In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Horde Battles are the fastest method for EV training. Also known as Horde Encounters, these battles involve facing 5 wild Pokémon at the same time.
Prerequisites
Before you start EV Training with Horde Battles, here are some things you should prepare first:
Pokémon with the move Sweet Scent. Similar to an HM, you can use Sweet Scent outside of battles in tall grass or in caves to instantly trigger a Horde Battle. Below is a list of catchable Pokémon that can learn Sweet Scent:
Pokémon
Location
Learns Sweet Scent at
Oddish
Route 110, Route 117, Route 119, Route 120, Safari Zone
Granite Cave, Cave of Origin, Sky Pillar, Victory Road (OR)
Lv. 13
Illumise
Route 117
Lv. 5
Roselia
Route 117
Lv. 31
Tropius
Route 119, Route 120
Lv. 6
Tip: You can use Honey as an alternative to Sweet Scent, as they function similarly. However, Sweet Scent can be used over and over again.
Pokémon with a Multi-Target Move. Moves such as Earthquake and Surf can defeat the entire horde quickly. Then just bring a high-leveled Pokémon to the battle, and the EXP Share will distribute the same amount of EVs to the entire team after every battle.
Pokérus + Power Items. Though it’s not necessary, it’s recommended to have at least one of these while EV Training to drastically speed up the time it takes to max out your Pokémon’s EVs. Check out the “How Much EVs You’ll Gain Per Battle” section below for more details.
Best EV Training Spots for Each Stat
Map of the best EV training spots
The following locations offer the best EV Training Spots for each stat. By using Sweet Scent to trigger Horde Battles in these areas, you’re guaranteed to encounter Pokémon that yield EVs specifically for the stat you’re training.
