Pikmin Pluck

Pikmin Pluck is Captain Olimar's standard special move in all of his playable Super Smash Bros. appearances, the first being Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It is the same as the Pluck ability from the Pikmin series, and its first overall appearance was in the game Pikmin.

The move has a self-explanatory purpose of allowing Olimar to pluck Pikmin from the ground (up to six in Super Smash Bros. Brawl; three in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). With Pikmin by his side, Olimar can smash attack, use other special moves, perform aerials, and grab opponents. So as long as there is ground to stand on, Olimar can pluck any one out of the five different types of Pikmin, each with its own special traits, in a similar fashion to Peach's Vegetable attack. Kirby is also capable of using this attack if he copies Olimar's powers. However, since Kirby is only able to copy a standard special move, and Olimar needs to use other attacks to attack with the Pikmin, Kirby instantly tosses his plucked Pikmin, rather than letting them travel behind him, but the Pikmin slam into his opponents instead of latching on.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the terrain influences the probability of getting certain Pikmin. For example, a lava stage may hold more Red Pikmin than usual. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the terrain no longer influences the probability; the order of the Pikmin is always in the following set order: red, blue, yellow, white, and purple.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the move comes in two other custom variations, once they are unlocked. Hardy Pikmin Pluck causes Olimar to take longer plucking Pikmin out of the ground, but as a result, they are more durable. Explosive Pluck is the offensive variant of the special move: plucking a Pikmin causes an explosive effect around Olimar. The pluck rate is slightly slower than normal Pikmin Pluck and Pikmin have less HP as a result. Pikmin that are scattered die in a far shorter time frame than normal Pikmin Pluck. Plucking White Pikmin gives off poisonous fumes while plucking Purple Pikmin is stronger than other Pikmin.

The move in the Super Smash Bros. series is different from the Pikmin games, because Pikmin cannot be plucked out of the ground at any time Olimar wants. They grow from seeds generated by Onions, which must be given Food Pellets to produce Pikmin seeds. Once a sprout appears, Olimar or Louie can pluck the Pikmin.