Pikmin Type Reference

Bring the right sprout for the job.

Sources checked 3 November 2026

A cave encounter and an Onion unlock are different milestones. The access notes below are community documented; exact retrieval routes are not implied.

Original diagram matching fire, electricity and water jobs to Pikmin abilities

Choose a job

Fire hazards and ground combat

Red Pikmin

Ability / resistance: Fire resistance and a strong combat role.
Limitation: Water and electricity still require another solution.
Practical use: Assign Reds to a fire-blocked route, then keep that transport corridor clear.
Documented access: Tutorial progression at the Rescue Command Post.

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Electrical obstacles and elevated targets

Yellow Pikmin

Ability / resistance: Electrical resistance and higher throws.
Limitation: A high throw does not grant flight or water safety.
Practical use: Keep a small Yellow group available when an elevated target interrupts a route.
Documented access: Wild Pikmin in Crackling Cauldron; a Yellow Onion also exists on Sun-Speckled Terrace.

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Ponds and submerged routes

Blue Pikmin

Ability / resistance: Can work underwater.
Limitation: Water safety does not protect against fire or electricity.
Practical use: Use Blues for work that stays submerged, rather than depending on a temporary ice platform.
Documented access: A Blue Onion is available in Sun-Speckled Terrace. Retrieval prerequisites still apply.

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Water crossings and crowd control

Ice Pikmin

Ability / resistance: Freezes enemies and water.
Limitation: Water stays frozen only while the required Ice Pikmin remain assigned.
Practical use: Treat a frozen pond as an ongoing squad commitment; finish crossings before recalling the group.
Documented access: Wild Ice Pikmin in Last-Frost Cavern. This does not unlock the Ice Onion.

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Crystal barriers

Rock Pikmin

Ability / resistance: Breaks crystal obstacles.
Limitation: Crystal-breaking ability does not grant universal hazard immunity.
Practical use: Reserve Rocks for a crystal obstacle that blocks several later jobs.
Documented access: Documented in Kingdom of Beasts sublevel 2; Rock Onion in Giant's Hearth.

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Airborne transport

Winged Pikmin

Ability / resistance: Flies and can carry over water.
Limitation: Cannot replace Blues for work beneath the water.
Practical use: Watch the actual carrying path before assuming that flight gives the shortest route.
Documented access: Below-Grade Discotheque in Serene Shores; Onion in Primordial Thicket.

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Heavy objects on safe ground

Purple Pikmin

Ability / resistance: Heavy carrying strength.
Limitation: Moves slowly; capacity and journey time are different constraints.
Practical use: Use heavy carriers where strength is the bottleneck and compare the whole delivery time.
Documented access: Engulfed Castle sublevel 5 Candypop Buds; Purple Onion from the final Sage Leaf trial.

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Poison hazards

White Pikmin

Ability / resistance: Poison resistance; harmful to enemies when eaten.
Limitation: Being eaten still loses the Pikmin. This is not a safe combat plan.
Practical use: Clear poison tasks with Whites and recall them before avoidable attacks.
Documented access: Subzero Sauna Candypop Buds; White Onion from Trial of the Sage Leaf story 5.

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Night expeditions; cave use via Glow Seeds

Glow Pikmin

Ability / resistance: Night specialist with a stunning group light attack.
Limitation: Not a normal daytime Onion squad.
Practical use: Protect the expedition objective and regroup before committing the squad.
Documented access: Night expeditions after rescuing Yonny and a leafling; no Onion.

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Official abilities: Nintendo. Access notes: Pikipedia. Checked 3 November 2026. Nintendo abilities overview

Choosing a three-type squad Oatchi skills Cave preparation