Hordes are one of the most exciting aspects ofDays Gone. Nothing beats taking down a 500-Freaker horde in the most dangerous areas of the game - it’s just a thrill. However, before players are ready to test themselves against hordes of this size, they have to start small and get rid of the 50-Swarmer hordes in the Cascade region beforegoing down to places like Highway 97.
Players who are ready to try their luck against the dozens of hordes inDays Goneshould take some advice before going in, as it’s definitely not an easy task. This article gives players some pointers so they have a higher chance of making it out alive.
6Stock Up Before Starting
Max Out Ammo and the Most Important Items
Weapons are an important part of battling hordes inDays Gone, so gamers should make sure that they’ve filled up on ammo and fully stocked their bike’s saddlebags so they can quickly grab more if needed. However, crafting items are just as important as weapons when fighting a horde, so it’s crucial that players collect enough items to craft the items that they need the most.
Everyone has their own methods to approach a horde, so gamers need to analyze the items that are most useful to them and craft as many as they can. Molotovs and Napalm cocktails, pipe bombs, attractors, medicine, and stat cocktails will all most likely make a difference in the end, so gamers should open the Survival Wheel and craft as many as they can before going in.
5Use the Right Explosives at the Right Time
Learn When Each Explosive Will Make a Difference
There are various kinds ofexplosive items inDays Gone, and if gamers learn how and when to use them, it’ll make fighting hordes much easier. Here is a breakdown of how each type of explosive works and how to maximize the number of kills players can get out of them:
How it works
When to use
Napalm and Molotov cocktail
Throw it to smash it into pieces to create a large fire.
Use it to take down a large group of Freakers that are relatively close to each other. Throw a Napalm for bigger groups and a Molotov for smaller groups.
Pipe Bomb and Grenade
Throw it and explodes within seconds.
Doesn’t cause as much spread damage but significantly hurts nearby Freakers. Look down and throw it at Deacon’s feet as you sprint forward in order to kill Freakers that are catching up.
Attractor Bomb
Blasts out a noise that attracts Freakers and explodes a few seconds later.
Use it to attract Freakers to a certain area and then create an explosion that will take some out and can also trigger other nearby explosives.
Remote Bomb
Explodes upon being detonated by the player.
Great for setting up an ambush. Best placed near the entrance/exit of horde hibernation locations or inside if placed down during the day.
Proximity Bomb
Explodes if there is movement nearby.
Set it off near other explosives or on the floor near areas where you’re able to funnel large Freaker groups.
4Learn How to Track Hordes
Understand Freakers' Routines
Horde markers appear at the horde’s hibernation chambers, but once players get close enough, three red circles will appear, indicating the Freakers' primary locations; one will represent their resting place, and the other circles represent where they wander to feed themselves before returning.
Taking notice of these horde indicators makes it much easier to track these Freaker masses and calculate where is the best location to engage in combat with them.
3Scout and Set Up an Ambush at Night
Study Horde Hibernation Locations at Night
There is no doubt that Freakers are creatures of the night. While players may see a few strays during the day, this is when they’re at their weakest, which is why most of them hibernate and remain in their nests and resting places until nightfall.
If players a horde’s resting location, they canscout it while the Freaks are out at nightto feed themselves. This allows them not only to find useful resource locations, such as police cars with ammo in the back, but also to set up remote bombs in their sleeping chambers, which can be activated once they come back, maximizing the number of Freakers being taken out as soon as players engage in combat with them.
2Strike During the Day
Take Them Down When They’re Most Vulnerable
As mentioned before, Freakers are at their weakest during the day. On top of this, they’re also in their favorite dark areas, with a lack of sunlight, hibernating, which allows players to take advantage of the element of surprise. These factors are why it’s best to approach a horde during the day.
To do it, gamers should stealthily get close to the Freakers' hibernation location, activate any remote bombs, throw an attractor bomb, set off any explosives in sight, or throw a mighty Napalm or Molotov cocktail when they’re close together and unaware that they’re about to be attacked. This guarantees dozens of instant kills right off the bat, making the rest of the battle significantly easier.
1Use Horde Assault and Challenges to Practice
Master Horde Killing Outside of the Main Story Mode
Gamers can get used to dealing with hordes and test out some strategies without actually losing resources inHorde Assault modeor the Surrounded scenario in the Challenges game mode. In both cases, players will have to fight hordes that just keep coming. Horde Assault might be best because it allows players to loot and craft peacefully during breaks, whereas the latter just keeps pumping out Freaks, making it harder to think and come up with a strategy.
Regardless, these modes are a great way to normalize taking down hordes inDays Goneand will make it so fans don’t feel as nervous when they come across a horde in the main story mode.
