Editing Hint

{{game icons|p3=y}}
[[File:P3D Menu Default Hint.jpg|thumb|250px|The default hint, telling the player to keep moving ahead.]]
{{featured|{{date|1|October|2024}}}}
{{for|hints on loading screens|Loading screen#Tip}}
'''Hints''' are a game mechanic in {{p3d}} that give advice on what to do in the game. Their purpose is to assist players who are not sure what to do to advance in the game's [[Story Mode|story]]. Hints consist of some text, some images, and in most cases, arrows on the ground pointing towards the next destination.

==Mechanics==
[[File:HUD Hints button P3D.jpg|thumb|The "Hints" button in the [[HUD]] sparkling.]]
Hints are designed to guide the player towards advancing through the story. Some are about where to go next, some are about how to defeat [[boss]]es, and some are about various other things. Many hints have associated locations in a specific [[area]] that they refer to. Due to the linear structure of {{p3}}, there is a linear progression of story hints. Only one hint can be active at a time. Each new hint will appear in response to some threshold being reached, and when another hint threshold is reached, it will replace the current hint (even if the new threshold is not the intended next hint because a [[sequence break]] was performed).

The way hints are shown depends on a setting in the [[pause menu]], called "Hint Display". If it is on (which is the default setting), a bubble with the text "Hints" will appear in the [[HUD]], and if it is off, this bubble will not appear. In both cases, a Hint bubble will be present in the pause menu. During gameplay, pressing {{button|switch|padu}} will show the current hint (even if Hint Display is off). Selecting the bubble in the pause menu will also show the current hint. If a new hint becomes available, both bubbles will sparkle, and an exclamation mark icon will appear over the HUD bubble, indicating a new hint is available. Once the new hint has been viewed, the bubbles will no longer sparkle until another new hint is available.

When a hint is shown, the game is paused and a hint window takes up most of the screen. It contains an image, which may be a screenshot or a map, and some text below. There may be multiple pages in a hint, and if there are, these can be advanced to the right with {{button|switch|zr}}, {{button|switch|padr}}, or right on {{button|switch|lstick}}, and to the left with {{button|switch|zl}}, {{button|switch|padl}}, or left on {{button|switch|lstick}}. (The face buttons or the stick can be held to quickly advance through pages in a loop, but the same does not happen for {{button|switch|zr}} or {{button|switch|zl}}.) {{button|switch|b}} can be pressed to close the hint window and return to gameplay (or the pause menu, if the hint was opened from there).

===Arrows===
[[File:P3DX Prerelease Twilight River Arrows 2.jpg|thumb|250px|A trail of arrows in the Twilight River.]]
If Hint Display is on, hints will not only consist of pages of information, but of arrows on the ground. These large blue arrows will point toward that hint's associated location, forming a path in front of the player using the same waypoint system as [[Go Here!]]. Since not all hints have an associated location, not all hints have arrows. The arrows will only appear near the active leader, and up to 5 arrows can be on the ground at a time. Arrows are 3D objects and can illuminate their surroundings, but they do not have any collision. They do not appear on the [[radar]] or the [[KopPad#Camera|KopPad camera]] view. After appearing, arrows will not stop pointing towards their associated location until the player reaches that location, though they will briefly disappear and reappear again after the [[Onion menu]] or [[KopPad]] (except the camera app) is closed. Arrows can be made to disappear by turning Hint Display off; after turning it back on the arrows will not reappear unless the hint is opened again.

The associated locations of hints can vary in type. For some hints, the arrows point to a certain point in 3D space, and once the player gets near enough to it, the arrows will disappear. They will not reappear unless the player walks away and opens the hint again. For some hints, the arrows point to a specific [[segment]], and once the segment is entered, they will turn off. (Opening the hint again while in the segment will show no arrows, but opening it from another segment will point towards the destination again.) When the associated location is a [[fragment]] pile, the arrows can disappear either when the player gets close or when all the fragments have been taken from the pile. However, if fragments return to a pile (because the Pikmin carrying them were [[whistle]]d) and this causes it to reappear, then the arrows immediately reappear and point towards the pile again.

Hints can sometimes have multiple associated locations. For some hints, these are in a set order, and reaching the first location will change the destination to the next location. For hints about building a [[bridge]] or turning on lights, the associated locations are the fragment piles or [[electrode]]s, and these can be visited in any order. The arrows will point toward the location closest to the player (in travel distance). When all fragments are taken from a pile or an electrode is turned on, the arrows will not point to another location unless the hint is opened again, and the Hint bubbles will not sparkle.

==List==
{{spoiler}}
===Story hints===
These hints are directly related to the game's [[Story Mode|story]]. They are listed in the order they are intended to be seen. Some hints appear multiple times in the story and are listed in the [[#Default hints|Default hints]] section below. The "Area" column states the [[area]] that the trigger condition and the associated location(s) are found in, but the hint will still be the current hint if viewed in another area.
{| class="wikitable"
! Image !! Text !! Area !! Trigger condition !! Associated location(s)
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || [[Distant Tundra]] || Start of the game. || Initially: The can with the [[Yellow Pikmin]].

After the throwing tutorial: The Vehemoth Phosbat arena. (Note: The arrows point past the trigger point for the cutscene that ends the Distant Tundra segment of day 1, so it is not possible to get to the arena without going [[out of bounds]].)
|-
| [[File:Hint TW1 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Keep going. You may just encounter a rather curious creature...}}
| [[Tropical Wilds]] || Start [[Alph]]'s section of day 1. || Initially: The first [[Red Pikmin]] Alph sees.

After the Red Pikmin runs away: The Red Pikmin in front of the Onion.
|-
| [[File:Hint TW2 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|If you don't see a way forward, look for pieces to make a bridge.}}
| Tropical Wilds || Rescue the Red [[Onion]]. || Initially: The 2 brown fragment piles.

After picking up all fragments: None.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Tropical Wilds || Complete the brown bridge. || The [[KopPad]].
|-
| [[File:Hint TW3 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TW3 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Get more Red Pikmin by harvesting pellets and creatures.}}

{{transcript|Use {{button|switch|zl}} or {{button|switch|rstick}} to check your surroundings carefully. ({{button|switch|rstick}} won't work if using a horizontal Joy-Con.)}}
| Tropical Wilds || Collect the KopPad. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint TW4 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Use the power of Pikmin to push the box out of the way. Many Pikmin make light work!}}
| Tropical Wilds || Have at least 20 Pikmin in the field. || The [[cardboard box]].
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Tropical Wilds || Push the cardboard box. || The western exit of the cave. (Note: It is not possible to see if the arrows initially stop at the [[dirt wall]] before pointing to the exit of the cave.)
|-
| [[File:Hint GH1 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Take the Pikmin out of the Onion.}}
| [[Garden of Hope]] || Land in the Garden of Hope on day 2. || The Red Onion.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH2 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Gather up the fragments and rebuild the bridge.}}
| Garden of Hope || Take at least 1 Pikmin out of the Onion. || The 2 brown fragment piles.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Garden of Hope || Complete the brown [[bridge]]. || Initially: None.

After seeing [[Brittany]]: The Rock Onion.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH3 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Charge won't reach the flying creatures. Lock on with {{button|switch|zr}} and throw Pikmin with {{button|switch|a}} to defeat them. Look closely now&mdash;they seem to have captured something.}}
| Garden of Hope || Seen the [[Medusal Slurker]]. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH4 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint GH4 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Get more Rock Pikmin by harvesting pellets and creatures.}}

{{transcript|Throw Rock Pikmin to shatter the crystal.}}
| Garden of Hope || Unlock [[Rock Pikmin]]. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH5 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint GH5 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Shatter the crystal wall!}}

{{transcript|Throw Pikmin to the other shore to look for bridge fragments there.}}
| Garden of Hope || Rescue [[Brittany]]. || The 2 blue fragment piles.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Garden of Hope || Complete the blue bridge. || The Armored Mawdad arena.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH6 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Use Rock Pikmin to break the exoskeleton, then strike with all your might!}}
| Garden of Hope || Begin the [[Armored Mawdad]] boss fight. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH7 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Haul the strange item over to the S.S. Drake.}}
| Garden of Hope || Defeat the Armored Mawdad. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH End Day 1 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Done for the day? Skip ahead by selecting End Day in Options.}}
| Garden of Hope || Collect the [[Data Glutton]]. || None.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || [[Distant Tundra]] || First landing in the Distant Tundra. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint DT2 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Try throwing Yellow Pikmin at the electrical cables.}}
| Distant Tundra || See Yellow Pikmin. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint DT3 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Get more Yellow Pikmin by harvesting pellets.}}
| Distant Tundra || Activate the light in the Yellow Onion cave. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint DT4 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Try to roll the iron ball.}}
| Distant Tundra || Have at least 20 Pikmin in the field. || The iron ball in the cave.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Distant Tundra || Push the iron ball in the cave. || The door to the outside.
|-
| [[File:Hint DT5 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint DT5 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Find a place where you can trade Pikmin.}}

{{transcript|Gather up the fragments and rebuild the bridge.}}
| Distant Tundra || Leave Brittany's cave. || Initially: The place for throwing Pikmin across the river.

After reaching with either leader: Alph and Brittany have different associated locations. Alph has the 2 blue fragment piles; Brittany has the 2 orange fragment piles.
|-
| [[File:Hint DT6 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint DT6 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Use the iron ball to smash your way through the wall.}}

{{transcript|There's an iron ball hidden here...}}
| Distant Tundra || Complete the double bridge. || Behind the iron ball outside.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Distant Tundra || Push the iron ball outside. || Initially: The cave where the Vehemoth Phosbat is first seen.

After reaching the cave: None.
|-
| [[File:Hint DT7 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint DT7 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Switch on the lightbulb.}}

{{transcript|Look around for other lightbulbs.}}
| Distant Tundra || Activate the lightbulb that reveals the [[Vehemoth Phosbat]]. || The 4 [[electrode]]s in the Vehemoth Phosbat arena.
|-
| [[File:Hint DT8 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint DT8 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Build a bridge so you can light up the whole cave.}}

{{transcript|There must be bridge pieces around here somewhere.}}
| Distant Tundra || The Vehemoth Phosbat does its [[Phosbat Pod]] activation cutscene. || The 2 fragment piles in the Vehemoth Phosbat arena.
|-
| [[File:Hint DT9 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Throw Pikmin when it stops to use its vacuum attack or when it's motionless on the wall.}}
| Distant Tundra || Activated the big lightbulb in the Vehemoth Phosbat arena. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint DT End Day P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Done for the day? Skip ahead by selecting End Day in Options.}}
| Distant Tundra || Defeat the Vehemoth Phosbat. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint TW5 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TW5 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|The Pikmin can build a bridge from the other shore.}}

{{transcript|There should be bridge pieces nearby.}}
| [[Tropical Wilds]] || Land in the Tropical Wilds after rescuing [[Charlie]]. || The 2 brown fragment piles.
|-
| [[File:Hint TW6 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TW6 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Work together as a trio and cross to the opposite shore.}}

{{transcript|Push down the shopping bag to reunite the three crew leaders.}}
| Tropical Wilds || Complete the brown bridge. || The [[paper bag]].
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Tropical Wilds || Push the paper bag. || The Sandbelching Meerslug arena.
|-
| [[File:Hint TW7 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Try digging up whatever's buried in the sand.}}
| Tropical Wilds || See the phone in the Sandbelching Meerslug arena. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint TW8 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TW8 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|When that gargantuan creature starts breathing in, throw a Bomb Rock into its mouth!}}

{{transcript|Look for a Bomb Rock buried somewhere nearby.}}
| Tropical Wilds || Awaken the [[Sandbelching Meerslug]]. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint TW9 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Haul the strange item over to the S.S. Drake.}}
| Tropical Wilds || Defeat the Sandbelching Meerslug. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint TW End Day P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Done for the day? Skip ahead by selecting End Day in Options.}}
| Tropical Wilds || Collect the [[Folded Data Glutton]]. || None.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || [[Twilight River]] || First landing in the Twilight River. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint TR1 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Look around for bridge fragments.}}
| Twilight River || See the Winged [[Onion]]. || The 3 cyan fragment piles.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Twilight River || Complete the cyan bridge. || The Winged Onion.
|-
| [[File:Hint TR2 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TR2 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Get more Winged Pikmin by harvesting pellets and creatures.}}

{{transcript|Try using Winged Pikmin to pull the Flukeweeds.}}
| Twilight River || Save the Winged Onion. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint TR3 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Move the branch that's blocking the river.}}
| Twilight River || Have at least 10 Winged Pikmin in the field. || The space in front of the dam.
|-
| [[File:Hint TR4 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TR4 P2.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TR4 P3.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TR4 P4.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Hop on a floating leaf to reach the next map.}}

{{transcript|Collect bridge pieces to create a path to Olimar's signal.}}

{{transcript|Try looking for bridge pieces.}}

{{transcript|Toss allies onto a Bouncy Mushroom to bounce them to the opposite shore.}}
| Twilight River || Lift the [[dam]]. || The 3 red fragment piles.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Twilight River || Complete the red bridge. || The Scornet Maestro arena.
|-
| [[File:Hint TR5 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TR5 P2.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint TR5 P3.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Lock on with {{button|switch|zr}} and charge ahead with Winged Pikmin when Scornet's away.}}

{{transcript|Attack the Scornets to rescue your Pikmin!}}

{{transcript|Forge a path by fighting through the Scornets.}}
| Twilight River || Awaken the [[Scornet Maestro]]. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint TR6 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Is this Olimar? Haul him over to the S.S. Drake.}}
| Twilight River || Defeat the Scornet Maestro. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint TR End Day P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Done for the day? Skip ahead by selecting End Day in Options.}}
| Twilight River || Collect the Hocotatian. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH8 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Where did Olimar(?) go? Search for him!}}
| [[Garden of Hope]] || Forced landing in the Garden of Hope. || The broken [[cinder block]].
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Garden of Hope || Lift the [[Flukeweed]] with the Blue [[Onion]]. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH9 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint GH9 P2.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint GH9 P3.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Get more Blue Pikmin by harvesting pellets and creatures!}}

{{transcript|Gather up the fragments and make a path.}}

{{transcript|There are some fragments nearby.}}
| Garden of Hope || Pluck the first [[Blue Pikmin]]. || The 2 pot bridge fragment piles.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Garden of Hope || Complete the pot bridge. || The Quaggled Mireclops arena.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH10 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint GH10 P2.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint GH10 P3.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Focus all your might on one of the creature's legs.}}

{{transcript|When the creature collapses, go for its weak point!}}

{{transcript|Keep your distance from any rocks that start to move when the boss is knocked out...}}
| Garden of Hope || Awaken the [[Quaggled Mireclops]]. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH11 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Carry Olimar(?) back to the S.S. Drake.}}
| Garden of Hope || Defeat the Quaggled Mireclops. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint GH End Day 2 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|If you've done all your work for the day, skip ahead by selecting End Day from the Options menu.}}
| Garden of Hope || Collect [[Louie]]. || None.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || [[Formidable Oak]] || Land in the Formidable Oak. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint FO1 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Rescue Olimar from the mysterious life-form!}}
| Formidable Oak || See [[Captain Olimar]] for the first time. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint FO2 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint FO2 P2.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint FO2 P3.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint FO2 P4.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Don't let the mysterious life-form grab Olimar again!}}

{{transcript|Whistle to rescue any Pikmin caught inside the mysterious life-form.}}

{{transcript|Attack the mysterious life-form to free Olimar!}}

{{transcript|If the mysterious life-form transforms, attack with the right type of Pikmin.}}
| Formidable Oak || Enter the cave. || None.
|-
| [[File:Hint FO3 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint FO3 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Build a bridge to create a shortcut.}}

{{transcript|There are some bridge fragments nearby. Some are buried, so look carefully.}}
| Formidable Oak || Walk through a trigger point at the entrance to the circular room near the [[Watery Blowhog]]. || The 2 red fragment piles.
|-
| colspan="2" | Default hint, [[#Default hint|see below]] || Formidable Oak || Complete the red bridge. || The dark section of the cave.
|-
| [[File:Hint FO4 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Gather bridge pieces to make a path.}}
| Formidable Oak || Walk through a trigger point just after the entrance of the dark section of the cave. || The 2 blue fragment piles.
|-
| [[File:Hint FO5 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint FO5 P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Switch on the lightbulb to light up the cave.}}

{{transcript|Work together to switch on the lightbulb.}}
| Formidable Oak || Complete the blue bridge. || The 3 [[electrode]]s.
|-
| [[File:Hint FO6 P1.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Use Winged Pikmin to build a bridge that can serve as a shortcut.}}
| Formidable Oak || Turn on all 3 lights. || The exit of the cave.
|-
| [[File:Hint FO7 P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint FO7 P2.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint FO7 P3.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Only Rock Pikmin can withstand those vicious thrusting attacks!}}

{{transcript|Smash the cores it spits out by assigning the right Pikmin for the job.}}

{{transcript|When it's floating in the air, lock on with {{button|switch|zr}} and throw Pikmin at it.}}
| Formidable Oak || Carry Olimar out of the cave. || None.
|}

====Default hint====
If no text or image is specified for a hint, this default set will be used instead. It is shown here to save space in the main table.
{| class="wikitable"
! Image !! Text
|-
| [[File:Hint Default P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint Default P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Keep moving ahead.}}

{{transcript|Press {{button|switch|+}} to open Options and view Basic Information or go to Other Settings to change controls to your liking.}}
|}

===Special hints===
These hints have special conditions for when they appear. They disappear immediately after being closed, and are replaced with the current story hint.
{| class="wikitable"
! Image !! Text !! Details
|-
| [[File:Hint Start P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint Start P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|If you get stuck in Story mode, press {{button|switch|padu}} to view a strategy hint. You can hide them by going to More in Other Settings and setting Hint Display to Off.}}

{{transcript|Press {{button|switch|+}} to open Options and view Basic Information or go to Other Settings to change controls to your liking.}}
| This hint is opened automatically at the start of the game, after the opening cutscenes finish. It appears even if Hint Display is turned off. After closing it, the first story hint becomes the current hint.
|-
| [[File:Hint Lost Pikmin P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint Lost Pikmin P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|Lost a lot of Pikmin? Open Options, select Retry, then select Restart Day.}}

{{transcript|Want to restart from an earlier day? Open Options, select Retry, then select Earlier Day.}}
| This hint appears whenever the player loses a lot of Pikmin, to remind them that retrying is an option. When at least 30 Pikmin have died in a day, the hint bubble will sparkle. Opening the hint window will show this hint, even if a new story hint has been reached while this hint stayed unopened. After closing this hint, the current hint will become the current story hint, and if this story hint has not been viewed, the bubble will sparkle again.
|-
| [[File:Hint 2-Player P1.png|200px]]

[[File:Hint 2-Player P2.png|200px]]
| {{transcript|If you throw the other player, they will leave the squad. To reunite, select {{icon|flag|l=}} while you press and hold {{button|switch|y}}.}}

{{transcript|You can check co-op play controls any time from Actions in the Control Guide.}}
| This hint appears instantly the first time 2-player gameplay is activated in Story Mode, without the player having to press {{button|switch|padu}}. After closing it, a record of seeing it is [[Saved game|saved]] permanently, and it can never be seen again, even in a different playthrough.
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
P3D Menu Map Hint.jpg|A hint page with a map.
P3D Hint arrows past the cutscene trigger.jpg|Arrows pointing past the cutscene trigger that ends Charlie's section of day 1.
P3D Hint arrows on the river.jpg|Arrows pointing down the river.
P3D Hint arrows down the slide.jpg|Arrows pointing down a slide.
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{Foreignname
|SpaA=Pista
|SpaAM=Hint
|Ger=Tipp
|GerM=Tip
}}

==See also==
*[[Data file]]
*[[Objective]]
*[[Badge (Pikmin 3 Deluxe)|Badge (''Pikmin 3 Deluxe'')]]

[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Pikmin 3 Deluxe exclusive content]]