Want to know how to defeat Pokémon Go's Arlo? Well, you've come to the right place. Just like the other team leaders, Arlo can switch around his lineup and be a pretty big threat, though the risks in this case are well worth the excellent rewards. As such, we've put together a list of the best counters to use against him, giving you a major edge in battle.
With such a huge list of Pokémon to pick from and so many different types of moves, it can be a real challenge to know what team to choose when facing up against the masters, so maybe you should check out our Pokémon Go Cliff, Pokémon Go Sierra, and Pokémon Go Giovanni guides too.
Here are the best Pokémon Go Arlo counters:
What are the best counters for Horsea?
Arlo will always use Horsea as his first Pokémon, it's weak to electric and grass-type attacks. Luckily, it's a pretty easy opponent to beat.
We recommend you use these Pokémon to take Horsea down:
Sprite | Pokémon | Moves |
![]() |
Magnezone | Volt Switch and Wild Charge |
![]() |
Sceptile | Fury Cutter and Frenzy Plant |
![]() |
Raikou | Thunder Shock and Wild Charge |

What are the best counters for Crobat?
Arlo can use Crobat as his second Pokémon. We recommend you use an electric, ice, psychic, or rock-type Pokémon to take it down.
Here are our recommended Crobat counters:
Sprite | Pokémon | Moves |
![]() |
Rhyperior | Smack Down and Rock Wrecker |
![]() |
Alakazam | Confusion and Psychic |
![]() |
Magnezone | Volt Switch and Wild Charge |
What are the best counters for Slowbro?
Arlo's Shadow Slowbro is a water/psychic-type Pokémon that he often uses second. To counter it, it's a good idea to choose a 'mon with bug, dark, electric, grass, or ghost-type moves.
Here are some Slowbro counters:
Sprite | Pokémon | Moves |
![]() |
Gengar | Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball |
![]() |
Tyranitar | Bite and Brutal Swing |
![]() |
Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw and Moongeist Beam |
What are the best counters for Steelix?
This can be one of Arlo's second 'mons. Steelix is a steel/ground-type Pokémon; counter it with a fighting, fire, ground, or water-type.
Here are our favorite Steelix counters:
Sprite | Pokémon | Moves |
![]() |
Lucario | Force Palm and Aura Sphere |
![]() |
Swampert | Water Gun and Hydro Cannon |
![]() |
Kyogre | Waterfall and Origin Pulse |
What are the best counters for Scizor?
Arlo may pick Shadow Scizor as his final 'mon - this Pokémon is only weak to fire-type moves, so choose any of these hot 'mons below.
Here are the best Scizor counters:
Sprite | Pokémon | Moves |
![]() |
Reshiram | Fire Fang and Overheat |
![]() |
Standard Darmanitan | Fire Fang and Overheat |
![]() |
Moltres | Fire spin and Overheat or Fire Blast |
What are the best counters for Alolan Muk?
Alolan Muk is a poison/dark-type 'mon and may appear as one of Arlo's final Pokémon. We recommend using a ground-type to take it down.
Here are some of the best Alolan Muk counters:
Sprite | Pokémon | Moves |
![]() |
Excadrill | Mud-Slap and Scorching Sands |
![]() |
Mamoswine | Mud-Slap and High Horsepower |
![]() |
Groudon | Mud Shot and Precipice Blades |
What are the best counters for Alakazam?
Arlo's Alakazam is a psychic-type Pokémon that he uses during his third phase. To counter it, it's a good idea to choose a Pokémon with dark-, ghost-, or bug-type moves.
Here are our recommended Alakazam counters:
Sprite | Pokémon | Moves |
![]() |
Gengar | Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball |
![]() |
Tyranitar | Bite and Brutal Swing |
![]() |
Houndoom | Snarl and Foul Play |
What rewards do I get for beating Arlo?
When you defeat Arlo, or any other Team Go Rocket Leader, you will gain some awesome rewards. You will always get 1,000 Stardust and a random selection of two of the following items:
- A 12km egg
- One Revive
- One Max Revive
- One Max Potion
- One Unova Stone
- One Sinnoh Stone
If you find this useful and are a big Pokémon fan, take a look at our Pokédex and Pokémon Go codes for similar content, or Pokémon Go best Pokémon guides. You can also head over to our Pokémon Go events and Pokémon Go raid guides for more.