Blue Pikmin

Blue Pikmin
Scientific name	Pikminidae caerula
Family	Pikmin
Resistance	Water
Attack strength	Average(?)
Mobility	Average(?)
Throw	Average
Digging speed	Average(?)
Carrying capacity	1
Size	Body length: 33mm
Pikmin 4 Piklopedia number	113
Voice actor	Hajime Wakai

Blue Pikmin (青ピクミン^?) are a blue species of Pikmin that reside on PNF-404. They have the special ability of water resistance. This type of Pikmin is present in all game modes of all Pikmin games, and is the last type to be discovered in the Story mode of Pikmin, Pikmin 2, and Pikmin 3, as well as the fourth type discovered in Pikmin 4. Besides their coloration, these Pikmin are distinguishable from other Pikmin species by their pink mouths, a trait seen in no other Pikmin species. These mouths are used to take in water, which filters oxygen through gills, giving them the ability to breathe both underwater and on dry land. Producing more Blue Pikmin can be done by carrying pellets or enemy carcasses to the Blue Onion (or the Master Onion), or by throwing other species into a Lapis Lazuli Candypop Bud or a Candypop Bud. As with Red Pikmin, Yellow Pikmin and Bulbmin, their buds and flowers are white.

The exact location of their gills is not consistently explained in the series, having been said to be on the cheeks, near the cheeks, their mouths, and not even visible. Pikmin 4 consistently says that the mouths are the gills.

Traits and abilities

Blue Pikmin being re-discovered in Pikmin 2.

Blue Pikmin are the only permanent Pikmin type which can safely enter water and traverse the floor underneath, as the other types (barring Bulbmin and Glow Pikmin, which are immune to all hazards) will simply flail around in panic before drowning if they are immersed (Ice Pikmin can float on the surface and Winged Pikmin can fly over, but neither can go under or resist water attacks from enemies). While in water, the Blue Pikmin behave almost the same as they do on land. In the first two games, if they are idle and see a nearby Pikmin drowning in water, they will quickly run to them, pick them up, and throw them to shore. However, they will not rescue Pikmin if they are a certain distance away, so they can't always be relied on. At least in Pikmin 2, this throw aims at the nearest carrying path waypoint, and works the same as a normal leader throw, which means it can be used for things like crushing a Dwarf Bulborb. In Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4, this rescuing feature was removed, and Blue Pikmin now also have the ability to swim freely while in pursuit, something necessary to reach some enemies that swim above the ground level.

Aside from their water resistance, Blue Pikmin have largely average attack power, durability, mobility, digging speed and throw distance. As such, they are not exceptional for most any activities outside of water, as most enemies that use water-based attacks can easily be defeated without Blue Pikmin. The only real exception to this is the addition of sprinkler hazards in Pikmin 4 which, while on, only Blue Pikmin can safely pass through. Interestingly, Blue Pikmin are more likely to die than other types in Pikmin 2, as noted here.

In 2-Player Battle in Pikmin 2, Player 2's army is made up of Blue Pikmin, while Player 1's army is made up of Red Pikmin. For the sake of fairness, Blue Pikmin are given the same 1.5× attack power, and the only elemental hazards are from Fiery Blowhogs and Watery Blowhogs.

In Pikmin

Discovery

Finding the first Blue Pikmin in Pikmin .

In Pikmin, Olimar finds the dormant Blue Onion in The Forest Navel, which proves to be a big help in the aquatic area, The Distant Spring. Their Onion is first found near the massive stump holding the Automatic Gear, and is located inside a small pond. Like with the Red Onion and the Yellow Onion, a seed pops out when the Onion wakes up, which Olimar then plucks. The Blue Pikmin's ability to live underwater is immediately demonstrated, since the Onion, the seed, and the new Pikmin appear underwater during this event.

Required uses

There are glitches and exploits that make it so that Blue Pikmin are not required to collect any ship parts or defeat any enemies. There are two main ones: the object nudging glitch allows one to push ship parts out of the water, while the drowning reset glitch allows Pikmin to travel large bodies of water without drowning. Other minor exploits and glitches include ending the day to make a ship part appear on the closest carrying waypoint in the following day, which can place ship parts in unintended places, and the ability to place a lying Olimar between a ship part and a wall to make him pop up on top of the wall, and going out of bounds.

Near-required uses

Blue Pikmin are intended to be used to collect the following ship parts, but through the use of glitches, exploits, or tricks, they can be collected without Blue Pikmin.

•  Positron Generator: The ship part is inside a Pearly Clamclamp on a beach, and defeating the enemy will drop the ship part in the water. But by using small islands on the beach, it is possible to attack the Pearly Clamclamp using Red or Yellow Pikmin, and the ship part can then be pushed out of the water with the object nudging glitch.
•  Radiation Canopy: The path that Olimar needs to cross to reach this part is blocked by a gate inside a body of water. However, with precise throws, it's possible to throw bomb-rock Yellow Pikmin to the top of the gate, and destroy it without needing Blue Pikmin.
•  Geiger Counter: In order to reach the Burrowing Snagret that holds the ship part, a cardboard box must be pushed out of the way, and Blue Pikmin need to be guided from a puddle to the backside of the box. However, it is possible to use other Pikmin to throw the box, either with long throws or by throwing them to the top of the box and guiding them to the back.
•  Analog Computer: This ship part is submerged in water, although it can be taken out using the object nudging glitch.
•  Libra: Blue Pikmin are needed to activate the geyser that gives Olimar access to the first high ledge. However, it is possible to have other Pikmin types open the geyser; if they are guided towards it, they might land one or two hits before starting their drowning sequence. They can just be called back, and the process can be repeated until the geyser is enabled. Alternatively, one can use a pellet from a Shearwig to clip to the railing wall, and from there, walk up to the ship part and push it down.
•  Anti-Dioxin Filter: The part is on a large pool of water, but with the object nudging glitch, it is possible to take it out without Blue Pikmin. Wollywog corpses can be used to help push the part, and a Breadbug dragging a Male Sheargrub corpse can be used to push the part mostly onto dry land.
•  Interstellar Radio: The Puffy Blowhog containing this ship part is over water and the path to carry the ship part back to the ship goes through the large lake of water. By going out of bounds on the south using the Massage Machine, and attacking the Blowhog from dry land, and by nudging the ship part out of the water, it can be collected.
•  Repair-type Bolt: This part is on top of a ledge. When it falls off, it will almost immediately land in the water. It can be nudged to dry land, however.
•  Chronos Reactor: This part is located a long way across a pool of water. As part of the puzzle, the Blue Pikmin carrying this part must first become Yellow Pikmin. By using the Spotty Bulbear near the maze, Olimar can be pushed to the ledges out of bounds, and from there, lure a Swooping Snitchbug near where the Chronos Reactor is. Its corpse or pellets can be used to bring Olimar to the ship part's ledge, where it can then be pushed all the way out of the water section of the area and onto regular dry land.
•  #2 Ionium Jet: This part is on top of a tall ledge that opens into water. By bringing Pikmin to the ship part's shore using the drowning reset glitch, it's possible to bring enough Pikmin to take the part out of the ledge. From there, it can be pushed to near the Pilot's Seat section, which will make it appear right next to the Pilot's Seat the next day. Since it takes too long to push normally, a Water Dumple corpse must be pushed instead, which in turn pushes the Ionium Jet.
•  Sagittarius: Two bridges must be built to reach the part, but one of them can only be reached by tossing Pikmin while in a large pond. Luckily, there is a small protrusion on the island that allows non-Blue Pikmin to shore on, and from there, they can be thrown at the bridge. To reach the bit of land, the Pikmin can just swim towards it from the mainland.
•  Gluon Drive: This part is opposite a wide river, and a bridge must be built from the other side. However, Pikmin can be tossed from the Zirconium Rotor's location.
•  Zirconium Rotor: This part is behind a gate that is difficult to destroy without Blue Pikmin, but it can be done without them.
•  Massage Machine: This part is across a large lake, with the bridge that must be built located on the opposite shore. However, by throwing Red Pikmin or Yellow Pikmin to the water and whistling them to the other shore, it is possible to have them build the bridge.
•  Secret Safe: The island with the bridges is in the middle of the lake, meaning Blue Pikmin must traverse it to reach it. That said, it is not too hard to guide Red or Yellow Pikmin to the island, by whistling them to it while they're drowning.

Recommended uses

The following tasks are intended to be completed with Blue Pikmin, though they can be done with other types:

• Ship parts
  •  Gravity Jumper: One of the two bridges that can be used to reach the ship part is behind a water body. However, Red and Yellow Pikmin can be thrown on the area near the ship part to build the other bridge.
• Enemies
  •  Goolix: Only Blue Pikmin can touch its body, but it's still possible to defeat the creature without them by throwing Pikmin when it stretches.

In Pikmin 2

Discovery

In Pikmin 2, 5 Blue Pikmin are found in the Awakening Wood. This is first hinted at when the Onion stops spitting out seeds, but there are only a reported 95 out 100 Pikmin on the field. They are found chasing a few Wolpoles beyond an electric gate guarded by a Cloaking Burrow-nit at the north of the map. To obtain them, Olimar and Louie break down the gate with the Yellow Pikmin, and proceed to whistle them to take them under their command. Once again, their underwater prowesses are instantly noticeable, since they are found in a large lake.

Required uses

Clogs are used to restrict certain areas to Blue Pikmin.

Blue Pikmin are required to collect these treasures or enter these caves, and there are no glitches or exploits that allow other Pikmin types to do so.

• Caves
  • Shower Room: The entrance to the cave is blocked by a clog underwater.
  • Submerged Castle: Only Blue Pikmin can enter this cave, as its entrance is underwater. Even with exploits, only Blue Pikmin are allowed to enter.
• Valley of Repose, second half: to access the parts of the Valley of Repose not accessible on day 1 and 2, Blue Pikmin must be used to destroy a white bramble gate and a clog just past the Emergence Cave. This makes Blue Pikmin required to access the following caves and treasures:
  • Subterranean Complex
  • Frontier Cavern
  •  Fossilized Ursidae
  •  Temporal Mechanism
  •  Unspeakable Wonder

Near-required uses

Blue Pikmin are recommended for these treasures, caves, or enemies, though these tasks can be done without the type by using glitches or exploits.

• Treasures
  •  Air Brake: Only Blue Pikmin can use the seesaw blocks that are underwater. With long throws and/or the high ledge glitch, Yellow or Purple Pikmin can access the ledge the treasure is on and carry it back safely.
  •  Spiny Alien Treat: Despite being near a lake that can only be drained with the help of Blue Pikmin, the carrying path taken by the Pikmin carrying the Spiny Alien Treat just skims the side of the lake and only some of the Pikmin carrying it will touch the water. Alternatively, the Decorative Goo method can be used so no Pikmin start drowning.
  •  Decorative Goo: The path to carry the treasure back to the ship goes through water, but by using a certain glitch, it's possible for treasures to be carried in water with non-Blue Pikmin during cutscenes. Another glitch called charging also helps minimize how long the treasure is underwater for, meaning the treasure can be carried through the water in the duration of just one cutscene.
  •  Pink Menace: Same as the Decorative Goo.
  •  Onion Replica: Same as the Decorative Goo.
  •  Optical Illustration (US) /  Abstract Masterpiece (Europe): Same as the Decorative Goo.
  •  Massage Girdle: Same as the Decorative Goo.
• Enemies
  •  Wolpole: Although this aquatic enemy can jump onto land and become vulnerable, the chances of this happening are quite slim.
• Caves
  • None
• Other
  • The clog near the landing site of the Awakening Wood can be destroyed with any type of Pikmin by throwing them at a specific spot near the center of the clog. They will be able to damage it before slipping off and entering the water, which means they can slowly but surely destroy it.
  • In order to access the southern part of the Wistful Wild, an underwater clog must be taken down. The only way to bring things back to the landing site is to build the bridge on the other side of a lake; provided the player has destroyed the clog, they can go around and build it with any Pikmin type, but if not, Blue Pikmin will have to cross the lake and build it.

In Pikmin 3

Discovery

The Blue Onion activating in Pikmin 3.

In Pikmin 3, the Blue Onion is found in the Garden of Hope, but can only be found after Louie has ran away from the Koppaites after being rescued in the Twilight River. The explorers chase after him, but instead find an Onion trapped under a Flukeweed. From this, the Blue Onion is found, and after it ejects a seed that is then plucked, the explorers discover the Blue Pikmin, which prove to be essential in finding Louie again. As with the previous games, the Blue Pikmin are instantly shown to be able to withstand being underwater, since the Onion, seed, and newly-plucked Pikmin are underwater.

Required uses

Blue Pikmin are meant to be used to obtain numerous different fruits and defeat many enemies, but as a result of Pikmin 3's many glitches and exploits, they are only needed for one objective:

•  Wayward Moon: A pot-shaped bridge with some of its fragments underwater must be built to access the boss that contains the fruit normally, but sequence-breaking techniques can be used to bypass the building of this bridge and collect the fruit with Winged Pikmin. However, an invisible wall will block off the path to the arena until at least one Blue Pikmin has been plucked. Once this Pikmin is plucked, the entire game can be completed without any further need of Blue Pikmin.

Near-required uses

Blue Pikmin are intended to be used to collect these fruits and defeat these enemies, but through the use of glitches, exploits, or tricks, these tasks can be completed without them.

• Fruits
  •  Citrus Lump (Garden of Hope): The fruit is fully submerged in water next to the metal box, but can be retrieved by employing the invincible Pikmin glitch with a Fiery Blowhog.
  •  Citrus Lump (Twilight River): The fruit is fully submerged in water near the landing site. However, using the invincible Pikmin glitch with a Skeeterskate, it is possible to collect it with Winged Pikmin.
  •  Crunchy Deluge: Like the previous Citrus Lump, this fruit is located underwater at the far end of the Twilight River, and can be collected in the same way, though it notably takes 10 Pikmin to carry, the most out of any fruit that requires the invincible Pikmin glitch to retrieve without Blue Pikmin.
  •  Portable Sunset (Distant Tundra): This fruit is on a low branch above a pool of water. Upon throwing 8 Pikmin on it, it will fall into the water. Winged Pikmin can also be used to detach the fruit, but it'll land in the water regardless. It can then be retrieved by using the invincible Pikmin glitch with a fire geyser, Fiery Blowhog, Pyroclasmic Slooch, or Skeeterskate.
  •  Scaly Custard (Garden of Hope): The fruit is within a Peckish Aristocrab on an area of land that can only be reached by building a pot-shaped bridge with some of its fragments underwater. However, using a sequence break, it is possible to bypass the building of this bridge and collect the fruit with Winged Pikmin.
  •  Searing Acidshock (Garden of Hope, inside the crystal): Normally, a bridge must be built using fragments, some of which are underwater, but it is possible to build half the bridge and throw Rock Pikmin and Winged Pikmin across the gap, allowing the crystal to be broken and the fruit to be carried back.
  •  Searing Acidshock (Tropical Wilds): The fruit is held by a Calcified Crushblat, and to access the enemy, an underwater dirt wall must be destroyed. This can be done with any type of Pikmin by using the invincible Pikmin glitch.
  •  Sunseed Berry (Garden of Hope, near the Blue Onion): This fruit is fully underwater next to a dirt wall, but can be collected by using Winged Pikmin via the invincible Pikmin glitch with any of the area's fire hazards.

• Enemies
  •  Puckering Blinnow: These enemies usually remain underwater, but can be harmed if they jump out to snatch a Winged Pikmin or onto land.
  •  Sputtlefish: These enemies are also underwater enemies, and can only be defeated without Blue Pikmin by employing the invincible Pikmin glitch.
  •  Toady Bloyster: These enemies are always found underwater in Story Mode, but can be slowly taken out with a leader's punches.

Recommended uses

Blue Pikmin are recommended to collect these fruits or defeat these enemies, though these tasks can be done with other types.

• Fruits
  •  Cupid's Grenade (Tropical Wilds): The fruit is on a small island surrounded by water. It is possible to charge a Winged Pikmin towards the fruit, but it is easier to throw a Blue Pikmin onto it.
  •  Face Wrinkler (Distant Tundra): This fruit can be collected with Blue Pikmin or Winged Pikmin, and there is not much difference between the 2 in collecting this fruit.
  •  Juicy Gaggle (Twilight River, group of 3): It is possible to get the fruits with Winged Pikmin, but using Blue Pikmin will not require defeating the Arachnode.
  •  Mock Bottom: This fruit is intended to be carried with Blue Pikmin into a pool of water. It is possible to charge Winged Pikmin onto it, but this can be difficult.
  •  Searing Acidshock (Garden of Hope, inside the Bug-Eyed Crawmad): Blue Pikmin and Winged Pikmin are the only types capable of accessing this mini-boss on an island, and while it can be defeated with just Winged Pikmin, Blue Pikmin are better for combat.
  •  Slapstick Crescent: Only Blue Pikmin and Winged Pikmin can dig out and carry this fruit, and Blue Pikmin are faster at digging. Alternatively, a bomb rock can be used to unearth the fruit.
  •  Stellar Extrusion (Distant Tundra): The fruit is held by a Shaggy Long Legs which frequently steps over water. Rock Pikmin or Winged Pikmin are far more efficient and safe attackers, but having 10 Blue Pikmin on standby is recommended in case the fruit falls into the water after defeating the beast, but even then it can be carried by Winged Pikmin.
  •  Zest Bomb (Tropical Wilds): This fruit is held by a Peckish Aristocrab that normally walks in a pool of water. It is possible to carry with Winged Pikmin. It is also possible to defeat the enemy such that it drops the fruit over land, however.
• Enemies
  •  Bug-Eyed Crawmad: Both instances of this miniboss in story mode appear near water, so Blue Pikmin are useful to avoid Pikmin deaths.
  •  Plasm Wraith: Some of this boss's Elemental Plasms are made of water, and these are the only elemental plasms that can only be destroyed with their intended Pikmin type. It is possible to ignore them though.
  •  Quaggled Mireclops: When it stomps its feet, it makes puddles of water. Using Blue Pikmin to attack the feet is recommended, as they cannot drown in the puddles of water.
  •  Skeeterskate: Skeeterskates can be killed by any Pikmin type, but non-Blue Pikmin will fall in the water and start to drown right after.
  •  Water Dumple: Although this underwater enemy can go onto land, the chances of this happening are quite low.
  •  Wolpole: Although this underwater enemy can jump onto land and become vulnerable, the chances of this happening are quite slim.
  •  Watery Blowhog: This enemy shoots bubbles of a water-like liquid that only Blue Pikmin are immune to, but can be defeated by any type of Pikmin.

In Pikmin 4

Discovery

In Pikmin 4, Blue Pikmin can first be found hidden away in the Sun-Speckled Terrace or in the Blossoming Arcadia, with their Onion in the Serene Shores. Once the Blue Onion is brought to the Master Onion for the first time, it will be absorbed and will fuse with the Onion, and spit out a single blue seed.

In Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, there are Blue Onions in the Blossoming Arcadia and Serene Shores.

Required uses

Due to one of Oatchi's skills allowing him to swim and dive in water, Blue Pikmin are not strictly required to collect all treasures or castaways or to defeat any enemies. Oatchi's Doggy-Paddle ability at level 3 allows him to dive underwater to collect objects negating the use of Blue Pikmin. However, they are given as the starting Pikmin for certain Dandori Challenges which are nearly impossible to get a platinum medal without the use of them.

• Test Tubs
• Ice-Cross Course
• Planning Pools

Recommended uses

Blue Pikmin are recommended to collect these treasures/castaways or defeat these enemies, though these tasks can be done with Oatchi or other Pikmin types.

Treasures

•  Astringent Clump (Doppelgänger's Den): The treasure is fully submerged in water near the center of sublevel 1 of the Doppelgänger's Den. It is guarded by two Skeeterskates.
•  Astringent Clump (Secluded Courtyard): The treasure is hanging from a cobweb near the central north point of sublevel 3 of the Secluded Courtyard. There is a water spout underneath it.
•  Birdy Bed: It is located near a body of water on a ledge. 7 Blue Pikmin can be used to carry the treasure if they can drain the pool of water allowing all Pikmin types to carry back the treasure.
•  Blonde Impostor (Cavern for a King, sublevel 19): Located in a body of water which Blue Pikmin can be used to carry it out.
•  Bright Sword × 2 (Cavern for a King, sublevel 9): The two swords are found inside the Man-at-Legs. The arena for the fight is surrounded by water.
•  Chance Totem × 2 (Serene Shores): The treasures are found inside some jars. To carry the treasures back, they need to go through a small body of water which is guarded by a Skeeterskate.
•  Crew-Cut Gourd (Giant's Hearth): It is located half submerged in a pool of water near a Bug-Eyed Crawmad at the south part of the map.
•  Cupid's Grenade × 3 (Cavern for a King, sublevel 19): The 3 treasures are all found in the large body of water.
•  Dapper Blob (Seafloor Resort): The treasure is found in the small body of water near the Peckish Aristocrab.
•  Dapper Rubber Cutie: Found on a ledge inside a hydro jelly surrounded by a body of water and two Pricklepuffs. Blue Pikmin can drain the body of water allowing any Pikmin type to carry it or they can just carry it from the start.
•  Dawn Pustules (Serene Shores): Located submerged near the Zest Bomb treasure guarded by a Pricklepuff and 4 Puckering Blinnows.
•  Don't-See-It Specs: The treasure is located inside the Sovereign Bulblax. The arena is surrounded by water.
•  False Lollipop: It is located on a small island surrounded by water. 5 Pikmin are required to pull it from the fishing rope.