Mass outbreak

This page is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this page to add missing information and complete it. Reason: BDSP mechanics

My Pokémon Ranch explaining the general mechanics of a mass outbreak

Mass outbreaks (Japanese: 大量発生 mass outbreak), also known as swarms, Pokémon outbreaks, or wild outbreaks, are a feature introduced in Generation II that allows the player to catch Pokémon that are usually rare or otherwise unobtainable. They appear from Generations II to V, in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

In the games

Generation II

In Generation II, if the player registered a certain Trainer in the Pokégear, that Trainer occasionally calls to tell the player that they saw or heard about a large number of Pokémon in a certain area. Until midnight (in-game time), the swarming Pokémon appear in the given area with much greater frequency than the usual 1%. Only one swarm can appear per day. The player can force a particular swarm to appear if a swarm has not already appeared that day by first deleting all possible phone numbers except the swarm Trainer's and then repeatedly toggling Daylight Savings Time by speaking with the player's Mom in New Bark Town. There is a 50% chance of triggering a phone call every time DST is changed.

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

#	Pokémon		Location	Levels	Notifier	Game
183		Marill	Mt. Mortar	13-15	Hiker Parry (Route 45)	G	S	C
193		Yanma	Route 35	12-14	Bug Catcher Arnie (Route 35)	G	S	C
206		Dunsparce	Dark Cave	2-4	Hiker Anthony (Route 33)	G	S	C
209		Snubbull	Route 38	16	Schoolboy Chad (Route 38)	G	S	C
211		Qwilfish	Route 32 Fishing	5/20/40 Old/Good/Super Rod	Fisher Ralph (Route 32)	G	S	C
223		Remoraid	Route 44 Fishing	10/20/40 Old/Good/Super Rod	Fisher Wilton (Route 44)	G	S	C

Generation III

In Generation III, in addition to making rare Pokémon temporarily more common, this feature can be combined with record mixing to allow the player to catch Pokémon that cannot be caught at all normally. Pokémon encountered through mass outbreaks will also have a predefined set of moves.

After entering the Hall of Fame, every time the player wins a battle, there is a ~0.5% (328/65536) chance that the game will generate an outbreak; this does not apply to link battles, e-Reader battles, the Safari Zone, or the Battle Tower/Frontier. After an outbreak is generated, the television program announcing it will appear the next day. Once the television program has been watched, the outbreak becomes active.^[1] Outbreaks last until the end of the day after they became active, during which time the swarming Pokémon will have an appearance rate of 50%.

The record mixing feature of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald allows players to give an outbreak they've seen to other players, regardless of whether that outbreak would naturally occur in the player's game. The traded outbreaks will be announced on television in the following days after mixing records.

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald

#	Pokémon		Location	Levels	Game			Moves
283		Surskit	Route 102	3	R	S	E	Bubble Quick Attack — —
			Route 114	15	R	S	E	Bubble Quick Attack — —
			Route 117	15	R	S	E	Bubble Quick Attack — —
			Route 120	28	R	S	E	Bubble Quick Attack — —
300		Skitty	Route 116	15	R	S	E	Growl Tackle — —
				8	R	S	E	Growl Tackle Tail Whip Attract
273		Seedot	Route 102	3	R	S	E	Bide Harden Leech Seed —
			Route 117	13	R	S	E	Harden Growth Nature Power Leech Seed
			Route 120	25	R	S	E	Giga Drain Frustration SolarBeam Leech Seed
274		Nuzleaf	Route 114	15	R	S	E	Harden Growth Nature Power Leech Seed

Generation IV

Mass outbreaks were largely expanded in Generation IV. Once the player attains the National Pokédex and has entered the Hall of Fame, a "swarm of Pokémon" will appear every day in a particular location, which changes the probability of finding the given Pokémon from 0% to 40%. Outbreaks last only one day and are random events. Information about mass outbreaks can be found in Sandgem Town by talking to Lucas/Dawn's sister or by watching the Sinnoh television ^DPPt, or by listening to Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk ^HGSS.

When players all join the same group, they will all experience the same outbreak on any given day.

The species of an outbreak seems to be determined using a formula, because it is not chosen randomly when the player starts the game that day. Even if the date is edited, the next swarm will always be the same. It is also possible that the species is determined the day before, though there is no additional evidence to support this. If the DS clock is changed or a different DS is used, then the game will detect this and will not change the species swarming until 12:00 AM.

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum

Many of the Pokémon obtained through mass outbreaks are outside of the Sinnoh Pokédex, and are usually otherwise exclusive to other regions.

Due to the high encounter chances for Pokémon that appear during outbreaks, they make for longer and better chains when using the Poké Radar.

#	Pokémon		Location	Levels	Game
016		Pidgey	Route 229	51	D	P	Pt
081		Magnemite	Fuego Ironworks	28-29	D	P	Pt
083		Farfetch'd	Route 221	28, 29Pt	D	P	Pt
084		Doduo	Route 201	2	D	P	Pt
096		Drowzee	Route 215	19Pt, 20, 21DP	D	P	Pt
098		Krabby	Route 226	52	D	P	Pt
				48-49	D	P	Pt
100		Voltorb	Route 218	28, 29Pt	D	P	Pt
104		Cubone	Route 203	4	D	P	Pt
108		Lickitung	Lake Valor	34, 36	D	P	Pt
127		Pinsir	Route 229	48-49	D	P	Pt
177		Natu	Route 224	53	D	P	Pt
				50	D	P	Pt
206		Dunsparce	Route 208	16	D	P	Pt
				18	D	P	Pt
209		Snubbull	Route 209	16	D	P	Pt
				18-19	D	P	Pt
220		Swinub	Route 217	34	D	P	Pt
222		Corsola	Route 230	50	D	P	Pt
				48	D	P	Pt
225		Delibird	Route 216	32	D	P	Pt
			Route 217	32-33	D	P	Pt
231		Phanpy	Route 207	5, 7Pt	D	P	Pt
238		Smoochum	Lake Acuity	35	D	P	Pt
246		Larvitar	Route 206	16	D	P	Pt
263		Zigzagoon	Route 202	3	D	P	Pt
283		Surskit	Lake Verity	2	D	P	Pt
287		Slakoth	Eterna Forest	10, 11Pt	D	P	Pt
296		Makuhita	Route 225	50-51	D	P	Pt
				48-49	D	P	Pt
299		Nosepass	Route 206	14	D	P	Pt
300		Skitty	Route 222	39Pt, 40	D	P	Pt
309		Electrike	Valley Windworks	7	D	P	Pt
				9-10	D	P	Pt
325		Spoink	Route 214	21Pt, 22, 23DP	D	P	Pt
327		Spinda	Route 227	55	D	P	Pt
				53-54	D	P	Pt
359		Absol	Route 213	20	D	P	Pt
374		Beldum	Route 228	53	D	P	Pt
				51-52	D	P	Pt

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

The feature continues to appear in HeartGold and SoulSilver, where the wild Pokémon available include all those from Generation II, plus Ditto, Chansey, and Pokémon from Hoenn and Sinnoh. Information on swarms can now be found by listening to Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk on the Pokégear radio.

#	Pokémon		Location	Levels	Game
113		Chansey	Route 13	23	HG	SS
132		Ditto	Route 47	34	HG	SS
183		Marill	Mt. Mortar	15	HG	SS
193		Yanma	Route 35	12	HG	SS
206		Dunsparce	Dark Cave	2-3	HG	SS
209		Snubbull	Route 38	16	HG	SS
211		Qwilfish	Route 32	40	HG	SS
223		Remoraid	Route 44	20	HG	SS
261		Poochyena	Route 1	2	HG	SS
278		Wingull	Vermilion City Surfing	35	HG	SS
280		Ralts	Route 34	10-11	HG	SS
302		Sableye	Route 9	13-15	HG	SS
303		Mawile	Route 9	13-15	HG	SS
316		Gulpin	Route 3	5	HG	SS
333		Swablu	Route 45	23	HG	SS
340		Whiscash	Violet City Fishing	10/20/40 Old/Good/Super Rod	HG	SS
343		Baltoy	Route 3	5	HG	SS
366		Clamperl	Route 19 Surfing	35	HG	SS
369		Relicanth	Route 12 Fishing	40 Super Rod	HG	SS
370		Luvdisc	Route 27 Surfing	20	HG	SS
401		Kricketot	Viridian Forest	3	HG	SS
427		Buneary	Route 25	8-10	HG	SS

Generation V

The gates in Unova have a monitor inside that will alert the player to where an outbreak is taking place.

Unlike in previous games, mass outbreaks can be manipulated by soft resetting the game, but only if the player has not saved their game at all that day. When the game is restarted, there will be a different Pokémon swarming.

Black and White

During winter, the monitor may occasionally not report on outbreaks, which is due to parts of Route 8, where Croagunk can be found, becoming frozen during winter and not allowing the Pokémon to be found there. All outbreaks in these games have a level range of 15-55.

#	Pokémon		Location	Levels	Game
046		Paras	Route 11	15-55	B	W
056		Mankey	Route 15	15-55	B	W
083		Farfetch'd	Route 1	15-55	B	W
084		Doduo	Route 12	15-55	B	W
102		Exeggcute	Route 18	15-55	B	W
161		Sentret	Route 7	15-55	B	W
193		Yanma	Route 14	15-55	B	W
204		Pineco	Route 16	15-55	B	W
228		Houndour	Route 9	15-55	B	W
235		Smeargle	Route 5	15-55	B	W
236		Tyrogue	Route 10	15-55	B	W
261		Poochyena	Route 9	15-55	B	W
285		Shroomish	Route 11	15-55	B	W
311		Plusle	Route 6	15-55	B	W
312		Minun	Route 6	15-55	B	W
313		Volbeat	Route 3	15-55	B	W
314		Illumise	Route 3	15-55	B	W
353		Shuppet	Route 13	15-55	B	W
360		Wynaut	Route 2	15-55	B	W
449		Hippopotas	Route 4	15-55	B	W
453		Croagunk*	Route 8	15-55	B	W

Black 2 and White 2

All outbreaks in these games have a level range of 40-55 and an encounter rate of 40%.

#	Pokémon		Location	Levels	Game
022		Fearow	Route 15	40-55	B2	W2
079		Slowpoke	Abundant Shrine	40-55	B2	W2
083		Farfetch'd	Route 1	40-55	B2	W2
084		Doduo	Route 12	40-55	B2	W2
097		Hypno	Dreamyard	40-55	B2	W2
122		Mr. Mime	Route 20	40-55	B2	W2
162		Furret	Route 7	40-55	B2	W2
166		Ledian	Route 22	40-55	B2	W2
168		Ariados	Route 22	40-55	B2	W2
177		Natu	Route 5	40-55	B2	W2
185		Sudowoodo	Route 20	40-55	B2	W2
187		Hoppip	Route 18	40-55	B2	W2
195		Quagsire	Route 8	40-55	B2	W2
204		Pineco	Route 16	40-55	B2	W2
277		Swellow	Route 13	40-55	B2	W2
284		Masquerain	Route 11	40-55	B2	W2
311		Plusle	Route 6	40-55	B2	W2
312		Minun	Route 6	40-55	B2	W2
313		Volbeat	Route 3	40-55	B2	W2
314		Illumise	Route 3	40-55	B2	W2
317		Swalot	Route 9	40-55	B2	W2
332		Cacturne	Reversal Mountain	40-55	B2	W2
450		Hippowdon	Desert Resort	40-55	B2	W2

Generation VIII

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

As of v1.1.0, Pokémon Legends: Arceus has two types of outbreaks: mass outbreaks and massive mass outbreaks (Japanese: 大大大発生). Prior to v1.1.0, only mass outbreaks were available. Outbreaks can be seen on the Hisui map when choosing where to travel. They are indicated by a circle with the headshot of a Pokémon (for a mass outbreak) or a question mark (for a massive mass outbreak) over an area.

In a mass outbreak, many Pokémon—usually from the same family—spawn in a single location. Only a single mass outbreak can be active in an area at a time, but multiple areas can have a mass outbreak. In total, a mass outbreak will spawn 10 to 15 Pokémon before ending, with 4 Pokémon being spawned at any given time. A new mass outbreak may activate any time the player returns to Jubilife Village, at a 20% chance per area; when leaving the village, there is also a 20% chance an outbreak will deactivate per area, except for the area the player is traveling to.^[2]

In a massive mass outbreak, many mass outbreaks (11 to 15) occur in an area. Massive mass outbreaks draw on their own set of mass outbreaks that has some overlap with species seen in normal mass outbreaks, but also many unique species. Initially, each outbreak location is only visible as a question mark; they can be revealed by visiting each location or by giving 5 Aguav Berries to Mai's Munchlax (near the area's exit). When revealed, some locations may be highlighted by a yellow circle, with either a Berry or a star marking it. A star indicates that that location has extra waves to its outbreak. A Berry indicates that each time a Pokémon from that outbreak is defeated or caught, the player will receive one Aguav Berry. There may be zero or multiple locations with a Berry or a star (but never with both). Each outbreak location has a 10% chance to be a Berry location, but only if it is not a starred location.

If a location in a massive mass outbreak has a star, then it will spawn Pokémon in waves. After clearing all Pokémon in the first wave, a second wave will spawn with Pokémon that are either evolved versions of the original wave (with a small chance for any to be an alpha Pokémon) or one of the species from the first wave but always as alpha Pokémon. When the location is on its last wave, the star will disappear from the map.

Massive mass outbreaks last for a limited time after the player arrives at the containing area. They may start with 7, 9, or 11 minutes of time. As the time wanes, the game will display a warning at certain intervals.

Pokémon in outbreaks have increased chances of being Shiny. For example, with the Shiny Charm (and therefore all research task bonuses), wild Pokémon have a Shiny rate of approximately 0.17%, Pokémon in a mass outbreak have a rate of 0.78%, and Pokémon in a massive mass outbreak have a rate of 0.46%. For full details, see Shiny Pokémon → Legends: Arceus.

The Pokémon that can appear in each area in outbreaks are as follows (mass outbreak and massive mass outbreak are abbreviated as M.O. and M.M.O., respectively):

NDex	Pokémon		Obsidian Fieldlands		Crimson Mirelands		Cobalt Coastlands		Coronet Highlands		Alabaster Icelands
			M.O.	M.M.O.	M.O.	M.M.O.	M.O.	M.M.O.	M.O.	M.M.O.	M.O.	M.M.O.
025		Pikachu	✓	✓
026		Raichu		✓
035		Clefairy						✓	✓	✓
036		Clefable								✓
037		Vulpix					✓	✓				✓
038		Ninetales						✓				✓
041		Zubat	✓	✓					✓
042		Golbat	✓	✓					✓
046		Paras	✓	✓	✓	✓
047		Parasect	✓	✓	✓	✓
054		Psyduck	✓		✓	✓		✓
055		Golduck	✓		✓	✓		✓
058		Growlithe					✓	✓
059		Arcanine						✓
063		Abra	✓	✓								✓
064		Kadabra	✓	✓								✓
065		Alakazam		✓								✓
066		Machop					✓	✓			✓	✓
067		Machoke					✓	✓			✓	✓
068		Machamp						✓				✓
072		Tentacool					✓	✓
073		Tentacruel					✓	✓
074		Geodude		✓	✓			✓	✓	✓
075		Graveler		✓	✓			✓	✓	✓
076		Golem		✓				✓		✓
077		Ponyta	✓	✓						✓
078		Rapidash	✓	✓						✓
092		Gastly			✓	✓				✓	✓	✓
093		Haunter			✓	✓				✓	✓	✓
094		Gengar				✓				✓		✓
095		Onix				✓		✓	✓
100		Voltorb							✓	✓
101		Electrode								✓
108		Lickitung			✓	✓					✓	✓
111		Rhyhorn			✓	✓			✓	✓
112		Rhydon			✓	✓			✓	✓
113		Chansey	✓		✓		✓	✓	✓		✓
114		Tangela			✓	✓	✓
122		Mr. Mime	✓	✓						✓
123		Scyther	✓	✓					✓
125		Electabuzz							✓	✓
126		Magmar					✓	✓				✓
129		Magikarp	✓					✓	✓
130		Gyarados	✓					✓	✓
133		Eevee	✓								✓
143		Snorlax		✓
155		Cyndaquil				✓
156		Quilava				✓
157		Typhlosion				✓
169		Crobat		✓
172		Pichu	✓	✓
173		Cleffa						✓	✓	✓
175		Togepi			✓		✓	✓
176		Togetic						✓
185		Sudowoodo			✓	✓			✓
190		Aipom					✓	✓			✓	✓
193		Yanma			✓	✓			✓	✓
198		Murkrow			✓	✓
200		Misdreavus							✓	✓	✓	✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
201		Unown				✓
207		Gligar							✓	✓	✓
208		Steelix				✓		✓
211		Qwilfish	✓				✓	✓
214		Heracross							✓	✓
215		Sneasel							✓	✓	✓
216		Teddiursa			✓	✓			✓
217		Ursaring			✓	✓			✓
220		Swinub				✓					✓	✓
221		Piloswine				✓					✓	✓
223		Remoraid					✓
224		Octillery					✓
226		Mantine					✓	✓
234		Stantler	✓	✓							✓
239		Elekid							✓	✓
240		Magby					✓	✓				✓
242		Blissey						✓
265		Wurmple	✓	✓
266		Silcoon	✓	✓
267		Beautifly	✓	✓
268		Cascoon	✓	✓
269		Dustox	✓	✓
280		Ralts									✓	✓
281		Kirlia									✓	✓
282		Gardevoir									✓	✓
299		Nosepass							✓	✓
315		Roselia			✓	✓			✓
339		Barboach			✓
340		Whiscash			✓
355		Duskull					✓			✓	✓	✓
356		Dusclops					✓			✓	✓	✓
358		Chimecho							✓	✓	✓
361		Snorunt									✓	✓
362		Glalie									✓	✓
363		Spheal		✓			✓	✓
364		Sealeo		✓			✓	✓
365		Walrein					✓	✓
387		Turtwig			✓	✓
388		Grotle			✓	✓
389		Torterra				✓
390		Chimchar	✓	✓
391		Monferno	✓	✓
392		Infernape		✓
393		Piplup					✓	✓
394		Prinplup					✓	✓
395		Empoleon						✓
396		Starly	✓	✓			✓	✓
397		Staravia	✓	✓			✓	✓
398		Staraptor	✓	✓			✓	✓
399		Bidoof	✓	✓							✓	✓
400		Bibarel	✓	✓							✓	✓
401		Kricketot	✓	✓	✓	✓
402		Kricketune	✓	✓	✓	✓
403		Shinx	✓	✓					✓	✓
404		Luxio	✓	✓					✓	✓
405		Luxray	✓	✓					✓	✓
406		Budew			✓	✓			✓
407		Roserade				✓
415		Combee	✓		✓
417		Pachirisu			✓	✓						✓
418		Buizel	✓	✓			✓
419		Floatzel	✓	✓			✓
420		Cherubi	✓
422		Shellos	✓	✓
422		Shellos					✓	✓
423		Gastrodon	✓	✓
423		Gastrodon					✓	✓
424		Ambipom					✓	✓			✓	✓
425		Drifloon		✓			✓				✓	✓
426		Drifblim		✓			✓				✓	✓
427		Buneary	✓	✓								✓
428		Lopunny		✓								✓
429		Mismagius								✓		✓
430		Honchkrow				✓
431		Glameow					✓	✓				✓
432		Purugly					✓	✓				✓
433		Chingling							✓	✓	✓
434		Stunky			✓	✓			✓	✓
435		Skuntank			✓	✓			✓	✓
436		Bronzor				✓			✓	✓	✓	✓
437		Bronzong				✓			✓	✓	✓	✓
438		Bonsly			✓	✓			✓
439		Mime Jr.	✓	✓						✓
440		Happiny	✓		✓		✓	✓	✓		✓
441		Chatot		✓			✓	✓
442		Spiritomb				✓
443		Gible							✓	✓	✓
444		Gabite							✓	✓	✓
445		Garchomp								✓
446		Munchlax		✓							✓
447		Riolu						✓			✓	✓
448		Lucario						✓				✓
449		Hippopotas			✓	✓			✓	✓
450		Hippowdon			✓	✓			✓	✓
451		Skorupi				✓	✓	✓
452		Drapion				✓	✓	✓
453		Croagunk			✓	✓			✓
454		Toxicroak			✓	✓			✓
455		Carnivine			✓	✓
456		Finneon					✓	✓
457		Lumineon					✓	✓
458		Mantyke					✓	✓
459		Snover								✓	✓	✓
460		Abomasnow								✓	✓	✓
463		Lickilicky			✓	✓						✓
464		Rhyperior				✓				✓
465		Tangrowth			✓	✓	✓
466		Electivire								✓
467		Magmortar						✓
468		Togekiss						✓
469		Yanmega			✓	✓			✓	✓
472		Gliscor								✓
473		Mamoswine									✓	✓
475		Gallade										✓
476		Probopass								✓
477		Dusknoir								✓		✓
478		Froslass										✓
479		Rotom							✓	✓
501		Oshawott										✓
502		Dewott										✓
503		Samurott										✓
548		Petilil			✓	✓
549		Lilligant				✓
550		Basculin					✓	✓			✓
570		Zorua		✓							✓	✓
571		Zoroark		✓							✓	✓
627		Rufflet									✓	✓
628		Braviary									✓	✓
704		Goomy			✓	✓			✓
705		Sliggoo			✓	✓			✓
706		Goodra				✓
712		Bergmite									✓	✓
713		Avalugg									✓	✓
722		Rowlet								✓
723		Dartrix								✓
724		Decidueye								✓
899		Wyrdeer		✓
900		Kleavor		✓
901		Ursaluna				✓
902		Basculegion						✓
902		Basculegion						✓
903		Sneasler								✓
904		Overqwil						✓

In the anime

A mass outbreak of Pikachu in the anime

In Ivysaur's Mysterious Tower!, Vermilion City was the site of a mass outbreak of Bulbasaur and Ivysaur. Ash and Goh learned that the former grassland, now the site of a new Gym, was the ideal site for the Bulbasaur line to absorb the solar energy and wind needed to undergo evolution.

In Gotta Catch a What?!, Ash and Goh ventured into the mountains to discover a reported Pikachu outbreak. They learned that Pikachu had gathered because the area was rich in Thunder Stones, helping the Pikachu, including Goh's newly caught one, evolve into Raichu en masse.

In Trials of a Budding Master!, Goh learned of a mass outbreak of Geodude at the Rock Tunnel. After arriving there with Ash, he almost immediately found one and caught it.

In other languages

Mass outbreak Language Title Chinese Cantonese 大量出現 Mandarin 大量出現 / 大量出现 Finnish Suuri esiintymä French Apparition massive de Pokémon German Massiver Auflauf Italian Comparse massicce Korean 대량발생 Daeryangbalsaeng Brazilian Portuguese Aparição massiva Spanish Aparición masiva de Pokémon

Massive mass outbreak Language Title Chinese Cantonese 大大大量出現 Mandarin 大大大量出現 / 大大大量出现 French Mégapparition de Pokémon German Multiple Aufläufe Italian Comparse multiple Korean 초대량발생 Choderyangbalsaeng Spanish Aparición supermasiva de Pokémon

See also

• Dual-slot mode
• Poké Radar

References

This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.