Start the battle, and within the first half-second, tap the switch button to bring them out.
- Shield Baiting: Use your first two charged moves immediately. Don't save them. You need those shields gone so your later Pokémon can land their big hits on Giovanni's more dangerous team members.
- Resist the Scratch: If you find yourself dying too fast, swap from a Fighting-type like Machamp to a Steel or Rock-type that has Fighting moves, like Melmetal or Terrakion. Resistance is often more important than raw damage output in Rocket battles.
- Level Up: If you’re still failing, your Pokémon are likely too low level. Power them up to at least Level 35.
Persian is a gatekeeper. Once you learn how to handle the speed of its attacks and the timing of the AI stuns, the rest of the Giovanni fight feels like a breeze. Get your spammy moves ready, watch the clock, and don't let that cat intimidate you.