Gray Pikmin

Gray Pikmin are the second-to-last type of Pikmin obtained in Pikmin: Redemption and the third-to-last power gained, done by jumping into the Smoky Candypop Bud located somewhere in the Flooded Abyss. They evolved their defining characteristic of thin skin after a large group of various Pikmin varieties were trapped in a pitch-black cave for several months. This caused the skin of those Pikmin to become light gray and thinner to let in more light. Later several of the Pikmin grew into candypop buds and then into Onions. However, these Onions were not of the original Pikmin's color, but gray. Since the offspring were of mixed subspecies the Onion let any color in. This led to DNA mixing, causing all future candypop buds from these Pikmin to be randomly colored.

=In other games=

In Pikmin 360
Gray Pikmin return in Pikmin 360. They are controlled by the Pikiking and Pikiqueen. It is revealed that there is an infectious, parasitic insect that takes control of Pikmin and turns them gray, and the Gray Pikmin found in this game are all infected. The Pikiking orders his Gray Pikmin to take control of the Pikiqueen, which later joins the player with the infected Pikmin. It is revealed at the end of the game that the Gray Pikmin contained their infection and sided with the White Pikmin and Yellow Pikmin colonies. It is unknown if the already-gray Pikmin sided with them also.

In Pikmin Chronicles
Gray Pikmin are Pikmin that are said to appear in Pikmin Chronicles. These Pikmin are gray in color with wavy patterns all over their bodies and white eyes which contain no pupils. In their leaf stages, their leaves appear to be withered. Gray Pikmin are the only type of Pikmin that can traverse across bodies of quicksand. While all other Pikmin are hesitant to step into it, Gray Pikmin will walk across the quicksand with their slightly-flatter-than-normal feet. They can also skip across water for approximately five seconds before drowning.

In Pikmin Galaxy Adventure
Gray Pikmin appear in Pikmin Galaxy Adventure. They can pick up things with their tail. They are obtained by tossing Pikmin into Ash candypop buds. They are first discovered on Piktopia. They are some of the weakest Pikmin of all, so be sure to guard them with stronger Pikmin. They are also the third slowest Pikmin of all, the first being the Bloat Pikmin, the second being the Purple Pikmin. They can escape out of enemies' bellies, and they can be thrown the highest of all Pikmin.

In Pikmin SP
Gray Pikmin in Pikmin SP are discovered in the fifth area, Steam Volcano, inside the Glacier Tunnel. They are of a stony gray color, have a dark blue bud or flower with a yellow center, and their eyes are a bright fluorescent turquoise color. They are unaffected by ice. Gray Pikmin do not have an Onion, and can only be received underground via Stony Candypop Buds. One of their most strange features is that they instantly freeze the material spacesuits are made of, and due to this, the active leader often has difficulty throwing a Gray Pikmin normally.

In Pikmin: Clouded Skies
Gray Pikmin appear in Pikmin: Clouded Skies, and their scientific name is arachni cinis.

Olimar's research report

 * "The Grey Pikmin are quite a peculiar subspecies of Pikmin. They possess, in addition to their normal arms and legs, four giant spider-like legs protruding from their abdomen. They also sport a serrated leaf atop their stem. It progresses from a spiky leaf to a thorny bud, then to a thorny rose. Their legs appear to be nearly useless since they are always walking on their spider-like legs. Such new limbs would suggest that this creature is very awkward in getting up off the ground or being flung into the air. This seems inaccurate, as the Pikmin get up faster and it is not at all awkward to toss them. They instinctively know to curl up like a ball when being thrown. Their feet appear to have tough calluses, which appear to be able to resist heat like hot sand. Their decreased density allows them to travel over quicksand with ease. It proves that they are well suited for their harsh desert environment. This Pikmin may also wade in some shallow waters due to the length of its new legs. The new strange leaf upon its head allows for increased damage in combat. The thorns tear into prey, leaving nasty scratches."

In Pikmin: Echoes of Eternity
In Pikmin: Echoes of Eternity, Gray Pikmin retain their characteristics from Pikmin: Redemption, but have one extra attribute: they are immune to the hazard of smoke.

In Pikmin: Shadow Planet
In Pikmin: Shadow Planet, Grey Pikmin are the tenth and final type of Pikmin found. They are magnetic, so they are pulled towards treasures. They will also stand on whichever side of a leader's Pikmin squad is closest to a treasure. They can also dig up treasure, much like White Pikmin. Unfortunately, they are sometimes pulled towards magnetic objects, like the boulders of certain cannon beetles. Gray Pikmin are average-looking Pikmin, gray in color, obviously, and have four fingers instead of three.