Arlo Counters – How to defeat Pokémon GO Rocket Leader Arlo

The best Pokémon to defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo in Pokémon GO.

June 5, 2021

A comprehensive guide on how to defeat Rocket Leader Arlo in Pokémon GO, updated for June 2021. We got you covered with best Pokémon to use against Arlo, regardless of which line-up Arlo uses.

Remember that you can rematch Arlo if you lose the first time. Use this guide in combination with knowing Arlo’s Pokémon to ensure a victory. Be aware that many consider Arlo to be the most difficult Team GO Rocket leader.

💡 Note: In Trainer Battles, counters need not always be Pokémon that do super-effective damage. We include Pokémon that are more viable to defeat Arlo, rather than those who do maximum damage.

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Arlo’s Pokémon Line-Up

Arlo uses Shadow Venonat as his first Pokémon. Arlo’s second Pokémon can be Shadow Manectric or Shadow Crobat. His third Pokémon can be Shadow Scizor, Shadow Magnezone or Shadow Vileplume.

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Venonat	Manectric	Scizor
	Crobat	Magnezone
		Vileplume

Countering Arlo’s Shadow Pokémon

Venonat

Arlo’s Shadow Venonat is a weak Bug / Poison typed opponent that is easily countered by strong Dire and Flying types.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Dialga	Dragon Breath	Iron Head Draco Meteor
Ho-Oh	Incinerate	Brave Bird Earthquake
Dragonite	Dragon Breath	Dragon Claw Hurricane
Reshiram	Dragon Breath	Crunch Overheat
Genesect	Fury Cutter	Magnet Bomb X-Scissor

Manectric

Arlo’s Shadow Manectric counters are strong Pokémon that resist its mix of Electric, Dark and Fire moves. Nothing special here, but do pay attention to Manectric’s fast move.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Virizion	Quick Attack	Leaf Blade Close Combat
Tyranitar	Smack Down	Crunch Stone Edge
Rhyperior	Mud Slap	Rock Wrecker Surf
Togekiss	Charm	Ancient Power Flamethrower
Scrafty	Counter	Foul Play Power-Up Punch

Crobat

Arlo’s Shadow Crobat is Poison and Flying type, and as expect, easily countered by Rock and Steel types across all moves.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Tyranitar	Smack Down	Crunch Stone Edge
Aggron	Smack Down	Heavy Slam Stone Edge
Regirock	Lock On	Focus Blast Stone Edge
Melmetal	Thunder Shock	Superpower Rock Slide
Probopass	Spark	Rock Slide Magnet Bomb
Jirachi	Confusion	Doom Desire Psychic

Scizor

Arlo’s Scizor uses Steel or Bug fast moves and Steel, Dark or Bug charge moves. Scizor is double weak to Fire, which its best counters are strong Fire types.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Heatran	Fire Spin	Flamethrower Iron Head
Moltres	Fire Spin	Sky Attack Overheat
Ho-Oh	Incinerate	Brave Bird Earthquake
Chandelure	Incinerate	Shadow Ball Flame Charge
Charizard	Fire Spin	Blast Burn Dragon Claw

Magnezone

Arlo’s Shadow Magnezone is easily countered by strong Ground types. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Rhyperior	Mud Slap	Rock Wrecker Surf
Groudon	Mud Shot	Earthquake Fire Punch
Landorus (Therian)	Mud Shot	Superpower Stone Edge
Gastrodon (East)	Mud Slap	Body Slam Earth Power
Gastrodon (West)	Mud Slap	Body Slam Earth Power
Garchomp	Mud Shot	Outrage Earthquake

Vileplume

Arlo’s Shadow Vileplume is… meh. The usual Grass / Poison counters will wipe the floor with it, similar to Venonat. Go with flyers and steel types that resist its attacks.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Dialga	Dragon Breath	Iron Head Draco Meteor
Ho-Oh	Incinerate	Brave Bird Earthquake
Heatran	Fire Spin	Flamethrower Iron Head
Dragonite	Dragon Breath	Dragon Claw Hurricane
Reshiram	Dragon Breath	Crunch Overheat
Lugia	Dragon Tail	Sky Attack Aeroblast