Arachnode

Arachnode
Appears in	Pikmin 3
Scientific name	Unknown
Family	Unknown
Areas	Twilight River, Formidable Oak
Mission Mode Collect Treasure! stages	Twilight Hollow Remix
Mission Mode Battle Enemies! stages	Twilight River Remix, Beastly Cavern
Side Story days	None
Bingo Battle stages	None
Attacks	Eats Pikmin

The Arachnode is a spider-like enemy in Pikmin 3, and the first arachnid-based enemy in the Pikmin series with an interactable web. While dormant on its web, it resembles a cocoon, with a black and yellow striped and sphere-shaped body. This shape and coloring comes from the eight legs wrapped tightly around its body; the actual body is a small black orb with yellow circles instead of stripes. Once a Pikmin or leader gets caught in the web, it uncurls its legs after a while, and wanders up to its prey, consuming them quickly once it has reached them. It may also wander around the web freely in order to avoid Pikmin being thrown at it. The web will collapse once the Arachnode is defeated.

Pikmin caught in the web can be saved by whistling at them. This is important especially with a small squad, as Pikmin shaken off by the Arachnode will usually get stuck in the web. Winged Pikmin carrying objects will get stuck in webs that are along their route, making webs the primary obstacle for these types of Pikmin.

Its behavior and anatomy differ from both the Arachnorb and Dweevil family: they both have noticeably longer and thinner legs than the Arachnode, and neither eat Pikmin when fought. The game gives no information as to the relations of the different families.

Notes

Pikmin 3 website

"An eight-legged creature that traps its prey in a sticky web."

Pikmin 3 Prima Guide

"The Arachnode is only able to attack Pikmin that become tangled in its web. When you first encounter a web, look for the attached Arachnode. To defeat the enemy quickly, throw a few Rock Pikmin directly at an Arachnode. You can also use a squad of Winged Pikmin to overwhelm an Arachnode with a single charge attack.

Because the Arachnode's web is fairly tall, the creature often moves out of your standard throwing range. Use Yellow Pikmin or Winged Pikmin to attack an Arachnode when it retreats to the top of its web. If any of your Pikmin become ensnared in the web, use the whistle to rescue them. When you defeat an Arachnode, its web unravels."

Strategy

Rock Pikmin will kill an Arachnode in just three hits. Though it is not grounded, the Arachnode does not count as an airborne enemy, and Winged Pikmin deal little damage, so using them is only recommended if no Rock Pikmin are present and the Winged group is rather large. The Arachnorb can eat Pikmin from either side of the web, yet can only be attacked from the side it is on with non-Rock Pikmin; Rock Pikmin can attack it from both sides.

Besides using Winged Pikmin, the primary way to defeat an Arachnode is to throw Pikmin at it. If it is too high up for regular Pikmin to be tossed, Yellow Pikmin may be used due to their higher throw arc. Otherwise, a Pikmin or leader must be thrown at its web first, preferably near the bottom. After detecting prey in the web, the creature will try to eat the immobilized Pikmin or leader. At this time, the enemy should be standing still and close enough for thrown Pikmin to latch on and attack.

Gallery

• 143px-Bee egg.png

  The form it takes while waiting for something to fall on its trap.

• Pikmin3 SpiderchrysEnemy.jpeg

  Charlie caught on the web.

• 

  Alph caught on the web.

• ZlCfzREd0jot4F4KeR.jpg

  Side view of the Arachnode.

Trivia

• This is the first true arachnid in the Pikmin series, having a full set of eight legs, unlike members of the Arachnorb or Dweevil family.