Pokemon Go Arlo counters - how to beat the Team Go Rocket leader

Pokemon Go Arlo counters
(Image credit: Niantic)

Pokemon Go Arlo counters will help when you eventually go up against one of the three Team GO Rocket Leaders and while they are all tough, Arlo is likely the easiest leader battle players will encounter. Just because Arlo is “easier,” doesn’t make him a cakewalk in Pokemon Go, especially if you’re not prepared. Here is everything you need to know about Arlo and his team, and which Pokemon counters to bring into battle against him.  

If you haven't taken down either of the other Team Go Rocket leaders yet, have a read of our Pokemon Go Cliff counters and Pokemon Go Sierra counters guides.

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Pokemon Go Arlo lineup

Pokemon Go Arlo counters

(Image credit: Niantic)
  1. Venonat
  2. Ursaring/Manectric/Magnezone
  3. Scizor/Crobat/Vileplume

Pokemon Go Arlo counters

Below you'll find all of Arlo's possible Pokemon, along with the four best counters and optimal moveset for taking down each one.

Venonat

 #1 Venonat Counters 

Venonat, like other first Pokemon the Leaders use, is a relatively easy Pokemon to defeat. It’s a Bug and Poison-type, and is weak to Flying, Fire and Psychic-type attacks. Consider bringing these Pokemon into battle against Venonat: 

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokemonMoveset
Mewtwo Confusion and Psystrike
DeoxysZen Headbutt and Psychic
ReshiramFire Fang and Overheat
Darmanitan Darmanitan Fire Fang and Overheat

Ursaring

 #2 Ursaring Counters 

Ursaring is a pure Normal-type Pokemon and is only weak to Fighting-type attacks. Luckily, there are plenty of those in Pokemon GO that can take out Ursaring as fast as possible. Here are our recommendations: 

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokemonMoveset
LucarioCounter and Aura Sphere
ConkeldurrCounter and Dynamic Punch
MachampCounter and Dynamic Punch
BreloomCounter and Dynamic Punch

Manectric

 #2 Manectric Counters 

Like Ursaring, Manectric has only one weakness and that’s to Ground-type attacks. The pure Electric-type can be a pain if you bring in the wrong Pokemon, but taking these counters into battle will nullify any issues Manectric may bring. 

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokemonMoveset
GarchompMud Shot and Earth Power
GroudonMud Shot and Earthquake
LandorusMud Shot and Earth Power
MamoswineMud Slap and Bulldoze

Magnezone

 #2 Magnezone Counters 

Similar to Manectric, Arlo’s other option for a second Pokemon is an Electric-type. Magnezone is an Electric and Steel-type Pokemo and is weak to Fire, Fighting and especially Ground attacks, which it is four times weak to. That means bringing plenty of Ground-type Pokemon is key to taking down Magnezone.   

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokemonMoveset
GarchompMud Shot and Earth Power
GroudonMud Shot and Earthquake
LandorusMud Shot and Earth Power
MamoswineMud Slap and Bulldoze

Scizor

 #3 Scizor Counters 

Arlo’s signature Pokemon is Scizor, the Bug and Steel-type Pokemon. While Scizor is a powerful Pokemon in its own right, it’s four times weak to Fire-type attacks making it easy to deal with.  

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokemonMoveset
ReshiramFire Fang and Overheat
ChandelureFire Spin and Overheat
DarmanitanFire Fang and Overheat
MoltresFire Spin and Overheat

Crobat

 #3 Crobat Counters 

Crobat is a tricky Pokemon. It’s a Poison and Flying-type Pokemon and is weak to Electric, Rock, Ice and Psychic-type attacks. Rock is the only type that would resist its Poison and Flying-type attacks, but trainers are better off taking some powerful Psychic types into battle.  

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokemonMoveset
MewtwoConfusion and Psystrike
DeoxysZen Headbutt and Psychic
ThundurusThunder Shock and Thunder Bolt
TyranitarSmackdown and Stone Edge

Vileplume

#3 Vileplume Counters

Vileplume is a bulky Pokemon and will take some time and powerful attacks to take it down. Its Grass and Poison typing make it weak to Fire, Flying, Ice and Psychic-type attacks. If you have powerful Psychic-type attackers bring them, but if you need expect a drawn-out fight bring a Fire-type that can resist Vileplume’s Grass attacks. 

Swipe to scroll horizontally
PokemonMoveset
MewtwoConfusion and Psystrike
DarmanitanFire Fang and Overheat
DeoxysZen Headbutt and Psychic
ChandelureFire Spin and Overheat

When you've beaten all three Team Rocket leaders, you can take on Giovanni! Click on the link in the intro at the top of the page for more details on how to take down the Team Rocket boss.

Phillip Martinez

I'm currently a GamesRadar guide contributor with a specialty in everything Pokemon GO. If you've wanted to know the best way to take down a Rayquaza, there's a good chance you read one of my guides. I previously have written for IBT Media, Newsweek and Screen Rant. I'm a huge fighting game fan and everything Pokemon, but I've grown to love RPGs.