Electrode
- This article relates to the official games. See Pikipedia's "Electrode" article for more official information.
Electrodes are a type of obstacle. The general concept of the electrode is that it is an object that transmits an electric current, but is initially found opened.
Most electrodes take the form of a simple electric circuit, consisting of a battery and an electrical device such as a light bulb, connected by two pieces of wire. One of the wires is usually severed, leaving a gap in the circuit. Some circuits can only be activated by completing circuits connected to them.
Because Yellow Pikmin can conduct electricity, they are able to complete an electrode's circuit. The first Pikmin directed towards it will grab one of the wire ends and stretch its other arm out. Any Pikmin that come next will join hands with the Pikmin next to them, or grab the other end of the electrode. When the final Pikmin is added, it will close the gap and the electrical current, starting the circuit and turning on the electrical device in the process. At this point, the Pikmin are longer required to feed the circuit with their bodies, as the gap between the two ends is occupied by an arc of electricity. This arc deals electrical damage to leaders, as do the wire ends prior to the connection. The Pikmin that jumpstarted the circuit will also be flowered once the current passes through them.
Electrodes can be used to light up areas, which can, in turn, cause different things to happen: light activates the Onions, makes Bloominous Stemples bloom, and stuns creatures such as the Vehemoth Phosbat with proximity.