Vanquishing the Hordes: What Happens When You Eradicate All Hordes in Days Gone?

The post-apocalyptic Oregon of Days Gone is a brutal and unforgiving landscape, primarily due to the ever-present threat of Freakers, and especially the massive, terrifying Hordes. For many players, the ultimate goal is to reclaim this land, one Horde at a time. But what exactly happens when you achieve this monumental task and manage to wipe out every single Horde lurking in the shadows? The answer is simple: completing the Horde Killer storyline brings about a palpable sense of accomplishment and provides tangible in-game rewards such as unlocking a special bike skin, and the satisfaction of significantly improving your survival chances. The world feels noticeably safer. While the game doesn’t fundamentally transform into a peaceful paradise, the absence of these roaming behemoths creates a more manageable, less stressful experience, allowing you to freely explore the beautiful, yet dangerous, open-world of Days Gone.

The Rewards of Extermination

Eliminating all 40 Hordes in Days Gone isn’t merely a matter of bragging rights. It directly impacts your gameplay experience and provides substantial rewards:

• Bike Skin: The most visible reward is the unique bike skin you unlock upon completing the Horde Killer storyline. This is a testament to your dedication and a badge of honor, signifying your mastery over the Freaker threat.

• Sense of Accomplishment: Let’s be honest, taking down Hordes is not easy. The pure satisfaction of clearing the map of these formidable enemies is a reward in itself.

• Enhanced Exploration: With the Hordes gone, the world becomes considerably safer to navigate. You can explore without the constant fear of stumbling upon hundreds of ravenous Freakers, making scavenging and side missions far less stressful.

• Focus on Other Activities: Clearing the Hordes frees you up to focus on other aspects of the game, such as completing side quests, gathering collectibles, exploring NERO checkpoints, and simply enjoying the rich and detailed open world.

Why Fight the Hordes?

Beyond the immediate rewards, there are compelling reasons to tackle the Hordes, even if they seem overwhelming at first:

• Story Progression: Some Hordes are tied to story missions, meaning you’ll eventually have to confront them to advance the narrative.

• Camp Trust and Credits: Eliminating Hordes contributes to camp trust and earns you credits, which are essential for upgrading your weapons, bike, and skills.

• Resource Acquisition: Hordes often guard valuable resources and strategic locations, making their elimination a necessary step for acquiring vital supplies.

• Strategic Advantage: Taking out Hordes near camps or settlements strengthens those communities and provides a safer environment for Deacon and his allies.

Life After the Hordes

While the absence of Hordes makes the game world less perilous, it doesn’t remove all challenges. Freakers still roam the land, and Ambush Camps continue to pose a threat. However, the elimination of the major Horde threat allows you to approach these challenges with a greater sense of confidence and control. Days Gone can be an engaging open-world game that promotes skills that can be transferred into real-world situations. For more information on educational games check out GamesLearningSociety.org.

Post-Game Content

After clearing the Hordes, Days Gone offers plenty of post-game content to keep you engaged:

• Complete Unfinished Business: Focus on clearing infestations, tackling Ambush Camps, and gathering any remaining collectibles.

• Explore NERO Checkpoints: Uncover the mysteries surrounding NERO and their experiments by exploring all NERO checkpoints and completing the related missions.

• Experiment with Weapons and Strategies: Now is the perfect time to experiment with different weapons, skills, and strategies, as you are no longer under constant pressure from the Hordes.

• Enjoy the Scenery: Take the time to appreciate the detailed and atmospheric open world of Days Gone, from the lush forests to the snow-capped mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do Hordes Respawn After Being Killed in Days Gone?

No, if you successfully kill off an entire Horde and receive the on-screen notification confirming its demise, it will not respawn. However, if you fail to eliminate all Freakers in the Horde, their numbers will replenish over time.

2. What Happens When You 100% Complete Days Gone?

Upon achieving 100% completion, you unlock a new bike skin, which is a symbol of having completed all Horde missions. You are then free to explore and finish any incomplete objectives such as destroying infestation nests, eliminating roaming Hordes, and finding collectibles. Additionally, the survivor camps Wizard Island and Diamond Lake will become permanent allies.

3. How Many Hordes Are There in Days Gone?

There are a total of 40 Hordes scattered across the map of Days Gone. Some Hordes are tied to the main story, but most are optional challenges for players to undertake.

4. What is the Biggest Horde in Days Gone?

The Old Sawmill Horde is widely considered the largest and most challenging Horde in Days Gone. It comprises hundreds of Freakers and requires careful planning and execution to defeat.

5. What are the Hardest Hordes to Defeat in Days Gone?

Some of the most challenging Hordes include:

• Old Sawmill Horde
• Chemult Horde
• ‘What It Takes To Survive’ Horde
• Rimview Ranch Horde
• Chemult Community College Horde

These Hordes are particularly large, aggressive, and located in difficult-to-navigate environments.

6. Do Freakers Get Stronger in Days Gone?

Yes, Freakers can become stronger depending on the time of day and weather conditions. They are generally more aggressive and dangerous at night, and colder, snowy weather also makes them tougher to kill.

7. Where Do Hordes Go During the Day in Days Gone?

During the day, Hordes typically retreat to caves, mines, or other dark locations to rest and hibernate. This makes them easier to find and ambush, although these locations are often heavily fortified.

8. When Should I Start Fighting Hordes in Days Gone?

It’s generally advisable to postpone confronting Hordes until you have acquired adequate weapons, skills, and throwable items. Story missions, in addition to side objectives, will eventually require you to fight Hordes.

9. How Do Hordes Move in Days Gone?

Hordes follow a predictable daily routine. During the day, they rest in dark locations. At night, they emerge and move as a single, massive unit to their feeding grounds.

10. Is There a Secret Ending in Days Gone?

Yes, Days Gone features a secret ending that can be unlocked after completing the main story and all of the Finding NERO missions. This ending provides additional insights into the nature of the Freaker virus and the motivations of certain characters.

11. What are Infestation Nests in Days Gone?

Infestation Nests are locations where Freakers congregate during the day. Clearing these nests is essential for unlocking fast travel routes and reducing the overall Freaker population in a given area.

12. What Weapons are Best for Fighting Hordes in Days Gone?

Some of the most effective weapons for combating Hordes include:

• Chicago Chopper
• .50 BFG
• Stinger SMG
• MWS
• Napalm Molotovs
• Proximity Mines

These weapons offer high damage output, large magazine sizes, and the ability to inflict area-of-effect damage.

13. Does Days Gone Ever End?

Yes, Days Gone has a definitive ending to its main storyline. However, after completing the main story, players can continue to explore the open world, complete side missions, and tackle remaining Hordes and challenges.

14. Can You Find Sarah After Beating Days Gone?

Yes, after completing the main storyline and installing the 1.60 patch, Sarah can be found at Iron Mike’s Camp, seated with Boozer and Jack in front of the cabin where Deacon and Boozer sleep.

15. What is the Significance of the Post-Credit Scene in Days Gone?

The post-credit scene features Deacon meeting O’Brian again. O’Brian removes his mask and reveals that he is infected with a mutated form of the Freaker virus. This scene hints at the potential direction of a sequel, which is currently unconfirmed.

By meticulously eliminating each Horde, you’ll not only gain access to a well-deserved bike skin but experience a world that, while still dangerous, feels significantly more manageable. This allows you to truly appreciate the rich narrative and immersive world that Days Gone has to offer. Embrace the challenge, persevere through the hordes, and reclaim the Oregon wilderness, one Freaker at a time.