User:Phineas81707/RecommendedCaves

Before we begin, a disclaimer- while I do claim to know quite a bit about Pikmin, I will not say that the contents of this page are 'one-size-fits-all'. If you disagree with the numbers I come up with, that's perfectly fine.

With that said, let us delve into what kinds of numbers would be helpful in each cave. I will present my musings on the contents of the cave, and then come up with some figures. As said, these figures may be changed depending on personal preference.

Musings

 * There is absolutely nothing in this cave that would be worth choosing one type of Pikmin over another. However, this cave must be explored at the beginning of the game, where only one kind of Pikmin are available.
 * If all nutrients are harvested on Day 2, you would have 70 Pikmin.

Squad

 * 70 Red Pikmin.

Note
By exiting this cave prematurely, one can obtain up to 29 Purple Pikmin with little consequence. As a result, I will offer my advice if this option was taken.

Musings

 * If the Sunseed Berry and ultra-spicy spray are obtained, it is likely that a full squad of 95 Pikmin will be available.
 * If 29 Purple Pikmin are taken from the Emergence Cave, it is possible to have completed the White Flower Garden and obtained White Pikmin. The only treasure that White Pikmin would help would be the Stone of Glory- all other treasures are behind fire or would require a tough enemy be defeated.

Squad

 * 66-85 Red Pikmin
 * 10-29 Purple Pikmin

Musings

 * This cave has surprisingly little room for change.
 * I would like to at least muse that the European version has a different strategy to the American version- the Container of Sea Bounty is too heavy for 15 White Pikmin, so the cave must be re-entered, or poison pipes must be destroyed to allow Red Pikmin to help carry it.

Squad

 * 61-70 Red Pikmin
 * 25-34 Purple Pikmin

Note
Like the Emergence Cave, you can obtain 30-34 White Pikmin by revisiting the cave. However, since you may have more to do on this day, and you don't require large amounts of White Pikmin at any point, this is not as high a priority.

Musings

 * The only electrical hazards are Anode Beetles on Sublevel 3. However, one should face the Beady Long Legs with Yellow Pikmin. Additionally, completing a cave after discovering the Yellow Onion will move the Yellow Onion to the landing site.
 * There is a Queen Candypop Bud in this cave. It is also obtained relatively early, and this cave is easy enough that one could easily make use of it.

Squad

 * 32 Red Pikmin
 * 25 Purple Pikmin
 * 15 White Pikmin
 * 20 Yellow Pikmin

Musings

 * The only hazard in this cave is electricity, but interestingly, electrical hazards are still only found on two floors.
 * It is still in your best interest to bring a large party of Yellow Pikmin, because the Giant Breadbug will not offer time to clear the electrical hazards first.
 * Purple Pikmin are recommended for the Spotty Bulbear and Armored Cannon Beetle Larvae.
 * There is a Queen Candypop Bud in this cave. It is located relatively late, but if you're bringing a large squad of Yellow Pikmin anyway, eight less won't hurt.

Squad

 * 0 Red Pikmin
 * 45 Purple Pikmin
 * 0 White Pikmin
 * 47 Yellow Pikmin

Musings

 * Although there is water in the cave, Blue Pikmin are not required.
 * There is one Ivory Candypop Bud and three Violet Candypop Buds. Prioritise Red and Yellow Pikmin first.
 * A large number of Purple Pikmin is recommended for the Emperor Bulblax. 15 of these will come from Candypop Buds.
 * 10 Red Pikmin are recommended for the Gyroid Bust on the last floor. Additionally, the only electric hazards are found on sublevel 4.

Squad

 * 30 Red Pikmin
 * 30 Purple Pikmin
 * 15 White Pikmin
 * 25 Yellow Pikmin

Musings

 * There is no fire in this cave. Only bring Red Pikmin if you intend to use them for Candypop Buds.
 * There are two Ivory Candypop Buds and one Violet one. However, the second Ivory Bud is on the sixth sublevel, and thus might be behind water.
 * There are three Queen Candypop Buds, but two are on sublevel 7, and thus it is not recommended to make room for them.
 * Electrical hazards are at a minimum- only wires on sublevel 4.
 * Twenty Blue Pikmin are required to collect the Salivatrix.

Squad

 * 15 Red Pikmin
 * 25 Purple Pikmin
 * 15 White Pikmin
 * 15 Yellow Pikmin
 * 30 Blue Pikmin

Musings

 * Blue Pikmin only. Still has more liberties than the early dungeons, but not many.
 * 40 Bulbmin are on offer. Go as low as 60 Pikmin.
 * This dungeon does offer challenges, however the vast majority are located on the fourth sublevel, when all Bulbmin have already been loaded.

Squad

 * 60 Blue Pikmin

Musings

 * There are surprisingly few electrical hazards. Wires on the first floor, and Anode Dweevils on the sixth.
 * Fire and poison are similarly limited.
 * Treasures as heavy as 20 may appear in water.
 * There are two Queen Candypop Buds on sublevel 4. Going for one is OK, but going for the second can be potentially problematic.

Squad

 * 15 Red Pikmin
 * 25 Purple Pikmin
 * 15 White Pikmin
 * 15 Yellow Pikmin
 * 30 Blue Pikmin

Musings

 * There are no water hazards. Period.
 * There are three Ivory Buds (sublevel 4) and three Violet ones (sublevel 8). It is fair to base your strategy on this.
 * There are two Queen Candypop Buds, but they are located far too late to have an impact.

Squad

 * 30 Red Pikmin
 * 20 Purple Pikmin
 * 20 White Pikmin
 * 30 Yellow Pikmin
 * 0 Blue Pikmin

Musings

 * There are 20 Bulbmin on offer (sublevel 3 and 6).
 * There are 3 Ivory Candypop Buds and 2 Violet ones. Unfortunately, their distribution means that you cannot use all 20 Bulbmin with them.
 * The hazards are actually relatively limited, and never on a floor you are without Bulbmin when considering careful play.
 * Buried and submerged treasures are present.

Squad

 * 10 Red Pikmin
 * 25 Purple Pikmin
 * 20 White Pikmin
 * 10 Yellow Pikmin
 * 20 Blue Pikmin

Musings

 * There are three Fiery Bulblaxs, and the Segmented Crawbster moves fairly quickly. Red Pikmin are very useful.
 * Electrical hazards are found only on sublevels 1 and 6.
 * There are many treasures that may require water to be crossed, however they are rather light. The heaviest is 15 (American, Wiggle Noggin, Maternal Sculpture, rare) or 20 (European, Container of Knowledge)
 * There is one Ivory, Violet and Queen bud, all on sublevel 5. Use at your own discretion.

Squad

 * 30 Red Pikmin
 * 20 Purple Pikmin
 * 15 White Pikmin
 * 15 Yellow Pikmin
 * 20 Blue Pikmin

Musings

 * Powerful enemies are in abundance. Red and Purple Pikmin are your friends.
 * There are three Queen Candypop Buds and 10 Bulbmin. If you feel you can handle the earlier floors with that few Pikmin, you don't need them.
 * Sublevel 6 is filled with water, and may require a 15 weight treasure to be carried through it. However, the Man-at-Legs and Beady Long Legs are also great considerations for Blue Pikmin.
 * Electricity and poison are rather rare.

Squad

 * 30 Red Pikmin
 * 25 Purple Pikmin
 * 10 Yellow Pikmin
 * 10 White Pikmin
 * 20 Blue Pikmin

Musings

 * Yellow Pikmin are a MUST. Not only for the Titan Dweevil, but the Gatling Groink on the second floor.
 * Hazards of other kinds have large presences. The Talisman of Life needs Blue Pikmin, and poison pipes are plentiful.
 * Purple Pikmin are a luxury, what with the hazards and no Candypop Buds of any kind.

Squad

 * 15 Red Pikmin
 * 15 Purple Pikmin
 * 20 White Pikmin
 * 30 Yellow Pikmin
 * 20 Blue Pikmin