[DI - X: PRP] [Guide] Methods of Shiny Hunting IV - Horde Encounters

[Nitro 2,318/3200]

FOREWORD

This article is the fourth in a series of articles that I will be writing to explain the different methods of shiny hunting that do not involve a glitch or exploit, such as the Cute Charm glitch or the Shiny Swapping exploit given by BlazeInfernape. These are intended to help both new shiny hunters and veteran shiny hunters who are looking to branch into different methods.

@Telfer@Eastonn8@Thesi@13thShade

OVERVIEW

Gaining an understanding of the basic methods for hunting for shiny Pokémon is crucial to finding said Pokémon. The methods of hunting are many and varied, with different techniques, tricks and chances between them. In this guide, an explanation of hunting using Horde Encounters (Hordes) will be found.

DETAIL

Horde encounters were a feature introduced in XY which returned in ORAS before being left out of Sun and Moon. Due to their having five Pokémon at low levels, they were very popular for EV training; however, this type of encounter also offers exponentially increased odds of finding a shiny.

So how do I prepare for a horde hunt?

As with all shiny hunting methods, the absolute first step that will significantly increase your odds of finding a shiny is to obtain the Shiny Charm. Catch every non-Mythical Pokémon in the National Pokédex (or Regional Pokédex, if playing Sun and Moon) and you will obtain the Charm, which triples the odds of finding a shiny.

Once the shiny charm has been obtained, the player should catch a low-level Pokémon that can learn Sweet Scent, such as Combee or Budew. This Pokémon should know Sweet Scent and be in the front of your party. The second Pokémon in your party should be something that knows False Swipe and another attacking move that does not hit all Pokémon.

Once these steps have been taken, the player should also determine where they wish to horde hunt. Bulbapedia has an excellent comprehensive list for both XY and ORAS, including the locations and the Pokémon that will be found there. If there is any chance of the Pokémon in the horde being Ghost-type, the second Pokémon in the party should have Scrappy or know Soak.

Now that I've prepared, how do I actually hunt using hordes?

Horde hunting is quite simple! There are very few steps to hunting with Hordes:

1. Have the Pokémon with Sweet Scent be knocked out in a regular encounter. No, seriously. It will still be able to use Sweet Scent, and your False Swipe Pokémon will be sent out first in battle.

2. Use Sweet Scent while standing in the grass. This will always initiate a Horde encounter.

3. If there are no Shiny Pokémon in the Horde, run away. There's no need to defeat every one of the Horde to continue the hunt.

4. Repeat steps 2-3 until a Shiny Pokémon is found. That's it!

The odds of finding one or more shiny Pokémon in a single horde without the Shiny Charm is equal to 100% minus the odds of finding none. The calculation is 1 - (4095/4096)^5, or 0.12% (trust me on the math). With the Shiny Charm, these odds increase massively. The calculation with charm is 1 - (4093/4096)^5, which is equal to 0.365%. The odds are roughly tripled with the charm. Keep in mind that most often you will only obtain one shiny, as the odds are 4096 times worse of finding any more shinies in one horde for each extra shiny beyond the first.

A note: When the horde is encountered, it is possible that the shiny will be off-screen and all you will see is the darkening of the screen and the sparkle. If you aren't paying attention, you could miss the sparkle; as such, you should always check all five members of the Horde to verify that they are not shiny before running away.

I got my shiny [Pokémon] by Horde hunting. What now?

Horde hunting is only one of the different methods of Shiny hunting and possibly one of the most tedious, in my opinion. However, if you have the patience for horde encounters, it's one step away from soft reset hunts with the Shiny Charm, and that's a step away from soft reset hunts without the charm, such as starter soft resets. But really, the reward for the patience of Horde hunting is the shiny obtained, and if any more reward is what you want, you can feel free to trade your shiny up to something more competitively valuable.

[13thShade 4,323/5000]

Approved. @Telfer @Eastonn8

[Nitro 2,318/3200]

Oh, cripes, I forgot to tag you guys! I'll edit that in now.

[Guest Eastonn8]

Approved! Great guide Nitro!

[Telfer 0/300]

Approved, thanks @nitrodog96