Perplexing Pool

Gather your pikmin and make your way out of the landing zone toward the grassy landscape ahead. You spot a yellow onion and yellow pikmin in the distance. Take out some red and white pikmin; you’ll need them both to get to those yellows. As you explore ahead, watch out for the wollywog (the frog-like creature). When you attack, whistle your pikmin back before they’ve fallen underneath the wollywog’s damaging leap attack. Search around the stump for some nectar and find burrowed enemies near the edge of the landing spot.

Follow the water around to the right and find another set of rock platforms. Once again you must utilize weight to get your captain up onto the ledge. Toss your pikmin, except one, onto the ledge. Stand on the platform and toss the lone pikmin onto the other stone to elevate to the ledge. Beware of the swooping creature that will steal some pikmin. Launch your own at its body to send it to the ground where you can attack in force.

Free the yellow pikmin and you can add them (and create more) to your ranks.

Approach the fiery bulblax at the stump. Use your red pikmin to defeat the beast. Sneak up behind as the beast sleeps and then toss your red pikmin onto its back. Navigate your white pikmin to the poisonous wall and break it down. Whistle to the yellows to gather them. Use them to pick up pellets from nearby posies to bolster your yellow pikmin ranks.

From the stone elevator platforms, continue forward toward the log. You’ll spot these logs throughout these areas. Use a handful of pikmin on the log and they’ll extend a bridge over the water. These provide helpful shortcuts or even access to new locations. Keep an eye on the bridges; sometimes burrowing beasts nibble on the bridges and return them to their previous state. There might also be the mold-like growth infecting spiderwort plants here. Attack the web-like area to return the plants to their natural state.

Look on a high stump on the right side for some treasure. You’ll need the excellent leaping ability of the yellow pikmin to reach it. Toss your yellow pikmin (at least 10) up onto the stump and retrieve the can opener (Impediment Scourge) so it can be taken back to the ship.

From this same position, move toward the water to the left of the spiderwort plants (if facing the landing site) and spot another treasure on a high precipice. Command just your yellow pikmin (at least 15) and find a ramp on the left side of this area. Use the "C-stick" to keep your yellow pikmin against the wall so they don’t accidentally fall into the water. Navigate around the narrow path to the right so you’re just under the treasure. Toss the high-jumping yellow pikmin up to the treasure. They’ll return the pickle can top (Gherkin Gate) to the ship.

The yellow pikmin are immune to electricity attacks so use them to destroy the electric fences.

Approach the far right edge toward the river and spot an electric fence blocking a path on the right side. Use your yellow pikmin to disable the lower the electric fence. Maneuver through and spot the entrance to a new cave.

Glutton’s Kitchen

Pikmin Needed: Yellow, Purple (recommended)

Sublevel 1: There are groups of small bulbears scattered throughout this level. Attempt to fight these creatures one at a time to minimize the risk of pikmin losses. Locate the crayon (Master’s Instrument), which might require tossing to, and return it to the pod. Proceed to the next sublevel.

Sublevel 2: Beware of breadbugs stealing treasures. If they take one into their home, you must kill the breadbug to recover the treasure. Locate and return the cap (Massive Lid) and cookie (Imperative Cookie) to the pod. If either is up high, you’ll need those yellow pikmin to reach it. Descend to the next level.

Sublevel 3: This level contains electrical traps and beetles that require the expertise of your yellow pikmin. To defeat the beetles, toss your yellow pikmin onto the creature to flip it over and then swarm it. Once again watch for breadbug’s hauling treasure around. Locate the Harmonic Synthesizer and Director of Destiny and return them to the pod. Also beware of the blowhog hovering around the area. Its burst of wind can blow the flowers right off your mature pikmin. Avoid it or defeat it by tossing pikmin onto its body. You’ll knock it to the ground where the blowhog can be swarmed. Enter the next sublevel.

Navigate the fourth sublevel carefully and be prepared to battle the large bulbear.

Sublevel 4: The large bulbear is the biggest danger here. Use some ultra-bitter if you have it or toss pikmin onto its back while keeping your main force out of the vicinity of the beast’s mouth. The bulbear ingested some treasure. Return the cap (Happiness Emblem) to the pod. Attack the smaller bulbears one at a time if possible. There are also breadbugs lurking about so check to see if they’re dragging treasure around. If you can’t find treasure, kill the breadbugs. Return the mug (Invigorator) and candy (White Goodness) to the pod. If any treasure lies up high, use the yellow pikmin to retrieve it. Proceed down.

Sublevel 5: This sublevel contains cannon creatures that launch rocks. Note that these rocks not only smash pikmin but the rocks also eliminate enemy creatures too. Keep your pikmin in a safe location (away from the possible line of fire from launched rocks). Use your captain to explore the area and use the launched rocks to defeat the sublevels other creatures. Just stand between the cannon and the other creature; wait for a rock to launch; and then move out of the way to watch the rock collide with the creature. Search the level’s alcove for a possible purple candypop bud and create some purple pikmin using your yellow pikmin (or red if you brought some). Defeat the cannon creatures by moving some pikmin close to the creature’s area. Use the "C-stick" to get the pikmin as close as possible and the launched rocks roll over them. Launch the pikmin at the creature to defeat the cannon beast. Return the triangular cap (Boom Cone) and antenna (Sulking Antenna) to the pod. Continue down to the next level.

Secure the treasure quickly or the breadbugs might steal it for themselves. If that happens you must defeat the breadbug to retrieve the hidden treasure.

Sublevel 6: Breadbugs are on the loose and snagging the cavern’s final treasures! If the breadbugs drag treasures to their home, you’ll have to eliminate the creatures. Work quickly by gathering your yellow pikmin (to navigate the electrical traps and beetles easier) and pick up the treasures before the breadbugs can grab them. Recover the donut (Sweet Dreamer), slice of meat (Meat of Champions), and egg (Hideous Victual). The final treasure may be inside the big breadbug. Eliminate it and gather the Dream Material, which enhances your captains with anti-electricity suits. Exit the cavern and return to the Perplexing Pool.

There’s another cave entrance near your landing spot. From the landing site, approach the river ahead toward the left side. Locate the cave within a decayed stump. Enter the Citadel of Spiders.

Citadel of Spiders

Pikmin Needed: Red, Yellow, White, Purple (recommended)

Sublevel 1: Beware of burrowed grubs as you explore. Recover the tomato (Love Nugget) and return it to the research pod. Continue down to the next sublevel.

Red pikmin are immune to fire so use them to disable these fire traps.

Sublevel 2: Destroy the fire traps with red pikmin. Defeat the red fire dweevils with red pikmin only. These creatures can also carry around treasure and dead bodies. Beware of the wollywog leap attack if you engage the creatures. Whistle your pikmin back before they’re tossed off and smashed under the leap. Return the cap (Creative Inspiration), duck head (Paradoxical Enigma), which must be dug up by any pikmin type, and finally the lipstick (Lip Service) to the pod before continuing down.

Sublevel 3: Patrol the room with yellow pikmin to disable electric traps and beetles. Search alcoves for a possible candypop bud that creates more red or yellow pikmin. Return the nuts (Patience Tester) to the pod. Another treasure might be buried requiring whites to excavate. Carry the shell (Memorial Shell) to the pod. Continue down!

Sublevel 4: Disable flame traps with your red pikmin. When you spot the crawfish-like creature, keep your pikmin away from it. Detach your captain and approach the crawfish to lure it out of its hole. As it returns, gather your nearby pikmin and swarm it; the crawfish won’t attack on its return trip. Repeat until it has been defeated. Return the matches (Flame of Tomorrow), candy (King of Sweets), and locket (Time Capsule) to the pod. If there are any candypop buds on the level, take advantage and create rare pikmin.

Avoid the giant spider as it moves around the chamber. Attack only after the spider rests and lowers its body into range.

Sublevel 5: Approach the large chamber to trigger the appearance of the long legs. Avoid the long legs while it walks around. After a few steps it rests and dips its "body" toward the floor. When it does, toss some pikmin (preferably purple onto the enemy). Once the long legs shakes off the attack, whistle your pikmin back and retreat. Wait for the long legs to step around and repeat your assault. Gather the treasure, The Key, after defeating the boss. Before leaving, use white pikmin to dig up the jewel (Regal Diamond). If you have trouble locating the treasure, follow your gauge. Exit via the geyser.

You’re back in the Perplexing Pool but you need new pikmin to proceed. At the conclusion of the day, return to the Awakening Wood so you can hunt down blue pikmin!