Red Pikmin hiding from a Whiptongue Bulborb in a Pikmin 3 trailer.

Hiding is a mechanic in Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4. Leaders and their Pikmin can hide from enemies by crouching under specific plants. When a leader walks under a suitable plant, all Pikmin and fellow crew members in their squad will gather close and crouch – Winged Pikmin will also lower their altitude to fit under the plant's covers. In this state, they are invisible to all enemies. If an enemy was chasing the player, and their army hides, the enemy will look around in confusion and head back, allowing the Pikmin a chance to counterattack. This will also work even if the enemy saw the Pikmin go in, can clearly see the Pikmin if they're hiding poorly, is attacked from within the hiding spot, or even if it is under the plant right next to them.

While hiding, leaders and Pikmin are normally invulnerable to attacks,^[1] but there can be cases where that is not true.^[2][3] In Story Mode, the music also quiets down while hiding. Most enemies seem to be tricked by this simple mechanic, but with hacks, it is possible to see that bosses are not.^[1]

Swarming Sheargrubs can also hide under plants, as Pikmin do. Although not quite a form of hiding, leaders and Pikmin may stand under a Common Glowcap's shower of light to evade Phosbat and Vehemoth Phosbat attacks. In Pikmin 4, Jumbo Bulborbs can hide in vegetation to ambush prey, though due to their size they will be easily visible. Also in Pikmin 4, whenever the player enters or leaves a hiding spot, the player's Pikmin count will temporarily reach 0 as proven by the HUD, and the standby Pikmin type will then be reset to the first available in the squad, the first being whichever one is decided internally by the game.^[4]

Plants

The following plants can be used as hiding places.

•  Clover
• Speedwell
• Barrenwort

Gallery

• 

  Some Red Pikmin hiding in a batch of clovers.
• 

  The data file on hiding.
• 

  Clovers can be used to hide from enemies.
• 

  Speedwell.
• 

  Barrenwort.

Name in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Spanish (NoA)	Esconderse	Hide

Hiding place

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	カクレバ? Kakureba	Hiding place
German	Versteck	Hideout
Spanish (NoA)	Lugares para esconderse	Hiding places

See also

• Dodge
• Vegetation

References

• Pikmin 3
• Pikmin 4
• Gameplay

• Articles in need of Pikmin 3 help