Arlo is back. If you’ve been hunting Team GO Rocket leaders lately, you know the drill: find a radar, track down the cliffside-loving executive, and hope his lineup isn't a total nightmare for your current team. For March 2025, the meta has shifted slightly, and Arlo’s roster is leaning heavily into specific type-coverages that can catch you off guard if you're just mindlessly tapping the screen.
Honestly, he's kind of a pain right now.
The biggest mistake players make is bringing a generic "strong" team without looking at the fast move pressure Arlo applies. In Pokemon GO Arlo March 2025 rotations, his lead Pokemon sets the tone for the entire encounter. If you aren't stripping those shields within the first thirty seconds, you're basically toast. It’s not just about CP; it’s about the bait.
What is Arlo Running Right Now?
Arlo’s current lead is Shadow Anorith. It's a Rock/Bug type, which sounds simple enough until you realize how fast it can generate energy. Most people see the bug typing and want to throw Fire, but remember that Anorith has Rock-type moves that will delete your Charizard before you even reach a Blast Burn.
You want a lead that generates energy fast. Lucario with Power-Up Punch is the gold standard here. You’re not trying to KO him immediately; you’re trying to force Arlo to burn both of his shields while you buff your own attack. By the time Anorith goes down, your Lucario is a hitting like a freight train.
His second slot is where things get messy. He’s currently cycling between Shadow Steelix, Shadow Gardevoir, and Shadow Crobat. This is a massive spread of weaknesses. If he pulls out Gardevoir and you have a Fighting-type out, your HP bar will vanish in about four seconds. It’s brutal. You need a safe swap. Something like a Melmetal with Rock Slide and Superpower covers almost all these bases. It resists the Fairy moves from Gardevoir and can chip away at Steelix’s massive defense.
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The Heavy Hitters in Slot Three
If you manage to get past the mid-game, you’re looking at Shadow Scizor, Shadow Salamence, or Shadow Mamoswine.
- Shadow Scizor: Only has one weakness. Fire. If you don't have a Fire-type in the back, this thing will Bullet Punch its way through your entire remaining roster.
- Shadow Salamence: Hits like a truck but dies if a stray Ice-type move looks at it funny.
- Shadow Mamoswine: High damage, but plenty of weaknesses including Fighting, Fire, and Water.
Strategies That Actually Work
Forget the "recommended" battle parties the game gives you. They are almost always wrong. They prioritize high HP over actual type effectiveness. To beat Pokemon GO Arlo March 2025 editions, you need to exploit the "switch stun."
Whenever you switch a Pokemon or use a Charged Attack, the Team GO Rocket AI pauses for about two to three seconds. This is your window. Don't lead with your best counter. Lead with something else, then instantly switch to your real counter. Those three seconds of free fast moves are often the difference between winning with half your health or losing with Arlo’s last Pokemon at 10% HP.
It’s also worth noting that Shadow Anorith is surprisingly glassy. If you have a high-level Kyogre with Surf, you can usually outpace it, but you'll lose the shield-baiting advantage.
The Best Counters for March 2025
Let’s talk specifics. You need a "generalist" team that covers the widest range of Arlo's potential shadows.
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1. The Shield Breaker: Lucario. Equip it with Counter and Power-Up Punch. It is the undisputed king of Rocket Leader battles. It resists Rock moves from Anorith and Steel moves from Steelix. It’s squishy, sure, but the attack buffs make it worth the risk.
2. The Anchor: Metagross.
Meteor Mash is essential. If Arlo brings Gardevoir in the second slot, Metagross is the only thing that reliably stops the Charm damage. It also handles Mamoswine in the third slot with ease.
3. The Flex: Mamoswine or Heatran.
If you see Scizor, you need Fire. If you see Salamence, you need Ice. Heatran is actually a sleeper pick here because its Steel/Fire typing resists almost everything Arlo throws in the endgame.
Why People Struggle with Arlo
Most of the frustration comes from the Gardevoir/Steelix coin flip in the second slot. One requires Steel or Poison, the other requires Fighting or Ground. If you guess wrong, you’re forced to switch, and if your switch gets locked, Arlo punishes you.
The trick is to stay calm.
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If you lose the first time, don't just hit "rematch" with the same team. Arlo’s lineup for that specific Pokestop or Balloon is fixed for the duration of its appearance. If he had Gardevoir once, he’ll have it again. Adjust your second slot specifically for what you just saw.
Essential Rewards and Shiny Odds
Why even bother? Because Shadow Anorith has a decent shiny rate from leaders—roughly 1 in 64. Plus, the 1,000 Stardust and the chance at 12km Strange Eggs make it the most efficient way to farm for Salandit or Pancham.
Check your storage for a "Rocket Radar" before you head out. You can't encounter Arlo without one. If you’re hunting for a specific IV spread on a Shadow Scizor, March is a great month to grind because the encounter pools are relatively stable.
Remember that Shadow Pokemon have a 20% attack boost but a 20% defense penalty. If you catch a high IV Anorith, keep it as a shadow. Purifying it might give you a Hundo, but it actually makes the Pokemon weaker in Raids.
Actionable Next Steps for Trainers
To ensure a win against Arlo today, follow this checklist before you engage:
- Check your Lead: Ensure your first Pokemon has a low-energy Charged Attack (like Power-Up Punch, Bone Rush, or Leaf Blade) to burn Arlo's two shields immediately.
- Vary your Team: Don't bring three of the same type. Aim for a "Fighting / Steel / Fire" or "Fighting / Water / Ice" composition to handle his varied second and third slots.
- Abuse the Stun: Always switch your lead Pokemon immediately after the match starts to gain those 2-3 seconds of "frozen" AI time.
- Farm the Grunts: If you’re out of radars, focus on Decoy Grunts or standard encounters to rebuild your Radar quickly.
- Save your Shields: Try to tank the first hit from Anorith if it's a weak Charged Attack. You’ll need those shields for the heavy hitters like Salamence or Scizor later in the fight.
Mastering the rhythm of the switch and the shield bait makes Arlo go from a "boss" to just another hurdle in your daily grind.