User:Pump3r6unk
A guy who wants to make Pikmin 4 99% Pikminless. Unfortunately, he still has to play the previous three mainline games. :(
No Pikmin Run (Pikmin 4)
A no Pikmin run in Pikmin 4 is a play style that revolves on completing the game without using Pikmin. Due to the inclusion of Oatchi, many tasks can be accomplished without Pikmin and is the primary way to play this run.
The General Run
The main goal of the run is to complete the main story of Rescue Olimar (or including Cure Oatchi story, Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, or just the former.) or complete as much of the game as possible for 100%.
Throughout the run, Oatchi is mandatory to make progress. The main rule is no Pikmin from the squad cannot be used to make progress or affect in game stats with the only exceptions being surviving Glow Pikmin at the end of night expeditions and unless they are needed to pass an impossible obstacle or to collect a treasure for 100%. Because of this, Oatchi cannot take care of some obstacles by himself. However, not many of these obstacles appear in terms of progressing through the story, but it is prevalent in terms of 100% completion. Pikmin also cannot be used for small beneficial purposes to beating the story or making getting the most percentage of 100% without Pikmin easier (ex: 100% Subterranean Swarm for easy free Bomb Rocks and Ice Blasts from the Doodlebug) (this also applies to Dandori challenges and Trial of the Sage Leaf). Until all progress that can be achieved without Pikmin is done, Pikmin can now be used for the rest of the unachieved progress (Olimar's Shipwreck Tale is a slight exception).
To avoid receiving Pikmin in the run, pellets, enemy corpses, and Onions are not to be collected as they sprout Pikmin. Sprouted Pikmin in the area can lead to the player character plucking them if they are too close to them. Onions are especially a problem, since they continue to sprout new Pikmin in each area if there is not one of a certain type unplucked, so it is recommended that Onions are collected last or after all progress that can be achieved without Pikmin is done. Depleting the Pikmin population using Candypop Buds does not work either and the Onion will produce a sprout, which can lead to the same problems as collecting Onions. Wild Pikmin tend to be located in many caves and whistling or getting near them adds them to the squad. There are two alternatives to avoiding them. Ice Blasts can freeze them (except for Ice Pikmin) to prevent them from joining the squad, which allows the characters to go near them safely. Explosive items can kill them, which will not count to the final results. Enemies can also kill them, but the deaths are counted in the Piklopedia.
Raw materials are a major necessity. They are required for buildings, and used to purchase gear and items. However, because no Pikmin can be used, not many raw materials will be gained within individual days, unless they were dedicated to collecting them. Dirt mounds and raw materials (depending where they are located) are slow methods to obtaining some, but using Ultra-Spicy Sprays can speed up the carrying process. Sometimes they are dropped by enemies, but these will disappear after exiting the area or cave, so it might be important to grab some. There are also better ways to gain a lot of raw materials easily: Side missions from rescued castaways are the best way of obtaining a lot raw materials. Leaflings that are cured also give some raw materials. Repeatedly failing (not giving up) by running out of time or getting knocked out in Dandori Challenges in the main areas can grant up to 50+ raw materials (10 per fail and 1 after 5+ fails).
Apart from requiring using complex methods to getting past obstacles or obtaining some treasures and not being able to use Pikmin, the play style is still relatively the same as normal but extremely slow paced due to tasks being only done with Oatchi. However, there is one major issue in the run. If the player is not careful with some choices they make in the run, they can fail from progressing in the run or obtaining certain treasures. If it ever happens, the player will be forced to use Pikmin to collect what they could have gotten without them. Enemies, treasures, and Oatchi skills fall into this category.
Pikmin Replacements
Although Pikmin cannot be used for their abilities to complete certain tasks, there are alternate ways to utilize similar effects without using them.
Oatchi
Oatchi possesses many skills similar to Pikmin. It should be noted that these skills will not very effective for future tasks if they are not upgraded via Pup Drive which are obtained from saving castaways or leaflings.
A primary example is his Buff skill which allows him to carry objects up to 100 once his skill is fully upgraded (Mostly replaces Purple Pikmin strength of 10.). This skill is mandatory to be upgraded so that many treasures are collected.
Another skill is Doggy-Paddle which grants Oatchi water immunity and lets him swim on water, as well as carry submerged objects when it is fully upgraded. This replaces Blue Pikmin water immunity and swimming abilities. It should be noted that the player character must command Oatchi to grab submerged objects by locking onto them. This skill is automatically obtained after a few days pass while Oatchi is grown up.
Although not exactly the same as a Yellow Pikmin or Winged Pikmin abilities to reach high objects, his Rush skill can be used to knock objects off of high places. However, not all objects can be knocked off this way (Ex: Mechanical Harp (Memory Song)). Furthermore, it can be used to gain height when hitting an object while standing on the top (improvised with an explosion), or angling Oatchi to launch him (stronger with an Ultra-Spicy Spray and/or a Bomb Rock explosion.).
Finally, his Jump skill can be used to get across short gaps or walls.
Most gear can be certainly helpful in the run. For this case, Scorch Guard, Sniff Saver, Anti-Electrifier, and Thermal Defense can replace Red, Yellow, White, and Ice Pikmin elemental immunities. Sometimes it is required to unequip them to gain specific treasures.
Though not neccessarily a Pikmin replacement, the Headlamp and its upgrade can emit a lot of light in dark caves, similar to a group of Glow Pikmin.
While not used for Oatchi, the Extra Hand can be used by the player character to obtain treasures that weigh 1. Most treasures in the game weigh more than 1, so its main benefits are primarily for nugget piles, which are prominent in Dandori challenges and Trial of the Sage Leaf. This replaces the strength of one Pikmin.
Brace Boots are also only used by the player character. It allows them to resist wind or inhaling attacks, similar to Purple Pikmin resistance. Wind and inhaling attacks are not very common, so the gear has a niche use.
Triple Threat is niche to use, since it is exclusive to the player character and it does not do much damage against enemies. Oatchi, items, or the pebble pitcher will be dealing more damage than them, but it could serve as minor extra damage.
Most of the items do not replace Pikmin and merely for other benefits. Only two of them can replace Pikmin abilities.
Pikpik Carrots at first do not do much with distracting enemies and paralyze effect when eaten (vaguely similar to Glow Pikmin's glowmob paralyze effect), but its best use is activating switches. Sometimes switches are located atop high places or blocked off areas, but it can be easily done with the use of Survey Drone and its own Pikpik Carrots. A minor use is damaging and killing certain small enemies.
Bomb Rocks are good sources of damage against enemies and can be used to destroy reinforced walls and crystal objects. This can replace the Rock Pikmin's ability to break crystal objects.
Similar to Bomb Rocks are Mines and Trackonators. Mines can set off when enemy is nearby or stuck to one. They can also activate from an Ice Blast or another explosion. It has a specific use against a certain boss. Trackonators set off similar to mines, but they chase the enemy and it explodes quicker than a Bomb Rock or Mine. Both cannot be used by the Pebble Pitcher. Bomb Rocks are better to use since they do not explode quickly and can be obtained for free from dirt mounds or the Pebble Pitcher.
Ice Blasts emit the ice element like Ice Pikmin. Its uses are freezing large bodies of water and hydro jelly, certain enemies, and very rarely, getting Oatchi to stand on top of objects. The latter two objects can prevent collecting wild Pikmin, by killing them (this does count to the total Pikmin deaths or Piklopedia) or freezing them respectively.
Lightning Shocks can be used to paralyze or drop enemies from the air. Enemies like the Snowfake Fluttertail can be defeated by using them to reveal its weak spot. A major use is to keep enemies still so that it is easy to push them around. This is the most expensive item to buy, so it is better to obtain them using the Pebble Pitcher.
Objects
The requirements to finishing the game, specifically treasures. Treasures grant sparklium, which unlock new areas, gear, and items. Enemy corpses can also give sparklium, but not by much. However, certain enemy corpses need to be collected for Louie's side missions to obtain the Extra Hand. Most of these enemies are located in only one or two caves that cannot be 100% without Pikmin, which means they will not respawn, so it is best to perserve their corpses until the side missions have been unlocked. If some have been collected before the side missions have been unlocked, they will not count as progress and the player will likely be forced to obtain the gear using Pikmin. Most treasures will be weigh a ton, so it is important that Oatchi's buff skill gets fully upgraded early. Sometimes objects are needed to gain height to another treasure before being collected, ranging from enemy corpses and treasures. To get on top of the objects, Oatchi must jump on top of it which will lock him in freefall, which could kick him out of it. Sometimes Oatchi will simply be able to stand on top of it depending on the position of the object. Otherwise, using an Ice Blast can cancel the freefall and allow Oatchi to stand on it after breaking out. Afterwards, use his rush to gain height and use a Bomb Rock to improve it; do not jump. This replaces Yellow and Winged Pikmin high throw range and reach.
Other than using their corpses for height or for sparklium, there are rare cases where enemies can help with gaining treasures using their attacks. Most enemies are known to emit elemental attacks (ex: Snowy Blowhog) and some can grant Oatchi height (Ex: Tusked Blowhog). As mentioned before, some enemies need to be collected for Louie's side missions to obtain the Extra Hand.
Similar to enemies, hazards are rarely helpful. Its one helpful use is giving height, with Bomb Rocks to control the trajectory.
Also known as the Pebble Pitcher, and it is a major tool in the run. The pebbles are a primary source of damage against enemies, has unlimited range, and capable of destroying all types of gates and walls except for reinforced walls. It has access to unlimited Pikpik Carrots, Scrummy Bones Bomb Rocks, Ice Blasts, and Lightning Shocks by gaining points from hitting things with the pebbles or if the player one completes tasks. Nectar can also be obtained as an item, but this is the only item that does not serve much of a purpose in the run, as it is redundant and inefficient as a healing item, and it wastes a slot for the Pebble Pitcher's item pool. It can be avoided if Oatchi or the player's Pikmin does not drink some or a whole drop of nectar. Because the items are obtained for free, it can save raw materials, so that the player does not have to buy too many items from the lab and can focus on using them for gear and building structures. The Survey Drone improves the Pebble Pitcher even more, granting it even more unlimited range.
Other Helpful Sources
Though these sources do not replicate Pikmin abilities, they can benefit in terms of movement and clearing obstacles.
Copying Save Files
Copying the main file to extra save files can be used as save states or to go back to a previous day, similar to Pikmin 3's to Eariler Day feature. This could be used if some resources or days were wasted.
Rewind and Retry
Unlike the main game, Olimar's Shipwreck Tale has an in-game feature to go back to previous days. Due to the mode being limited in days, this is essentially useful to backtrack to days that we're not used wisely.
Sometimes mistakes will happen in the run, but they can be undone with the Rewind Time feature. However, this means progress will be lost depending on how much time was rewinded. Items that were used up from player one could be retrieved, but pebble used pitcher items cannot be retrieved. However, earned pebble pitcher items are still kept after rewinding time if not used. A day could be entirely restarted (as long as the player did not enter a cave), or to a specific timestamp. In caves, timestamps will disappear if the player spends a long time in a sublevel.
Items
Ultra-spicy spray improves Oatchi's movement, and attack and rush speed.
Scrummy Bones and Emergency Kits are simply healing items for Oatchi and the player character respectively.
Glow Seeds are the only item that should not be used in the run since they spawn in Glow Pikmin.
Gear
Other than substituting for Pikmin abilities, they can be used to finish tasks more efficiently and easily. Tuff Stuff, Air Armor, and its upgraded versions are helpful to prevent getting knocked in combat. They benefit Oatchi more than the player character, since he should be taking damage for most of the time.
As said before, the Survey Drone's main use is with the Pebble Pitcher. This can be helpful to activate tools or destroy obstacles that are inaccessible to get to.
The Treasure Gauge and its upgrade can be used to detect treasure and keep track of how much is collected in the area respectively.
Gunk Busters are overall niche, as sticky mold is not a major obstacle, but they can help in Dandori Challenges and Trial of the Sage Leaf to save time.
Rush Boots are important gear to have, since they improve the speed of the characters and tasks can be done quicker, especially since the run is slow paced.
The Power Whistle and Plucking Whistle are to be used with caution, as they could likely whistle wild sprouted Pikmin. However, the latter tool can be used to kill wild Pikmin if timed correctly using an explosive item. The former does not help too much, as the whistle is only used to call back Oatchi or the player character and not groups of Pikmin, so the increased range hardly matters.
The Charging Horn and Lineup Trumpet do not have much use in the run, even though it can be used on Oatchi.
The Idler's Alert, Homesick Signal, and Idle Counter are useless, since their intended uses are specifically for Pikmin.
Buildings
Some buildings are mandatory to reaching some collectibles, or parts of an area. While some can be skipped, they are required to finish Osa's Building Goodwill side missions.
Get Help (Dingo)
All Dandori challenges are impossible without using Pikmin (the Extra Hand makes some of these possible), which renders some of the leaflings unobtainable. However, if Dingo has been saved, then the Get Help option is available after failing a Dandori challenge. Choosing this option allows the player to skip the Dandori challenge and obtain the leafling easily. The Get Help option is also available in Dandori battles and night expeditions, but unlike Dandori challenges, they can be done far easily.
Prologue
Five Red Pikmin are automatically obtained when breaking the pots using Moss’s rush and whistling them back. THe player cannot immediately jump down to the area’s main ground to avoid this. One of two Blue Pikmin near the bookend right before battling against the Porquillion are automatically obtained either by leaning against the left or right. One rush is required to push the bookend down. Despite all of this, these Pikmin are not needed to defeat the Porquillion to proceed to the Rescue Command Post, as the Pebble Pitcher or Moss’s chomp can damage it once its body can be attacked.
Rescue Command Post - Day 1
With Oatchi being the first rescue, the potted plant can be pulled in order to rescue Collin. Up ahead is the first cave, which leads to the S.S. Shepherd’s crash site.
In order to enter Burrow of Beginnings, Oatchi must dig out the dirt blocking the cave’s entrance.
Collectibles:
- 
Castaway × 1 (Erma Shepherd) - The three Bulborb Larva can be defeated with Oatchi’s chomp, the player character’s punch, or the Pebble Pitcher. The breakable pots must be destroyed with Oatchi’s rush.
After Shepherd is rescued, the player can exit the cave.
Rescue Command Post (Returning to the Surface)
Upon returning to the surface, the player character and co. arrive at the S.S. Shepherd’s crash site. 300 sparklium is needed to power the S.S. Shepherd’s signal.
The following collectibles are obtained in these ways using none to the minimum amount of Pikmin:
- 
Red Onion × 1 - Mandatory to be collected using Oatchi’s buff skill.
- 
Noble Bident × 1 - Oatchi or Red Pikmin have to dig up the treasure in order to collect it. This is the only treasure where no Pikmin are required to carry it back, since Oatchi’s buff strength of 3 is enough.
- 
Path Creator × 1 - Oatchi’s buff strength of 3 is not enough to carry this treasure, so 2 or 5 Red Pikmin will be needed.
- 
Stone of Advancement × 1 - With Oatchi, the minimum amount of Red Pikmin required to carry this treasure is 7.
Once all of the three treasures have been collected, the player can explore Sun-Speckled Terrace.
Sun-Speckled Terrace (Day 2)
Oatchi remains small on day 2. His skills cannot be upgraded until a castaway is rescued, who is always Russ. This means accessible treasures that weigh more than 3 before Oatchi grows up cannot be carried. Moreso, there are not enough treasures to collect to move on to the next area when Oatchi is still small (1,470 sparklium is the max amount). Clay structures also cannot be constructed. Lastly, one of Oatchi’s primary skills, jump, is locked. Russ must be rescued in order to unlock new skills for Oatchi and proceed to the next areas to gain enough sparklium.
The only obstacle to destroy on the surface to access most of the area is a dirt wall. There are only two caves that can be accessed containing a castaway: Last-Frost Cavern and Crackling Cauldron.
Crackling Cauldron’s castaway cannot be obtained, because there is no way to gain enough height to reach them from the ledge. Not even rushing will knock them off.
Last-Frost Cavern (Day 2)
Last-Frost Cavern’s castaway can be obtained in this way without using Ice Pikmin: By pushing the Snowy Blowhog using a treasure (preferably the Director of Destiny) over to the hydro jellies blocking them, it can freeze them, allowing the hydro jellies to be destroyed. It takes about 250+ rushes to move the Snowy Blowhog all the way to the hydro jellies. This cave could cause the run to fail if the Snowy Blowhog is killed early and the player exits the cave, as it cannot respawn unless the cave is 100% completed, which cannot be done immediately without Pikmin.
Because not much treasures can be collected on day 2, getting raw materials and clearing obstacles and hazards in the area are valid strategies.
With Russ rescued, Oatchi grows up and can learn skills through the pup drives received from rescuing castaways. The three pup drives are highly recommended to be spent on the buff skill, so that heavier treasures can be obtained for a lot of sparklium to unlock areas, gear, and items. The Lab is also unlocked for the player to buy gear and items and will eventually unlock more as they collect more sparklium.
Sun-Speckled Terrace
Being the first main area in the game, most of the treasures and castaways are very easy to get. Surprisingly however, a decent amount of them require unique methods to obtaining them. The layout of the area is simple and most of the obstacles are easy to take down. A notable obstacle is the electric gate, which could be destroyed if Oatchi has an Anti-Electrifier, but the pebble pitcher can also be used to destroy it much earlier.
Surface
Collectibles:
- 
Lesser Mock Bottom × 1 (inside a breakable pot) - Use Oatchi's rush to break the pots to obtain the treasure.
- 
Perforated Raft × 2 (inside breakable pots) - Use Oatchi's rush to break the pots to obtain the treasures (locked behind an electric gate).
- 
Satellite Shield × 1 (partially buried) -
Dig out the treasure using a Bomb Rock or the pebble pitcher. Then use Oatchi's rush to knock it down from the ledge (locked behind an electric gate).
- 
Flarlic × 1 (partially buried) - Dig out the treasure using a Bomb Rock or the pebble pitcher. Then use Oatchi's rush to knock it down from the ledge.
- 
Temporal Mechanism × 1 (attached to wall) - Use Oatchi's rush to knock it off from the wall.
- 
Double Dragon-Eyed Scope × 1 - Use Oatchi's rush to knock it down, or use the railings to jump onto the ledge to grab it.
- 
Sunseed Berry × 1 - Jump, and use Oatchi's rush to knock off the treasure.
- 
Orb of Destruction × 1 - Jump, and use Oatchi's rush to knock down the treasure.
- 
Blue Onion × 1 (Doggy-Paddle (Lv. 3)/Ice Blast, Object, Jump, Super Buff (Lv. 1)) -
- 
Child of the Earth × 1 (fully buried) - Send Oatchi to dig out the fully buried treasure (requires building clay bridge)
- 
Talisman of Life (Moon) × 1 (inside Porquillion) -Complete Aquiferous Summit and defeat the Porquillion (requires building clay bridge).
- 
Snack Bean (partially buried) × 1 - Complete Aquiferous Summit. On the right is the Snack Bean's location. Send Oatchi to dig it out.
- 
Fire-Breathing Feast × 1 - Complete Aquiferous Summit. On the right is the Fire-Breathing Feast's location. Turn right again to see the treasure on top of a ledge. Use Oatchi's rush to knock it off.
- 
Mysterious Carriage × 1 - This treasure is located near the Meandering Slope base. Next to the Dandori Battle cave entrance, go near to the edge, use an Ultra-Spicy Spray and position Oatchi on the edge of the bricks in order to launch him upwards when using a rush. Upon landing on the platform, use explosive against Oatchi to forcibly push off the treasure. Alternatively, Oatchi's swallow can be used. (requires building clay bridge).
- 
Yellow Onion × 1 (Gear/Pebble Pitcher/Bomb Rock, Pikmin (10), Super Buff (Lv. 2)) -
Last-Frost Cavern
This is the shortest cave in the game with the fewest amount of collectibles and obstacles, making it the easiest cave to 100% complete without Pikmin. The cave can be accessed after destroying the dirt wall near the beginning of the area.
Sublevel 1
Collectibles:
- Castaway × 1 - As mentioned before, push the Snowy Blowhog using a treasure by using Oatchi's rush all the way over to the hydro jellies locking away the castaway. The enemy will use its ice attack to freeze one of the hydro jellies, allowing the player to break them. It is the only way to rescue the castaway since it is the only enemy in the cave that can produce ice to freeze one of the hydro jellies. This castaway is mandatory to be rescued in the run. It is also possible to fail to rescue this castaway without Pikmin if you kill the Snowy Blowhog early and leave the cave, which will not respawn because the cave had not been 100% completed.
- 
Refreshing Goo × 1 - This treasure is slightly hidden in a bush. Simply carry it back using Oatchi.
- 
Director of Destiny × 1 - Use Oatchi's rush to knock it down.
- Flarlic × 1 - Use Oatchi's rush to break the clay pots. Ice Pikmin will come out of them. In order to avoid gathering them to the squad, you can kill them with Bomb Rocks, or slightly pushing them out of the way using Oatchi's rush. Dig out the Onion by sending Oatchi or the pebble pitcher.
Once one of the hydro jellies have been destroyed, the cave's exit is open.
Crackling Cauldron
The cave is accessed by sending Oatchi to dig out the partially buried entrance right by the Rugged Scaffold base.
There are lot of obstacles consisting of electric gates and sizzling floors. Gear or the pebble pitcher are mandatory to get rid of them.
Sublevel 1
To enter the next sublevel, destroy the electric gate using Oatchi (equipped with an Anti-Electrifier), or the pebble pitcher. This sublevel has a paper bag that can be used as a shortcut.
Collectibles:
- 
Illumination Goo (partially buried) × 1 - Send Oatchi to dig out the treasure. The Shearwigs may prevent Oatchi from carrying it back, so defeat them if necessary.
- 
Deceptive Snack × 1 - Oatchi can simply carry it back, but the Shearwigs may prevent him from carrying it back, so defeat them if necessary.
- 
Dusty Bed (hanging) × 1 - Due to this treasure being hung by a cobweb, it is impossible to obtain it without Pikmin. 10 Pikmin is required to be thrown to lower the treasure down.
Sublevel 2
Collectibles:
- 
Daughter of the Earth (buried) × 1 - Destroy the burning charcoal to remove the sizzling floor using Oatchi (equipped with a Scorch Guard), or the pebble pitcher. Then send Oatchi to dig out the treasure.
- 
Cookie of Nibbled Circles × 1 -
- 
S.S. Chocolate × 1 -
- Castaway × 1 -
To enter the cave's exit, destroy the burning charcoal to remove the sizzling floor, or simply walk through using the player character (with or without a Scorch Guard equipped).
A clay bridge is required to be built to access some of the left side of the area, which takes a few days for it to be completed. Once it has been built, continue going left up the hill to find the cave's entrance. Jump a few steps to enter the cave using Oatchi.
There is a small abundance of hydro jellies in this cave, so Ice Blasts will be needed to complete this cave. A few of them contain a collectible, but some contain Ice Pikmin. This is the first cave in the game to have collectible nuggets.
Sublevel 1
The next sublevel can be accessed by simply using a single Ice Blast to freeze the water to get across to the next sublevel's entrance.
Collectibles:
- 
Talisman of Life (Crane) × 1 - Use an Ice Blast to freeze the hydro jelly containing it. Use two more Ice Blast to freeze the water to reach over to the treasure and carry it back. Alternatively, Oatchi's Doggy-Paddle (Lv. 3) skill can carry it back.
Sublevel 2
The cave's exit can be accessed by constructed the clay mound. Sizzling floors need to be extinguished as well as a paper bag to be pushed to create a route for Oatchi to build the mound.
Collectibles:
Nugget × 15 - Destroy the charcoal to remove the sizzling floor. Jump the steps to begin the automated process of gathering the nuggets.
Memory Fragment (Top Left) × 1 - Destroy the charcoal to remove the sizzling floor. Jump the steps to collect the treasure.
Skin of the Phoenix × 1 - Due to this treasure being hung by a cobweb, it is impossible to obtain it without Pikmin. 3 Pikmin is required to be thrown to lower the treasure down.
Getting to the cave entrance requires Oatchi's Doggy-Paddle and jump skills, or an Ice Blast to freeze the water. The first method uses less resources, but it may take a couple of jumps to the right spot to get on the island.
- Leafling × 1 - After clearing the stage, use an Ice Blast to freeze the water to help Oatchi transport the leafling. Alternatively, Doggy-Paddle level 3 can simply work as well.
To enter this cave, a bridge is required to be built to get across. It is located near the Meandering Slope base.
- Leafling × 1 - Once the stage has been completed, Oatchi can simply carry the leafling back to the S.S. Beagle.