Horde Encounter

A Horde Encounter (Japanese: 群れバトル Herd Battle) is a type of Pokémon battle introduced in Pokémon X and Y. Horde Encounters consist of the appearance of a group of five wild Pokémon. Unlike in Double Battles, Pokémon in a horde are usually of the same species, but may include counterparts or other Pokémon with similar design origins.

A horde of Axew

A mixed-species horde of Tauros and Miltank

Pokémon in hordes posess approximately half the level of other Pokémon in the same area (to compensate for the higher number of attacks per turn) and in some routes may be a lower evolutionary stage of Pokémon that normally inhabit the area (such as a horde of Geodude occuring in areas dominated by Graveler); Pokémon encountered in hordes can also posess their species's Hidden Ability.

In the games

Hordes are encountered randomly by running through the tall grass, or it can be forcefully induced using Honey or Sweet Scent. However, neither will work when it is raining in the overworld. As in wild Double Battles, a Trainer cannot throw a Poké Ball when multiple foes remain.

Mixed hordes

• A Tauros horde can contain one Miltank.
• A Trevenant horde can contain one Sudowoodo.
• A Seviper horde can contain one Zangoose, and a Zangoose horde will contain one Seviper. The Seviper and Zangoose will try to knock each other out before attacking the player's Pokémon.
• A Nidoran♂ horde can contain one Nidoran♀, and vice-versa.
• A Roggenrola horde can contain one Carbink.
• A Durant horde can contain one Heatmor. The Durant and Heatmor will fight each other before attacking the player's Pokémon.
• A Plusle horde can contain one Minun, and vice-versa.

In other languages

Language Title French Rencontres de Horde German Massenbegegnungen Italian Gruppi di Pokémon Korean 무리배틀 Muli Battle Spanish Encuentros de horda

This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.