It has been 10 years since the last main entry in the Pikmin series. Pikmin 3 came out on the Wii U and then on the Switch several years later. At long last, Pikmin fans have a new game to enjoy in the form of Pikmin 4. Just like in the previous games, players will command a small army of adorable creatures called Pikmin. Using the Pikmin, players must track down treasures and find lost officers and civilians alike whom are in danger.
But in addition to the search and rescue element of gameplay, Pikmin 4 players will also need to be on the lookout for resources to make the search and rescue easier. This is where raw material comes into play.
How to Get Raw Materials
When it comes to getting raw materials in Pikmin 4, players will not have to go out of their way to find it. While exploring this new mysterious planet, players will come across what looks like large piles of light blue rocks. These rocks are raw materials. The amount available in a pile will vary as players explore stages, but these piles can be found all over the place.
Each pile of raw materials will have a value depicted above it. Each raw material requires one Pikmin to pick it up and carry it to the ship. So in order to get the remaining raw materials as depicted in the image above, players would need to throw 10 Pikmin at it. That said, players do not need to throw the majority of their Pikmin onto this task if they do not wish to.
Once one or more Pikmin have begun to harvest from a pile of raw material they will keep going back to grab more until the pile has been depleted. So players can easily just assign four or five Pikmin to take care of the pile while the rest follow them around to deal with other tasks. Once the raw material pile is depleted, they will wait for players by the ship. Raw materials can also be obtained by destroying obstacles like electrified barriers.
What Are Raw Materials Used For?
Once players have progressed far enough into Pikmin 4, they will rescue an officer by the name of Russ. Russ can take raw materials and convert them into useful items and gear. For example, players can use 100 raw material to craft Scorch Guard for Oatchi which provides fire resistance to the faithful companion. There is also a Scorch Guard for 50 raw material that players can equip that provide them the same benefit.
Gear aside, raw material can also be used to make items like Scrummy Bones which are used to heal Oatchi. Beyond just items and gear, raw materials can also be taken to the S.S. Beagle and get turned into all-purpose clay.
Pikmin 4 releases on July 21st for the Nintendo Switch.
