How to Beat Team Star's Dark Crew Leader, Giacomo

Learn how to defeat Giacomo, the Dark Crew leader of Team Star, in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Get tips on recommended Pokémon types and strategies for this boss battle.

Alright, let's get you ready to take on Giacomo, the leader of Team Star's Dark Crew! This is a key part of the Starfall Street storyline, and while it might seem tough, we'll break it down so you can handle it. Make sure your Pokémon are around Level 20 or higher before you head into this fight.

Recommended Pokémon Types: You'll want to bring Pokémon that are strong against Dark and Steel types. Fighting, Bug, and Fairy types are generally good choices. Specifically, a Fighting-type Pokémon is your best bet to start with, as it deals quadruple damage to Giacomo's first Pokémon.

Giacomo's Team:

• Pawniard (Level 21): This is his lead Pokémon. It's a Dark/Steel type. As mentioned, a strong Fighting-type move will absolutely wreck it. If you don't have a Fighting type ready, Fire or Ground types are also decent options here. Be careful though, as Pawniard has Steel-type moves that can be tough for Fairy-types.
• Revavroom (Segin Starmobile) (Level 20): After you defeat Pawniard, Giacomo sends out his signature Revavroom, which is a pure Dark-type. This thing is a bit bulkier than a standard Revavroom. It likes to use Metal Sound, which lowers your Special Defense, and Snarl, which is Dark-type damage that also lowers your Special Attack.

Strategy for the Fight:

• Against Pawniard: Lead with your strongest Fighting-type Pokémon. You should be able to knock it out in one hit if it's around the recommended level.
• Against Revavroom (Segin Starmobile): This is where it gets a bit trickier. You want to use a physical attacker that is either a Fighting or Fairy type. This helps you resist the damage from Snarl and keeps your Pokémon's attack power from dropping.
• Dealing with Stat Drops: If your Pokémon keeps getting hit by Metal Sound and its Special Defense plummets, or if Snarl is lowering its Special Attack too much, don't hesitate to switch it out! Switching out will reset those negative stat changes. This is especially important if you're using a special attacker.
• Tinkatink is a Great Option: While it can be a bit rare to find, Tinkatink is fantastic here because it takes only a quarter of the damage from Snarl. Just be aware that its attacks are mostly special-based until it hits Level 35.

After the Battle:

Once you've successfully defeated Giacomo, he'll give you a Star Badge, proving you've overcome his challenge. You'll also receive TM062 Foul Play, which is a handy Dark-type move that uses the opponent's Attack stat to calculate damage. As you leave the base, Cassiopeia will call you, unlocking more TMs you can craft, and their helper will toss you some materials to get you started.