Horde Encounter

A Horde Encounter (Japanese: 群れバトル Herd Battle) is a type of Pokémon battle in the Generation VI games, which involves one of the player's Pokémon facing five opponents at once.

A horde of wild Axew
A horde of Trainers' Poochyena

In Pokémon X and Y, Horde Encounters are restricted to wild Pokémon, but in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, special scripted events allow five Trainers to engage the player in a Horde Battle.

Mechanics

In wild Horde Encounters, all Pokémon are usually of the same species, but in some cases, one of them may instead be a counterpart or a similar Pokémon to the majority. The Pokémon in hordes are at approximately half the level of other Pokémon in the area and may be a lower evolutionary stage of a Pokémon that normally inhabits the area (such as a horde of Geodude occurring in areas dominated by Graveler). Pokémon encountered in hordes may also have their Hidden Ability. Some Pokémon can only be found in hordes.

Not all locations have wild hordes, but where they exist, hordes may be randomly encountered at approximately a 5% rate in tall grass or flowers (but not in long grass in Pokémon X and Y) or in caves. Horde Encounters can also be purposefully initiated by using Honey or Sweet Scent; however, in Pokémon X and Y, Honey and Sweet Scent will not cause a wild encounter if the overworld weather is not clear. As in all wild battles, a Trainer cannot throw a Poké Ball unless there is only one wild Pokémon remaining. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, while Horde Encounters can be forced at any time with Honey or Sweet Scent, they only otherwise appear in long grass.

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 three opponents and two allies. Moves that target multiple Pokémon simultaneously (like Rock Slide and Surf) are able to strike all five Pokémon at once.

Mixed hordes

 
A mixed-species horde of Tauros and Miltank

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

Pokémon X and Y

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Mixed hordes with enemy species

If a mixed horde consists of Zangoose and Seviper or Heatmor and Durant, the different species will direct attacks at each other (likely due to the species being natural enemies) instead of at the player's Pokémon if possible. The exception to this is moves such as Leer that cannot target allies. Once all the Pokémon of one species have fainted, the horde will begin attacking the player's Pokémon.

In contrast to Triple Battles, Pokémon attacking each other in a horde have no range limit; a Pokémon in a far-left position can attack a Pokémon in a far-right position.

List of Horde Encounters

Pokémon X and Y

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate
Connecting Cave
  Zubat
X Y
  Horde Encounter
8 35%
  Whismur
X Y
  Horde Encounter
7 60%
  Axew
X Y
  Horde Encounter
8 5%
Reflection Cave
  Mime Jr.
X Y
  Horde Encounter
11 60%
  Roggenrola
X Y
  Horde Encounter
11 35%
  Roggenrola
X Y
  Horde Encounter
11 5%
with Carbink
  Carbink
X Y
  Horde Encounter
11 5%
with Roggenrola
Azure Bay
  Slowpoke
X Y
  Horde Encounter
13 35%
  Exeggcute
X Y
  Horde Encounter
14 5%
  Wingull
X Y
  Horde Encounter
13 60%
Frost Cavern
  Smoochum
X Y
  Horde Encounter
21 5%
  Vanillite
X Y
  Horde Encounter
20 60%
  Cubchoo
X Y
  Horde Encounter
20 35%
Terminus Cave
  Geodude
X Y
  Horde Encounter
23 35%
  Larvitar
X Y
  Horde Encounter
24 5%
  Aron
X Y
  Horde Encounter
24 5%
  Durant
X Y
  Horde Encounter
23 60%
Pokémon Village
  Poliwag
X Y
  Horde Encounter
25 35%
  Lombre
X Y
  Horde Encounter
25 5%
  Foongus
X Y
  Horde Encounter
25 60%
Victory Road
  Geodude
X Y
  Horde Encounter
28 60%
  Graveler
X Y
  Horde Encounter
29 35%*
  Lickitung
X Y
  Horde Encounter
30 5%
  Floatzel
X Y
  Horde Encounter
29 35%*
Route 5
  Plusle
X Y
  Grass/Purple Flowers
6 5%
with Minun
  Minun
X Y
  Grass/Purple Flowers
6 5%
with Plusle
  Gulpin
X Y
  Grass/Purple Flowers
5 60%
  Scraggy
X Y
  Grass/Purple Flowers
5 35%
Route 7
  Psyduck
X Y
  Horde Encounter
7 35%
  Hoppip
X Y
  Horde Encounter
7 60%
  Roselia
X Y
  Horde Encounter
8 5%
Route 8
  Taillow
X Y
  Horde Encounter
7 5%
  Wingull
X Y
  Horde Encounter
7 60%
  Zangoose
X Y
  Horde Encounter
8 35%
with Seviper
  Seviper
X Y
  Horde Encounter
8 35%
with Zangoose
Route 10
  Yanma
X Y
  Horde Encounter
10 35%
  Houndour
X Y
  Horde Encounter
11 5%
  Nosepass
X Y
  Horde Encounter
10 60%
  Electrike
X Y
  Horde Encounter
11 5%
Route 11
  Nidoran♀
X Y
  Horde Encounter
11 60%
with Nidoran♂
  Nidoran♂
X Y
  Horde Encounter
11 60%
with Nidoran♀
  Starly
X Y
  Horde Encounter
12 5%
  Stunky
X Y
  Horde Encounter
11 35%
Route 12
  Tauros
X Y
  Horde Encounter
14 5%
with Miltank
  Mareep
X Y
  Horde Encounter
13 35%
  Miltank
X Y
  Horde Encounter
14 5%
with Tauros
  Wingull
X Y
  Horde Encounter
13 60%
Route 14
  Ekans
X Y
  Horde Encounter
17 5%
  Bellsprout
X Y
  Horde Encounter
16 60%
  Skorupi
X Y
  Horde Encounter
16 35%
Route 15 & 16
  Murkrow
X Y
  Horde Encounter
18 60%
  Foongus
X Y
  Horde Encounter
18 35%
  Klefki
X Y
  Horde Encounter
19 5%
Route 18
  Geodude
X Y
  Horde Encounter
23 60%
  Heatmor
X Y
  Horde Encounter
23 5%
with Durant
  Durant
X Y
  Horde Encounter
23 35%
  Durant
X Y
  Horde Encounter
23 5%
with Heatmor
Route 19
  Arbok
X Y
  Horde Encounter
25 5%
  Weepinbell
X Y
  Horde Encounter
24 60%
  Gligar
X Y
  Horde Encounter
24 35%
Route 20
  Sudowoodo
X Y
  Horde Encounter
25 5%
with Trevenant
  Foongus
X Y
  Horde Encounter
25 60%
  Trevenant
X Y
  Horde Encounter
25 35%
  Trevenant
X Y
  Horde Encounter
25 5%
with Sudowoodo
Route 21
  Scyther
X Y
  Horde Encounter
27 5%
  Spinda
X Y
  Horde Encounter
26 60%
  Swablu
X Y
  Horde Encounter
26 35%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.


Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate
Petalburg Woods
  Zigzagoon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
3 35%
  Wurmple
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
3 60%
  Shroomish
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
3 5%
Rusturf Tunnel
  Whismur
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
5 100%
Granite Cave 1F
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 60%
  Geodude
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 35%
with Makuhita
  Makuhita
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 35%
with Geodude
  Makuhita
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 5%
Granite Cave B1F
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 60%
  Aron
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 40%
Granite Cave B2F
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 60%
  Sableye
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 5%
  Mawile
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 5%
  Aron
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 35%
New Mauville
  Magnemite
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
12 35%
  Voltorb
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
12 65%
Fiery Path
  Grimer
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
8 35%
  Koffing
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
8 35%
  Slugma
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
8 5%
  Numel
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
8 60%
Jagged Pass
  Machop
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
10 65%
  Spoink
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
10 35%
Meteor Falls 1F 1R
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
9 100%
Meteor Falls 1F 2R & B1F 1R
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
20 100%
Meteor Falls B1F 2R
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
20 95%
  Bagon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
20 5%
Scorched Slab
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
14 100%
Safari Zone
  Oddish
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 35%
  Psyduck
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 5%
  Doduo
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 60%
Mt. Pyre interior
  Shuppet
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 100%
Mt. Pyre exterior & summit
  Vulpix
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 5%
  Meditite
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 35%
  Shuppet
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 60%
Shoal Cave at high tide
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
17 40%
  Spheal
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
17 60%
Shoal Cave at low tide
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
17 60%
  Spheal
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
17 40%
Shoal Cave ice room
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
17 60%
  Snorunt
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
17 5%
  Spheal
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
17 35%
Seafloor Cavern
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
18 100%
Cave of Origin
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
18 100%
Sky Pillar
  Golbat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
23 60%
  Ariados
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
23 35%
  Swablu
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
23 5%
Victory Road
  Zubat
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
20 60%
  Loudred
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
20 5%
  Aron
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
20 35%
Route 101
  Poochyena
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 5%
  Zigzagoon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 95%
Route 102
  Zigzagoon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 60%
  Lotad
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 35%
  Seedot
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 35%
  Ralts
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 5%
Route 103
  Poochyena
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 35%
  Zigzagoon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 60%
  Wingull
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 5%
Route 104 (south)
  Zigzagoon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 95%
  Wingull
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 5%
Route 104 (north)
  Zigzagoon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
2 95%
  Taillow
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
3 5%
Route 110
  Magnemite
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 60%
  Plusle
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 35%
  Plusle
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 5%
with Minun
  Minun
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 35%
  Minun
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
6 5%
with Plusle
Route 111
  Sandshrew
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
11 100%
Route 112
  Machop
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
8 35%
  Numel
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
8 65%
Route 113
  Skarmory
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
9 5%
  Spinda
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
9 95%
Route 114
  Lotad
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
9 35%
with Swablu
  Seedot
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
9 35%
  Swablu
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
9 35%
with Lotad
  Swablu
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
9 65%
Route 115
  Swablu
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
10 100%
Route 116
  Zigzagoon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
4 60%
  Nincada
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
4 35%
  Skitty
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
4 5%
Route 117
  Oddish
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
7 60%
with Zigzagoon
  Marill
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
7 5%
  Zigzagoon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
7 60%
with Oddish
  Roselia
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
7 35%
Route 118
  Wingull
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
12 35%
  Electrike
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
12 60%
  Kecleon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
12 5%
Route 119
  Oddish
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
12 100%
Route 120
  Oddish
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
13 60%
  Marill
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
13 35%
  Kecleon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
13 5%
Route 121 & Route 123
  Wingull
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 35%
  Kecleon
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 5%
  Shuppet
OR AS
  Horde Encounter
15 60%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.


Trainer battles

 
Being engaged in a Horde Battle with Team Magma Grunts
Trainer Pokémon
Team Magma Hideout
 
Team Magma Grunt ×5OR
Reward: $720
Horde Trainer Battle
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
Team Aqua Hideout
 
Team Aqua Grunt ×5AS
Reward: $720
Horde Trainer Battle
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
  Poochyena Lv.18
No item
Mossdeep Space Center
 
Team Magma Grunt ×5OR
Reward: $1,000
Horde Trainer Battle
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
 
Team Aqua Grunt ×5AS
Reward: $1,000
Horde Trainer Battle
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
  Mightyena Lv.25
No item
Trainers with a PokéNav by their names will be registered in the Trainer's Eyes or Match Call function after the first battle, and may have a rematch with the player with higher-level Pokémon.


Trivia

  • In Pokémon X and Y, if the player selects a move that targets an adjacent ally, the user's spot is not highlighted, while the spots of the two opponents in the places where the Pokémon allies would be in a Triple Battle are highlighted as if either of them could be targeted (even if those Pokémon have fainted), despite the user being forced to target itself.
  • In Pokémon X and Y, if the player selects Acupressure or a move that targets the user and all allies, the user's spot and the spots of the two opponents in the places where the Pokémon allies would be in a Triple Battle are highlighted (but not joined) as if any of them could be targeted (even if those Pokémon have fainted), despite the user being forced to target itself.

In other languages

Language Title
  French Rencontres de Horde
  German Massenbegegnungen
  Italian Gruppi di Pokémon
  Korean 무리배틀 Muri Battle
  Portuguese Encontro de Horda
  Spanish Encuentros de horda


Pokémon battle variations
Double BattleMulti BattleTriple BattleRotation BattleHorde EncounterSOS BattleSupport PlayMax Raid BattleFull Battle
Contest BattleLauncher BattleSky BattleInverse BattleBattle RoyalDynamax AdventureAuto BattleTera Raid Battle
Battle modes


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