Trial of the Sage Leaf

The Trial of the Sage Leaf is a special Dandori Challenge cave in Pikmin 4. While it is only one cave, it features ten individual Dandori Challenges that give the player unique tasks that differ from other Dandori Challenge caves, such as reaching a specific point in the level, or gathering a specific item. It is directed by the Sage Leaf, a uniquely white leafling whose stated purpose with the trial is to help the player character master dandori.

How to reach
The Trial of the Sage Leaf is only accessible once the player has successfully completed Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, which itself is only accessible after defeating Olimar in Leafy Showdown. Once returned and cured of the leafling state, he will appear by the S.S. Dolphin at Rescue Command Post the following day. Talking to him, one can access the Olimar's Shipwreck Tale side mode. Once the player has achieved the good ending by collecting all 30 ship parts within the 15 days, Olimar will mention that he saw a cave within the area, and Collin confirms this as it appears in the corner behind the Onion, previously hidden by dirt.

Choosing to explore it, for no matter how long, will equal to one in-game day, meaning once the cave is exited the day will end automatically.

1st Story: Bulblaxes
Defeat All the Creatures

"First, a preliminary trial. See if you can defeat all the Bulborbs, Bulblaxes, and Bulbears. " - The Sage Leaf

The 1st Story has a Dandori Level of 3, giving the player 4 minutes to defeat all 11 enemies.

Platinum: 3:59 - 1:45

Gold: 1:44 - 1:20

Silver: 1:19 - 1:00

Bronze: 0:59 and lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 10
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * Tools
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1 (inside sticky mold)
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * &times; 25
 * &times; 10

Hop on Oatchi and head to the room ahead of you, throw your Red Pikmin at the Dwarf Bulborb then pluck the sprouts on your left. Charge your Rush ability using Oatchi, defeat the Bulborb, and pick up the Bomb rock. Next, go to the room with the Dwarf Bulbears and Spotty Bulbear, direct your bomb rock towards the Spotty Bulbear, and finish it off with a Rush. Next, go to the room with the Ice Pikmin sprouts and pluck them. After that, you can ignore the Dirt wall and backtrack towards the Ice wall and use Rush to break through. Defeat the Whiptongue Bulborb and pluck the Ice Pikmin. Then, Defeat the Fiery Bulblax in the next room, get rid of the Sticky mold which blocks a Bouncy Mushroom, and jump on to pluck more Red Pikmin. Now, guide the Frosty Bulborb to the Fire geyser to defeat it. After that defeat the Dwarf Orange Bulborb and the Orange Bulborb with a perfectly angled Rush attack.

It is recommended to have acquired the Plucking Whistle prior to attempting this Dandori Challenge as it would be easier to pluck your Pikmin and save time.

Alternatively, you could go to the room in front of you and throw your Pikmin on the two Dwarf Bulborbs and pluck the Red Pikmin sprouts. Go to your left and hop on Oatchi and rush through the two Dwarf Bulbears and to the room with Ice Pikmin sprouts and pluck them. Then rush through the Dwarf Bulbears again, defeating them, and try to hit the Spotty Bulbear in the rear. After you defeat it, go back to the room with the the Bulborb and beat it up. Then, after defeating it, pick up the Bomb rock and charge your Ice Pikmin at the Ice gate. Walk though the iron bars and throw your Pikmin at the Fiery Bulblax and defeat it. Go to the left and defeat the Whiptongue Bulborb, then pluck the Ice Pikmin. Once the Ice gate is broken, call Oatchi and go behind you to the room with the Sticky mold and charge everyone towards the mushrooms. After it is removed, jump on the Bouncy Mushroom and pluck the Pikmin and go right. Trick the Frosty Bulborb into the Fire geyser, melting the ice on its back, and rush it. After defeating it, go forward, and take out your Bomb rock and throw it in the middle of the Orange Bulborb and Dwarf Orange Bulborb particularly from outside their territory so they don't move away from it.

2nd Story: Snow Problem
Reach the Sage Leaf

''Build yourself a clay mound, and come find me. Be careful not to freeze in the meantime.''

The 2nd Story has a Dandori Level of 3, giving the player 6 minutes to reach the Sage Leaf. To do so, the player must collect 45 pieces of raw material from the material piles scattered around the stage and use them to build a ledge.

Platinum: 6:00 - 1:45

Gold: 1:44 - 1:20

Silver: 1:19 - 1:00

Bronze: 0:59 or lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 10
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 5
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * Hydro jelly &times; 3
 * Ice wall &times; 2
 * Clay mound &times; 1 (requires 45 material)
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * &times; 25 (5 inside a hydro jelly, 15 buried)

Your first priority should be to collect the Fire starters and use them to light the torches and burn the hay. Utilize the extra Fire starters you get from the torches to destroy the Hydro jellies and the Ice wall. Oatchi's main job will be destroying enemies as you go, so make sure to have Thermal Defense and upgraded Rush and possibly Chomp on him. As the material piles are all small, it is likely faster first to collect the farther away ones each in one go while clearing the enemies, then set a few Pikmin to build the Clay mound while the rest collect the nearer material groups in two rounds.

3rd Story: Dig Deep
Collect All the Treasures

''Those who perfect the art of excavation can call themselves Dandori masters. Don't let it be an elusive dream... Dig away!''

The 3rd Story has a Dandori Level of 3, giving the player 5 minutes to collect all 15 treasures.

Platinum: 4:59 - 1:00

Gold: 0:59 - 0:45

Silver: 0:44 - 0:30

Bronze: 0:29 and lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 10
 * &times; 10
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 1 (partially buried)
 * &times; 2 (partially buried)
 * &times; 1 (partially buried)
 * &times; 1 (partially buried)
 * &times; 1 (in dirt mound)
 * &times; 1 (fully buried)
 * &times; 1 (partially buried)
 * &times; 1 (partially buried)
 * &times; 1 (partially buried)
 * &times; 1 (inside Glint Beetle)
 * &times; 1 (inside Glint Beetle)
 * &times; 1 (inside Glint Beetle)
 * &times; 1 (fully buried)
 * &times; 1 (fully buried)
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * Narrow tunnel
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * &times; 25 (buried)
 * &times; 5 (buried)
 * &times; 5 (buried)

4th Story: Dandori Seas
Reach the Sage Leaf

Collect all the treasures in the sea, then come find me.

The 4th Story has a Dandori Level of 3, giving the player 7 minutes to collect all 15 treasures, opening the gate to the Sage Leaf.

Platinum: 6:59 - 2:30

Gold: 2:29 - 2:00

Silver: 1:59 - 1:00

Bronze: 0:59 and lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 5
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 3
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 2
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * Tin box icon.png Tin box &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * Numbered gate &times; 1 (locked by the fifteen treasures)
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * &times; 30 (20 are buried)
 * &times; 15 (buried)

Start by sending the player character to pluck the two sets of Winged Pikmin (the Plucking Whistle can obtain the second set from across the ramp) while Oatchi kills the nearby Watery Blowhog for five Blue Pikmin. Have Oatchi jump into the water and travel to the Tin Box and push it (you will need to dismiss your Blue Pikmin to have him do it). Meanwhile, take the player character to the far island to pluck the last Winged Pikmin, grab the three Cupid's Grenades, and send them to break the large egg for an Ultra-Spicy Spray. Call the five Blue Pikmin from the bush and put them on the Stellar Extrusion. Send the player to the small area near the Tin Box and sound the Idler's Alert while Oatchi plucks the ten Blue Pikmin under the box and the five on that same area, then use the Ultra-Spicy Spray and have his squad kill the Bug-Eyed Crawmad and obtain another. Use the Winged Pikmin in two waves to collect the six sushi pieces while Oatchi and the Blue Pikmin collect the remaining treasures with the other Ultra-Spicy Spray.

5th Story: The White Key
Capture the White Jewel

''When the nine dragon jewels have been gathered, the way will open. Do you have what it takes to capture the white jewel?''

The 5th Story has a Dandori Level of 4, giving the player 7 minutes to collect all 9 treasures and afterward the White Onion. Completing this story allows the player to produce White Pikmin with the Onion, and on repeat completions will award the player with an additional 10 White Pikmin.

Platinum: 6:59 - 1:45

Gold: 1:44 - 1:20

Silver: 1:19 - 1:00

Bronze: 0:59 and lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 7
 * &times; 14
 * &times; 7
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1 (hanging from web)
 * &times; 1 (partially buried)
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1 (hanging from web)
 * &times; 1 (hanging from web)
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * &times; 9
 * Sticky mold &times; 1 (with poison Spotcaps)
 * Numbered gate &times; 1 (locked by the nine treasures)
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * &times; 14 (7 are buried)
 * &times; 7 (buried)
 * &times; 14 (7 are buried)

Start by immediately sending your Winged Pikmin on the webbed Sphere of Heart, and your White Pikmin to the Sphere of Desire on the floor right under the starting point. Go with your Rock Pikmin to uproot the seven White Pikmin next to the White Onion, and use Rush at the Arctic Cannon Beetle to kill it. Rush through the poison mushrooms with Oatchi, kill the Miniature Snootwhackers with a Rush and send seven Winged Pikmin to the climbing stick leading to the Sphere of Vitality. Send seven Rock Pikmin to uproot and carry the burrowed Sphere of Beginnings. At this point, you should be able to use the Idler's Alert to get your first fourteen Pikmin from the first treasures back. Get the webbed Sphere of Good Fortune down using Winged Pikmin, and take the path towards the Mammoth Snootwhacker. On the way, kill the Moldy Dwarf Bulborbs using Oatchi's Rush, collect the Ultra-Spicy Spray from the left egg in the dead-end, and get the White Pikmin you got to carry the Sphere of Family. Kill the Mammoth Snootwhacker using the Rock Pikmin you have and the Ultra-Spicy Spray, get the replacement Ultra-Spicy Spray it drops, get the Sphere of Calm using Winged Pikmin, and send some remaining White Pikmin or Rock Pikmin to dig up the Onion while the last treasures are getting transported. Prepare 20 Winged Pikmin once you have all the treasures, give them the Ultra-Spicy Spray and rush them towards the Onion as soon as the gate opens. If the time is low, use White Pikmin or Oatchi with Swallow instead.

6th Story: Gimmick Gambit
Reach the Sage Leaf

''Can you outsmart the gimmicks and defeat the gambit? Show me the extent of your wits.'' The 6th Story has a Dandori Level of 4, giving the player 4 minutes to collect all 3 treasures, open the 5 gates, and reach the Sage Leaf.

Platinum: 3:59 - 1:45

Gold: 1:44 - 1:20

Silver: 1:19 - 1:00

Bronze: 0:59 and lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 10
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 3
 * Enemies:
 * (carrying bomb rock) &times; indefinite
 * Obstacles:
 * Iron gate &times; 2
 * &times; 7
 * Fan &times; 3
 * Numbered gate &times; 1 (locked by the three treasures)
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * &times; 5 (buried)

Immediately throw 5 Red Pikmin on a nearby mushroom to push down a rope. Scale the rope and throw one Pikmin on the same mushroom to open the metal gate. To collect the three treasures, move the base over, have the Pikmin destroy the ice geyser, use the five Pikmin that don't go for the nearby Sphere to pull down the one on a web, and have Oatchi Rush and collect the third one. Next walk into the new area and bait the exploding Dweevil to the glass gate. Finally throw one Pikmin onto the conveyer belt and do the puzzle involving switching the conveyor belts. The final gate will open and you can proceed to the Sage Leaf.

It is also possible to skip the entire level and reach the Sage Leaf using a well-timed jump with Oatchi.

7th Story: One Fell Jump
Defeat All the Creatures

''Try scattering the area with overwhelming force. How many can you thump out at once?'' The 7th Story has a Dandori Level of 4, giving the player 1 minute to kill all 99 creatures.

Platinum: 0:59 - 0:12

Gold: 0:11 - 0:08

Silver: 0:07 - 0:04

Bronze: 0:03 and lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 5
 * Enemies:
 * x90
 * x9
 * Obstacles:
 * None
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * None

Send Oatchi to kill things as soon as he isn't doing something. In the meantime, throw your Purple Pikmin in the biggest packs of enemies, trying not to target isolated enemies too much. Don't bother recalling Pikmin too often as long as you have at least two Purple Pikmin with you, as it takes too long. The best way to succeed in this challenge is to use the stomp from the thrown Purple Pikmin in the biggest packs possible (defeating multiple enemies in groups). Oatchi will usually chomp down the stray or isolated enemies once their numbers are reduced, so focus on killing big packs at once. Prioritize the Shearfleas, which can avoid the shockwaves from a thrown Purple Pikmin if they're jumping and will prevent Oatchi or the player from acting if they're allowed to latch onto them. Rushes are also effective at eliminating clustered enemies, and if absolutely necessary either Oatchi or the player can serve as live bait to get enemies clustered together.

8th Story: Crowded Kitchen
 Collect All the Treasures

''Powerful Purples and Whirlwind Whites. Can you put them both to work effectively?'' The 8th Story has a Dandori Level of 4, giving the player 4 minutes to collect all 100 treasures.

Platinum: 3:59 - 1:00

Gold: 0:59 - 0:45

Silver: 0:44 - 0:30

Bronze: 0:29 and lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * None
 * Treasures:
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 2
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1 (fully buried)
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 90 (piles of 20, 30, and 40)
 * Enemies:
 * None
 * Obstacles:
 * Jar set &times; 3 (2 are together)
 * Potted plant &times; 1
 * Bag &times; 1
 * Cardboard box &times; 1
 * Sticky mold &times; 2 (one is poison)
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * Candypop Bud (Purple) &times; 1
 * &times; 20 (5 inside one set of jars, 10 inside the other two, 5 buried under the Mysterious Carriage)

You'll want the Plucking Whistle for this. First have Oatchi rush the nearest jars to gain five White Pikmin; send the player and those White Pikmin to the poison Kingcap and have them work on it. Meanwhile, destroy the Sticky molds with Oatchi and Rush the remaining jars, then call the last five White Pikmin out from under the Mysterious Carriage. Throw them all onto the Eggs and then have Oatchi go to the Candypop Bud. Have the player throw their White Pikmin into the Bud and then go to gather the flowered White Pikmin and go through the bars to have them pull the potted plant. Using Oatchi, Rush the ledge with the Citrus Lumps, then bring the Purple Pikmin to deflate the bag and send Oatchi to carry the Mysterious Carriage. Use the player to call the Purple Pikmin, flower them (Oatchi's lower throw height makes getting the Purple Pikmin up there very tedious), and throw one to push the box. The plant should be pulled by now, so throw Purple Pikmin onto the treasures in that area. Send Oatchi to the far corner to pull the fishing line while the player distributes the White Pikmin onto the three piles of Gold Nuggets and has the one Purple Pikmin grab the Gold Nugget it can now collect. As things are collected, have Oatchi collect the Anxious Sprout and clean up the other treasures with the Purples.

9th Story: Turf Turmoil
 Defeat All the Creatures

''A territorial battle with survival on the line. Don't let natural selection get the better of you. Show those creatures who's superior.'' The 9th Story has a Dandori Level of 5, giving the player 5 minutes to defeat all 6 creatures.

Platinum: 4:59 - 1:30

Gold: 1:29 - 1:10

Silver: 1:09 - 0:45

Bronze: 0:44 and lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 15
 * Enemies:
 * x2
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * Crystal wall &times; 2
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * &times; 5
 * Candypop Bud (Purple) &times; 3

Start by sending five Rock Pikmin to the Porquillion and let them fight it by themselves while you do the rest of the challenge. Pluck the five Rock Pikmin in the corner and Rush the two Mama Sheargrubs to kill them. Break the Crystal wall, and send five Rock Pikmin in the Purple Candypop Bud while you go walk over the Foolix to make it spawn. Pluck the 5 Purple Pikmin, send two to tug on the Foolix's tail, and Rush at it as soon as it's vulnerable. To kill it in the quickest way, repeat a cycle of: chomp twice then Rush with Oatchi as soon as you can, which should allow you to kill it in two cycles. After the Foolix is dead, spawn five more Purple Pikmin while going to the Burrowing Snagret arena, prompt it to spawn, get the Purple Pikmin, and wait for it to plant itself into the ground and get stuck, then Rush it. It should shake the Pikmin off before dying but only require to get Rushed while it's trying to come out of the ground once or twice. Transform the next five Purple Pikmin using the Candypop Bud, but do not waste time breaking the wall! Just go through the center room (without provoking the Emperor Bulblax) While you wait for the Candypop Bud seeds to sprout, send Oatchi to the dirt moat next to the Porquillon and get him to dig up the Ultra-Spicy Spray. Once you have gotten the five Purple Pikmin, go back to the Porquillon which should be a few hits from death, finish him, get the Ultra Spicy Spray, and go with Oatchi to kill the Emperor Bulblax by Rushing every time you can (once it's done attacking if it attacked first).

Final Story: The Purple Key
 Capture the Purple Jewel

''Can you capture the purple jewel of the earth? Use your skills to determine what needs to be done, and what doesn't.'' The 10th Story has a Dandori Level of 5, giving the player 5 minutes to collect the Purple Onion. Completing this story allows the player to produce Purple Pikmin with the Onion, while future completions will reward the player with 10 Purple Pikmin.

Platinum: 4:59 - 1:15

Gold: 1:14 - 0:45

Silver: 0:44 - 0:15

Bronze: 0:14 and lower


 * Starting Pikmin:
 * &times; 20
 * Enemies:
 * &times; 1
 * , indefinitely from Dirt-mound
 * &times; 5
 * &times; 1 Falls around the Purple onion
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * Obstacles:
 * Crystal wall icon.png Crystal wall &times; 1
 * &times; 1
 * Hydro jelly &times; 2
 * Ice wall &times; 1
 * Bag &times; 2 (one 50 weight, one 100 weight)
 * Potted plant &times; 1
 * Wild Pikmin:
 * &times; 25 (5 buried, 10 in each hydro jelly)
 * &times; 3 (inside a hydro jelly)
 * Candypop Bud (Purple) &times; 2
 * Others
 * &times; 1 (single time)

Have the player character pluck the five Ice Pikmin at the start (or preferably use the Plucking Whistle) and break the Hydro jelly on the upper level containing three Purple Pikmin and ten more Ice Pikmin. Have Oatchi Rush the Purple Onion to knock it down and then have him swallow it. Destroy the Waterwraith's rollers (you don't need to kill it afterwards, just chase it away if it's in the way) and the Dwarf Bulbear that spawns, then have the Purple Pikmin lower the bag. Use Purple Pikmin to kill the Bulborb Larvae so the Ice Pikmin can destroy their spawn point, then kill both Blowhogs with all the Pikmin (and the help of Oatchi if he arrives before you're done; make sure to send him to Swallow the Onion again if he does). Repeat this strategy with the Desiccated Skitter Leaves, the Ice wall, and the Arctic Cannon Larva, using Oatchi for sure this time. Transform five more Ice Pikmin into Purple Pikmin and use them to lower the bag, then wait for Oatchi to waddle his way to the ship.

Names in other languages
Trial of the Sage Leaf

1st Story: Bulblaxes

2nd Story: Snow Problem

3rd Story: Dig Deep

4th Story: Dandori Seas

5th Story: The White Key

6th Story: Gimmick Gambit

7th Story: One Fell Jump

8th Story: Crowded Kitchen

9th Story: Turf Turmoil

Final Story: The Purple Key

Trivia

 * In the 9th story, the boss music speeds up when less than a minute remains on the clock.
 * Many of the stories in the Trial of the Sage Leaf are remixed versions of previously existing Dandori Challenges and cave sublevels in Pikmin 4.
 * 1st Story: Bulblaxes is a modified version of Cliff-Hanger's Hold.
 * 2nd Story: Snow Problem is a modified version of Hefty Haulway.
 * 3rd Story: Dig Deep is a modified version of Oasis of Order.
 * 4th Story: Dandori Seas is a modified version of Planning Pools.
 * 7th Story: One Fell Jump is a modified version of sublevel 4 of the Secluded Courtyard.
 * 8th Story: Crowded Kitchen is a modified version of Rockaway Cellars.
 * 9th Story: Turf Turmoil is a modified version of Toggle Training.
 * 10th Story: The Purple Key is a modified version of sublevel 3 of the Engulfed Castle
 * Unlike other stories that use modified versions of maps that are already in Pikmin 4, 5th Story: The White Key uses a recreated version of the cave unit seen on sublevel 5 of Subterranean Complex and sublevel 4 of Dream Den.
 * A unique music track plays in each story in this cave.