Frontier Cavern
Frontier Cavern Sublevel 5
Location Valley of Repose
Sublevels 8
Treasures 15
Hazards Fire icon.png Water icon.png Electricity icon.png Poison icon.png Explosion icon.png

The following article or section contains guides.
The strategies shown are just suggestions.

The Frontier Cavern (辺境の洞窟?, lit.: "Cave of Frontier") is a cave in the Valley of Repose in Pikmin 2, and is the furthest away from the landing site. It is of above-average difficulty, featuring most major types of grub-dogs and lithopods. The cave features a distinct "festive" theme, with Christmas-themed treasures, sublevels with snow hallways that have red brick walls (as if the player were inside a chimney), and unique music featuring idiophone instruments for two sublevels. The cave's boss is the Empress Bulblax, which is slightly different than the one in Hole of Beasts in that it gives birth to Bulborb Larva every few seconds. In this cave, there are Poko icon.png × 1395 worth of treasures.

How to reachEdit

 
Location of the cave.

Like the Subterranean Complex, it is impossible to reach the cave before getting Blue Pikmin. Use Blue Pikmin to remove the clog in the first pond and build a bridge over the second. Once this is done, Pikmin of all types can be brought across. Traveling in a straight line from the bridge will lead to the snowman with the Unspeakable Wonder on its head. Nearby is a slanted bridge that can be built to reach the cave. Defeating the Decorated Cannon Beetles, the various Blowhogs and the Cloaking Burrow-Nit is recommended, but not strictly necessary.

The cave features all hazards, so a Pikmin squad featuring all types of Pikmin is recommended. The Worthless Statue and the Priceless Statue have a high chance of spawning in water, so bringing at least ten Blue Pikmin, or leaving enough room in your squad to obtain the cave's Bulbmin, is highly recommended. Many treasures are buried, so White Pikmin are a must.

Notes

Ship's dialogs

Yet another cave discovered! Venturing to the farthest reaches has proven rewarding!

You may be tired of walking, but now just one last leap remains! Now, go get that treasure!

Sublevel 1Edit

 
Sublevel 1.

This sublevel has many Snow Bulborbs and a couple of Hairy Bulborbs. Before engaging the Hairy Bulborbs, take out any Snow Bulborbs near it first. Explore the sublevel and have your White Pikmin unearth any buried treasures.

There is a Violet Candypop Bud if you have less than 20 total Purple Pikmin. When wandering about the area, you may encounter Doodlebugs. After they have emerged from their cover, they may skitter into a Figwort or a Shoot. If this happens you can wait until they move and release flatulence to locate them. This is a good time to stock up on ultra-bitter sprays.

Technical sublevel information
Internal cave name tutorial_3
"Main" object maximum (?) 9 or 35
"Treasure" object maximum (?) 2
"Gate" object maximum (?) 0
Dead end unit probability (?) 50
Number of rooms (?) 3
Corridor-to-room ratio (?) 0
Escape geyser (?) No
Clogged hole (?) No
Cave units file (?) 3_MAT_nor4_hit2_blk1_snow.txt
Lighting file (?) normal_light_lv1.ini
Background (?) None
Cave units (?)
Dead end with item Three-way crossing Four-way crossing Turning corridor Corridor Long corridor
Circular room with lumber Room with 5 exits Room with hole in wall
Detailed object list
The game spawns these "main" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
1   Hairy Bulborb 2 None "Hard" enemy spots
2   Snow Bulborb 3 None "Easy" enemy spots
3   Snow Bulborb 3 None "Easy" enemy spots
4   Doodlebug 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
6   Figwort (small brown) N/A or 8[Sublevel 1 note 1] None "Easy" enemy spots
7   Figwort (large brown) N/A or 2[Sublevel 1 note 1] None "Hard" enemy spots
8   Figwort (large brown) N/A or 8[Sublevel 1 note 1] None "Easy" enemy spots
9   Figwort (small brown) N/A or 6[Sublevel 1 note 1] None "Easy" enemy spots
10   Figwort (large brown) N/A or 2[Sublevel 1 note 1] None Cave unit seams
Then it spawns these "decoration" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
5   Doodlebug 2 None Plant spots
11   Figwort (small brown) N/A or 10[Sublevel 1 note 1] None Plant spots
12   Figwort (large brown) N/A or 12[Sublevel 1 note 1] None Plant spots
13   Shoot (large) 1 or 12[Sublevel 1 note 1] None Plant spots
Then it spawns these "treasure" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
14   Essential Furnishing 1 None Treasure spots
15   Essence of Rage 1 None Treasure spots
Then it spawns these "dead end" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
16   Violet Candypop Bud 1 None Dead ends
17   Bomb-rock 4 Falls from the sky Dead ends
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k In the GameCube versions, there are 35 "main" category objects. There are also 48 Figworts (24 of each type) and 1 Shoot total. In the Wii versions, the Figworts were all removed, and the Shoot entry was changed to an amount of 12. The number of "main" category objects was also changed accordingly to 9.
For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 2Edit

You are likely to fall where there is a large stump. Shelter all of your Pikmin behind it to protect them. Venture out into the sublevel without any Pikmin and use the Decorated Cannon Beetles to clear out any enemies. Then use one of the rocky projectiles to kill the other Decorated Cannon Beetle. Then have the rock-hurling creature kill itself by having the boulder home in on itself. Afterwards, take your Pikmin and collect the Christmas-themed treasures.

Technical sublevel information
Internal cave name tutorial_3
"Main" object maximum (?) 9
"Treasure" object maximum (?) 2
"Gate" object maximum (?) 0
Dead end unit probability (?) 50
Number of rooms (?) 3
Corridor-to-room ratio (?) 0
Escape geyser (?) No
Clogged hole (?) No
Cave units file (?) 3_MAT_ike3_mid2_sak1_snow.txt
Lighting file (?) tutorial_1_light.ini
Background (?) None
Cave units (?)
Dead end Three-way crossing Four-way crossing Turning corridor Corridor Long corridor
Room with ramp and thin ledge Y-shaped room Room with trunk in center
Detailed object list
The game spawns these "main" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
1   Decorated Cannon Beetle 2 None "Hard" enemy spots
2   Hairy Bulborb 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
3   Snow Bulborb 3 None "Easy" enemy spots
4   Snow Bulborb 3 None "Easy" enemy spots
Then it spawns these "decoration" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
5   Figwort (small brown) 4 None Plant spots
6   Figwort (small brown) 4 None Plant spots
7   Figwort (large brown) 2 None Plant spots
Then it spawns these "treasure" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
8   Joy Receptacle 1 None Treasure spots
9   Icon of Progress 1 None Treasure spots
For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 3Edit

When landing on this sublevel, be warned that two wandering enemies will be patrolling the area, so it is advised you act quickly. Gather all of your Pikmin and scout the level, deactivating any electrical wires and defeating Dwarf Bulbears. If you can, locate the Bulbmin and kill it before the Spotty Bulbear as it will make things easier. Defeat these enemies using whatever killing strategy you want, just make sure you bring the Bulbear's corpse back if it did not disintegrate. Explore the area once all the hazards are cleared and collect and unearth any treasures.

Technical sublevel information
Internal cave name tutorial_3
"Main" object maximum (?) 14
"Treasure" object maximum (?) 2
"Gate" object maximum (?) 0
Dead end unit probability (?) 50
Number of rooms (?) 4
Corridor-to-room ratio (?) 0
Escape geyser (?) Yes
Clogged hole (?) No
Cave units file (?) 3_MAT_d_g_m_renga.txt
Lighting file (?) tutorial_1_light.ini
Background (?) None
Cave units (?)
Dead end with item Three-way crossing Four-way crossing Turning corridor Corridor Long corridor
Room with 4 exits Room with 5 exits and 2 walls Room with 4 exits and 2 walls
Detailed object list
The game spawns these "main" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
1   Bulbmin 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
2   Spotty Bulbear 1 None "Special" enemy spots
-   Danger Chime Carried inside entry with ID 2
3   Dwarf Bulbear 2 None "Easy" enemy spots
4   Dwarf Bulbear 2 None "Easy" enemy spots
5   Dwarf Bulbear 2 None "Easy" enemy spots
6   Poison emitter 2 None "Hard" enemy spots
7   Fire geyser 2 None Cave unit seams
8   Electrical wire 2 None Cave unit seams
Then it spawns these "decoration" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
9   Figwort (small brown) 2 None Plant spots
10   Figwort (small brown) 4 None Plant spots
Then it spawns these "treasure" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
11   Gemstar Husband 1 None Treasure spots
12   Fleeting Art Form 1 None Treasure spots
Then it spawns these "dead end" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
13   Egg 1 Falls from the sky Dead ends
14   Bomb-rock 4 Falls from the sky Dead ends
15   Ivory Candypop Bud 1 None Dead ends
16   Egg 1 None Dead ends
For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 4Edit

Gather all your Yellow Pikmin and kill all the Anode Beetles, but watch out for the Swooping Snitchbugs and Bumbling Snitchbug. After all the Anode Beetles are defeated, take out the Swooping Snitchbugs and the Bumbling Snitchbug and proceed to collect the treasures. When you attempt to collect a treasure in an alcove, however, another Bumbling Snitchbug will drop from the ceiling. Kill it then continue collecting the treasure. There is a Violet Candypop Bud here to harvest more Purple Pikmin, but note that there is a chance that it will not spawn at all, as detailed here and here.

Technical sublevel information
Internal cave name tutorial_3
"Main" object maximum (?) 14
"Treasure" object maximum (?) 2
"Gate" object maximum (?) 0
Dead end unit probability (?) 0
Number of rooms (?) 3
Corridor-to-room ratio (?) 0
Escape geyser (?) No
Clogged hole (?) No
Cave units file (?) 3_MAT_a_h_m_renga.txt
Lighting file (?) tutorial_1_light.ini
Background (?) None
Cave units (?)
Dead end with item Three-way crossing Four-way crossing Turning corridor Corridor Long corridor
Detailed object list
The game spawns these "main" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
1   Swooping Snitchbug 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
2   Swooping Snitchbug 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
3   Bumbling Snitchbug 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
4   Bumbling Snitchbug 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
5   Anode Beetle 3 None "Easy" enemy spots
6   Anode Beetle 3 None "Easy" enemy spots
7   Anode Beetle 2 None "Easy" enemy spots
8   Electrical wire 2 None Cave unit seams
Then it spawns these "decoration" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
9   Figwort (small brown) 4 None Plant spots
10   Figwort (small brown) 4 None Plant spots
11   Figwort (large brown) 2 None Plant spots
Then it spawns these "treasure" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
12   Innocence Lost 1 None Treasure spots
13   Omniscient Sphere 1 None Treasure spots
Then it spawns these "dead end" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
14   Violet Candypop Bud 1 None Dead ends
15   Egg 1 None Dead ends
16   Bumbling Snitchbug 1 Falls from the sky Dead ends
17   Egg 1 Falls from the sky Dead ends
18   Bomb-rock 2 Falls from the sky Dead ends
19   Egg 1 Falls from the sky Dead ends
For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 5Edit

A rest sublevel, but unique as it is one of only 3 rest sublevels in the game to contain a treasure. There are some Mamutas here, so you can take any leaf or bud Pikmin you have to the Mamuta, and let it pound all of them into the ground, so they become flower Pikmin. Now kill the Mamutas until one of them drops the Brute Knuckles. Also kill the Hydro Dweevil before you collect the treasure as the four-legged nuisance will attempt to carry the Brute Knuckles on its back.

The Brute Knuckles allows you to use the Rocket Fist when collected. There are some Lapis Lazuli Candypop Buds and a Violet Candypop Bud here if you are low on Blue Pikmin and Purple Pikmin, or you can use the Violet Candypop Bud to harvest 5 more Purple Pikmin. Killing the Unmarked Spectralids will cause them to drop nectar to power up your leaf Pikmin and occasionally sprays.

Technical sublevel information
Internal cave name tutorial_3
"Main" object maximum (?) 7
"Treasure" object maximum (?) 0
"Gate" object maximum (?) 0
Dead end unit probability (?) 100
Number of rooms (?) 2
Corridor-to-room ratio (?) 0
Escape geyser (?) Yes
Clogged hole (?) No
Cave units file (?) 1_MAT_cent2_tsuchi.txt
Lighting file (?) normal_light_lv0.ini
Background (?) None
Cave units (?)
Dead end with item Three-way crossing Four-way crossing Turning corridor Corridor Long corridor
Four-way circular room
Detailed object list
The game spawns these "main" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
1   Mamuta 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
-   Brute Knuckles Carried inside entry with ID 1
2   Unmarked Spectralids (group of 9) 1 None "Easy" enemy spots
3   Mamuta 3 None "Hard" enemy spots
4   Hydro Dweevil 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
5   Hydro Dweevil 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
Then it spawns these "decoration" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
6   Clover 8 None Plant spots
7   Shoot (small) 1 None Plant spots
8   Shoot (large) 1 None Plant spots
9   Figwort (large red) 3 None Plant spots
10   Margaret 4 None Plant spots
11   Figwort (small red) 12 None Plant spots
Then it spawns these "dead end" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
12   Ivory Candypop Bud 1 None Dead ends
13   Violet Candypop Bud 1 None Dead ends
14   Lapis Lazuli Candypop Bud 1 None Dead ends
15   Egg 1 None Dead ends
For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 6Edit

The reason why there was a Lapis Lazuli Candypop Bud on the previous sublevel is this sublevel. Before taking your Blue Pikmin to collect treasure, have the Decorated Cannon Beetles kill the enemies, flame geysers, and each other then collected the two chess pieces with your Blue Pikmin and Bulbmin.

It is possible, although uncommon, for this sublevel to generate a layout with a second circular room with lumber and without the watery room with a ramp, and thus, require no Blue Pikmin to collect the treasures.

Technical sublevel information
Internal cave name tutorial_3
"Main" object maximum (?) 13
"Treasure" object maximum (?) 2
"Gate" object maximum (?) 0
Dead end unit probability (?) 2
Number of rooms (?) 3
Corridor-to-room ratio (?) 0
Escape geyser (?) No
Clogged hole (?) No
Cave units file (?) 3_MAT_nor4_ike1_ike2_tsuchi.txt
Lighting file (?) normal_light_lv4.ini
Background (?) None
Cave units (?)
Dead end Three-way crossing Four-way crossing Turning corridor Corridor Long corridor
Room with a pond Room with a ramp, thin ledge, and water Circular room with lumber
Detailed object list
The game spawns these "main" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
1   Decorated Cannon Beetle 3 None "Hard" enemy spots
2   Bulbmin 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
3   Water Dumple 1 None "Easy" enemy spots
4   Water Dumple 1 None "Easy" enemy spots
5   Water Dumple 2 None "Easy" enemy spots
6   Fire geyser 5 None Cave unit seams
Then it spawns these "decoration" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
7   Common Glowcap 4 None Plant spots
8   Common Glowcap 4 None Plant spots
Then it spawns these "treasure" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
9   Worthless Statue 1 None Treasure spots
10   Priceless Statue 1 None Treasure spots
Then it spawns these "dead end" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
11   Egg 1 None Dead ends
For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 7Edit

This sublevel has boulders falling from the ceiling, so when going from place to place, be cautious. Have a single leader cause the boulders to fall, preferably on the Dwarf Orange Bulborbs and Orange Bulborbs to kill or severely damage them. After they all have fallen, take your Pikmin and kill any stragglers and collect the treasures. Then have your White Pikmin dig up the Flame Tiller and collect it. There is also an Iridescent Glint Beetle on this sublevel that can be used to harness ultra-spicy sprays for the boss.

Technical sublevel information
Internal cave name tutorial_3
"Main" object maximum (?) 26
"Treasure" object maximum (?) 2
"Gate" object maximum (?) 0
Dead end unit probability (?) 50
Number of rooms (?) 3
Corridor-to-room ratio (?) 0
Escape geyser (?) Yes
Clogged hole (?) No
Cave units file (?) 3_MAT_cent_mid1_mid2_tsuchi.txt
Lighting file (?) normal_light_lv4.ini
Background (?) None
Cave units (?)
Dead end with item Three-way crossing Four-way crossing Turning corridor Corridor Long corridor
Four-way circular room Room with 6 exits Y-shaped room
Detailed object list
The game spawns these "main" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
1   Orange Bulborb 3 None "Hard" enemy spots
2   Boulder 4 None "Hard" enemy spots
3   Boulder 6 None "Easy" enemy spots
4   Boulder 3 None Cave unit seams
5   Dwarf Orange Bulborb 4 None "Easy" enemy spots
6   Dwarf Orange Bulborb 3 None "Easy" enemy spots
7   Dwarf Orange Bulborb 3 None "Easy" enemy spots
Then it spawns these "decoration" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
8   Common Glowcap 4 None Plant spots
9   Common Glowcap 4 None Plant spots
Then it spawns these "treasure" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
10   Flame Tiller 1 None Treasure spots
11   Spouse Alert 1 None Treasure spots
Then it spawns these "dead end" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
12   Ivory Candypop Bud 1 None Dead ends
13   Iridescent Glint Beetle 1 None Dead ends
For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

Sublevel 8Edit

See also: Empress Bulblax strategy.

The final sublevel contains a rematch with the Empress Bulblax, only this time, it produces Bulborb Larvae, which are small and ferocious enemies. Have one leader clear out all or most of the larvae and have the other toss all the Pikmin up on the ledge behind the landing point. Have the leader you sent out call all the Pikmin and fight the huge Grub-dog. The Empress Bulblax also has more health than it did in the Hole of Beasts.

Don't worry about the larva after engaging the boss in combat, as the boss will squish them when it does its rolling attack. After the battle, collect the Repugnant Appendage and kill any remaining Bulborb Larva. The Repugnant Appendage will grant the leaders a massive speed boost and the resistance to a Puffy Blowhog's exhaling attack. Exit the cave with the geyser and continue your treasure hunt.

Technical sublevel information
Internal cave name tutorial_3
"Main" object maximum (?) 10
"Treasure" object maximum (?) 0
"Gate" object maximum (?) 0
Dead end unit probability (?) 0
Number of rooms (?) 1
Corridor-to-room ratio (?) 0
Escape geyser (?) Yes
Clogged hole (?) No
Cave units file (?) 1_units_queen_b_tsuchi.txt
Lighting file (?) qchap_light.ini
Background (?) None
Cave units (?)
Empress Bulblax arena
Detailed object list
The game spawns these "main" objects:
ID Object Amount Fall method Spawn location
1   Empress Bulblax 1 None "Hard" enemy spots
-   Repugnant Appendage Carried inside entry with ID 1
Alongside it spawns 9 "main" objects. Chances:
ID Object Chance Fall method Spawn location
2   Bulborb Larva 50% None "Easy" enemy spots
3   Bulborb Larva 50% None "Easy" enemy spots
For details on how objects are spawned, and how some may fail to spawn, see here.

GalleryEdit

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name Meaning
  Japanese 辺境の洞窟?
Henkyō no Dōkutsu
Cave of Frontier
  Chinese
(traditional)
邊境洞窟
  French Grotte des Confins Cave of the Confines
  German Grenzlandhöhle Borderland Cave
  Italian Grotta di Confine Frontier Cave
  Spanish (NoA) Caverna Fronteriza Frontier Cavern

See alsoEdit