What Pokémon is Good Against Arlo? Your Ultimate Guide to Beating the Team GO Rocket Boss!

Team GO Rocket leaders like Arlo are a serious challenge in Pokémon GO. Facing down his powerful Pokémon requires a strategic approach and knowing which of your own Pokémon are best suited for the job. This article will break down the optimal counters for Arlo's current lineup, ensuring you have the best chance of victory and scoring those valuable Shadow Pokémon rewards!

Understanding Arlo's Threat

Arlo's teams are notoriously diverse, meaning you can't rely on a single Pokémon to get you through every encounter. He typically fields three Pokémon, with his first slot often being a recurring Shadow Pokémon that changes periodically. The key is to identify his current lineup and then choose your attackers accordingly. We'll cover the most common and impactful Pokémon he uses.

Arlo's Potential Lineup and How to Counter Them

Arlo's lineup consists of a rotating first Pokémon, followed by two other powerful attackers. Here's a breakdown of his common threats and the best Pokémon to use against them:

Shadow Grimer / Shadow Muk:
Arlo often starts with Shadow Grimer or its evolution, Shadow Muk. These Poison-types are weak to Ground and Psychic-type attacks.
- Best Counters:
  - Mewtwo: With its powerful Psychic-type moves like Psystrike or Psychic, Mewtwo is a top-tier counter.
  - Alakazam: Another excellent Psychic-type attacker, Alakazam with Psychic or Counter (if it has a Charged Move) can do significant damage.
  - Espeon: A more accessible but still effective Psychic-type, Espeon with Confusion and Psychic is a solid choice.
  - Groudon: Its Ground-type attacks, like Mud Shot and Earthquake, are super effective.
  - Excadrill: With its Ground/Steel typing, Excadrill's Ground-type moves like Mud-Slap and Drill Run are fantastic.
Shadow Beldum / Shadow Metang / Shadow Metagross:
If Arlo brings out a Steel/Psychic type like Shadow Metang or Shadow Metagross, you'll want to focus on their weaknesses: Ground, Ghost, Fire, and Dark-type attacks.
- Best Counters:
  - Chandelure: Its Ghost/Fire typing makes it a dual threat, with Hex/Shadow Ball or Fire Spin/Overheat being devastating.
  - Giratina (Origin Forme): With Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball, Giratina is an exceptional Ghost-type attacker.
  - Hoopa (Confined/Unbound): Its Dark/Ghost typing makes it incredibly effective with Astonish/Dark Pulse or Shadow Ball.
  - Reshiram: A powerful Fire-type with Fire Fang and Overheat.
  - Darmanitan (Galarian Zen Mode): If you have it, this Fire-type with Fire Fang and Overheat is a strong option.
  - Gengar: Its Ghost/Poison typing and moveset like Shadow Claw/Shadow Ball are excellent.
Shadow Scyther / Shadow Scizor:
These Bug/Flying and Bug/Steel types are vulnerable to Fire, Rock, and Electric-type attacks.
- Best Counters:
  - Moltres: A powerful Fire/Flying-type with Fire Spin and Overheat.
  - Charizard: With Fire Spin and Blast Burn (if it's a legacy move), Charizard is a strong Fire-type.
  - Rampardos: Its Rock-type attacks, like Smack Down and Rock Slide, are super effective.
  - Gigalith: Another excellent Rock-type with Smack Down and Meteor Beam.
  - Zapdos: A strong Electric-type with Thunder Shock and Thunderbolt.
  - Magnezone: With Spark and Wild Charge, Magnezone is a reliable Electric attacker.
Shadow Sableye:
Arlo's Shadow Sableye is a tricky Dark/Ghost type that resists Psychic and Poison. However, it's weak to Fairy-type attacks.
- Best Counters:
  - Togekiss: Its Fairy typing and Charm/Ancient Power or Dazzling Gleam are perfect.
  - Gardevoir: Another strong Fairy-type with Charm and Dazzling Gleam.
  - Sylveon: With Charm and Moonblast, Sylveon is a great Fairy-type option.
Shadow Mawile:
This Steel/Fairy type is weak to Fire and Ground-type attacks.
- Best Counters:
  - Chandelure: As mentioned before, its Fire-type attacks are very effective.
  - Moltres: Another excellent Fire-type counter.
  - Groudon: Its Ground-type attacks will melt Shadow Mawile.
  - Excadrill: A strong Ground-type choice.

General Strategy for Defeating Arlo

Here’s a step-by-step approach to ensure you come out on top:

Scout Arlo's Team: Before engaging, pay close attention to the Pokémon Arlo is currently using. You can usually see his current lineup on the Rocket Radar screen before you initiate a battle. This is the most crucial step!
Choose Your Counters Wisely: Based on his lineup, select three of your strongest Pokémon that have super-effective moves against his team. Prioritize Pokémon that can deal significant damage quickly.
Lead with a Shield Baiter (Optional but Recommended): Consider leading with a Pokémon that has a fast-charging Charged Attack (like a Fast Move that generates a lot of energy). This allows you to quickly use a Charged Attack to bait out Arlo's shields. Once his shields are down, you can switch to your heavy hitters. Pokémon like Medicham (with Counter and Psychic/Power-Up Punch) or Azumarill can be good for this.
Utilize Fast Moves: Don't just rely on Charged Attacks. Fast Moves deal consistent damage and can help you build up energy for your powerful Charged Attacks.
Switch Strategically: If your current Pokémon is taking too much damage or is weak against Arlo's next Pokémon, don't be afraid to switch. This can save your Pokémon and give you a type advantage.
Use Elite TMs for Legacy Moves: If you have Pokémon with legacy moves that are particularly effective (like Blast Burn Charizard or Psystrike Mewtwo), consider using Elite TMs to get them.
Don't Forget About Your Shields: Use your shields to protect your Pokémon from devastating Charged Attacks. Conserving your Pokémon's health is key to winning the entire battle.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Don't get discouraged if you don't win on your first try. By understanding Arlo's potential lineups and having a solid team of counters ready, you'll be defeating him in no time and collecting those coveted Shadow Pokémon!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know which Pokémon Arlo is using?

Before you initiate a battle with Arlo, his current lineup is displayed on the Team GO Rocket Radar screen. This allows you to prepare your team of attackers accordingly.

Why is it important to have a variety of Pokémon to fight Arlo?

Arlo's lineup changes, meaning a single Pokémon won't be effective against all his potential teams. Having a diverse roster of Pokémon with different type advantages ensures you can adapt to whatever Arlo throws at you.

What are shields in Pokémon GO battles, and how do they work against Arlo?

Shields are defensive moves that players and Team GO Rocket leaders can use to block incoming Charged Attacks. Arlo typically starts with two shields. It's often strategic to use a Pokémon with a fast-charging Charged Attack to bait out his shields early in the battle.

Why are Shadow Pokémon better counters sometimes?

Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO have a 20% Attack boost compared to their regular counterparts, making them deal more damage. However, they also take 20% more damage. When facing Arlo, using your own strong Shadow Pokémon can sometimes give you the edge due to their increased offensive power.