Editing Throw

{{game icons|p=y|p2=y|p3=y|p4=y|hp=y}}
[[File:Olimar throws Blue Pikmin P1 art.png|thumb|250px|Art of [[Captain Olimar]] throwing a [[Blue Pikmin]].]]
{{game help|p3|Add things that can't be done while holding, and special throws.}}

'''Throwing''' ({{j|投げる|Nageru|Throw}}) is one of the main ways of giving instructions to [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]], the others being [[swarm]]ing, [[dismiss]]ing and [[Lock-on|charging]]. The player can aim where the thrown Pikmin land at, by use of the [[HUD#Cursor|cursor]], and if a Pikmin lands near a task, it will begin working on it; it will remain [[idle]] on the spot, otherwise. If a Pikmin hits an enemy during its flight, it will latch on to it, if it can, and begin attacking. To throw, the current leader must be close to a Pikmin on their party, and the player must press {{button|gc|a|wii|a|switch|a}} in the first two games, {{button|wiiu|a|wiiu|x|wii|a|wiiu|pca}} in ''Pikmin 3'' with standard controls, {{button|switch|a|switch|facer}} in ''Pikmin 3 Deluxe'', or {{button|switch|a}} in ''Pikmin 4''. In ''Pikmin 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Stylus Mode and in ''Hey! Pikmin'', the player must instead tap the touch screen to throw Pikmin.

Pikmin are thrown upwards at an arc, leaving spark particles through their trajectory. The cursor estimates the landing location of a thrown Pikmin, but if there is a wall or object in the way, the Pikmin might bump into it and fall short. This is only true in the first two games, as ''Pikmin 3'' and ''Pikmin 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s cursors take into account walls and obstacles, and the line connecting it to the leader changes to a preview arc. One of the traits [[Yellow Pikmin]] possess is the ability to be thrown higher than other types. This allows them to reach ledges otherwise unreachable. The throw arc of [[Purple Pikmin]] is slightly different from the rest: they are thrown faster than the others, so that the apex of their jump is located somewhere above the cursor. When the cursor is reached, the Pikmin loses its horizontal momentum and drops down with a great impact. Besides homing in on [[Enemy|enemies]], when landing, they cause high damage and can also cause the creatures to bounce up, making them unable to move for less than a second, or stun them altogether for a few seconds. [[Rock Pikmin]] have a much lower throwing arc than other Pikmin types, and will bounce off the ground and roll forward when they land, meaning they won't land exactly where the reticle is. [[Winged Pikmin]] can be thrown, though they will not land on the ground like the other Pikmin types do. If a Winged Pikmin is thrown near an enemy, the Pikmin will fly towards the enemy and attempt to latch on.

Interestingly, [[maturity|flower]] Pikmin twirl after they reach the apex of a throw arc in {{p1}} and {{p2}}, and this results in them falling slower. It also results in the Pikmin losing some horizontal momentum, and ending up closer to the leader compared to a leaf or bud. [[Purple Pikmin]], regardless of maturity, do a pound instead and no twirl.

In ''Pikmin 3'', [[leader]]s can also be thrown. Unlike Pikmin, leaders are unable to latch on to enemies and will always remain idle (unless they are near an enemy, at which point they panic and run around in circles). The trajectory that leaders are thrown through is noticeably lower than the arc of a Pikmin; this is likely to prevent exploits by throwing leaders up to an otherwise inaccessible area.

The next Pikmin type to be thrown will be shown on the [[HUD#Standby Pikmin|HUD]]. This reflects the type of the Pikmin closest to the leader in the [[GameCube]] games and their [[Wii]] rereleases, but is chosen by the player in ''Pikmin 3''; the type can be toggled with {{button|wiiu|l|wii|c|wiiu|pcl}}, and leaders are one of the choices. In all games, Pikmin carrying [[bomb rock]]s and mines have their own groups.

In the first two games, [[Blue Pikmin]] can also throw drowning Pikmin: if an idle Blue Pikmin finds a drowning Pikmin nearby, it will grab it, carry it near the surface, and throw it to solid terrain. Should the ledge be too high up, it is possible that the Pikmin won't make it to dry land, fall back into the water, and be thrown again, in an endless cycle.{{cite youtube|-IMaXzHzgr4|showing Blue Pikmin constantly failing to throw their partners to safety}} At least in ''Pikmin 2'', a Blue Pikmin's rescue throw is the same as a normal leader throw, which means it can be used to crush [[Dwarf Bulborb|Dwarf Red Bulborb]]s, for instance.{{cite web|https://www.twitch.tv/videos/441917009|Twitch clip|Twitch|published={{date|21|June|2019}}|retrieved={{date|21|June|2019}}}} In ''Pikmin 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[2-Player Battle]] mode, leaders can also grab and throw [[bomb-rock]]s.

In ''Pikmin 3'', leaders and Pikmin cannot be thrown while standing on an enemy corpse. This is likely to prevent the player from going [[out of bounds]] by using the corpse to reach higher, normally inaccessible areas. However, they can be thrown while standing on a [[pellet]]{{cite youtube|-A1tsYfNw28|of a speedrun that utilizes this trick (occurs at 40:00)|published={{date|4|November|2020}}|retrieved={{date|10|July|2023}}}}, although this is difficult because the leaders will automatically slide off of the pellet.

==Holding==
[[File:ThrowingDataFile.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The [[data file]] explaining throwing.]]
Before throwing, it is possible to hold on to a Pikmin/leader by keeping the button pressed. While held on, the Pikmin or leader will make a sound indicating that they are ready to be thrown; in ''Pikmin 2'', this sound is repeated several times with varying pitches, until thrown. The leader can move around with a party member in their hand, which can be useful if one wishes to bring a single slow Pikmin with them. In ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', when a Pikmin is being held on to, all other Pikmin in the group will be organized by type, so that those of the type of the currently held Pikmin are at the front of the line &ndash; this allows the leader to throw several of the same type of Pikmin in a row.

While holding, it is also possible to swap the currently held Pikmin/leader for one of a different type in the party, if available. In ''[[New Play Control! Pikmin]]'', ''[[Pikmin 2]]'' and ''[[New Play Control! Pikmin 2]]'', {{button|gc|padlr|wii|b}} swaps the Pikmin type, while in ''Pikmin 3'', {{button|wiiu|l|wii|c|wiiu|pcl}} must be pressed; in this game, the thrown type can also be swapped without the leader holding on to anything, as stated above. ''Pikmin'' on the GameCube lacks this feature entirely. In ''Pikmin 2'' and the two ''New Play Control!'' remakes, {{button|gc|padud|wii|padud}} can also be used to swap for a different [[maturity]] in the same Pikmin type.

In {{npcp1}}, if the Nunchuk stick is slightly moved while [[Captain Olimar]] is holding a Pikmin, Olimar will start facing the cursor, which will cause the Pikmin to follow behind where he's facing.{{cite youtube|TFhAAgbukCg|demonstrating how Pikmin follow Olimar when the stick is slightly moved in ''New Play Control! Pikmin''.}}

The leader cannot perform any of the following actions while holding a Pikmin:
*Switch [[leader]]
*[[Dismiss]]
*[[Whistle]]
*[[Lie down]]
*Use [[spray]]s
*[[Swarm]]
*[[Pluck]], [[punch]], or any other action that requires pressing the throw button

While it is not possible to swarm, the player can make it thinner and longer by holding {{button|gc|c}} in any direction, in the GameCube games. In ''[[New Play Control! Pikmin]]'', holding {{button|wii|padd}} will make the cursor flash to indicate a swarm, but the Pikmin will stay in their place regardless. In ''[[New Play Control! Pikmin 2]]'', nothing happens if one attempts to swarm while holding.

Interestingly, any held Pikmin in ''Pikmin 3'' cannot be killed. If an [[enemy]] attacks (just) the Pikmin, it will squeal, but nothing else will happen to it. It will also not be affected by [[hazard]]s, except [[water]].

In ''Pikmin'', a mechanic goes [[Unused content in Pikmin|unused]] that possibly explains why Pikmin make a sound while held.  By holding onto a Pikmin for longer, the throw height climbs to a second value found in the game's parameters.  Because the parameter is identical to the base throw height, however, the mechanic does essentially nothing, unless the values are changed.  The climbing of the throw height finishes around the same time as the end of the noise a Pikmin makes while being held. The parameters also exist in ''Pikmin 2'', though the code to change the height is gone.

==Special throws==
[[File:Pikmin3 Glass Wall.png|thumb|250px|[[Rock Pikmin]] being thrown at a [[crystal wall]].]]
Some Pikmin throws perform special actions, instead of making the Pikmin work on a task or latch on to something.

*In the original ''Pikmin'' (but not the ''[[New Play Control! Pikmin|New Play Control!]]'' version), thrown [[Yellow Pikmin]] carrying [[bomb-rock]]s will become "ready". When [[whistle]]d, they will drop and activate the bomb-rock. In addition, if thrown next to a [[gate]] or enemy, the Pikmin will in turn throw the bomb at the target.
*Throwing a Pikmin at a [[Pellet Posy]]'s pellet will make it drop it after just one attack (this works for 1 pellets only in ''Pikmin 3'').
*The following enemies behave differently when a Pikmin is thrown directly at them:
**[[Anode Beetle]]: makes it flip and expose its weak point.
**[[Breadbug]] and [[Giant Breadbug]]: [[Health|damages]] it and make it temporarily drop its object. For the Giant Breadbug, this is only true with Purple Pikmin.
**[[Dwarf Bulborb|Dwarf Red Bulborb]], [[Dwarf Bulbear]] (''Pikmin 2'' and the remakes only), [[Snow Bulborb]] and [[Dwarf Orange Bulborb]]: if the Pikmin is thrown at the center of the creature's back, it will die instantly.
**[[Honeywisp]]: makes it drop its [[egg]] instantly and fly away.
**[[Iridescent Flint Beetle]], [[Iridescent Glint Beetle]] and [[Doodlebug]]: makes it flip in the air and drop some spoils.
**[[Shearwig]]: if airborne, the creature dies right away.
**[[Unmarked Spectralids|Unmarked Spectralid]]: when hit in mid-air, this creature instantly dies, even though its [[health]] is as high as that of a Dwarf Red Bulborb.
*When a [[Blue Pikmin]] is thrown at the [[Goolix]]' larger core, while the creature is stretched, the two cores will slam against one another, and all Pikmin attacking the smaller core will scatter around.
*A Pikmin that is thrown at the [[Armored Cannon Beetle]]'s blow-hole will become trapped in it and make the boss overheat, exposing its weak point.
*Throwing a Purple Pikmin at a [[Waterwraith]] will make it temporarily vulnerable.
*A thrown Purple Pikmin can destroy [[Armored Cannon Larva|Armored Cannon Beetle Larva]] and [[Decorated Cannon Beetle Larva]] rocks in ''Pikmin 2''.
*In {{p3}}, a Rock Pikmin thrown directly at a [[crystal nodule]] will cause it to shatter.
*In ''Pikmin 3'', any kind of Pikmin thrown at a [[Grub-dog family|grub-dog]]'s eyes will cause it to recoil and spit out any Pikmin it may have started to eat.

==Tricks==
===Swarm trick===
[[File:Swarm trick.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The swarm trick done with [[frame]]-perfect precision.]]
{{Todo|Some comparison times would be really nice.}}
Under normal circumstances, when the leader presses the throw button with Pikmin nearby, the closest Pikmin will move from its spot towards the leader's hand, where it can then be thrown. This delay varies between games, but it normally makes it so that a player who wants to throw several Pikmin quickly can only throw three or four per second, while mashing the throw button in ''[[Pikmin (game)|Pikmin]]''. In ''[[Pikmin 2]]'', this delay is shorter, but relevant all the same.

The closer the Pikmin is to the leader, the shorter this delay is. By using the [[swarming]] function, one can move the Pikmin so that they are constantly around the leader. While doing this, the throw button can then be pressed repeatedly and quickly in order to throw Pikmin at a much faster pace.

For the GameCube games, it is relatively simple: after setting the cursor on the intended location, the player can move one digit to {{button|gc|c}} (such as the left or right thumb) and another to {{button|gc|a}} (like the right thumb or right index). The player can then mash {{button|gc|a}} and tilt {{button|gc|c}} so that the group is always near the leader. Due to the way swarming works in the ''New Play Control!'' games, this is a harder task in those games. {{button|wii|padd}} moves the Pikmin towards the cursor, which should be pointing at the enemy or ledge. The Pikmin are on the opposite side from the leader, so in order to keep them close, the player must press {{button|wii|padd}} in short spurts, so that the Pikmin are neither too far ahead or behind.

The method for the ''New Play Control!'' games is quite a lot harder than the GameCube way, as it is harder to position the fingers so that both {{button|wii|a}} and {{button|wii|padd}} can be pressed, especially without releasing the Nunchuk; it is also hard to maintain a steady cursor while two fingers are pressing on the Wii Remote repeatedly. Finally, it is hard to maintain two different button rhythms at once. As such, an alternate strategy is normally used instead. Because the leader can move independently of the cursor, the latter can be held on the target, and the player can focus on moving the leader through the group. Care should be taken in order to keep the cursor from deviating from its intended place, though. One way to stop the cursor from leaving its spot on the screen is to place the Nunchuk hand's wrist in front of the [[Wii]] Remote's sensor.{{cite youtube|Wi0SQHvNv6c|demonstrating how one can cover the infrared sensor on the Wii Remote to stop the cursor from shaking about}}

In ''Pikmin 3'', a Pikmin of the standby type will instantly move towards the leader's hand.

===Longer throw trick===
In ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'' on the GameCube, if the leader is moving while throwing the Pikmin, the leader's speed is added to the Pikmin throw's speed. Hence, if a leader is running forward while throwing a Pikmin in the same direction, it will land much farther than normal. This trick can be used to throw Pikmin to places where they were not meant to reach. An example would be over the [[cardboard box]] at the southwest of [[The Forest of Hope]], throwing Pikmin from the western side over the box and on to the eastern side, where they can push it without the need for Blue Pikmin on the nearby lakes.

In the ''New Play Control!'' versions, this trick is not necessary, nor does it work: the leader's momentum is not carried over, otherwise the player would not be able to accurately throw Pikmin all around while moving, which is one of the new control scheme's biggest advantages. In these games, the throw distance limit has been raised, compared to the GameCube games, which allows for naturally longer throws that can permit the same exploits as those in the original games.

===High ledge glitch===
By using the aforementioned trick to throw at longer distances, one can make non-Yellow Pikmin reach ledges they shouldn't be able to normally.{{cite youtube|79o04GEvocI|showing how the high ledge glitch can be used to get non-Yellow Pikmin up high ledges}}{{cite web|http://speeddemosarchive.com/demo.pl?Pikmin2_BestEnding_310|2:25 of part 4 of a speedrun|Speed Demos Archive}} This glitch is only possible in ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', as well as the Wii remakes.

With the added distance of the trick comes added throw strength, which, when used towards a wall, can be enough to propel the Pikmin high enough to reach a high ledge. The Pikmin must scrape the wall a bit during the ascending part of their jump in order to make it. The exact amount of contact with the wall depends, and some surfaces (especially when they aren't perfectly vertical) work better than others.

In ''Pikmin 2'', Purple Pikmin are especially more likely to make it up these ledges. This is because while other Pikmin have the peak of their throw arc be midway between the leader and cursor, a Purple Pikmin's throw arc has the peak be at the cursor. This means they are thrown farther by the leader, even though normally they don't go any farther than the cursor since they stop mid-air to pound. This stop can't happen if the Purple Pikmin is thrown against the wall, though the extra speed will still be used, to great effect.

In the ''New Play Control!'' versions, the cursor must be placed so that it is at the longest possible distance or beyond. This gives the throw enough force to perform the glitch.

===Escorting a few Pikmin===
If the player must bring a single Pikmin with them, having the leader carry the Pikmin on their hand is a safe and fast way to bring the Pikmin to the destination. This is particularly useful with slow Pikmin.

If the player needs a small amount of Pikmin (around five), it can be faster to repeatedly throw them ahead all in a row while moving forward, and whistling them back to the leader. This keeps them always ahead of the player's character, instead of staying behind and risking lagging. This is easier if the [[Controls|control scheme]] allows the [[HUD#Cursor|cursor]] to be moved independently from the leader. Once again, this is more helpful when used with slow Pikmin.

===Throwing Pikmin higher or further===
Interestingly, there are a few ways to throw [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] even higher or further, in {{npcp1}} and {{npcp2}}. It depends on the type and the way the Pikmin is thrown. The following tricks do not have any known uses at the moment, however. Also, they do not work in ''Pikmin'' nor ''Pikmin 2'', only the Wii remakes.

*'''Throwing Pikmin higher''': If [[Yellow Pikmin]] are thrown from a [[plant]]{{cite youtube|WbDUbcuDLp4|showing Yellow Pikmin being thrown higher from a plant}} or on top of a piece of [[chiyogami]]{{cite youtube|snR1T6LUNXQ|showing Yellow Pikmin being thrown higher from a piece of chiyogami}}, they will go higher than normal. Yellow Pikmin can also be thrown higher thanks to [[fire geyser]]s{{cite youtube|Z0P5WYNFWEA|showing Yellow Pikmin being thrown higher thanks to fire geysers}}, corpses{{cite youtube|iCZnrreDRtE|showing Yellow Pikmin being thrown higher thanks to corpses}} and [[treasure]]s{{cite youtube|0rgXNMZAhyo|showing Yellow Pikmin being thrown higher thanks to treasures}}.

*'''Changing the distance of the throw''': The aforementioned tricks can be used to throw Yellow Pikmin both higher and further. However, there are some ways to increase or decrease the distance of the throw for other Pikmin types. Thanks to plants (particularly the [[Figwort]]), it is possible to throw [[Red Pikmin|Red]], [[White Pikmin|White]] and [[Blue Pikmin]] slightly further{{cite youtube|V--Bd3nuBQ4|showing White, Blue and Red Pikmin thrown further thanks to a Figwort}} and [[Purple Pikmin]] slightly less far{{cite youtube|1JJSQwo6ozg|showing Purple Pikmin being thrown less far because of plants}}. However, if Purple Pikmin are thrown against a [[Breadbug]], they will go further{{cite youtube|yLAgs46wREI|showing Purple Pikmin being thrown further thanks to a Breadbug}}. Similarly, Purple Pikmin can be thrown further thanks to the fire of a [[Fiery Blowhog]]{{cite youtube|a9OhdJZVniE|showing Purple Pikmin being thrown further thanks to a Puffy Blowhog}}. This also makes Yellow Pikmin ascend higher.

*'''Other tricks''': If Pikmin are thrown from a [[gas pipe]], they will suddenly gain a lot of speed when choking{{cite youtube|VfI3tjAeIVo|showing how Pikmin can gain speed when choking}} This does not happen if they are not thrown. Finally, if a Purple Pikmin is thrown at a [[gate]] while very close to the gate, and is thrown at full force, it will go through and attack from the other side{{cite youtube|ttD6A9eA5Rw|showing Purple Pikmin being thrown through a gate}}.

== Oddities ==
For unknown reasons, when the player tries to throw in {{p1}}, there is a chance that Olimar will simply twitch instead. This is not the case if the Pikmin to throw is in front of Olimar, or is far away from him. Every once in a while, the game will enter a state for {{frames|1|y}} frame where it will reject the throw if the player presses the button on that frame. In the GameCube game, this happens every {{frames|11|y}} frames, though sometimes it's every {{frames|10|y}} frames instead, and in the ''[[New Play Control!]]'' release, it's roughly every {{frames|3|y}} frames, with the periodic break of {{frames|20|y}} frames where the glitch won't happen.{{cite youtube|9uOnWMzhMh0|showing how Olimar can fail to throw, and how various actions like whistling do not fix the problem|published={{date|20|July|2020}}|retrieved={{date|22|July|2020}}}}

In {{p3d}}, if the player is repeatedly pressing the throw button quickly enough, when they run out of Pikmin of the current standby type and the next type is [[bomb rock]]s, the game will quickly swap to the next type over instead. Possibly as a result of this, if the player holds a non-bomb rock Pikmin, then swaps types while holding until they select bomb rocks, throwing that Pikmin and then quickly pressing the throw button again will make the game swap to the next type, causing the player to hold or even throw a non-bomb rock Pikmin.{{cite web|https://twitter.com/EspyoPT/status/1333845362050625536|Twitter video|Twitter|published={{date|1|December|2020}}|retrieved={{date|1|December|2020}}}} Care should be taken as to not throw unarmed Pikmin into an active bomb. Giving a small pause between the next throw, or simply swapping to bomb rocks without holding a Pikmin allows the player to throw several bombs without this risk.

==Technical information==
''Pikmin 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s data includes a parameter file with the throw height value for each Pikmin and leader, in plain English. This file can be found in <code>/content/CMCmn/system/param_db.szs/pikminparam_db.txt</code>.

{| class="wikitable"
! Type
! Height (in game distance units)
|-
| [[Purple Pikmin]]
| 60.0
|-
| [[Yellow Pikmin]]
| 107.0
|-
| Other Pikmin
| 72.5
|-
| [[Leader]]s
| 30.0
|}

==In other games==
===In the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
[[File:SSBU Pikmin Throw.jpg|thumb|250px|Olimar throwing a [[Yellow Pikmin]] in {{ssbu}}.]]
{{external|the move Pikmin Throw|[[smashwiki:Pikmin Throw|SmashWiki]]|SmashWiki.png}}
In the ''[[Super Smash Bros. series|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series, Olimar's forward-special move is called "Pikmin Throw". When used, the next Pikmin in line is grabbed and instantly thrown forward, where it may land on the ground and rejoin the group some seconds later, or latch onto an opponent, where it will cause damage until it falls off. The type of Pikmin determines the damage caused and the throw arc. Yellow Pikmin are thrown at a higher arc, Purple Pikmin are thrown a very short distance, and White Pikmin are thrown very fast and far. [[Red Pikmin]] cause strong fire damage, [[Yellow Pikmin]] cause electrical moderate damage, [[Blue Pikmin]] cause regular damage and [[White Pikmin]] cause high poison damage. [[Purple Pikmin]] do not latch on, but instead, knock the opponent away.

===In ''Pikmin Adventure''===
Only the Olimar player can throw Pikmin in ''Pikmin Adventure''. When they have a Pikmin nearby, they will grab it and toss it right away. To toss a Pikmin, the player must tap on the target on the GamePad. If the Mii Pikmin are stacked atop the leader, they can be thrown one by one by the latter.

==Names in other languages==
{{foreignname
|Jap=投げる
|JapR=Nageru
|JapM=Throw
|ChiTrad=投擲
|ChiTradR=
|ChiTradM=Throw
|ChiSimp=投掷
|ChiSimpR=
|ChiSimpM=Throw
|Fra=Lancer
|FraM=Throw
|Ger=Werfen
|GerM=Throw
|Ita=Lanciare
|ItaM=Throw
|Kor=던지다
|KorR=deonjida
|KorM=Throw
|Spa=Lanzar
|SpaM=Throw
}}

==Trivia==
*In ''Pikmin'' and ''Pikmin 2'', Pikmin in mid-throw retain their position and velocity when a cutscene is triggered. In ''Pikmin 3'' however, cutscenes often involve a leader speaking in a paused world; these cutscenes behave differently than most, and when gameplay resumes, thrown Pikmin still retain their position but not their forward velocity. They fall to the ground idle, which can put the player at a disadvantage if they were combating an enemy before the cutscene started.

==References==
{{refs}}

{{controls}}
{{pikmin}}

[[Category:Gameplay]]