Editing Zero death challenge

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[[File:Pikmin 3 zero death run.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Example of a completed zero death challenge, in {{p3}}.]]

A '''zero death challenge''' is where one tries to complete one of the [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]] without losing ''any'' [[Pikmin (species)|Pikmin]] whatsoever. This can be very difficult, even for skilled players. However, there are a few methods that can make this formidable task easier, as listed below.  

The [[Pikmin series|''Pikmin'' games]] were designed with Pikmin death in mind; primarily during tough battles. The Pikmin by themselves are extremely frail, and even the easiest enemies like [[Dwarf Bulborb|dwarf bulborbs]] can kill a Pikmin or two very quickly if they go unnoticed, especially during more hectic scenes, or if you have a very large squad following you. Be prepared to reset if even a '''single''' Pikmin dies, and accept that it may take multiple tries to complete a sublevel or defeat a boss enemy without casualities.

Especially in [[Pikmin (game)|the first game]], where enemies are typically much harder to beat due to generally higher enemy [[Health|health points]], the absence of [[Purple Pikmin]], and several glitches (like the [[Glitches in Pikmin#Crushing glitch|crushing glitch]]) that can kill Pikmin through no fault of your own. You absolutely '''must''' take your time; even the smallest, simplest mistake can lead to casualties. Learn about the enemy types, and learn how they attack the Pikmin and the Leaders so you can safely navigate away from their attacks. Patience is vital when fighting difficult enemies like the [[Beady Long Legs]] and [[Emperor Bulblax]], or the likes of the [[Titan Dweevil]] in ''[[Pikmin 2]]''. Rushing can lead to mistakes, which can either cost you valuable time, or can result in causalities.  

Even if only '''one''' of your Pikmin dies, reset the [[day]] or [[cave]] sublevel. The fastest way is press the "RESET" button on your console or select "Reset" from the [[Wii]]'s Home Menu. Alternately, press the "POWER" button and restart the system, or hold {{button|gc|x}} + {{button|gc|b}} + {{button|gc|start}}. This is especially useful in caves, where your progress is [[Saved game|saved]] between every sublevels, meaning you will lose very little progress should you restart. In ''[[Pikmin 3]]'', you can just pause the game and select "restart area" to return to the start of the day.  

Some enemies are challenging to beat without a large onslaught, so take the strongest forces of Pikmin you can muster, and use them correctly. In ''Pikmin 2'', you should always try and defeat enemies with [[Purple Pikmin]] whenever possible, because of their immense power and stunning potential. In the first game, there are also a number of alternative, safer ways to defeat enemies, such as using [[bomb-rock]]s, or failing that, punching them with Olimar to weaken or kill them first.

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*[[Digging#Digging speeds|Digging speeds]]: learning what types of Pikmin are the most and least effective at digging out objects can allow the player to leave fewer Pikmin work on a task or gain time.

*[[Carrying]]: White Pikmin are the fastest Pikmin: as such, they have fewer chances of being killed by an enemy. In ''Pikmin 3'', Winged Pikmin carrying an object cannot be noticed by enemies, which makes them the best choice for retrieving things most of the time. Just make sure you've taken out any [[Arachnode|Arachnodes]] in the way first, lest the Winged Pikmin be killed in transit.  

While the enemies that lurk on the main paths should always be dispatched, many enemies near parts and treasures that are on the road less traveled don't always have to be killed. Most enemies will follow a leader with or without Pikmin, so use one of them to distract an enemy while the Pikmin slip by them with ship parts, treasures, or fruits. In the first game, Olimar cannot be harmed while lying down, making him perfect for distracting powerful enemies like [[Spotty Bulbear|Spotty Bulbears]].

Although it may make the next few days a little easier, killing all the enemies in the level or trying to kill multiple bosses in one day will likely result in multiple resets and frustration. If you end the day often, you won't lose as much progress should you have to reset the day. However, this shouldn't be done very often; stronger enemies begin appearing in the [[Perplexing Pool]] after Day 30 in [[Pikmin 2|the second game,]] and the [[Pikmin 1|first]] and [[Pikmin 3|third]] games have Day limits; taking too long can result in a game over.

The leaders' [[punch]] can kill most non-boss enemies rather efficiently, especially after recovering the [[Brute Knuckles]] and unlocking the [[Rocket Fist]] in [[Pikmin 2|the second game.]] It is entirely possible for the two leaders to clean out entire sublevels while placing the Pikmin in no direct harm. While Olimar can heal himself in the first game by interacting with the S.S Dolphin, the leaders in ''Pikmin 2'' are not given this luxury, requiring care to be taken when battling with just the leaders, lest one of them go down. Leaders can also be sent to scour the entire sublevel and trigger any falling [[bomb-rock]]s or [[Volatile Dweevil]]s before they endanger the Pikmin.

In [[Pikmin 2|the second game]], sprays are acceptably common, doubly so if you use the spray glitch mentioned above. Do not be afraid to use an ultra-bitter spray to defeat an enemy like a [[Fiery Bulblax]], even if you need to spend an extra day at the [[Perplexing Pool]] or the [[Valley of Repose]] in order to obtain more. Ultra-spicy sprays are not as helpful in comparison, but can still  

Sprays can be farmed rather efficiently in [[Pikmin 2|the second game]] and the [[Pikmin 3|third game]] if you know where to go and what to do. The ever-valuable ultra-bitter sprays can be easily farmed on the [[Frontier Cavern|Frontier Cavern's]] first sublevel, as it has three [[Doodlebug|Doodlebugs]], which give two bitter sprays each if hit all three times, adding up to six bitter sprays (''twelve'' if you use the spray duplication glitch) per trip. Spicy sprays can easily be obtained by spending a little time near the Awakening Wood's Spiderworts and hunting down flint beetles.  

In the third game, Pikmin can be assigned to a Spiderwort, and will spend the rest of the day harvesting them unless they encounter resistance or are whistled at. Assigning 5 Pikmin to two or three [[Burgeoning Spiderwort|Spiderworts]] will provide you with a good number of sprays per day, allowing you to power your army up more often during dangerous moments. However, you must note that Pikmin assigned to Spiderworts 'will not stop harvesting berries until specifically called back,' and are exceedingly easy to [[Sunset|leave behind at sunset]] as a result.