Hazard

This article or section is in need of more images.
You can help Pikipedia by uploading some images.

The term hazard in the Pikmin games refers to anything that can endanger Pikmin, including the creatures, non-living traps, and other dangers on PNF-404. In general, hazards are merely concepts, not objects, i.e. a hazard is the potential danger, not the object that actually emits the danger. Pikmin 2 lists the existing hazards on its sunset menu screen. All types of hazards are listed below.

Hazards that suffocate the top of a Pikmin's stem – fire, water, and poison – will cause Pikmin to run around in panic. If they are not rescued after a few seconds, they succumb to the hazard and die. They can be saved by being whistled, although they can simply be bumped against by a leader in Pikmin 3. In Pikmin 2, if a Pikmin is under the effects of an ultra-spicy spray, stem-related hazards take half the normal amount of time to kill it.

Fire

A fire geyser.

Main article: Fire.

Fire usually occurs as torrents of flame spat by fire geysers and some enemies, although there are also enemies that have fiery bodies. Only Red Pikmin and Bulbmin are immune to fire. Other Pikmin burn up, and leaders that aren't adequately protected will also take damage.

Water

Water being ejected by a Watery Blowhog.

Main article: Water.

The water hazard effect is sourced from pools of water, and water released by enemies. Pikmin that enter water bodies start to drown, but have a chance to survive if they are repeatedly whistled toward a shore. Pikmin hit by jets or globs of water panic and suffocate until whistled. Only Blue Pikmin and Bulbmin can safely travel in water or resist water-based hazards.

Electricity

An electrical wire.

Main article: Electricity.

Electricity is a dangerous hazard in Pikmin 2, but a non-fatal obstacle in Pikmin 3. Pikmin that get zapped in Pikmin 2 die instantaneously, while Pikmin in Pikmin 3 get stunned into a paralysis, until whistled back up. Some enemies and obstacles emit electrical currents, and electric gates are constantly electrified. Only Yellow Pikmin and Bulbmin are immune to electric shocks. Leaders that aren't protected with shock-resistant equipment will be damaged and get knocked down to the ground.

Poison

A gas pipe.

Main article: Poison.

Poison is hazardous gas that Pikmin cannot breathe. Gas pipes and some enemies emit clouds of poison. Only White Pikmin and Bulbmin can withstand poison. Since leaders are inside their spacesuits, poison does not affect them.

Crush

A Calcified Crushblat crushing Pikmin.

Main article: Crush.

Some obstacles and enemies can crush Pikmin and leaders. This is fatal for all Pikmin except Rock Pikmin and Winged Pikmin (though Winged Pikmin can still be crushed by the Quaggled Mireclops and the Plasm Wraith's crystal cubes).

Stab

File:Impaled Pikmin.jpeg

A Flighty Joustmite stabbing Pikmin.

Main article: Stab.

Some enemies stab Pikmin, and most of the time, proceed to eat the stabbed Pikmin while it is helpless. In Hey! Pikmin, stabbing attacks kill right away. Rock Pikmin cannot be stabbed, and merely get bounced back by any such attack.

Other hazards

Although less common than the previously mentioned hazards, there are still many more that appear throughout the games.

Explosion

A bomb rock close to detonation.

Main article: Bomb rock.

Bomb rocks explode, and any Pikmin caught in the blast will die. Leaders will also be severely hurt. In Pikmin and Pikmin 3, Pikmin can carry and throw bomb rocks at enemies, making explosions both a tool and a danger. In Pikmin 2, bomb rocks are mostly a threat to the player's group, and the attacks of a Gatling Groink or Man-at-Legs also count as explosive hazards.

Eating

See more: Enemy.

Eating is a method of attack exclusive to enemies. It will instantly kill most Pikmin, with the only type having some kind of benefit being White Pikmin, which poison creatures when swallowed.

Pit

Main article: Pit.

Pits are bottomless chasms outside the boundaries of every sublevel of every cave, as well as the bottomless pit in The Forest Navel. If Pikmin are thrown over the edge of the level or leave its walls or floor by a glitch, they fall to their deaths. Enemies can be killed by this as well, a strategy that can be used to one's advantage.

Wind

See more: Blowhog family.

Wind is a rare hazard only used by the Puffy Blowhog and Withering Blowhog, when they blow away leaders and their Pikmin. It will temporarily stun both, though Purple Pikmin are immune to it in Pikmin 2.

Spore

See more: Mushroom Pikmin.

Spores are a rare hazard used by just one enemy, the Puffstool. Any Pikmin that are exposed to them will become Mushroom Pikmin, and will attack leaders until shaken off.

Sunset

Two Bulborbs hunting for prey at sunset in Pikmin.

At the end of the day, all Pikmin not in the landing area, in a leader's group, or planted in the ground will die – they will be eaten by aggressive nocturnal beasts. During the liftoff cutscene at sunset, Pikmin seen running from enemies indicate the type (and after Pikmin, the number) of Pikmin left behind. Enemies can also be killed during this cutscene by White Pikmin or other enemies.

Panic

Main article: Panic.

Panic is a hazard that causes Pikmin to run around in a frenzy, but will eventually fade away and not cause any damage to the Pikmin. It can also be solved immediately by calling a panicked Pikmin with the whistle. Panic has taken many different forms throughout the series, and is sourced from many enemies. In Pikmin 2, Purple Pikmin are immune to standard panic.

Bubble

Pikmin trapped in bubbles.

Waddlepuses and Peckish Aristocrabs can release a stream of bubbles which trap Pikmin and leaders. Bubbles that catch anything pop after some time, and all bubbles pop if a thrown Pikmin hit them. Bubbles that catch leaders will also pop if the player controls the leader by quickly shaking the analog stick for some time. Winged Pikmin can be told to charge at a bubble, but if too many of them charge it at once, the bubble will rise up to the sky at a quick speed.

Web

A web with an arachnode.

Webs are hazards that cause a Pikmin to become stuck. A Pikmin can eventually be freed from a web by whistling to it. So far, Arachnodes are the only enemy seen to create webs. If a Pikmin is caught on a web, the Arachnode will attempt to eat it. If the Arachnode is killed, the web will disappear. Winged Pikmin are especially prone to being caught, as they cannot walk under the web like other Pikmin.