Pikmin 4 lets players upgrade their characters along their adventures. If you’re struggling in Pikmin 4, you probably need a Gear upgrade. Using materials can improve your equipment, provided you have enough currency. Find out what each upgrade does for your character and Oatchi in this adorable Nintendo title.
Related: How to find Olimar in Pikmin 4
Pikmin Gear Upgrades
You can see every available upgrade in Pikmin 4 here and their material cost.
| Gear | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Survey Drone | Use a drone to scout the area from the sky. | 10 |
| Charging Horn | Press X to order Pikmin to charge forward. | 20 |
| Headlamp | Illuminate caves for increased visibility. | 30 |
| Treasure Gauge | Detect treasures and nearby castaways. | 40 |
| Air Armor: Player | Reduce overall damage for the Player character. | 40 |
| Tuff Stuff: Player | Increase the Player’s maximum HP. | 40 |
| Triple Threat | Unlock the Triple Punch attack for the Player character | 40 |
| Anti-Electrifier | Become immune to electric damage. | 50 |
| Scorch Guard | Gain immunity to Fire Damage | 50 |
| Thermal Defense: Player | Protect the Player character from all freezing effects. | 50 |
| Air Armor+: Player | Increase damage mitigation of the Air Armor | 60 |
| Air Armor: Oatchi | Reduce overall damage for Oatchi | 80 |
| Brace Boots | Prevent the Player character from being blown away or sucked up by attacks. | 80 |
| Homesick Signal | Call Pikmin, not in your squad, back to the S.S. Beagle | 80 |
| Idler’s Alert | Call idle Pikmin to your location. | 80 |
| Tuff Stuff: Oatchi | Reduce damage taken by Oatchi in battle. | 80 |
| Anti-Electrifier: Oatchi | Grants Oatchi immunity to electrical damage. | 100 |
| Headlamp+ | Improve the range and power of the Headlamp. | 100 |
| Scorch Guard: Oatchi | Grants Oatchi immunity to fire damage. | 100 |
| Sniff Saver | Grants Oatchi immunity to poison damage. | 100 |
| Thermal Defense: Oatchi | Prevents Oatchi from freezing when hit by frost attacks/effects. | 100 |
| Treasure Gauge+ | See the total amount and locations of treasure on each map. | 100 |
| Air Armor+: Oatchi | Improve damage absorption for Oatchi, making him take only half the damage. | 120 |
| Air Armor++: Player | Max damage mitigation for the player. | 120 |
| Rush Boots | Increase movement speed. | 120 |
| Power Whistle | Increase the whistle’s range significantly. | 120 |
| Tuff Stuff++: Player | Max out the Player character’s HP. | 120 |
| Gunk Busters | Prevent movement slowdown in gunk and goo. | 240 |
| Tuff Stuff++: Oatchi | Max our Oatchi’s HP. | 240 |
How to Unlock Gear Upgrades in Pikmin 4
You must first find and rescue Russ, the Last Frost Cavern, a cave in the Sun-Speckled Terrace. Head to the northernmost cave in the area, as shown below, to find this underground level.
Use Ice Pikmin to break down the wall leading to the exit and collect this researcher by using three of your little helpers.
Next time you go to your base, Russ can upgrade your gear each time you talk to him, provided you have enough Materials.
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