Pokémon GO Arlo Counters

Pokémon GO Arlo Guide: Best Counters

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Looking to take down Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo in Pokémon GO this July? You’re in the right place. In this detailed, we’ll walk you through Arlo’s July 2025 Shadow Pokémon lineup, the most effective counters to use against each stage of the battle, and the best teams to ensure victory. Whether you’re hunting Shiny Shadow Horsea or farming 12 km Strange Eggs, this is your go-to Arlo guide.

Arlo’s Shadow Pokémon Lineup (July 2025)

Defeat Rocket Leader Arlo in Pokémon GO
Defeat Rocket Leader Arlo in Pokémon GO

Arlo, one of the three formidable Team GO Rocket Leaders, is sporting a tough and diverse lineup in July 2025:

First Slot (Always):

  • Shadow Horsea

Second Slot (Randomly Chosen):

  • Shadow Slowbro
  • Shadow Crobat
  • Shadow Steelix

Third Slot (Randomly Chosen):

  • Shadow Scizor
  • Shadow Alakazam
  • Shadow Alolan Muk

To defeat Arlo, you’ll need a team that can adapt to each of these stages. Let’s break down the best counters and tactics.

Best Pokémon to Counter Arlo (General Team Suggestions)

You can’t always predict the full lineup, but the following Pokémon offer broad coverage and can deal with most of Arlo’s team:

  • Sceptile (Grass): Fast charge move spammer; great for Shadow Horsea and Slowbro.
  • Primal Groudon (Ground/Fire): Excellent against Steelix and Alolan Muk.
  • Tyranitar (Rock/Dark): Solid against Crobat, Slowbro, and Alakazam.
  • Mega Charizard Y (Fire/Flying): Destroys Scizor and hurts Steelix.
  • Kartana (Grass/Steel): Devastating vs. Horsea and Slowbro.

Slot 1: Shadow Horsea Counters

Horsea is weak to Electric and Grass types. Use fast-charging attackers to burn shields early.

Top Counters:

  • Kartana – Razor Leaf / Leaf Blade
  • Sceptile – Fury Cutter / Frenzy Plant
  • Shadow Raikou – Thunder Shock / Wild Charge
  • Zekrom – Charge Beam / Fusion Bolt
  • Therian Thundurus – Volt Switch / Wildbolt Storm

Slot 2 Possibilities

Shadow Slowbro Counters

Weak to Dark, Ghost, Bug, Grass, and Electric.

Top Counters:

  • Dawn Wings Necrozma – Shadow Claw / Moongeist Beam
  • Mega Absol – Snarl / Brutal Swing
  • Tyranitar (Shadow or Normal) – Bite / Brutal Swing
  • Gengar – Lick / Shadow Ball

Shadow Crobat Counters

Weak to Electric, Rock, Psychic, Ice.

Top Counters:

  • Shadow Mewtwo – Psycho Cut / Psystrike
  • White Kyurem – Ice Fang / Ice Burn
  • Mega Alakazam – Confusion / Psychic
  • Tyranitar – Smack Down / Stone Edge

Shadow Steelix Counters

Weak to Fire, Ground, Water, Fighting.

Top Counters:

  • Primal Groudon – Mud Shot / Precipice Blades
  • Mega Charizard Y – Fire Spin / Blast Burn
  • Blaziken – Fire Spin / Blast Burn
  • Primal Kyogre – Waterfall / Origin Pulse
  • Mega Lucario – Force Palm / Aura Sphere

Slot 3 Possibilities

Shadow Scizor Counters

Double weak to Fire. Don’t overthink this one.

Top Counters:

  • Mega Charizard Y – Fire Spin / Blast Burn
  • Blaziken – Fire Spin / Blast Burn
  • Shadow Moltres – Fire Spin / Overheat
  • Shadow Heatran – Fire Spin / Magma Storm

Shadow Alakazam Counters

Weak to Ghost, Dark, Bug.

Top Counters:

  • Tyranitar – Bite / Brutal Swing
  • Mega Gengar – Lick / Shadow Ball
  • Dawn Wings Necrozma – Shadow Claw / Moongeist Beam
  • Houndoom – Snarl / Foul Play

Shadow Alolan Muk Counters

Only weak to Ground.

Top Counters:

  • Primal Groudon – Mud Shot / Precipice Blades
  • Shadow Rhyperior – Mud Slap / Earthquake
  • Swampert – Mud Shot / Earthquake
  • Garchomp – Mud Shot / Earth Power
  • Shadow Excadrill – Mud Slap / Scorching Sands

How to Find and Battle Arlo

To battle Arlo:

  1. Defeat 6 Rocket Grunts to collect Mysterious Components.
  2. Assemble a Rocket Radar.
  3. Equip the Rocket Radar to locate a Team GO Rocket Leader.
  4. Approach the PokéStop marked on your map.

Note: You can rematch Arlo as many times as needed. The Rocket Radar is only consumed after a victory.

Arlo Battle Rewards (July 2025)

Defeating Arlo comes with several rewards:

  • 1000 Stardust
  • Chance to catch Shadow Horsea (can be shiny)
  • 2 Random Item Bundles, which may include:
    • 4 Revives
    • 2 Max Revives
    • 4 Hyper Potions
    • 2 Max Potions
    • 1 Unova Stone
    • 1 12 km Strange Egg

If you have at least one open egg slot, you are guaranteed a Strange Egg.

Tips for Success

  • Burn Shields Fast: Lead with fast-charging moves to strip Arlo’s two shields.
  • Use Super Effective Types: Especially against Scizor and Steelix.
  • Mega Evolutions Help: Mega Charizard Y or Mega Lucario offer huge damage boosts.
  • Adapt Your Team: If you lose, adjust based on what Pokémon you saw.

Final Thoughts

Defeating Arlo in Pokémon GO requires preparation and the right strategy. With his July 2025 lineup, strong Electric, Grass, Fire, Ground, and Dark-type Pokémon will be your key to victory. Use this guide to plan your battle team and walk away with valuable rewards—including a chance at a Shiny Shadow Horsea and 12 km Eggs. Happy hunting, Trainer!

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