I read that you have to have a battle for the honey gather ability to have a chance at working but I want to know if my Combees have to join the battle or just be in my group.
No, there's no need for the Pokemon with the ability to participate in battle in order to get Honey. It just needs to be in your party & not already holding an item.
It's just that, the higher the level, the higher the chance it'll have of getting Honey.
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