User:Marxo Grouch/Pikmin 4 low day run
In Pikmin 4, a low day run can fall into several different categories. There is the 13 day run to complete both parts of the main story (first 9 days for Rescue Olimar, the last 3 days for Cure Oatchi, and the last day for the end cutscene). For 100% completion of all areas during the main story, there is the 14 day run. Lastly, there is the 33 day run for 100% completion of the entire game. Olimar's Shipwreck Tale has its own low day run, with the minimum being 4 days, though days in that game mode are counted separately from the main mode.
This page covers one outline for completing the main story and 100% completion of the entire game in the lowest number of days possible. This includes a low day run outline for Olimar’s Shipwreck Tale.
Author’s Notes
This project is mainly based on these two videos. Marxo Grouch (talk)
Rescue Olimar (9-10 days)
Note: Nine days can only be achieved if only the Dandori Battle leaflings are rescued. If any Dandori Challenge leaflings were rescued prior to rescuing Olimar, the player will need to go on a fourth night expedition as any extra cures obtained on the third night expedition will be used on another leafling. This effectively bumps the minimum number of days for rescuing Olimar to 10 if the player is aiming for immediate 100% completion of each area.
Day 1
- As this is just like any other tutorial, simply follow the normal procedures. Find Oatchi, rescue Collin, enter the Burrow of Beginnings and rescue Shepherd, return to the surface and reach the S.S. Shepherd, activate the Red Onion, grow at least 7 Red Pikmin, and carry the Noble Bident, Path Creator, and Stone of Advancement in any order you wish. Once all three treasures are obtained and the Sparklium unit count reaches × 300, the day ends.
Note: Like with Pikmin 3, Pikmin cannot grow into buds or flowers on the first day, so don’t waste time waiting for sprouts to bloom. However, a good idea would be to harvest the optional Pellet Posies in the area and pluck the resulting sprouts the next day once they bloom. The lack of time passing at the Rescue Command Post in general makes harvesting flowered Pikmin there optimal, regardless of the daily 12 Pikmin limit.
Day 2
- Take all available Pikmin out of the Onion and have them transport the pile of raw material back to the S.S. Beagle.
- Travel further along to the dirt wall and have Oatchi destroy it with two rushes.
- Enter the Last-Frost Cavern.
- Take out the Female Sheargrubs and have Oatchi rush into the jar blockade. Feel free to flower up any leaf Pikmin in your squad with the nectar inside the jars.
- Defeat the Snowy Blowhog and recruit the wild Ice Pikmin.
- Sic the Ice Pikmin on the Male and Female Sheargrubs up ahead while the Red Pikmin push the paper bag down.
- With the Sheargrubs dealt with, have a few Red Pikmin transport the nearby pile of raw material while at least 2 Ice Pikmin freeze the hydro jelly.
- Collect the Refreshing Goo.
- Break the nearby jars and have five Pikmin dig up the Flarlic.
- Once the hydro jelly is frozen, rush through it and rescue the castaway.
- Return to the S.S. Beagle and retrieve any idle Pikmin, making sure you have at least 7. Have Oatchi rush into the ledge where the Director of Destiny is and collect the treasure.
- Once the castaway, Flarlic, raw material, and treasures have been collected, return to the surface.
- Defeat the Fiery Blowhog guarding the Rugged Scaffold base, but do not switch bases.
- Go to the foot of the paper bag ramp near the sleeping Bulborb. While holding , throw 10 Pikmin to near the back end of the ramp, then go around, call them back with the whistle, then dismiss them as they reach the middle of the bag. If done correctly, the Pikmin should automatically begin pushing the paper bag down.
- While the paper bag is being pushed down, head to the nearby pond and send Oatchi into the water. This will ensure that he can swim starting on day 4.
- Go up the newly accessible ramp and have all Pikmin uncover the buried Crackling Cauldron and enter it.
- Sublevel 1
- Head towards the opposite part of the cave, ignoring the Fiery Blowhog.
- Colect the Illumination Goo and the Deceptive Snack while taking out the Shearwigs.
- Pluck the nearby Yellow Pikmin sprouts and head further up ahead, whistling the nearby wild Yellow Pikmin and ignoring the Fiery Blowhog.
- Throw the 10 Yellow Pikmin at the dangling Dusty Bed to bring it down, making sure to take care of the Shearwigs that emerge.
- Have 10 non-Yellow Pikmin and Oatchi collect the Dusty Bed while any other non-Yellows in your squad will deal with the nearby pile of raw material.
- Order the 10 Yellow Pikmin to destroy the electric gate. The nearby nectar eggs can be destroyed for some nectar.
- Once the gate is down and all treasures have been transported, head to the next sublevel.
- Sublevel 2
- Have a Red Pikmin extinguish the nearby sizzling floor while you head down the opposite path.
- Take out the Shearwig near the electric gate and have 5 non-Yellow Pikmin transport the pile of raw material.
- Going down the nearby pathway, order Oatchi to attack the dirt gate with a rush before moving on to the area with the castaway.
- Take out the Shearwig and have any Red Pikmin in your squad extinguish the sizzling floor as you pluck the nearby Yellow Pikmin sprouts.
- With the floor clear, call back Oatchi and rescue the castaway.
- Return to the dirt gate and destroy it with another rush.
- Beyond the dirt gate, have your Red Pikmin extinguish the sizzling floor near the Cookie of Nibbled Circles and S.S. Chocolate before collecting those very treasures.
- In the next chamber over, have the Red Pikmin start digging up the Daughter of the Earth. Then throw any non-Red Pikmin out of your squad and traverse over the sizzling floor to the small alcove with some Yellow Pikmin sprouts to pluck.
- Once the sizzling floor around the Daughter of the Earth has been extinguished, order Oatchi and all nearby Pikmin to start digging up the treasure as you head for the cave exit. Once the castaway and all treasures have been obtained, return to the surface.
- At this point, the day can be ended. However, the player may choose to search for any above ground treasures they can currently access, including the Flarlic and the Yellow Onion. The following sections will assume that the day was ended immediately after exiting the Crackling Cauldron.
Day 3
- Learn Buff level 3 and Super Buff level 1.
- Purchase the Charging Horn from Russ.
Note: It's a good idea to start accepting all available side missions whenever you're in the Rescue Command Post in order to get extra raw material. You're going to need as much raw material as you can get further down the line.
- Enter Hectic Hollows. Take in 20 Yellow Pikmin and 10 Ice Pikmin.
- Sublevel 1
- Defeat the Dwarf Bulborbs, collect their corpses with Yellow Pikmin, and have the remaining Yellow Pikmin start building the climbing wall.
- Go to the ledge with the Ice Pikmin sprouts. Dismiss the squad and have the player character pluck the sprouts while Oatchi freezes the nearby water with the Ice Pikmin brought in.
- Knock down the Mama Doll Head with a rush and collect it.
- Switch back to the player character, whistle back the Ice Pikmin freezing the water, and climb up the now complete climbing wall with the Yellow Pikmin in tow.
- Have a Yellow Pikmin break the nectar eggs while 2 Ice Pikmin freeze the nearby hydro jelly. Do not wake the Bulborb.
- Order all the remaining Yellow Pikmin to charge at the pile of raw material while defeating the nearby Dwarf Bulborbs, but make sure there are enough Pikmin to help the two wild Ice Pikmin push the paper bag down.
- Throw Ice Pikmin at the hydro jelly near the paper bag. Then switch to Oatchi (once the Mama Doll Head is either collected or close enough to base) and have him rush into the frozen hydro jelly. Use the paper bag Pikmin to carry the Empty Vase inside.
- Smash open the other hydro jelly to reveal 5 wild Ice Pikmin. Then smash open the jars nearby to reveal the way to the next sublevel. Once all treasures are collected, head further down.
- Sublevel 2
- Defeat the Tusked Blowhog and obtain the wild Ice Pikmin inside the nearby jars.
- Throw 10 Yellow Pikmin at the Aspiration-Ritual Pole, then use a rush to knock down the castaway.
- Have all Pikmin prioritize the transportation of these two things. Once they're collected, exit the cave.
- Throw 10 Yellow Pikmin at the Orb of Destruction, then defeat the nearby Dwarf Bulborb and let the Red Pikmin carry it to the Onion. If the pile of raw material wasn't fully transported the previous day, then have any available Pikmin finish the task.
- Enter Industrial Maze. Take in 10 Red Pikmin and 20 Yellow Pikmin.
- Sublevel 1
- While holding , throw all Yellow Pikmin to the ledge Oatchi is on.
- As Oatchi, order all but 3 Yellow Pikmin to collect the Personal-Injury Plank and the pile of raw material.
- Head down the conveyor belt, leaving behind one Yellow Pikmin on the way, then jump off the ledge and collect the Memory Fragment (Top Right), making sure to smash the jars impeding transport.
- Return to the switches. Once the Pikmin carrying the two treasures have crossed to the intersection, throw the lone Yellow Pikmin from before onto the switch to complete transportation.
- Cross back over to Oatchi's starting area, break the dirt gate with two rushes, and go to the next sublevel once all treasure is collected.
- Sublevel 2
- Climb up the ledges and break the jars, then have Oatchi carry the Planetary Rubber Cutie.
- Once this is transported, make sure Oatchi stays under the S.S. Beagle, as his first instinct will be to return to the player character.
- Go past the iron fence and order half of the Yellow Pikmin to attack the electric gate. The Honeywisp can be attacked for some nectar as well.
- Order the Pikmin to push the paper bag down, then collect the Detective's Truth Seeker.
- Once the electric gate is destroyed, order the Yellow Pikmin to collect the resulting raw material and the Unlimited Locomotive. Then move the base to that location to regroup with Oatchi.
- Break the nearby jars and use the wild Yellow Pikmin inside to rescue the castaway on the platform.
- Once all treasure and the castaway have arrived at the S.S. Beagle, return to the surface.
- Climb up the ledges and break the jars, then have Oatchi carry the Planetary Rubber Cutie.
- Take out 10 Red Pikmin and 20 Yellow Pikmin.
- Switch bases to Rugged Scaffold. If the Fiery Blowhog left behind a corpse, have the Pikmin carry it to the Onion.
- Defeat the Bulborb, then rush into the dirt gate up north. Whistle the Pikmin back and have 5 Red Pikmin and 11 Yellow Pikmin attack the gate on their own.
- Defeat the Male Sheargrubs up the slope, then order all Pikmin in the squad to begin building the bridge.
- Return to the dirt gate with Oatchi and, if it still remains, destroy it with one more rush, making sure to aim it at the adjacent wall to knock down the Temporal Mechanism.
- Throw 5 Yellow Pikmin up to the nearby Flarlic, then jump down the eastern ledge with the clipboard and break the jars to collect the Lesser Mock Bottom. Make sure to keep at least 5 Red Pikmin in your squad, though.
- Proceed to where the Aspiration-Ritual Ball is and knock it down with a rush. Collect it with Red Pikmin to neitralize the danger of the Fiery Blowhog. Make sure to kill the Dwarf Bulborbs in the way of this treasure and the Lesser Mock Bottom along the way.
- Return to where the Industrial Maze is and collect the Sunseed Berry. Dismount Oatchi and have him help with the transportation.
- Once the Lesser Mock Bottom is collected, have the carrying Pikmin start transporting the nearby pile of raw material.
- Once the Flarlic reaches the Onion, take out 10 Ice Pikmin.
- Gather the Pikmin at base after the Sunseed Berry and Aspiration-Ritual Ball are collected and start collecting the Double Dragon-Eyed Scope, the Temporal Mechanism, and the raw material dropped by the dirt gate (make sure to keep 1 Pikmin).
- Cross the clay bridge. If it hasn't been completed yet, climb onto the railing and jump around the invisible wall to the ledge.
- Travel to the Aquiferous Summit while killing the Dwarf Bulborbs along the way.
- Sublevel 1
- Throw 10 Ice Pikmin into the water to freeze it, then have the rest of the Ice Pikmin attack the hydro jelly on the ledge.
- Break the frozen jelly with a rush and collect the Talisman of Life (Crane).
- Make sure to whistle the wild Ice Pikmin in the narrow pathway before going to the next sublevel.
- Sublevel 2
- Extinguish the sizzling floors on the ledges and climb up.
- Order all Ice Pikmin to focus on the clay mound while collecting the Memory Fragment (Top Left) and pushing the paper bag down.
- Jump down the western ledge and collect the Skin of the Phoenix. Push the switch to lower the iron fence blocking transport.
- Have the player character start plucking the Ice Pikmin sprouts. As Oatchi, gather the paper bag Pikmin and order them to transport the gold nuggets. Then, once the clay mound is complete, take the Ice Pikmin and destroy the hydro jelly to free the castaway inside.
- Once all treasures and the castaway are collected, return to the surface.
- Move base to the Distant Summit.
- Defeat the Porquillion and collect the Talisman of Life (Moon). An ultra-spicy spray will help take the creature down faster.
- Jump off the nearby ledge and collect the Fire-Breathing Feast. Keep at least 8 Ice Pikmin and 10 Yellow Pikmin with you.
- Collect the Snack Bean and dig up the Child of the Earth at the dead end near the bridge.
- Make a beeline for the Meandering Slope base via the open ledge on the path to the Aquiferous Summit. Defeat the Bulborbs occupying the location and move base there.
- Go further up ahead and defeat the lone Bulborb. Order all Pikmin to begin construction of the nearby clay bridge, and have Oatchi aid in the transport of the Fire-Breathing Feast.
- Once the three treasures from the Distant Summit have been collected, whistle all Pikmin back, including those building the bridge. Jump onto the bridge railings and bound over to the other side.
- Pull down the clipboard and order Oatchi and all but 20 Pikmin to collect the Mysterious Carriage.
- Throw the remaining Pikmin over to the Blue Onion past the brick wall. Let them carry it until they reach the edge of the water, then enter the Dandori Battle once the Mysterious Carriage is collected.
- Make sure to keep the camera on the Pikmin transporting the Blue Onion to ensure that it will at least be repositioned on the edge of the nearby ledge when you return.
- With the Dandori Battle complete, take out 13 Red Pikmin, 3 Yellow Pikmin, and 24 Ice Pikmin.
- Collect the leafling and have 5 Red Pikmin transport some of the raw material nearby.
- Collect the Satellite Shield with 2 Yellow Pikmin.
- Freeze the water blocking the Dandori Challenge with 20 Ice Pikmin.
- Flatten the paper bag blocking the Yellow Onion, then enter the Dandori Challenge.
- Take out 10 Yellow Pikmin and 30 Ice Pikmin once the challenge is complete.
- Freeze the surrounding water again and have the Yellow Pikmin collect the leafling.
- Break the jars near the challenge and collect the 2 Perforated Rafts.
- Assign Oatchi and some Pikmin to collect the Yellow Onion.
- Return to the Rugged Scaffold base. If the Double Dragon-Eyed Scope and Temporal Mechanism weren't fully transported beforehand, make sure you have enough Pikmin to transport them now (19 Pikmin).
- Once the Yellow Onion fuses with the Master Onion, move base to Rugged Scaffold.
- Freeze the pond with 30 Ice Pikmin and switch to Oatchi. Have him collect the Blue Onion. If the Onion was repositioned close enough to the nearby ledge, two rushes will knock it down.
- After the Blue Onion is collected, grow at least 10 Blue Pikmin. At least 22 are needed for later, but they can be grown at the Rescue Command Post.
- End the day.
Note: From day 4 onwards, Dingo may be used to clear Dandori Battles and Challenges, and it is even recommended to do so to ensure most associated leaflings are collected.
Day 4
- Learn Super Buff level 2 and Command level 2.
- Receive the prototype bomb rock and Ice Blast from Russ, and purchase five more bomb rocks afterwards.
- Take out 18 Yellow Pikmin and 22 Blue Pikmin.
- Head south, throwing 5 Yellow Pikmin to the side along the way. Once you reach the paper bag on the eastern ledge, throw 10 Yellow Pikmin onto it, whistle them back, then immediately order them to charge. If done correctly, they'll go behind the bag and push it down.
- Dismiss the squad. Have the player character take the Blue Pikmin and the 5 Yellow Pikmin from earlier and use the Go Here! feature to direct them up north near the river.
- Switch to Oatchi and gather the remaining Yellow Pikmin. Collect the Floral Instigator and have 4 Pikmin dig up the Yellow Onion. The rest of the Yellow Pikmin will deal with the electric gate while Oatchi helps with the Onion excavation.
- Switch back to the player character, who should have arrived at their destination by now. Throw the Yellow Pikmin to the side again and approach the small patch of land near the bridge and in front of the Flarlic. Have 5 Blue Pikmin dig up the bulb while having the remaining Pikmin carry the Unfloatable Boat. The Skitter Leaves can be ignored, but the player must distract the Yellow Wollyhop.
- Call back the 5 Yellow Pikmin, head east, and collect the Sticky Jewel.
- Once the Yellow Onion is collected, switch back to Oatchi. Head back to near the paper bag ramp and use the 4 Yellow Pikmin at base to collect the Sweat-Soaked Blue Bird.
- Once the electric gate is broken and the bird is collected, enter the Secluded Courtyard. Take in 20 Yellow Pikmin, 15 Blue Pikmin, and 15 Ice Pikmin.
- Sublevel 1
- Head right and have 5 Blue Pikmin assist their wild brethren with the Wolpoles.
- Jump over the nearby Spotcaps and collect the Citrus Lump.
- Freeze the body of water with the Blue Pikmin sprouts and head right.
- Dismiss the squad. Have Oatchi take the Yellow and Blue Pikmin while the player character takes the Ice Pikmin and uses Go Here! to travel to behind the nearby potted plant.
- As Oatchi, approach the Universal Rubber Cutie and collect it, making sure to take out the surrounding Skitter Leaves in the process.
- Switch back to the player character, who should have arrived by now, and collect the Decorative Goo. The two nearby nectar eggs can be broken if desired.
- Switch to Oatchi again. Whistle back the Blue Pikmin who were fighting the Wolpoles. Once the treasures have been received, go to the next sublevel.
- Sublevel 2
- Go left and, ignoring the Yellow Wollyhop and water geysers, have all but 6 Blue Pikmin start extending the climbing stick to the Talisman of Life (Cherry Blossom).
- Going ahead, defeat the Anode Dweevils, destroy the dirt gate, and collect the castaway, Time Marker, and Disguised Delicacy.
- Once all treasures and the castaway have been obtained, go to the next sublevel.
- Sublevel 3
- Head north, destroying the water geyser with Blue Pikmin and defeating the Sunsquish.
- Use the actual nectar nearby, then collect the Blonde Impostor.
- Go past the fence and collect the Flarlic, then quickly take out the surrounding Desiccated Skitter Leaves.
- Have 12 Blue Pikmin collect the Astringent Clump. Make sure to deal with the water geysers and Sunsquish in the way.
- Order all Pikmin in the squad to transport the nearby gold nuggets and other treasures in transport. Once everything is collected, head to the last sublevel.
- Sublevel 4
- Pull up the potted plant and defeat the Foolix. Ultra-spicy spray will finish these tasks quicker.
- Rescue the castaway and collect the Expression Hider.
- With everything done, return to the surface.
- Collect the Daughter Doll Head.
- Head for the Dandori Battle. Once the head is collected, enter the battle.
- After the battle, rescue the leafling, then swim across the river to the northwestern part of the map.
- Deal with the Mitites underneath the Harmonic Synthesizer and the Yellow Wollyhop nearby.
- Defeat the Joustmites, then have the Yellow Pikmin dig up the Mooching Vase on the irregular dirt formation.
- Go towards the nearby electric gate and defeat the Waddlequaff. Collect the Octoplus it drops and the Wind Detector partially buried nearby.
- Go back and start transporting the Harmonic Synthesizer, then follow the Pikmin's carrying path to a set of jars. Break them and collect the Velvety Dreamdrop with Yellow Pikmin.
- Destroy the nearby ice gate with 2 bomb rocks. Beyond the gate, defeat the Swooping Snitchbug and the Creeping Chrysanthemum guarding the Sunwashed Plateau base. Move base to this location.
- Going north, defeat the Yellow Wollyhop with Blue Pikmin before having them and Oatchi collect the Wayward Moon.
- Gather any Pikmin that arrive at the base with treasure and set them upon the nearby incomplete bridge.
- Throw 13 Blue Pikmin below the bridge, then whistle them back and order them to charge so they'll grab the pile of raw material beneath.
- Across the bridge, defeat the Waddlequaff and collect the 3 Cupid's Grenades.
- Defeat the Burrowing Snagret and collect the Brush of Wisdom. Again, ultra-spicy spray comes handy here.
- Break the jars blocking the railing opening above the bridge, then collect the buried Sphere of Fuzzy Feelings and pile of raw material.
- Destroy the reinforced wall with 3 bomb rocks, then enter the Dandori Challenge past it once the two treasures and the raw material have been collected.
- Upon completion of the challenge, rescue the leafling and collect the raw material dropped by the reinforced wall.
- From there, start heading towards Drafty Gallery. Along the way, collect the pile of raw material near where the ice gate was and the raw material dropped by the ice gate.
- Use the same charging trick as before to push down the paper bag ramp standing between you and the cave.
- Once the leafling and raw material arrive at base, enter the cave. Take in 19 Red Pikmin, 21 Yellow Pikmin, and 20 Ice Pikmin.
- Sublevel 1
- Collect the Hoop of Fortune by throwing Pikmin across the gap between it and the S.S. Beagle.
- Destroy the dirt gate and have Oatchi stay by the base while letting Pikmin take back the raw material.
- As the player character, go up the spiral path and collect the Spouse Alert.
- Switch to Oatchi, gather the Pikmin at base, and collect the Memory Fragment (Top...Probably?). After all treasures are collected, go deeper into the cave.
- Sublevel 2
- Take the left path and have 5 Red Pikmin battle the Fiery Blowhog.
- Jump over the nearby railing near the gold nuggets and have the Ice Pikmin start transporting the pile.
- Go right and collect the Sphere of Support with Red Pikmin.
- Go back and take the air geysers. Collect the Back-at-the-Beginning Track at the last platform. After that, drop down and collect the Tandem Trainer.
- Go deeper once everything is done.
- Sublevel 3
- Order the Ice Pikmin and enough of the Red Pikmin to build the bridge.
- Unblock the geyser, then have Oatchi take the Pikmin over to the main area. Leave the captain at the starting platform but away from the S.S. Beagle.
- As Oatchi, defeat the Joustmite and call the S.S. Beagle over.
- Go further ahead, taking out the Fiery Blowhog on the way. Collect the Middle-Management Tank Car with Yellow Pikmin before engaging the nearby Joustmite.
- Gather the wild Ice Pikmin and collect the Internal-Clock Measurer.
- Switch to the player character and proceed to the last sublevel once all treasure is gathered.
- Sublevel 4
- Down the Puffy Blowhog with Ice Pikmin and defeat it while it's frozen.
- Collect the Sphere of Family, rescue the castaway, call the wild Ice Pikmin on the platform near the arena, and return to the surface afterwards.
- Jump over the railing behind the cave and into the water below. Swim to shore and move base to the Misshapen Pond.
- Defeat the Joustmite and break the jars hiding the Sightless Passage and enter the cave.
- Head left into the chamber with the Pyroclasmic Slooches, taking care of the Water Dumple on the way. Defeat the closest Slooch and collect the Micromanagement Station.
- Go back and take the fork on the left to the Masterpiece Plank. Reach it with Yellow Pikmin while destroying the fire geyser nearby.
- Take a left, passing the chamber with the Anode Beetles, and enter the chamber with the Pyroclasmic Slooches and sizzling floors. Defeat them and extinguish the floors, then start digging up the Heat Sensor beneath the furthest sizzling floor.
- Proceed to the next chamber and attack the dirt gate with a rush. As the Pikmin attack the dirt gate, knock the nearby castaway down with a rush.
- Defeat the Shockcake and destroy the nearby jars. Have the player character send Oatchi through the newly exposed tube and call the S.S. Beagle over to the new base.
- Collect the dirt gate's raw material and the castaway, and start building the clay mound.
- As Oatchi, collect the Hoop of Healing. Also round up the raw material near base as you wait for the treasure.
- Return to the surface once everything is done.
- Defeat the Mamuta and collect the Mechanical Harp (Memory Song) and Shake-a-Smile.
- Have some Yellow Pikmin dig up the dirt mound below the paper bag for the Orbital Communication Sphere while having a few more Pikmin dig up the dirt mound on the nearby ledge.
- Keep 11 Pikmin in your squad for building the climbable wall, and throw some Ice Pikmin over the wall next to the ice gate to start destroying it.
- Rush into the flower jars to make them bloom, then wait for the climbable wall to finish construction.
- Ignore the Waddlequaff for now and enter the nearby Dandori Challenge.
- Collect the rewarded leafling, then defeat the Waddlequaff for the Searing Acidshock.
- Head across the bloomed flowers and unearth the Kingdom of Beasts. Make sure to finish destroying the ice gate if you haven't already.
- Take 19 Red Pikmin, 20 Blue Pikmin, and 21 Ice Pikmin with you into the cave.
- Sublevel 1
- Extinguish the sizzling floor, break the dirt gate, then extinguish the floors beyond the gate. It is advised to defeat the Bulborb during the latter task.
- Collect the Flaky Temptation and Memory Fragment (Bottom Right) while making sure to destroy the fire geysers and defeat the Bulborb along the way.
- Collect the nearby pile of raw material and break the dirt gate blocking the way down. Dive in once everything is done.
- Sublevel 2
- Defeat the Dwarf Orange Bulborb in sight and unlock Rock Pikmin.
- Have 1 Rock Pikmin start smashing the crystal gate blocking the hole to the next sublevel, then start heading further along the path, taking out all enemies along the way.
- Once you reach the chamber with 5 more wild Rock Pikmin and defeat the Dwarf Orange Bulborbs, have 4 Rock Pikmin smash the crystal gate guarding the Ambiguous Goo while the rest break the gate leading back to base.
- Continue along and defeat the Orange Bulborb, then order all Pikmin to dig up the Anxious Sprout.
- Make sure to collect the pile of raw material (and any raw material lying nearby), collect the Ambiguous Goo, and defeat the Mitites in the bush for their ultra-spicy nectar. After that, head to the next sublevel.
- Sublevel 3
- Rush into the Empress Bulblax. This will ensure its defeat before it can even properly attack due to the Ice Pikmin.
- Collect the 3 Disks of Joyous Wisdom and rescue the castaway. After that, proceed lower.
- Sublevel 4
- Make your way to the other side of the clipboard. Make sure to have the Red Pikmin destroy the fire geyser while some of the Blue Pikmin transport the gold nuggets.
- Defeat the Whiptongue Bulborb and gather the wild Rock Pikmin.
- Order the Rock Pikmin to charge at the crystal wall, the Red Pikmin to charge at the fire geyser, and the Blue Pikmin to collect the Planetary Rubber Cutie.
- With the crystal gate destroyed, order Oatchi to enter the tube while the Red Pikmin gather the raw material.
- Pull down the clipboard. As that's happening, switch to Oatchi and hit the switch to lower the iron fences.
- As the player character, defeat the 3 Albino Dwarf Bulborbs and the Whiptongue Bulborb in the chamber next to base, then collect the Sweet Stumble-Not.
- Dismiss the squad, cross the sizzling floor blocking the exit, and go deeper with all tasks done.
- Sublevel 5
- Defeat the Spotty Bulbear and the Dwarf Bulbears following it (ultra-spicy spray does wonders here). After that, collect the 3 Chance Totems and order one Rock Pikmin to break the nearby crystal gate.
- Head clockwise through the hall to collect the raw material, defeat the Dwarf Bulbear, and break the crystal gate to hit the switch behind it.
- Dig up the Crew-Cut Gourd while dispatching the Dwarf Bulbear that spawns.
- Defeat the Dwarf Bulbear near the Cookie of Prosperity and collect the treasure safely.
- Head to the bush beyond the first crystal gate and pluck the Rock Pikmin sprouts inside. Then go to the next sublevel once everything is done.
- Sublevel 6
- Defeat the 2 Emperor Bulblaxes. This is easily done by rushing into them during their emergence animations (and of course, ultra-spicy spray will get the deed done faster).
- Rescue the castaway, then swim across the pond in the next chamber to collect the Ancient Statue Head with Red Pikmin.
- Return to the surface with the cave now complete.
- The area should be 100% complete by now, so feel free to end the day.
Day 5 and 6
- With Yonny rescued the player will have access to night expeditions, and days 5 and 6 will be spent completing the first two. The first two expeditions must take place at the Ancient Arches and Rugged Scaffold bases in Sun-Speckled Terrace. The Pup Drive from the cured leaflings comes in handy for the next day expedition.
- On either day, purchase the Rush Boots and 5 bomb rocks from Russ.
Day 7
- Learn Super Buff level 3, Rush level 2, Doggy-Paddle level 3, Pluck level 1, and Dig level 2.
- Purchase both Scorch Guards, 5 bomb rocks, and 5 Ice Blasts from Russ, and obtain the prototypes of the Lightning Shock, Trackonator, and Mine.
- TBA
Day 8
- Day 8 is a night expedition mainly to get a cure for Bernard. If you haven't saved any Dandori Challenge leaflings up to this point, select any two-Lumiknoll expedition (Misshapen Pond in Blossoming Arcadia or Water's Edge in Serene Shores) so that Olimar can be cured immediately after day 9. Otherwise pick any one-Lumiknoll location as you'll need to go on a fourth night expedition anyway.
Day 9
- TBA
Cure Oatchi (3 days)
Day 10
- TBA
Day 11
- TBA
Day 12
- TBA
Day 13
Although the story can technically be completed in as little as 12 days, the next morning in the Rescue Command Post after defeating the Ancient Sirehound is counted in the final results, effectively making the minimum 13 days.
Night Expeditions and Fit for a Feast (18-19 days)
With the story now completed, it is now time to prioritize 100% completion. Any remaining night expeditions can be completed in any order the player chooses and at any time. Fit For a Feast has the player returning to every location to collect creatures for Louie, and can also be done at any time albeit in a fixed order. These day expeditions can also be used to collect anything in the area that the player missed, such as leaflings or stray treasure, and to complete other side missions. The order of locations detailed below is in the order of caves recommended by Louie.
Fit for a Feast Day 1
- Go to the first sublevel of Hectic Hollows and collect 4 Dwarf Bulborbs.
Fit For a Feast Day 2
- Go to the second sublevel of Secluded Courtyard and collect 2 Yellow Wollyhops.
Fit for a Feast Day 3
- Go to either the second or third sublevel of Seafloor Resort and collect 1 Peckish Aristocrab.
Fit for a Feast Day 4
- Go to the first sublevel of Cradle of the Beast and collect 1 Fiery Bulblax.
Fit for a Feast Day 5
- Go to the fifth sublevel of Plunder Palace and collect 1 Giant Breadbug.
Fit for a Feast Day 6
- Go to the eighteenth sublevel of Cavern for a King and collect 1 Sovereign Bulblax.
Olimar’s Shipwreck Tale (4 days) and Trial of the Sage Leaf (Day 32)
Although Olimar's Shipwreck Take can be accessed at any time after rescuing Olimar, it is optimal to do it after learning the Infinite Rush skill, which is useful for optimizing time in this mode. The mode also has a useful rewind feature for restarting days where not everything was collected.
15 Days Left
- TBA
14 Days Left
- TBA
13 Days Left
- TBA
12 Days Left
- TBA
Trial of the Sage Leaf
Once Olimar's Shipwreck Tale is complete, the Trial of the Sage Leaf is made available at the Rescue Command Post. As the day ends upon exiting the cave, it must be completed in one go to ensure preservation of the minimum number of days needed to complete the game.
Day 33
Day 33 is the final morning spent on PNF-404 in a full 100% completion run. It should be spent finalizing all side missions available. After this is done, the player must talk to Bernard to formally end the game by leaving the planet.