Defeating Arlo in Pokémon GO: Tips and Strategies (April 2025)

Pokémon GO continues to challenge players with tough bosses, and in April 2025, Arlo presents one of the most formidable battles. Although his Pokémon lineup remains largely unchanged from March 2025, players can still implement various strategies to streamline this encounter. The battle with Arlo consists of three rounds, with the initial two featuring a range of challenges that demand careful preparation for a successful outcome.

To engage Arlo, you first need to construct a Rocket Radar. This tool can be crafted using components dropped by Team GO Rocket grunts, such as the notable Ke Ke Ke Ke. Collecting six of these components will enable you to assemble the radar, empowering you to locate Arlo and other Team GO Rocket Leaders like Sierra and Cliff.

Arlo’s Lineup & Counters (April 2025)

Shadow Pokémon Domination

Pokémon GO Rocket Leaders
How to beat Arlo in Pokémon GO
Pokémon battle strategy

Arlo utilizes Shadow Pokémon, each gaining a significant 20% damage boost while receiving 20% more damage. This characteristic makes them especially challenging foes for unprepared players. You can recognize a shadow Pokémon by its dark aura and distinctive red eyes. Despite their power, savvy players can exploit their vulnerabilities, allowing them to dispatch these threats quickly.

When building your team to confront Arlo, aim for versatility among your Pokémon to ensure effectiveness across different rounds. The battle kicks off with Arlo’s consistent choice, Alolan Shadow Grimer, a dual Poison/Dark-type Pokémon. To counter this, formidable Ground-type attackers such as Primal Groudon, Mega Swampert, or Excadrill are optimal.

Pursuing Pokémon that have Mega, Shadow, or Primal forms is highly advantageous, as they boast enhanced statistics essential for this showdown.

During the second round, players will face one of three Shadow Pokémon: Shadow Slowbro, Shadow Gyarados, or Shadow Dugtrio. Notably, two of these options are weak against electric attacks, thus making electric-type Pokémon a solid choice for most encounters. However, if Shadow Dugtrio appears, alternative strategies should be prepared.

Pokémon Typing Weakness Recommendations
Shadow Slowbro Water/Psychic Dark/Bug/Ghost/Grass/Electric Mega Gengar, Shadow Raikou, Dawn Wings Necrozma
Shadow Dugtrio Ground Ice/Grass/Water Mega Swampert, Mega Blastoise, Primal Kyogre
Shadow Gyarados Water/Flying Rock/Electric Shadow Raikou, Mega Manectric, Shadow Magnezone

Upon defeating the second round, players will encounter a different selection of three potential shadow Pokémon: Shadow Alolan Muk, Shadow Scizor, or Shadow Metagross. Here, two of the Pokémon are vulnerable to Ground-type attacks, harmonizing well with the first round’s Alolan Grimer battle. Additionally, one may require coverage for Fire-type Pokémon.

Pokémon Typing Weakness Recommendations
Shadow Alolan Muk Poison/Dark Ground Primal Groudon, Shadow Mamoswine, Mega Swampert
Shadow Scizor Steel/Bug Fire Shadow Heatran, Mega Blaziken, Reshiram
Shadow Metagross Steel/Psychic Dark/Fire/Ghost/Ground Shadow Heatran, Primal Groudon, Dawn Wings Necrozma

Rewards For Beating Arlo (April 2025)

Tons Of Potential Rewards For Progression

Rewards for defeating Arlo in Pokémon GO
Custom image by Ben Williams

Upon conquering Arlo, players are rewarded with an array of valuable items that enhance their progression in Pokémon GO. Immediate rewards include 1000 stardust, a vital currency used for trading and empowering Pokémon. Additionally, players will receive diverse item bundles that may comprise:

Item Amount Item Type
2 Max Revives
4 Normal Revives
2 Max Potions
4 Hyper Potions
1 12 km Strange Egg
1 Unova Stone

Moreover, players can seize the opportunity to battle and potentially capture a random shadow Pokémon from Arlo’s lineup. This is a rare chance to acquire shadow Pokémon, generally available only through specific circumstances. Seize this moment, even if the shadow Pokémon you encounter isn’t the ideal one for your collection.

Once you have triumphed over Arlo and potentially other Team GO Rocket Leaders, you can take on Giovanni, which opens the door to capturing a rare legendary Pokémon—an extraordinary event within Pokémon GO.

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