Editing Carry

{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y|p4=y|hp=y|pb=y}}

[[File:Carrying.jpg|thumb|250px|In ''Pikmin 2'', a [[Fiery Blowhog]] requires the strength of seven Pikmin to lift it. Here, there are eight [[Yellow Pikmin]] carrying it.]]

In the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]], [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] are able to '''carry''' ({{j|運ぶ|Hakobu|Carry|}}) various kinds of objects towards a destination. Carrying is one of the main mechanics of the ''Pikmin'' games, as it is how key items like [[ship part]]s, [[treasure]]s, and [[fruit]]s are collected.

In order to carry an object, the object must be lifted by a group of Pikmin large enough to support its [[weight]]. Objects will normally be carried to either the [[Onion]] or the [[Ship (disambiguation)|ship]], though some objects will be carried [[#Objects|elsewhere]]. When a Pikmin is ordered to carry an object that can be carried, it will grab onto its perimeter to help carry the object. If the object is too heavy, the Pikmin will just stand in place, periodically trying to pull it up, but once enough Pikmin grab onto the object, they will be able to carry it away.

While an object is being carried, [[idle]] Pikmin nearby will attempt to help the carriers, if there is enough space around the object. If there is enough space for the new Pikmin, it will attempt to go the spot, and when it gets close, it will join them and the overall carrying speed will change accordingly. In the first two games, the carriers briefly halt in order for the new Pikmin to join them, but in ''Pikmin 3'' and ''Pikmin 4'', adding and subtracting Pikmin fluently changes the carrying velocity. If a Pikmin cannot join carrying for a few seconds, it will sigh and become idle. If there are no free spots to begin with, the Pikmin will just remain idle, or attempt to work on a different task. When called, the Pikmin will let go of the object and come to the [[leader]]'s side.

In ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', the Pikmin gather around the object as if its perimeter is always a circle. Most objects have a circular radius, but for the objects that do not (such as the [[Prototype Detector]]), some Pikmin will be seen clearly holding on to nothing. In ''Pikmin 3'' and ''Hey! Pikmin'', all carrier Pikmin grab on to the object, following its shape.

In {{pb}}, Pikmin carry items such as [[seedling]]s and [[Fruit (Pikmin Bloom)|fruits]] on [[expedition]]s. The carrying system works very differently in this game, as Pikmin walk in a straight line from the player's [[Mii]] to the location of the object, and then walk back to the player's Mii in a straight line, taking into account the movements of the player.

 

Besides the Pikmin, other creatures can carry things around too:

*Members of the [[scarpanid family]] can carry different objects, including Pikmin, leaders, and [[sparklium]].

*Members of the [[dweevil family]] can carry the same things that require multiple Pikmin to carry.

*[[Careening Dirigibug]]s can carry and throw the [[bomb rock]]s they create.

*Leaders can carry Pikmin (when they hold them before [[throw]]ing them), and on [[Hostile Territory]], [[bomb rock]]s. They can also carry items from their [[Pack]] in {{p4}}.

* [[Oatchi]] and [[Moss]] can carry objects in exactly the same manner as a Pikmin, counting as a number of Pikmin between 3 and 100 depending on the dog's current skills.

*The [[rookie Rescue Officer]] can carry objects with the strength of 1 Pikmin if they have the [[Extra Hand]] upgrade equipped.

The destination of a carried item depends on what the item is and what Pikmin types are carrying it. In most cases, the destination is a [[Ship (disambiguation)|ship]] or an [[Onion]]; for a full list, see the [[#Objects|Objects section]] of this article. To reach this destination, Pikmin will follow a path between various waypoints around the [[area]]. They will normally try to follow the shortest path available. If the only path is blocked by a [[gate]] or a gap with a missing [[bridge]], the Pikmin will start walking in a circle in front of the obstacle, waiting for it to be cleared.{{cite quote|The Pikmin that are carrying our spoils seem to be milling about in one place with their loads. It appears that their path back to the Onion is blocked, and faced with what seems to be an insurmountable obstacle, they have lost their focus. This is unacceptable. I will have to determine what is blocking their way and do what I can to resolve the problem.|Captain Olimar|a [[Olimar's monologs|monolog]]}}

When carrying objects that will be deposited in an [[Onion]], the destination Onion is calculated based on the Pikmin carrying it. The Onion will match the type of the Pikmin type that makes up the majority of the carriers. If the number is a tie, the type will be decided [[Randomness|random]]ly between the tying types.  

In ''Pikmin 2'', [[White Pikmin]] and [[Purple Pikmin]] don't count for the calculation. As such, only the other Pikmin types can have an influence on the chosen Onion. If only White or Purple Pikmin are carrying it, a random Onion will be chosen (out of all Onions available at that point).

 

In ''Pikmin 3'', however, once a group of White Pikmin or Purple Pikmin (one type exclusively) has been ordered to carry an item back to an Onion (that they choose at random, like in ''Pikmin 2''), and provided they make up the majority of their group (white or purple digits should appear above the item) their destination will not change regardless of what Pikmin types are added afterwards, unless those Pikmin can outnumber the White or Purple Pikmin carrying the item. The implications are shown in the second table below. This behaviour can only be observed in the [[Beastly Caverns]] in [[Mission Mode]], as White and Purple Pikmin do not make an appearance in [[Story Mode]].

Despite ''Pikmin 3'' having only a single Onion most of the time, the same rules apply, except the "chosen Onion" just means the Pikmin type of the seeds that come out.

 

In {{p4}}, all Pikmin whose Onions have not been found will produce seeds for whichever Pikmin type has the fewest total Pikmin if they are ordered to carry an item back to the Onion. This calculation is also used for [[Oatchi]] (and the player once they have the [[Extra Hand]]).

Starting in ''Pikmin 2'', some objects have a maximum number of carriers of 1. The carrying numbers don't appear above these items in ''Pikmin 2'' (in contrast to 1-pellets), and as such only one Pikmin may carry these items at a time. Items that come from a pile in ''Pikmin 3'' and ''Pikmin 4'' also lack numbers, due to the different way in which they are carried.

*Corpses from the following [[Enemy|enemies]]:

**[[Male Sheargrub]]s, [[Female Sheargrub]]s and [[Shearwig]]s.

**All [[Skitterling family|Skitterleaves]]

**[[Wolpole]]s.

*The following [[treasure]]s and similar items:

**[[Arboreal Frippery]].

**[[Science Project]].

**[[Leviathan Feather]].

**[[Cupid's Grenade]]s, but only in [[2-Player Battle]].

In ''Pikmin 3'', Pikmin carrying [[Burgeoning Spiderwort]] berries or treasures and objects that are a part of a pile follow some more specific behaviors. The object will vanish if the Pikmin carrying them is [[whistle]]d, and if it belonged to a pile, it will then reappear there. Pikmin carrying these objects will complain with a brief squeal if a [[leader]] crosses their way. The current leader can also push them by bumping into them, which can be used to make them go faster. If the Pikmin somehow gets stuck and can't make any progress in their movement after some seconds, the object in their hands will vanish and they will sigh and become idle{{cite web|https://twitter.com/Gaming98/status/1634306320567537665|Video|Twitter|published={{date|10|March|2023}}|retrieved={{date|18|March|2023}}}}. Finally, after they deliver the object, they will automatically [[#Returning|return]] to the pile's original location.

Although they don't carry them in the normal sense, Pikmin also carry [[bomb rock]]s and [[Bingo Battle]] mines by themselves. Instead of taking a linear path on their own and dropping the items on a destination, the Pikmin act like regular Pikmin, except they have an explosive in their hands, ready to be used, and will not attack [[enemies]] or [[obstacle]]s with melee attacks.

[[File:Pikmin 2 carry numbers.png|thumb|Example of the carrying numbers displayed on the [[HUD]], in ''Pikmin 2''.]]

Each object has a [[weight]] and maximum number of carrier Pikmin. If the combined strength of the Pikmin is less than the weight, it cannot be carried. If the maximum number of carriers is already met, any new Pikmin will ignore the object. The "strength" is the total calculated Pikmin strength, so Purple Pikmin count 10 towards this number, instead of 1 like all others.

 

The maximum number of carriers is often twice that of the object's weight, but some collectibles deviate from this rule; for example, [[#Small objects|small ones]] can only have one carrier and anything heavier than 100 units will have a higher weight number than the [[Pikmin limit]]. For the minimum strength and maximum number of carriers on a [[ship part]], [[treasure]], [[enemy]] or [[fruit]], please visit the appropriate page and read the "Weight" and "Max. carriers" attributes on the infobox at the top-right corner of the article.

When something is being carried, two numbers will appear on top of it, which indicate the strength of the carriers and the object's weight. These numbers will only appear on the [[HUD]] if the object has any carrier Pikmin on it. In the [[GameCube]] and ''[[New Play Control!]]'' versions of ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', the number of Pikmin needed to carry the object will be on the top, while the number of Pikmin carrying the object will be below it. This was reversed in ''Pikmin 3'' and all games and rereleases released after, likely to make more sense as a fraction. More information can be found [[HUD#Fraction numbers|here]].

Although only two Pikmin can carry a 1-pellet normally, there is some mystery surrounding the possibility of [[Pellet#Three Pikmin carrying a 1 pellet|three Pikmin doing so]].

In ''Pikmin 3'', if an object is being carried by [[Winged Pikmin]], it will be transported in the air.

 

Any regular object in the game has spots where the Pikmin can grab, and these spots come in two rows: one at ground level, for grounded Pikmin, and one a bit higher, for Winged Pikmin. Both rows have the same number of spots. This means Winged Pikmin can carry an object alongside grounded Pikmin, but if they have enough strength to lift the object by themselves, they will do it. Should this happen while grounded Pikmin are carrying, they will let go and sigh. If a grounded Pikmin joins in to help the moment the object starts to lift-off, those grounded Pikmin will latch on, be lifted, and remained grabbed onto it in mid-air for some seconds, before eventually letting go and falling to the ground. This can be seen easily by dismissing a varied group of Winged and grounded Pikmin onto an object.{{cite youtube|XAFx5BsP9BU|showing how grounded Pikmin clinging on also count for speeding up an object's carrying|rname=cling}}

Because Winged Pikmin grab objects in a different spot, and because of the rule that stops grounded Pikmin from carrying an object if too many Winged Pikmin are carrying it, the "real" maximum can be determined with this simple equation, where ''TM'' is the True Maximum, ''M'' is the normal Maximum of carrying spots and ''N'' is the number of Pikmin Needed to begin carrying the object:

 

If Winged Pikmin are carrying something through the air and the player orders grounded Pikmin to help carry it (via [[charge]] or [[throw]]), most of the Pikmin will get close and become [[idle]], although some might actually jump and cling on to the object, only to let go after a second.

 

 

 

 

For the path Pikmin take on return trips, Pikmin follow the same routing as they would when carrying something. In addition, they can also move in a circle if there's an obstacle in front of their path. This can be seen by throwing Pikmin to the northeasternmost point of the area in [[Silver Lake Remix]] in ''Pikmin 3'''s Mission Mode, and waiting for the Pikmin to grab a grape, drop down, deliver it, and return to idle near the electric gate.

In the main series, the game calculates which path the Pikmin should take by examining all possible paths that reach the destination, and discarding those that are blocked. A path is considered blocked if a bridge within is unbuilt, if an uncleared [[gate]] is in the way, or if any other [[obstacle]] is blocking the path. In the case of multiple possible paths, the shortest one is picked. If the only available path is blocked, the Pikmin will follow it as far as they can, until they reach the obstacle, where they will move around in a small circle, waiting for it to be cleared.

The paths in-game are consisted of interconnected waypoints forming a {{w|Graph (mathematics)|graph}}. These points are not visible to the player, nor are the paths in-between. Whenever the Pikmin begin carrying an object, they move to the nearest waypoint on the map. Once there, they follow the calculated path, walking in a straight line from waypoint to waypoint, until they reach their destination. Should the closest waypoint be on the other side of a wall, the Pikmin will attempt to go for it regardless. This can lead to them getting stuck behind the wall; see [[#Oversights|oversights]].

Once Pikmin begin to carry an object, they will decide on their path and stick to it, even if a shorter path becomes available while they are carrying. Pikmin only re-calculate their path if the load is dropped or (in ''Pikmin'' or ''Pikmin 2'') if the carrying speed changes. In ''Pikmin 4'', Pikmin are instead aware of route updates and will change their path immediately.

In ''Pikmin'', paths only enter [[water]] if there is no possible dry path, meaning bridges must be built instead of allowing [[Blue Pikmin]] to shortcut through the water.<!--p2?--> If entering water is required, Pikmin will gladly do so even if this would kill them. By comparison, if something is being carried by only Blue Pikmin in ''Pikmin 3'', and any part of the path (past or planned) crosses water, only Blue and [[Winged Pikmin]] will naturally join them. Stopping the transport once the water is cleared will recalculate a new fully-dry path and allow other colors to join.

 

While in a [[cave]], Pikmin will never take a path that the player has not yet themselves explored nearby.{{cite youtube|uECUbCvuSrA|where Pikmin don't take the watery path that is closer, but go the long way around, since the player never explored the water path|m=28|s=25}}

The following are charts of the paths in the ''Pikmin'' games, generated using information from the game's files. Waypoints have a radius attribute, which is represented on the charts, but their function is currently unknown. These charts were also aligned manually, so they're expected to have a very slight error in positioning. Also to note is that the radar patterns don't reflect the terrain exactly, so some nodes that may look like they're on top of one ledge could actually be on the ground below, for instance. Please click on the images to see a higher resolution version, but be warned that the full images are very large.

 

;''Pikmin 2'':

VoR paths.png|[[Valley of Repose]].

AW paths.png|[[Awakening Wood]].

PP paths.png|[[Perplexing Pool]].

WW paths.png|[[Wistful Wild]].

{{game help|p3|Research the effect of Winged Pikmin on carrying speed.}}

In general, the carrier Pikmin's maturity, whether they are [[Ultra-spicy spray|spicy]] or not, the number of carriers, and the type of the Pikmin all have an impact on how quickly the object is carried.

 

The speed at which Pikmin carry an object in {{p1}} depends on the carrier Pikmin's [[maturity]] and total amount, and the object's weight and maximum number of carriers.

 

Fan-driven research has resulted in the following formula for the speed at which Pikmin carry an object, where ''w'' is the object's weight, ''m'' is the object's maximum carrier number, and ''P'' is the set of all carrier Pikmin. ''Sp'' refers to the [[maturity|stage]] of any given carrier Pikmin. The final number is in an arbitrary unit of speed.

 

{{equation|Pikmin carrying speed formula.png}}

 

===''Pikmin 2''===

The speed at which Pikmin carry an object in {{p2}} depends on several factors, like the [[Pikmin family|type]], [[maturity]], and [[ultra-spicy spray|spicy status]] of the carrier Pikmin, the total amount of carriers, the maximum amount of carriers for that object, the object's weight, and some other internal values.

 

Fan-driven research{{cite web|http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm31645335|【ピクミン２】運搬速度論　第1回|Nicovideo|published={{date|28|July|2017}}|retrieved={{date|2|March|2018}}}} has resulted in the following formula for carrying speeds, where ''w'' is the object's weight, ''m'' is the object's maximum carrier number, and ''P'' is the set of all carrier Pikmin. ''Tp'' refers to any given carrier Pikmin's type, and ''Sp'' to its [[Maturity|stage]]. The final number is in an arbitrary unit of speed. For the [[Doomsday Apparatus]], the weight and minimum carriers are both set to 1,000.

 

 

 

Because the game only updates the value based on Pikmin added and removed, [[Glitches in Pikmin 2#Carrying charge|a glitch]] can occur: if a Pikmin changes maturity or status while it is holding on to the object, then whistling it back can result in the value being mismatched, and keeping some leftover speed. One practical way to do this is to add a spicy leaf Pikmin to the object (which increases the value a lot), let the spray run out, and then whistle it back (which decreases the value slightly). This will keep some leftover speed in the object forever, which can be stacked to raise its speed overall.{{cite web|https://twitter.com/muratsubo/status/977540083719880705|Video|Twitter|published={{date|24|March|2018}}|retrieved={{date|24|March|2018}}}}

 

This also means that Pikmin that were under the effects of the ultra-spicy spray when they started carrying will continue to carry at the spray's speed if it runs out mid-trip. The only other ways to change a Pikmin's value mid-carry is to flower them with the appropriate item in [[2-Player Battle]] or to get them withered by a [[Withering Blowhog]] (which works regardless of them being Purple Pikmin or not).

 

Based on RAM readings, the value each Pikmin contributes depends on the table specified in the formula above, and [[ultra-spicy spray]] makes the Pikmin count as a flower Pikmin in terms of carrying speed. This also means that using an ultra-spicy spray on a group of flower Pikmin has absolutely no effect on their carrying speed.

 

Interestingly, any Pikmin carrying a leader will move at the fastest carrying speed possible, regardless of how many are carrying, their [[Pikmin family|type]], [[maturity]], or whether they're [[Ultra-spicy spray|spicy]] or not. The same is true when carrying a [[Cupid's Grenade|cherry]] in 2-Player Battle (this does not apply when carrying the same treasure outside of 2-Player Battle, however).

 

 

Fan-driven research has resulted in the following formula for carrying speeds, where ''w'' is the object's weight, ''m'' is the object's maximum carrier number, and ''P'' is the set of all carrier Pikmin. ''Tp'' refers to any given carrier Pikmin's type, and ''Sp'' to its [[Maturity|stage]]. The final number is in an arbitrary unit of speed. Because of the values used by ''Pikmin 3'', it is possible for the formula to return a number smaller than 1, but in such cases, the game just clamps the value to 1, to stop Pikmin from carrying things too slowly.

 

 

While it is not known how much, [[Winged Pikmin]] carrying an object through the air travel at a slower pace than grounded Pikmin do. The carrying complications regarding Winged Pikmin also impact speed. If grounded Pikmin are carrying an object, adding Winged Pikmin to the object will not increase its carrying speed. However, if there are not enough grounded Pikmin to carry, Winged Pikmin will add speed at the same rate as a grounded Pikmin.{{cite youtube|RtH81Hab5r0|showing speed visibly slowing when the final grounded Pikmin to carry is added.}} As mentioned above, this formula applies even as an object is being lifted into the air and grounded Pikmin are clinging on to it.

In addition, if there are 66 or fewer Pikmin in the area, Winged Pikmin will carry like normal, but if there are 67 or more, Winged Pikmin will start carrying things slower, at around only 70% of their normal speed. If Pikmin are added or removed from the field as Winged Pikmin are carrying, their speed will get adjusted right away according to this rule. The exact values and reasons for this are currently not known.

===''Hey! Pikmin''===

In {{hp}}, carried objects always travel at the same speed, which is slower than their standard walking speed.

In {{pb}}, carried objects on [[expedition]]s have their speed calculated in a very different way to how it is done in the main games. The system used to determine speed is described [[Expedition#Speed|here]].

{{todo|Get more generic strategies, like finding out the best option between having several, weak Pikmin carry something, or few, strong and slow Pikmin, and other stuff like that.}}

To save time, you can [[whistle]] Pikmin carrying a [[ship part]], [[treasure]] or [[fruit]] when they're almost done delivering, and you have other Pikmin that are carrying something on their way to the same ship. The Pikmin you whistle will let go off the object and come to you, and when the next group of Pikmin come, they will deliver their object, stay [[idle]], notice the nearby object, and carry that as well. This depends on the number of Pikmin carrying the first and second object, as well as its radius, and how far away the first object is from the second group of Pikmin when they deliver their item. It is a weak strategy, one that saves no more than a few seconds, but of relative importance for [[speedrun]]s.

When Pikmin are carrying some objects down a ledge, it may be faster to [[whistle]] them when the object is on the edge, so that they let go, and make it fall down and slide forward rapidly. This only applies to a few edges (e.g. the edge with the 5-pellet [[Pellet Posy]] at the landing site of the [[Valley of Repose]]).

*To the [[Onion]]:

*To the [[S.S. Dolphin]]:

**[[Raw material]]

*To the [[Hocotate ship]]:

*To the [[Research Pod]]:

**Leaders when [[Lie down|lying down]] ([[Napsack]] required)

**[[Fruit]] (Pikmin carrying [[Dawn Pustules]] or [[Dusk Pustules]] will return to the site of the fruit afterwards)

**[[Burgeoning Spiderwort]] berries (Pikmin will return to the Burgeoning Spiderwort afterwards)

**[[Gear]]

*To the [[SPERO]]:

**[[Fruit]]

On top of oversights with the path graphs, there is also the fact that in {{p2}}, Pikmin in the [[Ultra-spicy spray|spicy]] status prior to carrying will keep their speed even after the effects wear off, until they let go off the object. Further, some exploits can be performed in order to trick the game to use a carrying path that is all wrong.{{cite youtube|vlXeUPF9opo|of the Doomsday Apparatus being carried through the wrong path.|published={{date|14|December|2019}}|retrieved={{date|15|December|2019}}}} The reasons for this are not known.

 

 

 

Pikmin are not able to be called back when all of the number of Pikmin required to carry the treasure has been reached, and will not start carrying a treasure if they walk past one when being called by the [[whistle]]. They can be called back if they are holding on to an object, but are unable to lift it, or have not finished their "picking up" animation.

[[File:Pikmin carry size change.png|thumb|Purple and White Pikmin change in size while carrying.]]

*In ''Pikmin 2'', [[Purple Pikmin|Purple]] and [[White Pikmin]] will change to the size of a standard Pikmin when they are carrying something.

*In ''Pikmin 4'', while the [[rookie Rescue Officer can do automated tasks (ex: [[Raw material]] piles) with the [[Extra Hand]], they will not walk back to collect the remaining amount.

|PorPM=Carry

|PorPN=Name taken from the ''Pikmin'' instruction manual.