One of the core features included in 2019's Days Gone is the ability to become the number one ranked Freaker-hunting expert in all of Oregon. Freakers will often be found in bulk and hiding out at their nests throughout the world.

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These collections of biters are called hordes and there are 40 in total to locate. Each collection of Freakers range from 75 hiding at the Grotto Caves to the Old Sawmill homing roughly 500 Freakers.

With the game now available on the PS4 and PC, there are more Freaker hunters than ever. This guide will cover some fundamental tips that every player should know when tackling hordes in Days Gone.

Choose Your Weapon

When approaching a horde, one of the more crucial aspects when it comes to guaranteeing survival is Deacon's selection of weapons. The player can only hold on to three ranged weapons and one melee weapon.

The trio of the powerful Chicago Chopper submachine gun, the RPD light machine gun, and Eliminator sidearm are a solid collection of weapons when going up against a wave of 300 Freakers.

DIY Crafts

Days-Gone-Crafting-menu-pipe-bomb

Be sure to be stocked up on various explosives before battling the army of Freakers. Things like Proximity Bombs, Molotovs, Remote Bombs, and Attractor Bombs will quickly take out multiple enemies at once while conserving ammunition.

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The Proximity Bomb Recipe can be found at the Berley Lake Ambush Camp and the Attractor Bomb Recipe is located at the Wagon Road Ambush Camp.

Deacon's Favourite Drinks

Deacon running from hoard of freakers

In Days Gone, the player can craft various consumables in order to give themselves a boost in Stamina, Focus, and Health. Deacon will need to collect the blueprints in order to craft these cocktails. The Stamina Cocktail blueprint can be found at the Horse Creek Ambush Camp while the recipe for the Health Cocktail is automatically unlocked after completing the mission "A War We Can Win". The Focus Cocktail will be randomly placed in any of the other bunkers.

To Craft A Focus Cocktail

Players will need:

  • 1 rag
  • 1 mushroom
  • 1 sterilizer

To Craft A Stamina Cocktail

Players will need:

  • 1 rag
  • 1 berry
  • 1 sterilizer

To Craft A Health Cocktail

Players will need:

  • 1 rag
  • 1 herb
  • 1 sterilizer

NERO Injectors

deacon holding nero injector Days gone

Upon discovering a NERO Research Station, Deacon will come across a bin containing one of the 30 NERO Injectors scattered throughout the apocalyptic world. These tools will give the player the ability to upgrade either their Health, Stamina, or Focus.

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Enhancing the Focus skill will make things much easier when taking down most enemies and hordes since it will increase the duration of the player's Focus. This skill gives the Drifter the ability to briefly slow down time, giving him a better chance at landing crucial headshots or setting off nearby traps.

Craft Attractors

Days Gone can crafting material

Another key craftable is the Attractor. It is a piece of equipment that Deacon can create using just three items: a can, alarm clock, and scrap. The recipe is automatically unlocked after completing the mission "Do You Have My Back?".

Once the player throws the Attractor, it will cause several nearby Freakers to drift away from the horde. As they investigate the noise, it will give Deacon a chance to draw out a handful of Freakers and take them out or use it as a distraction before escaping the area.

Two Birds, One Bullet

Deacon aiming rifle at enemy

There are three categories of skills available for the player to build: Survival, Melee, and Ranged. The Ranged category focuses on the player's effectiveness with ranged weapons. Two specific Ranged skills should be unlocked prior to battling a hoard.

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The Two Birds, One Bullet skill will increase the penetration of ranged weapons, making it likely that bullets will hit more than just one target. Crowd Control will reduce the cooldown of Focus meaning the player won't need to wait as long to reactivate the perk.

Plan Ahead

Deacon surveying nearby horde, Days Gone

Instead of rushing into the horde unprepared and not knowing what's around the corner, take a few minutes to investigate the Freaker's home. Surveying the surrounding area before alerting the horde will give the player more options when taking out all of the Freakers.

Look for nearby explosives, traps, and plan an exit strategy just in case things get a little bitey. Craft and plant some traps, and establish a route for Deacon to lead the horde through.

Day And Night

Deacon riding bike at night, Days Gone

Taking on a horde comes with several decisions the player must first make. Perhaps the biggest one is whether to take on a horde during the day or after everybody else has gone to bed.

Once the sun goes down, more Freakers will emerge from their darkened caves and nests that they home during the day. Going up against the monsters will be far less tedious during the day rather than waiting until they stumble out of their nests at night.

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