Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee–How to defeat Viridian City’s gym leader Giovanni

Seven gym leaders down, one to go. You’ve vexed him at every turn, thwarted his plans for world domination and his organisation Team Rocket is in complete disarray. Giovanni has a bone to pick with you, and he’s more than ready to deny you the final badge needed for your entry pass to the Elite Four. It’s time to throw down one more time with Giovanni, as the Pokémon League awaits!

• Gym Leader: Giovanni
• Pokemon Type: Ground
• Reward: Earth Badge
• Location: Viridian City

Giovanni’s Pokémon

You had a taste of them in Saffron City, but Giovanni’s final team of Pokémon are even stronger than before. Primarily Ground-type Pokémon, Giovanni wields a team of heavyweights with secondary type attributes that make them tricky to prepare for. Be on the guard for his Dugtrio, Nidoqueen, Nidoking and Rhdyon.

Recommended Pokémon

Variety is the spice of life here, as the ultimate gym leader challenge requires players to field a team that is perfectly equipped to deal with Giovanni’s flexible army. While his Rhyhorn, Dugtrio and Rhydon can easily be beaten by a Grass-type (Weepinbell and Vileplume are good options here), you’ll need the power of water to deal with the royal couple of Nidoqueen and Nidoking, as their Poison-type attributes can easily destroy your ferocious flora.

Keep a Flying-type on standby as well (A Pidgeot would work wonders here), as Giovanni is more than ready to crack the earth beneath you if it means stopping your journey once and for all.

Rewards

Once defeated, Giovanni will hand over the Earth Badge and TM 41: Earthquake. All Pokémon, regardless of level or trade, will now obey your every command. Congrats champ, you just finished the gym leader portion of your Pokémon journey! Now onto Victory Road and the Elite Four.

Last Updated: November 16, 2018