Lava

Lava is a deadly hazard appearing as molten material. Red Pikmin, Crimson Pikmin, and few other Pikmin types can resist it. Other Pikmin types that walk into lava will burn up instantly, and leaders that touch lava will take substantial damage for as long as they remain in contact with it. In some games, different depths of pools of lava can have different attributes.

=In fanon games=

In Pikmin Evolution
Lava is an uncommon hazard appearing in Pikmin Evolution. It takes the form of a burning, bright red fluid that, depending on the source, may either be molten stone, hot wax, or broiling mud. Lava mainly appears underground, in dens, as most surface environments would cause the substance to harden in the air. Lava comes in two forms, standard lava, and the more deadlier magma.

Standard lava appears as a pinkish-red fluid similar in consistency to acidic sludge or mud. It acts as a substitute for sizzling floors, slowing and burning anything that touches it, whether it be a standard Pikmin, or a captain without the Scorch Guard+. Lava can only be neutralized by Elixer Pikmin, which must either clean the area of the lava or destroy the source such as enemies like the Pyroclasmic Slooch. Some enemies such as the Fiery Bulblax or Magmamander also utilize lava on their bodies as protection, meaning Elixer Pikmin are necessary to defeat those enemies.

Magma, on the other hand, appears as a fluid hazard similar to water, mud, and acid. It is also the rarest fluid, only appearing in a select few den sublevels as well as being a semi-common hazard in the Hotpot Basic of the House of Gloom DLC. Magma is unique in that unlike all the other fluid hazards, it can't be crossed at all; any Pikmin tossed in will struggle in the lava, unable to be whistled, and soon die from incineration. Only a few enemies can cross magma, and those that do tend to be some of the most difficult enemies to overcome without outside assistance. Magma can be cooled using ice, using either a cyan syrup to make a temporary platform or a cooling solution to permanently freeze the entire source of magma, making it safe to cross. Magma is best avoided, with several areas involving navigating around it or extinguishing the molten rock.

In Pikmin: Connection of the Worlds
Pikmin: Connection of the Worlds features lava, as well as a hotter variant known as magma. Lava is a bright red color, with cool, dark spots scattered around. Red Pikmin are resistant to lava. Underground, the lava is called magma as it has not reached the surface yet. It is runnier and hotter than lava and glows orange-yellow. Burgundy Pikmin are resistant to magma, but are also resistant to lava. Any other Pikmin that touches lava or magma will be incinerated. If a leader touches lava, they will lose thirty percent of their health, and if they touch magma, they will lose seventy percent of their health.

In Pikmin: Forces of Evil
In Pikmin: Forces of Evil, lava is a fairly rare hazard that is first found on Zebes. It does steady damage to Olimar while he is submerged in it, and it fries all Pikmin that aren't Red Pikmin. After fighting the planet's boss, Olimar gains access to the Heat Shield, an upgrade that reduces the drain on Olimar's suit integrity by sixty percent but does not decrease damage inflicted by enemies.

In Pikmin: Theme Park
Lava is a hazard exclusive to Heatwave Rollercoaster and its caves and only has a deep variant. Crimson Pikmin, as well as being able to resist fire, can swim in lava.

In Pikmin: Ultimate Doom
Lava returns in Pikmin: Ultimate Doom.