Bulbmin

Bulbmin
Appears in	Pikmin 2
Scientific name	Parasiticus pikminicus
Family	Pikmin
Areas	None
Caves	Frontier Cavern, Submerged Castle, Hole of Heroes
Challenge Mode stages	Green Hole, Hidden Garden
2-Player Battle stages	None
Attacks	Eats Pikmin

Bulbmin (Juvenile)
Resistance	All Hazards (except explosions)
Attack strength	Low (5)
Mobility	Average
Throw	Average
Digging speed	Unknown
Carrying capacity	1

Bulbmin are a parasitic species of Pikmin that have infected a Bulborb and taken control of it. They can be found wandering the floors of certain caves and behave much like the Spotty Bulbear, patrolling an established path in search of food, and can be dealt with similarly by using sprays or Purple Pikmin. The cave with the greatest number of Bulbmin is the Submerged Castle.

Mature Bulbmin, acting as a Captain, can be followed by 10 or fewer juvenile Bulbmin. Since wild juveniles count towards the 100-Pikmin limit, exactly how many there are depends on whether or not the player has 10 available spaces. After defeating a mature Bulbmin, the smaller ones go into a panic. They are not dangerous, but whistling at them will instantly bring them into line under the captain's command, and they become part of his Pikmin swarm.

They have average capabilities in terms of mobility and strength, but are immune to all hazards (fire, water, electricity, and poison), excluding explosions. As beneficial as their abilities may seem, they cannot leave the caves with Olimar, and will not count towards the overall Pikmin count. This makes them ideal for use in Candypop Buds.

The only way that Bulbmin can be killed if they are not under a captain's command - that is, before ever being whistled - is if a Cannon Beetle or Waterwraith flattens them, or they fall over the side of a level into the abyss when shaken by an enemy attack or explosion or other sufficient force.

There is some debate over what Bulbmin inside Bulborbs actually look like. Some argue that since they appear as green dots on the map, and since their leaves glow green when idle, that they themselves are green. Others suggest that Bulbmin are orange given the color of the tip of their stem, as well as the color of the conical aiming cursor when a Bulbmin is in hand and the color of the trail they produce when thrown.

Notes

Ship's dialogs

“The confused bulborb has fallen in with the Pikmin. They appear to coexist peacefully.

Strange... this bulborb has a leaf sprouting from its spine, much like the leaf on a Pikmin's head.”

Olimar's notes

“This loathsome creature is in fact a parasitic form of Pikmin that has infected a bulborb. Unlike Pikmin that nest in Pikmin Onions, this parasitic relative spends its life inside the body of a host, usually a bulborb. Juveniles fall in line and mimic the actions of their parent until maturing to full independence. By burying its rootlike limbs into the nervous system of the host bulborb and infusing it with natural hormonal excretions, the bulbmin is able to control virtually all of the host's bodily functions. However, the host's voracious appetite seems impossible to suppress.”

Louie's notes

“Grind the meat and season with allspice, salt, and ground white pepper. Press the seasoned meat into meat satchels, then panfry them with onions. Prior to serving, smother the brats with dijon mustard and sauerkraut. Buns are optional.”

Strategy

Pikmin

To ensure a low Pikmin loss, if not zero, wait until it approaches the active Captain, then throw Pikmin rapidly on top of the beast, further to the back than the front. If done correctly and with good aim, it should shake them off and turn around slowly: it has been distracted, leaving a large time gap in which to swarm it. Do it, then, and it should die before any of the Pikmin it manages to swallow do. Also if it is attacked by other bulbmin it will hesitate slightly before attacking allowing more time to deal damage.

As extra precautions or for an easier fight, use Purple Pikmin or an Ultra-Bitter Spray if it captures any Pikmin.

Captains

Approach the Bulbmin like a roaming Bulbear, attacking it from behind and avoiding its bite. Although its health is significantly lower than a Bulbear's, it can still take a substantial amount of time to kill without the Rocket Fist powerup.

Trivia

• The only place where Bulbmin can be buried (and the only place where one can observe Bulbmin with buds) is the Frontier Cavern, on sublevels 4 and 5. Swooping Snitchbugs can plant them in the ground on sublevel 4, and they can be planted by Mamutas on sublevel 5.
• Although immune to poison, the adult Bulbmin will take a fair amount of damage if having eaten a White Pikmin.
• Only adult Bulbmin will attack the player; the young will do nothing but follow the parent until it is defeated, likely due to them seeing it as their Leader.
• Bulbmin, along with Mushroom Pikmin, are the only Pikmin that did not appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
• Juvenile Bulbmin have lower polygon counts than normal Pikmin.

Gallery

• 

  Artwork of a mature Bulbmin.

• 

  Artwork of a juvenille Bulbmin

• 

  Artwork of a Bulbmin and a Red Pikmin

• 118.jpg

  Another concept art featuring a mature Bulbmin and 3 juveniles.

• 119.jpg

  Bulbmin in Sublevel 3 of the Submerged Castle.

• 

  Bulbmin in the Piklopedia.

This article was a featured article from 3rd December 2008 to 26th January 2009.