Battle Mechanics

Wild Pokémon Battles

Wild Pokémon battles can be encountered by walking on tall grass located outside of towns. Pokémon lurking in these grasses vary in level, types depending on the location. The Pokémon you fight would be a random Pokémon native to that area. Only wild Pokémon can be captured. There are instances where there would be some grass patches that are taller than the others, and the types of Pokémon in these patches may vary. In the fifth generation, Pokémon Black and White, darker patches of grass that shake were introduced. This is where different and more powerful Pokémon for that route are found. Pokémon X and Y introduces a new feature wherein you would be able to find more types of Pokémon per route by searching through patches of grass with flowers.

Certain Pokémon can only be found in certain colored flowers. To help complete your Pokedex, exploring these patches are a must.

Trainer Battles

You will encounter trainers such as yourself as you move from one town to another. These trainers will initiate battle as soon as you are in their line of sight and can be avoided if you can circle around them. This is a good way to avoid battles if you are in a hurry or if your Pokémon is in need of medical attention. Your Rivals will most often than have a more balanced party relative as you progress and may present you a good challenge.

Horde Encounters

A new feature introduced in this generation, Horde Encounters are encounters wherein your single Pokémon will have to fight a group of five wild Pokémon that are more often than not, the same. To help beat a horde, you may utilize attacks that can be used on multiple Pokémon all at once. Be careful though, if your Pokémon does not defeat most of the wild Pokémon in the horde, it will be targeted by those who are still standing. Horde Encounters produce a lot of experience points as you fight multiple Pokémon at one time.

Some Pokémon can only be encountered in Horde Battles, and there are Pokémon in Hordes that have Hidden Abilities.

Sky Battles

Another new feature introduced, Sky Battles can be encountered by seeking out trainers on high cliffs and distant locations such as across the river and challenge them to a sky battle. Only Pokémon that have flying sprites (or levitating sprites) are can participate in Sky Battles.

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