Subterranean Complex

This article relates to the official games. See Pikipedia's "Subterranean Complex" article for more official information.

Warning: Solution details follow.

The Subterranean Complex the second cave located in the Valley of Repose level. You'll have to do many steps to get to it. First, you may have to kill the Dwarf Red Bulborb and Red Bulborb in the arena so they won't eat your Pikmin. You may have to destroy the rock formation in the water and then build a bridge on the other side. Use the Decorated Cannon Beetles to kill all of the enemies and then kill the Decorated Cannon Beetles by using their own rocks. If you didn't kill the Watery Blowhog, use your Blues or Purples to kill it. Then, use your Whites to tear down the poison white gate and get rid of the poison pipes.

This massive dungeon starts out as a snow-covered cave like the Emergence Cave; however, as one gets deeper in the complex it becomes a rusty, mechanical area with bottomless pits. Many of the enemies here have projectile and explosive attacks—be very careful when bringing Pikmin in, as explosions will kill them instantly.

The boss is the Man-at-Legs, an Arachnorb species armed with a laser-guided machine gun.

Treasures[]

Enemies[]

Strategy[]

Recommended Pikmin: 35-40 Red, 25-30 Yellow, 10-15 White, 20-25 Purple

Sublevel 1[]

The player should start by destroying the poison pipes, and defeating some Bumbling Snitchbugs if they happen to be an annoyance. There are two treasures in this level: the Nouveau Table, which should be buried, and the Exhausted Superstick. The Snow Bulborbs and Hairy Bulborbs can then be dealt with, preferably using Purple Pikmin.

Sublevel 2[]

The snow and poison have vanished here. Pikmin might fall off the course when thrown; as such, extra care should also be taken when attempting to activate the hole to the next sublevel.

The main focus on this level is on the various bomb rocks. The player should dismiss the Pikmin, and set off all bomb rocks he or she can find. The Careening Dirigibugs will be armed now, but this will not be as troublesome as the bomb rocks that were on the ground. The enemies should now be attacked one by one. Both spray types can help defeat the creatures very well here. The Swooping Snitchbugs here have a high tendency to throw Pikmin in the gaps that are between the larger expanses. This still doesn't make them as big as a threat as the Dirigibugs, but they still shouldn't be completely ignored. The treasures here are the Spirit Flogger and the Network Mainbrain.

Sublevel 3[]

This level has 3 Armored Cannon Beetle Larvae, along with multiple fire geysers. Once the threats are cleared, the Ivory Candypop Bud can be used to make White Pikmin if desired. Treasures here are the Superstrong Stabilizer, the Omega Flywheel and the Coiled Launcher.

Sublevel 4[]

This is a typical Rest Level. Nothing is here but Eggs, Candypop Buds and a geyser, which can be used to get to the surface. Again there are Ivory Candypops that can produce White Pikmin. Sometimes there are Mitites inside the eggs.

Sublevel 5[]

Here, it is advisable to dismiss the Pikmin into the corner behind the pod and to take a captain. The main objective now is to make all the bomb rocks and Volatile Dweevils that spawn from the ceiling fall. . Every bomb that is in sight should be set off as well. Once everything is cleared, Whites should be used to collect the Mystical Disc and the Adamantine Girdle. More Dweevils will fall when the Pikmin move along.

Sublevel 6[]

There are many enemies close to each other: Careening Dirigibugs, Dweevils and some Anode Beetles. The enemies spawn in different positions. As such, not much advice can be given, but killing the creatures that are a little off from the groups is always a good tactic. The Dweevils can also be chased near an edge, and chances are they will walk off the side. Treasures available are the Repair Juggernaut, the Vacuum Processor and the Space Wave Receiver.

Sublevel 7[]

This level conatins Gatling Groinks. There is a strategy for them that is similar to that of the Ranging Bloyster. They are capable of shooting mortars from retractable cannons, giving them a far range of attack. Their metal shield makes it hard to attack them from the front. There are 2 here. One walking about, and the other on a pillar. The walking one should chase the active captain, so they can be defeated more easily with this tactic: The captains need to be separated. One of them should have all Pikmin, and the one without any should lure the creature over to the one with all Pikmin. When the captains are switched, the game should automatically move the idle captain away. The captain that is now active and has all Pikmin can attack the enemy from behind. Once defeated, the Groink needs to be carried back to the pod, as it can regenerate its life energy, making it necessary to defeat it again. This can also be bypassed when it is defeated while petrified. For the other one on the pillar, the tactic can be repeated. After these battles, the Indomitable CPU, the Furious Adhesive and the Thirst Activator need to be collected. One of the treasures may be in a corner. When this one is picked up, bomb rocks are likely to fall from the sky.

Another way to defeat the Gatling Groinks is to take a lone captain and run around behind them tapping A, easily jabbing them to low health. Then you can either bring Pikmin to finish the job or finish it off yourself and send Pikmin in to carry it away.

Sublevel 8[]

Another rest level. The Queen Candypop Buds will help make up for lost Pikmin. There are also Violet Candypop Buds for Purple Pikmin.

Sublevel 9[]

Looking around this level will reveal some metal switches and walls sticking out of the ground. There is an orb in the middle, which is the boss. Hoever, it should not be attacked with normal Pikmin. Purples will inflict additional damage when they land on it while it is still dormant. The Man-at-Legs should have lost up to half of its health or more. It'll stand up and should start shooting at the Pikmin. Its aiming laser will make it a bit easier to avoid. The player should now run away behind any barrier. The shots are low and can't go through the metal. Of course, this requires some distance, or else the Man-at-Legs could shoot over the obstacle. The creature makes some short pauses from shooting sometimes which won't last longer than 1 second, and then he starts firing again; the player needs to be sure to know when it's done completely. In this longer pause, it is possible to run in and attack. This process needs to be repeated until it is defeated. It is also possible to attack while the enemy is firing, but this is only advisable when all Pikmin can be thrown onto the creature before it coninues to fire. When defeated, it will leave a lightbulb; its name is Stellar Orb, and it will light the area up. In every cave. It will get very helpful in large caves with patrolling enemies; a good example would be the 8th sublevel of the Cavern of Chaos.

Note[]

This is also an excellent place to get Purple Pikmin and White Pikmin. Bring at least 22 Pikmin of any color (besides purple and white) and enter. First, on the third sublevel there will be a lone Ivory Candypop Bud, get five whites and move on. The next sublevel is a rest level with three Ivory Candypops, so you can get another 15 here. On the eighth sublevel there will be three Violet Candypop Buds and two Queen Candypop Buds. Toss your two remaining Pikmin into the Queen Candypops, and use the Pikmin generated from those in the Violet Candypops. Break a few of the eggs scattered about the level and have your Pikmin drink the nectar, then exit the cave via the geyser. Rinse and Repeat for the desired number of Pikmin. This is useful for collecting the Doomsday Apparatus.

Subterranean Complex

Location	Valley of Repose
Sublevels	9
Treasures	16
Hazards	Fire, Electricity and Poison