Pokémon GO Arlo Guide

A comprehensive guide on how to defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo in Pokémon GO. We got you covered with the 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.

Arlo’s Pokémon Line-Up

Arlo uses Shadow Gligar as his first Pokémon. Arlo’s second Pokémon can be Shadow Mawile and Lapras. His third Pokémon can be Shadow Scizor. Gligar can be shiny!

Countering Arlo’s Shadow Pokémon

Gligar

Gligar

Arlo’s Shadow Gligar is a weak Ground and Flying type opponent, that is 2xweak to Ice, and 1x weak to Water. Gligar can be taken down easily, so take this opportunity to burn as many shields as possible.

Recommended counters

Ice types are your go to here, and getting those shields down as quickly as possible. If you don’t have any of the options listed, try out Jynx, Articuno, Vanilluxe, or even Beartic. Get those shields burnt!

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Mawile

Mawile

Arlo’s Shadow Mawile is a Steel and Fairy type and its best counters are strong Ground and Fire type Pokémon. Mawile has been around for a while, but here’s a quick refresher on how to counter it.

Recommended counters

Other options include Lapras, Heatran, Chandelure, Excadrill, and even Flareon.

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Lapras

Lapras

Arlo’s Shadow Lapras is a Water and Ice type, and is weak to Electric, Fighting, Grass and Rock. We would suggest being aware of what movesets Lapras has, as Ice moves will make quick work of your Electric and Grass types, and Water will wash out Rock types.

The likes of Lucario, Rampardos, Zarude and Luxray can all come in handy against this tricky Shadow Pokémon. Porygon-Z might seem a more odd choice, but it doesn’t take super effective damage from any of Lapras moves!

Recommended counters

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Cradily

Cradily

Arlo’s Shadow Cradily is a Rock and Grass type, which is quite unusual. Its weak to Bug, Fighting, Ice and Steel moves, and as if that is not confusing, it has access to 3 different fast moves: Bullet Seed, Infestation, Acid.

Picking counters will heavily depend on which Fast move it has. Cradily’s only resistances are Electric and Normal type moves.

Recommended counters

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Snorlax

Snorlax

Arlo’s Shadow Snorlax has two distinct fast moves: Zen Headbutt Psychic and Lick Ghost. As a Normal type, it’s weak to Fighting moves, but you shouldn’t use Fighting types vs Zen Headbutt. Fallback to Dark types with Fighting-typed charge moves in those scenarios.

Always shield against its Charge moves – they are big, slow, and devastating.

Recommended counters

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Scizor

Scizor

Arlo’s Shadow Scizor is his signature Pokémon and this Bug and Steel Pokémon is only weak to the Fire type (2x). A lot of your Lapras counters can do double duty here if they survive!

Other options include Chandelure, Entei, Emboar, Flareon and Charizard. Pure Fire here only.

Recommended counters

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Gardevoir

Gardevoir

Arlo’s Shadow Gardevoir is a Psychic and Fairy type that has three fast moves, depending on which your counter Pokémon should be picked: Confusion, Charge Beam and Charm.

Gardevoir is weak to Ghost, Poison and Steel moves, and we’re looking for Pokémon that have these moves, plus resist Gardevoir’s attacks. It’s not an easy Pokémon to pick counters for.

Recommended counters

More Team GO Rocket Guides

• GO Rocket Grunts Guide: Counters and Lineups
• Giovanni Counters Guide
• Arlo Counters Guide
• Sierra Counters Guide
• Cliff Counters Guide