Team GO Rocket Leader Arlo is back in action this June 2025 in Pokémon GO. Long considered one of the most challenging trainers in the game, Arlo pits you against a lineup of powerful Shadow Pokémon, which makes him a formidable opponent. Before you challenge him, it’s essential to assemble a team that can effectively counter his Pokémon roster.
To take on Arlo this month, you’ll first need to defeat six GO Rocket Grunts, including the Ghost-type team Ke Ke Ke Ke. After this, you’ll want to spin PokeStops and Rocket Balloons to find one of the Leaders, who will randomly appear from Arlo, Sierra, or Cliff.
Arlo’s Team & Counters In Pokémon GO (June 2025)
One Of The Toughest Leader Line-Ups We Have Seen
Arlo’s lineup has changed since May 2025, and he now features four new Pokémon. While some have appeared in prior months, others are making their debut in his battles.
In each battle, Arlo’s second and third Pokémon are randomly selected from three possible choices.
Arlo’s team primarily features Pokémon from the first two generations. The battle kicks off with the Water-type Horsea. Following that, his second Pokémon may be one of three options: Water- and Psychic-type Slowbro, Poison- and Flying-type Crobat, or Steel- and Ground-type Steelix. The final Pokémon he may bring to the showdown are all incredibly strong choices: Bug- and Steel-type Scizor, Poison- and Dark-type Alolan Muk, or Psychic-type Alakazam.
|
Wave |
Pokémon and Type |
Weaknesses |
Counters |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Shadow Horsea – Water |
Electric and Grass |
|
|
2 |
Shadow Slowbro – Water and Psychic |
Dark, Bug, Electric, Ghost, and Grass |
|
|
2 |
Shadow Crobat – Poison and Flying |
Electric, Ice, Psychic and Rock |
|
|
2 |
Shadow Steelix – Steel and Ground |
Fighting, Fire, Ground and Water |
|
|
3 |
Shadow Scizor – Bug and Steel |
Fire |
|
|
3 |
Shadow Alolan Muk – Poison and Dark |
Ground |
|
|
3 |
Shadow Alakazam – Psychic |
Bug, Dark and Ghost |
|
Arlo is currently one of the toughest Team GO Rocket leaders to beat. Covering all his Pokémon with just three can be challenging. The best approach involves creating a versatile team that targets as many of Arlo’s Pokémon weaknesses as possible while including strong Pokémon for any that might appear. My personal team configuration combines an Electric-type, a Fire-type, and a Ground-type.
When the battle begins, Arlo will use Horsea, vulnerable to Electric- and Grass-type moves. An Electric-type like Therian Thundurus is effective not only against Horsea but also offers advantages against Slowbro and Crobat. A Fire-type such as Ho-Oh is ideal for quickly taking down Steelix and is doubly effective against Scizor.
For the final Pokémon, Groudon is the strongest Ground-type available, allowing it to counter Alolan Muk and also help with Steelix if it’s chosen. This still leaves Alakazam in play. Though not particularly weak against it, both Therian Thundurus, Ho-Oh, and Groudon can still do decent damage. If you find yourself struggling with Alakazam, consider substituting Groudon for a Dark-type like Tyranitar.
Rewards For Beating Arlo In Pokémon GO
A Host Of Rewards For Victory
Defeating Arlo may not guarantee the strongest Pokémon, but you will get a chance to catch Shadow Horsea immediately post-battle, as it’s his first Pokémon. Winning also counts towards the latest Team GO Rocket Special Research in Pokémon GO, which is crucial for challenging Rocket Boss Giovanni.
You will receive the same rewards each time you defeat any of the GO Rocket Leaders this month, with the only variable being the Shadow Pokémon you encounter afterwards.
Ultimately, each victory over Arlo grants three items from the selection of 4x Revives, 4x Hyper Potions, 2x Max Revives, 2x Max Potions, 1x Unova Stone, or a 12km red egg. Arlo poses a significant challenge as one of the hardest Team GO Rocket Leaders in June 2025, but with a strategically chosen team, you can tilt the odds in your favor in Pokémon GO.
