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 are at approximately half the level of other Pokémon in the same area 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 may also have their Hidden Ability.

Hordes are encountered randomly by running through the tall grass, or they can be forcefully initiated 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.

The player's moves in a Horde Encounter act as if the player was in the center of a Triple Battle, except with all five other locations being treated as opponents instead of allies. A move like Tackle would only be able to hit one opponent, while a move like Rock Slide would be able to hit all five.

Mixed hordes

In all cases of mixed hordes, four of one Pokémon species will appear, joined by one of another species.

• A Tauros horde may include one Miltank, and vice-versa.
• A Trevenant horde may include one Sudowoodo, and vice-versa.
• A Seviper horde may include one Zangoose, and vice-versa. The Seviper and Zangoose will attack each other before attacking the player's Pokémon.
• A Nidoran♂ horde may include one Nidoran♀, and vice-versa.
• A Roggenrola horde may include one Carbink, and vice-versa.
• A Durant horde may include one Heatmor, and vice-versa. The Durant and Heatmor will attack each other before attacking the player's Pokémon.
• A Plusle horde may include 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.