Defeating Arlo in Pokémon GO requires strategy and knowledge of his team of Shadow Pokémon . The leader of Team GO Rocket brings a powerful and unpredictable roster, divided into three battle phases. To overcome him, it's essential to choose the best counters for each of his potential Pokémon.

Facing Arlo: What You Need to Know

Before you can challenge Arlo, you'll need to find him in-game. To do so, you'll need a Rocket Radar , which you can obtain by collecting six Mysterious Components Team GO Rocket recruits .

Once you locate it, the challenge unfolds in three phases, each featuring a different Pokémon. The first will always be the same, while the next two can vary between three options, making the battle more unpredictable.

Phase 1: Shadow Alolan Grimer

Arlo's first Pokémon will always be a Shadow Alolan Grimer Poison- and Dark- type Pokémon Ghost, Dark, Grass, Poison, and Psychic- attacks Ground- type moves .

Best Counters

Therian Forme Landorus – Mud Shot (Agile) and Sandsear Storm (Charged)
Groudon – Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
Excadrill – Mud-Slap and Scorching Sands
Garchomp – Mud Shot and Earth Power
Primal Groudon (dark and mega versions are also great options)

Arlo in Pokémon GO — Photo: Disclosure/Pokémon GO

Phase 2: Shadow Slowbro, Shadow Dugtrio or Shadow Gyarados

Here, Arlo can choose one of three Shadow Pokémon. His strategy will depend on the opponent he brings.

Shadow Slowbro (Water and Psychic)

Weaknesses: Bug, Dark, Electric, Ghost, and Grass
Best Counters:

Zekrom – Charge Beam and Fusion Bolt
Mega Gengar – Lick and Shadow Ball
Mega Tyranitar – Bite and Brutal Swing
Kartana – Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade

Shadow Dugtrio (Earth)

Weaknesses: Grass, Ice, and Water
Best Counters:

Kyogre – Waterfall and Origin Pulse
Mega Swampert – Water Gun and Hydro Cannon
Primal Kyogre – Waterfall and Origin Pulse
Kartana – Razor Leaf and Leaf Blade

Shadow Gyarados (Water and Flying)

Weaknesses: Electric and Rock
Best counters:

Zekrom – Charge Beam and Wild Charge
Shadow Raikou – Thunder Shock and Wild Charge
Mega Manectric – Thunder Fang and Wild Charge
Shadow Electivire – Thunder Shock and Wild Charge

Phase 3: Shadow Alolan Muk, Shadow Scizor or Shadow Metagross

In the final stage, Arlo can choose one of three Shadow Pokémon. Each requires a different approach.

Shadow Alolan Muk (Poison and Dark)

Weaknesses: Earth
Best Counters:

Groudon – Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
Primal Groudon – Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
Excadrill – Mud-Slap and Scorching Sands
Shadow Rhyperior – Mud-Slap and Earthquake

Shadow Scizor (Bug and Steel)

Weaknesses: Fire
Best Counters:

Reshiram – Fire Fang and Fusion Flare
Mega Charizard Y – Fire Spin and Blast Burn
Mega Blaziken – Fire Spin and Blast Burn
Shadow Moltres – Fire Spin and Overheat

Shadow Metagross (Steel and Psychic)

Weaknesses: Fire, Ghost, Dark, and Earth
Best Counters:

Mega Gengar – Lick and Shadow Ball
Mega Charizard X – Fire Spin and Blast Burn
Primal Groudon – Mud Shot and Precipice Blades
Shadow Hydreigon – Bite and Brutal Swing

Defeating Arlo in Pokémon GO requires planning and the right counters . Because he can switch his Pokémon in the second and third phases, it's important to have a versatile team and cover all possible weaknesses. Shadow have increased damage, making the battle challenging. Therefore, investing in fast charged moves and Pokémon with high resistance can be the key to victory.