Honestly, Arlo is the most frustrating member of the Team GO Rocket trio. He’s got this smug, "I used to be in Team Valor" energy that makes losing to him feel ten times worse. If you’ve just had your team swept by his Shadow Scizor or been walled by a Wobbuffet, you aren't alone. It happens to the best of us.
The game just changed again in January 2026. If you're using the same counters you used back in 2024 or even mid-2025, you're going to struggle. Arlo’s current lineup is a weird mix of psychic "walls" and high-damage attackers that require a very specific rhythm to beat.
The Current Arlo Lineup (January 2026)
You can't just walk into this blind. Arlo always starts with the same Pokémon, but the second and third slots are a total toss-up.
Slot 1: Shadow Wobbuffet
This thing is a literal punching bag, but it’s a trap. It has massive HP. If you spend too much time tapping away without a strategy, he’s going to farm energy or just waste your time while his higher-DPS teammates wait in the wings.
Slot 2: The Random Mid-Boss
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- Shadow Slowbro: A bulky Water/Psychic type.
- Shadow Crobat: Fast, annoying, and resists a ton of common types.
- Shadow Steelix: A massive defensive wall that shreds Fairy and Rock types.
Slot 3: The Closer
- Shadow Scizor: The classic. If you don't have Fire, you're done.
- Shadow Alakazam: Glass cannon, but it will delete your Pokémon in three hits if you aren't careful.
- Shadow Alolan Muk: Only has one real weakness (Ground).
How to Actually Beat Leader Arlo Without Panicking
The biggest mistake people make? They try to counter every single Pokémon individually. You can't. You only have three slots. You need overlap.
The "Burner" Lead
You have to get rid of Arlo's shields immediately. He always shields the first two charged moves you throw. Period. Use a Pokémon with a fast-charging move. Tyranitar with Brutal Swing or Gengar with Shadow Punch are great here. Since Wobbuffet is weak to Dark and Ghost, you’re hitting for super effective damage while forcing him to waste his shields.
Dealing with the Steelix/Slowbro Problem
If Arlo pulls out Steelix in slot two, your Tyranitar is toast. You need a pivot. Primal Groudon or a standard Garchomp with Mud Shot works wonders here. Ground-type moves are the "skeleton key" for this fight because they also crush Alolan Muk in the final slot.
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The Scizor Insurance Policy
You must have a Fire-type in your back pocket. I’ve seen so many players get to the third Pokémon only to realize they have nothing for Scizor. Scizor has a double weakness to Fire. Reshiram, Blaziken, or even a Charizard will melt it in seconds. If Arlo brings Alakazam instead, your Fire-type can usually just "brute force" through it, provided you've saved a shield.
Why Does Arlo Keep Hiding?
You probably know the drill: beat six Grunts, get the components, build the Rocket Radar. But sometimes Arlo just won't show up in your local PokéStops.
It's purely RNG. If you open your map and see Cliff or Sierra at a stop, just walk away. Don't fight them. Your Radar isn't consumed until you actually win a battle. If you're playing from home, the Rocket Balloons change every few hours (usually 12 AM, 6 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM). If a balloon has Sierra, wait for the next one.
Is Shadow Wobbuffet Even Worth It?
Let’s talk rewards. Defeating Arlo gives you 1,000 Stardust and a shot at a Shiny Shadow Wobbuffet.
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Is Shadow Wobbuffet meta-relevant? Not really for raids. But for the GO Battle League (specifically Great League), a purified Wobbuffet with Return is a legendary nuisance. Plus, the shiny shadow version is one of the flex-heaviest catches in the game.
Aside from the encounter, you'll usually walk away with some Revives or a 12km "Strange" Egg. If you have an empty egg slot, definitely grab that egg—it’s the only way to get Salandit or Pancham.
Real Talk: The "Stun" Mechanic
If you want to play like a pro, you have to use the "Rocket Stun." Every time you use a Charged Attack or swap your Pokémon, Arlo’s Pokémon will stop attacking for about 2-3 seconds.
Stop tapping during those seconds. Just kidding—keep tapping to build energy, but realize he won't hit you back. If you time your swaps and moves correctly, you can effectively keep Arlo's Pokémon in a state of permanent confusion where they barely land a hit. This is how people beat him with Pokémon that have much lower CP.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Battle
- Check your Lead: Put a Dark or Ghost type (Tyranitar/Hydreigon/Gengar) in your first slot to handle Wobbuffet and burn shields.
- Prepare for Scizor: Always keep a Fire-type (Blaziken/Charizard) in your third slot. Don't swap it in early.
- The Ground Pivot: Use a Ground attacker (Groudon/Landorus/Excadrill) for the second slot to cover Steelix and Alolan Muk.
- Rematch Strategy: If you lose, don't just hit "rematch" with the same team. The game tells you exactly what his lineup was. Swap your second or third Pokémon to specifically counter what you just saw. His lineup stays the same for that specific encounter.
- Manage your Bags: Ensure you have at least one open Egg slot and some space in your Pokémon storage before the fight, or you might miss out on that 12km egg or the Shadow Wobbuffet encounter.