Editing Startle Spore

|image2title = ''Pikmin 4''

|name        = Taraxacum fungensus

|underground = [[Engulfed Castle]]

|dandori_c  = [[Trial of the Sage Leaf]]

The '''Startle Spore''' ({{j|おったまダケ|Ottama Dake|So-Spooked Shroom}}) is an [[enemy]] introduced in {{P4}}. It has a similar appearance to the [[Creeping Chrysanthemum]], but it mimics red mushrooms instead of flowers. It hides as a cluster of said mushrooms, with its eyes being the only thing differentiating it from the true mushrooms. When a [[leader]], [[Oatchi]], or [[Pikmin Family|Pikmin]] come near, it hops up and attempts to attack them with its long, poison spewing tongue.

Startle Spores will hide partially underground, mimicking mushrooms in the nearby area. Occasionally, if observed long enough, it will open its eyes to look around. Much like the [[Skitter Leaf]] and the [[Desiccated Skitter Leaf]], it can't be spotted on the [[Map]] while it's burrowed underground. When something gets close, its eyestalks will turn to look at its target, while a dramatic sound plays to note it's awakening. It will hop out of the ground, knocking down Pikmin, Captains, and Oatchi too close to it. Almost immediately, it will launch out its tongue to eat Pikmin, leaving a splatter of [[poison]] on where it landed, which can only be traversed safely by [[White Pikmin]] or Oatchi when he has the {{oatchi|Sniff Saver}}. It will eat any Pikmin who get stuck on its tongue, but it will hit itself with said tongue and be stunned for a bit if it catches no Pikmin (however, this will still release poison). It can also catch [[Pikmin 4 player character|the player]], but will regurgitate them instantly. It shakes off Pikmin by inflating its cheeks and throat when too many have begun to attack it. When its prey is close, it will take chase, but it will re-enter hiding if its prey strays far away, returning to its original spot.

 

The player can use the same strategy as the [[Creeping Chrysanthemum]], being weary of the pools of [[poison]] it spews by attacking the beast from behind. The poison pools last longer and reach father than they might first appear, and can make fighting the creature a nuisance. The player can use [[White Pikmin]] to make fighting this creature a little easier, but their low damage and the Startle Spore's immunity to being poisoned combined with a large health pool can make this strategy not extremely effective (Especially if the player only has a small number of White Pikmin, which is likely). If the player plans on relying on White Pikmin, [[Ultra-spicy spray]] is reccomended.

 

Instead, the player can opt to use a small number (Around 30 or so) of high-damaging Pikmin such as [[Rock Pikmin]] or [[Purple Pikmin]]. Bait out the enemy from hiding by throwing and whistling back a single Pikmin, then reach around to the back (It should be noted the creature will turn to have its sights on the bait Pikmin, so you can use this to your advantage). When you reach the back, simply throw Purple Pikmin continuiously or repeatedly charge and call back your Rock Pikmin, this should defeat the beast quite quickly and safely. Using Oatchi's [[Rush]] with a large squad here is also a good option (And one of your only options, if fought in the [[Engulfed Castle]]), but be mindful of your squad's damage output and make sure Oatchi has his [[Sniff Saver]] equipped.

 

If the player is struggling with this enemy, a single [[Bomb rock|Bomb Rock]] is enough to take it out, even if it hasnt been consumed.

=== Dalmo's notes ===

{{transcript|These don't just mimic a growth of mushrooms for the fun of catching you by surprise—they also use the opportunity to spread poison around quite indiscriminately. But that's just this little darling's idiosyncratic method for catching its prey. We could learn from the way nature embraces such unique and varied creatures.|block=y}}

 

===Olimar's notes===

 

===Louie's notes===

|jpcommon  = {{j|おったまダケ|Ottama Dake}}. It is a combination of おっ魂消る (flabbergasted) and 茸 (mushroom).

|scientific = ''Taraxacum fungensus''. ''Fungensus'' is a combination of "fungen-", which means "fungi", and "esus", which means "eaten" in Latin.

==Other information==

{{enemy other info

|piklopedia4 = 59

 

== Names in other languages ==

|ChiTrad  = 驚人菇

|ChiTradR = Jīngrén Gū

|ChiTradM = Surprising Mushroom

|ChiSimp = 惊人菇

|ChiSimpR = Jīngrén Gū

|ChiSimpM = Surprising Mushroom

|Dut  = Bedriegerzwam

|DutM = Impostor mushroom

|FraM = Surprising Sporeflora

|Ger  = Kriechender Schreckling

|GerM = Creeping Hygrofearus

|GerN = Portmanteau of "Schreck" (fright) and "Schneckling" ({{w|waxy caps}})

|Ita  = Fungo trafelato

|ItaM = Panting mushroom

|Kor  = 깜짝버섯

|KorR = Kkamjjag-Beoseot

|KorM = Startle Mushroom

|Spa  = Seta pasmosa

|SpaM = Startle mushroom

|Por = Fingi

|PorM = Pretengus

|PorN = The name is a portmanteau of ''"fingir"'' (to pretend) and ''"fungi"'' ({{w|fungus}})

{{image|more images of wild Startle Spores.}}

Startle Spore Dead.jpg|A defeated Startle Spore.

P4 Dead Startle Spore.jpg|A defeated Startle Spore from a different angle.

[[Category:Poison enemies]]