You’re riding through the Cascades, the sun is dipping low, and suddenly the music shifts. That frantic, high-pitched violin starts sawing away at your nerves. You look over a ridge and see it: a literal sea of grey skin and gnashing teeth pouring out of a cave like a twisted organic waterfall. If you've played Bend Studio’s post-apocalyptic epic, you know that finding days gone all horde locations isn’t just about checking boxes for a trophy. It’s about survival. It's about that adrenaline dump when you realize you accidentally parked your bike too far away and you're down to your last attractor bomb.
Hordes are the heartbeat of this game. While most open-world titles give you repetitive outposts to clear, Days Gone gives you 40 distinct nightmares. Some are small—barely fifty Freakers huddled in a shack. Others, like the Old Sawmill, are massive, terrifying entities of five hundred plus bodies that can frame-rate-drop your console into oblivion if you aren't careful. Understanding where they sleep, where they eat, and how they move is the difference between being the apex predator and being Freaker chow.
The Cascades: Where the Nightmare Begins
The Cascades is your training ground. Don't let the scenery fool you; it's treacherous. Most of the hordes here are tiny, usually ranging from 25 to 75 Freakers. This is where you learn to use the environment. You’ll find the O'Leary Mountain Horde right near Boozer’s safehouse. It’s basically a "Welcome to the Apocalypse" gift. They usually hide in a cave at the base of the mountain.
Then there’s the Little Bear Lake Horde. You’ll likely stumble onto them during an early NERO checkpoint mission. They love that little shack near the bridge. Honestly, if you have a few Molotovs and a decent semi-auto rifle, you can wipe them out before the sun fully rises. But the Grotto Caves Horde? That one is a bit more of a headache. They hang out near the NERO Research Site. If you go there at night, they’re out wandering the lakeside. If you go during the day, they’re packed into the darkness of the cave, waiting for you to make a noise.
Belknap’s Rocky Death Traps
Belknap is a jagged, unforgiving region. The terrain is a mix of high desert and volcanic rock, which means lots of verticality. The Patjens Lakes Horde is a classic. They inhabit Rebel Rock Cave. I remember the first time I fought them; I tried to kite them into the open desert, but they flanked me using the brush. It was a mess.
You also have the Twin Craters Horde. They’re located at the very southern tip of Belknap. They reside in, you guessed it, a cave inside a crater. This is a great spot to practice using "choke points." Because the crater has limited exits, you can lay down some proximity mines and watch the fireworks.
One of the more annoying ones is the Bear Creek Hot Springs Horde. They hide in a cave system right near the marauder camp. Sometimes, if you're lucky/sneaky, you can actually lead the Freakers into the marauder camp and let them do the dirty work for you. It’s peak Deacon St. John energy—letting your enemies eat your other enemies.
Lost Lake and the Mid-Game Difficulty Spike
Lost Lake is beautiful, but the hordes here start getting serious. You can't just spray and pray anymore. You need a plan. The River Flow Farms Horde is a prime example. They hang out in the north, near the Nero Checkpoint. Because the area is so flat, you don't have many places to hide. You’ll need the attractors here. Toss one, wait for the pile-up, and then drop a napalm jug.
The Notorious Metolius Lava Cave
This one is located north of Iron Mike’s camp. It’s a deep, dark cave system. Fighting them inside is suicide. The trick with days gone all horde locations in Lost Lake is catching them as they transition from their "sleeping" spot to their "watering hole" at dusk. If you time it right, you can catch them in a long, thin line on the trail, which is perfect for automatic weapon fire.
Crater Lake and the South: The Big Leagues
Once you head south over the Thielsen Pass, the game stops holding your hand. The hordes here are bigger, faster, and much more aggressive. The Mcleod Ridge Horde is a beast. They’re located in the snowy peaks of the northern part of the map. Fighting in the snow sucks because your bike handling is worse and your visibility is shot.
The Mt. Bailey Horde is another nightmare. Located on the west side of the Crater Lake map, they live in a massive cave. This is where you absolutely need the Chicago Chopper or the MG55. Anything less, and you'll run out of ammo before you even dent their numbers.
Chemult Station: A Mandatory Massacre
You can't skip this one. It's part of the story. Kouri gives you the Napalm Molotovs for a reason. The station is filled with hundreds of Freakers. The best strategy here isn't running—it's using the buildings. Climb the ladders, jump across roofs, and lead them through the narrow alleys between the train cars. If you stay on the ground too long, they will surround you. It’s inevitable.
Highway 97: The Final Boss of Regions
If you’re hunting days gone all horde locations to get that 100% completion, Highway 97 will be your longest night. This region has the highest density of massive hordes in the game. It’s exhausting.
- The Groose Gardens Horde: They hang out near a large house with a floral arrangement out front. It’s deceptively peaceful until you see the mass of bodies under the porch.
- The Chemult Community College Horde: This is arguably the second hardest horde in the game. They live in the athletic tents on the football field. There are hundreds of them. Plus, the area is infested with Criers (those annoying crows) and sometimes a Breaker or two will wander in to join the fun.
- The Rum Hills Horde: Found in the central part of the map. They move between a small cave and a mass grave site.
- The Juniper Ridge Horde: Another cave dweller. This one is tucked away in the eastern hills.
The sheer scale of the Highway 97 hordes requires a full loadout of grenades, pipe bombs, attractors, and flashbangs. Don't even bother showing up if your saddlebags aren't full of ammo refills.
The Old Sawmill: The King of All Hordes
We have to talk about it. The Old Sawmill. It isn't just a location; it's a rite of passage. While it's technically in the Lost Lake region, most players save it for the very end. There are roughly 500 Freakers here.
The beauty of the Sawmill is the environmental storytelling and the traps. There are log piles you can cut to crush Freakers. There are narrow doorways, elevated walkways, and plenty of explosive barrels. You can’t just "beat" the Sawmill; you have to orchestrate a symphony of destruction. I spent forty minutes on my first attempt, slowly picking them off, running back to my bike to reload, and diving back in. It’s the most rewarding fight in the game because of the sheer scale.
Understanding the Horde Cycle
One thing many players get wrong is thinking hordes stay in one spot. They don't. They have a biological routine.
During the day, they sleep in "dark zones" (caves, houses, or tunnels). This is when they are most concentrated and dangerous because they are packed tight. During the night, they move to "watering holes" or "feeding grounds" (mass graves or lakes).
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If you go to a map marker and the horde isn't there, look for the black patches on the ground or the piles of sticks and bones. That's a feeding ground. Follow the trail of Freaker feces—seriously, Deacon mentions it—and you'll find where they've migrated.
Essential Gear for Every Location
Before you go hunting, you need the right tools. Using the wrong gun is a death sentence.
- Primary: The Chicago Chopper (Submachine Gun). It has a massive magazine and high fire rate.
- Secondary: The PDW or the Lil' Stubby for close encounters.
- Special: The MG55. This is the gold standard for horde hunting. You unlock it by clearing 60% of the hordes. It's a catch-22, I know, but once you have it, the rest of the locations become much easier.
- Consumables: Attractors are your best friend. Throw one, wait three seconds, then throw a Napalm Molotov. You can wipe out a third of a medium-sized horde in one go.
Actionable Tips for Clearing the Map
Don't just rush in. Survival in Days Gone is about preparation.
First, clear the local NERO checkpoints and Infestation Zones before tackling a horde in the area. There is nothing worse than being chased by 300 Freakers only to run straight into a Screamer or a nest of Rippers. Clear the "noise" first so you can focus on the big prize.
Second, always park your bike facing away from the horde. Keep it close enough to reach quickly, but far enough that the noise of the engine starting doesn't draw them in before you're ready. Make sure your tank is full. If you have to kite a horde across the map, you don't want to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere.
Third, use focus. The Focus shot ability isn't just for snipers. It slows down time, allowing you to aim your throwables with precision. When a horde is bearing down on you, those few extra seconds to line up a perfect Molotov throw are literal lifesavers.
Finally, don't be afraid to run. If you've thinned the herd but you're out of supplies, just leave. The horde's numbers don't instantly reset. If you kill 100 out of 300, go back to camp, restock, and come back, there will usually only be 200 left. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
To track your progress effectively, check the "Sights Unseen" or "Horde Killer" storylines in your menu. It will show you exactly how many are left in each region. Once you hit that 100% mark, you'll earn the Stinger skin for your bike and the ultimate bragging rights in the Oregon wilderness. Get your explosives ready; the Freakers are waiting.
Next Steps for the Hunt:
- Check your inventory: Ensure you have the materials to craft at least 6 Attractors and 6 Napalm Molotovs before heading to Highway 97.
- Upgrade your bike: Focus on the engine and fuel tank upgrades at Diamond Lake to ensure you can outrun the larger southern hordes.
- Prioritize the MG55: Clear the smaller Cascades and Belknap hordes first to unlock this LMG; it makes the late-game locations significantly more manageable.