How Long Does It Take for a Honey Tree to Change Time?
The short answer is: honey trees in Pokémon games do not change time based on the game’s internal clock. Instead, they operate on real-world time. Once you slather a honey tree with honey, it takes a fixed six real-time hours for a Pokémon to appear. This timeframe is consistent across various Pokémon games that utilize the honey tree mechanic, including Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl.
The crucial takeaway is that manipulating your Nintendo Switch or DS system’s internal clock will not speed up the process. In fact, attempting to time skip can have adverse effects, such as resetting any existing timer or potentially adding additional waiting time. Therefore, the only way to reliably make a Pokémon appear on a honey tree is by patiently waiting the required six real-world hours.
Understanding the Honey Tree Mechanic
Honey trees are unique features in certain Pokémon games, offering a specific way to encounter various Pokémon, many of which are otherwise unavailable. The process is relatively straightforward: the player applies honey to a specific tree. After the aforementioned six-hour waiting period, a wild Pokémon may appear on the tree. It is important to note that the game does not immediately display a Pokémon; the tree will typically start to rustle or shake, signaling that a battle can be initiated.
The type of Pokémon that will appear is generally determined when the honey is first applied to the tree. This means that repeatedly saving and reloading the game before the six-hour timer expires will not change the species of Pokémon you will encounter. However, characteristics of the Pokémon, such as its gender, nature, ability, and individual values (IVs), are determined when the encounter is triggered. This allows players to soft reset for a desired gender or nature, especially useful when hunting for a female Combee or a specific natured Burmy.
The 24-Hour Window
Once the six hours have passed, you have a 24-hour window to interact with the tree and battle the Pokémon. If the tree is left unchecked for 24 hours after the six-hour mark, both the honey and any potential Pokémon will disappear. This introduces an element of time management, requiring players to check their honey trees regularly.
The Role of Tree Shaking
After the initial six-hour wait, the honey tree will visually indicate that a Pokémon may be present by shaking or rustling. If the tree shakes vigorously, there is a higher chance that the Pokémon present is a rare encounter. However, the absence of shaking does not mean the absence of a Pokémon. Sometimes, a player can initiate a battle even if the tree isn’t shaking. It is therefore advisable to check trees after the six-hour mark, regardless of any visual indicators.
The Rarity of Munchlax Trees
A special exception exists with Munchlax trees, which are specific trees that have a chance, albeit a very small one (about 1%), to spawn Munchlax. These Munchlax trees are predetermined when you begin a new game, and there are only four available in each game. Identifying a Munchlax tree is purely a matter of chance, requiring players to use honey on multiple trees and check them regularly.
No Time Manipulation
The fact that honey trees are tied to real-time and not the console’s internal clock is crucial. This design prevents players from circumventing the waiting period by simply advancing the clock on their system. Any attempts to manipulate the internal clock will not result in a speed-up, often resulting in delays or other adverse effects. The game actively detects clock manipulation, and will punish these attempts with a 24-hour penalty added onto the waiting time, ensuring that the correct waiting period is adhered to.
FAQs: Honey Tree Timings and Mechanics
1. What happens if I change my system’s clock?
If you change your Nintendo Switch or DS system’s clock, the honey tree timer will be reset or potentially penalized with an additional 24-hour waiting period. The honey tree system is designed to operate based on real-world time and is not affected by the console’s internal clock.
2. Can I save and reload to speed up honey tree spawns?
No, saving and reloading will not speed up honey tree spawns. The Pokémon species is determined when honey is initially applied and the timer is not affected by save/reload cycles. The game registers time when active and will simply wait for real time to pass.
3. How do I know if a honey tree has a Pokémon?
A honey tree may visibly rustle or shake after the six-hour wait. A more vigorous shake often indicates a rarer Pokémon. If shaking is not visible, there may still be a Pokemon present. Players should check regardless.
4. How long do I have to battle a Pokémon on a honey tree?
You have a 24-hour window after the six-hour waiting period to battle the Pokémon. If you do not battle it within this time, both the honey and the Pokémon will disappear.
5. Are honey tree Pokémon predetermined?
Yes, the specific species of Pokémon is determined when honey is first applied. However, the gender, nature, ability, and IVs are determined when the battle is initiated.
6. Can I soft reset for a specific Pokémon gender on a honey tree?
Yes, you can soft reset in front of the honey tree to get the gender, nature, and other stats that you want on the Pokemon.
7. What are Munchlax trees, and how do they work?
Munchlax trees are specific, predetermined trees in the game that have a very low chance (around 1%) of spawning a Munchlax. Only four such trees exist in each game file. There is no way of knowing which trees are Munchlax trees when starting a new game; it’s a matter of luck.
8. Do all trees spawn the same Pokémon?
No, the Pokémon that appears depends on the specific tree location and the game’s coding. There are 9 different Pokemon which can be found on the honey trees, all with a specific rarity.
9. Is it possible to get Burmy without honey trees?
No, Burmy and its evolutions can only be found using the honey tree mechanics.
10. What kinds of Pokémon can I catch on a honey tree?
You can find several Bug-type and Grass-type Pokémon, such as Combee, Burmy, Heracross, and Aipom. Specific Pokémon available vary slightly based on the game. Munchlax is a rare spawn.
11. Can I use honey in other ways in the games?
In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Honey can be used to attract Pokémon in tall grass or caves, similar to sweet scents.
12. Does the time of day affect the appearance of Pokémon on honey trees?
No, the time of day does not affect the species of Pokémon found. However, it can affect certain things like the color of certain pokemon and whether they are encountered as shiny.
13. What does it mean if my honey is foaming?
Honey foam is a result of tiny air bubbles escaping to the top. The foam itself is harmless and edible. This refers to real-world honey, not in-game honey.
14. How do I know if a tree is good to put honey on?
Any of the specified Honey Trees can have honey slathered on them. Players will learn what they look like and their general location.
15. Can I catch a shiny Pokémon on a honey tree?
Yes, you can catch a shiny Pokémon from a honey tree. The usual shiny hunting rules apply, the game determines shiny at the point of the battle encounter.
By understanding the nuances of the honey tree mechanic, players can effectively utilize this method to catch a range of rare and unique Pokémon. Patience and strategic timing are key to making the most of this feature. Remember that time-skipping will not help! So relax, slather on some honey and come back in 6 hours.