Careening Dirigibug

Careening Dirigibug
Appears in	Pikmin 2
Scientific name	Flotillium circusmaximus
Family	Dirigibug
Areas	None
Caves	Subterranean Complex, Submerged Castle, Cavern of Chaos, Hole of Heroes, Dream Den
Challenge Mode stages	Abduction Den
2-Player Battle stages	Hostile Territory
Attacks	Drops bomb-rocks

The Careening Dirigibug (サクレウラメ^?) is unusual insectoid enemy in Pikmin 2. It is a legless creature that drifts through the air by utilizing colorful, balloon-like air sacs attached to what can be considered the head of the beast. Though it does not actively seek out targets, it will produce a bomb-rock from its mouth and toss it onto the ground with violent intent when a leader or Pikmin approaches. The bomb-rocks thrown by the Careening Dirigibug are not player exclusive and can damage nearby enemies and hazards. It is found solely underground, which includes caves, Challenge Mode areas and a single 2-Player Battle stage, Hostile Territory.

Notes

Olimar's notes

“This creature floats effortlessly through the air using gas-filled balloons. Both its appearance and its nature are antagonistic. And it is the only variant of its species in this ecosystem. It may be best to consider the possibility that it somehow wandered into this ecosystem from an entirely alien one. Positive proof does not exist at this point, but that is how the creature is currently classified.”

Louie's notes

“Pull off the balloonlike air sacs, mince the meaty abdomen, and shape it into small cakes. Pan-sear the cakes until crusted, but be careful not to overcook the delicate meat. When ready to serve, garnish the plate with the vibrant air sacs. Even the most discerning dinner guest will be dazzled by the colorful presentation!”

Behavior

Careening Dirigibugs are always found in caves. Though many times they are found floating about and clearly visible from the start, in a few cases, they will actually descend from areas much higher up, invisible and unreachable to the player. They start off posing no threat, however, when approached by a Pikmin or captain, a Dirigibug will produce a Bomb-rock from its mouth in about a second's time. It will then hold the rock in its hands and finally throw if a target is within its range. The creature, however, barely seems to aim, and though the rock always travels in the direction the creature is facing, the distance is never perfectly accurate to either the captain(s) or the Pikmin. Once thrown, the Bomb-rock activates immediately, the blast that results killing all Pikmin and small enemies caught up in it, and dealing considerable damage to captains and larger enemies.

As the Dirigibug floats, it stays at a height similar to that of a Swooping or Bumbling Snitchbug, but it moves at a much slower pace. Once attacked by a group of Pikmin, or just one purple Pikmin, the creature will be grounded, left completely defenseless for a short period of time. When this does happen, if the creature was holding a bomb, the bomb will fly randomly away from it, landing somewhere nearby. After struggling on ground for a bit, if the creature is not killed, the Dirigibug will shake all attacking Pikmin from it, rise back up to its floating height and proceed to attack.

Strategy

The following article or section contains guides. The strategies shown are just suggestions.

Dirigibugs can be defeated in the same manner as Scarpanids and other flying enemies: rapidly throw Pikmin onto it while in the air (one Purple Pikmin will work just as well), then swarm it when it falls. Approach the creature from behind if possible, and ultra-bitter spray is very useful should the enemy be carrying a bomb-rock.

Without a spray, the creature will throw its bomb a random distance and direction when attacked. Should it land too close to the enemy to be able to make an approach, the player must back off and try again. Alternatively, bring it to the ground then whistle all Pikmin back to safety; then the Dirigibug will take longer to procure a new bomb-rock, leaving it vulnerable once the bomb-rock on the ground has exploded.

Careening Dirigibugs are also useful in that they can take out other enemies. You must walk towards a group of enemies alone, and allow the Dirigibug to follow you. Lure it into throwing a bomb-rock in front of you and the enemies. Then, retreat, and let the bomb-rock detonate on the enemies.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

The Careening Dirigibug appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

File:DirigibugTrophy.jpg	Description: “A dangerous, offensive-minded creature. It uses balloons to keep it afloat as it flies through the air and drops bomb-rocks on ground-bound prey. These bomb-rocks sometimes turn out to be duds, but since the slightest stimulus can set these things off, the ultimate care should be taken with them. Pikmin 2”
How to obtain: Random appearance.		Type: Fighter Related

Glitches

This article or section needs to be cleaned up, either its format or general style. Notes: Move to the glitches article when they're good, but first, confirm them.

• There is a rare glitch where one can be seen floating without balloons.
• In some dungeons like the Hole of Heroes, a Careening Dirigibug can throw a bomb rock over a barrier when trying to kill Pikmin on the other side. On the first floor of the Cavern of Chaos, some can get caught in the pipes.
• One glitch that can occur with the Careening Dirigibug involves invisible bombs. A leader may activate a bomb while the Dirigibug is still holding it, which will cause it to explode while the creature is still holding the bomb. The Careening Dirigibug continues the "holding" animation, even when there is no bomb there. It will eventually perform the throwing animation with the bomb that is not there.
• In this creature's Piklopedia entry, petrifying it just as it breaks free from another spray makes it possible to freeze it and its bomb-rock separately.

Technical information

Pikmin 2 technical information (?)
Internal name			bombsarai
Global properties (List)
ID	Japanese comment	Property	Value
s000	friction(not used)	Friction	0.5
s001	wallReflection	Unknown (wall bounce speed multiplier?)	0.5
s002	faceDirAdjust	Unknown	0.25
s003	accel	Acceleration	0.1
s004	bounceFactor	Unknown (bounce when it hits the ground?)	0.3
fp00	ライフ	HP	1500
fp01	マップとの当り	Unknown (related to slopes)	20
fp02	ダメージスケールXZ	Horizontal damage scale	0.2
fp03	ダメージスケールY	Vertical damage scale	0.2
fp04	ダメージフレーム	Damage scale duration	0.35
fp05	質量	Unknown (weight?)	0.01
fp06	速度	Move speed	60
fp08	回転速度率	Rotation acceleration	0.1
fp09	テリトリー	Territory radius	200
fp10	ホーム範囲	"Home" radius	100
fp11	プライベート距離	"Private" radius	50
fp12	視界距離	Sight radius	200
fp13	視界角度	FOV	180
fp14	探索距離	Unknown (exploration radius?)	200
fp15	探索角度	Unknown (exploration angle?)	120
fp16	振り払い率	Successful shake rate	1
fp17	振り払い力	Shake knockback	80
fp18	振り払いダメージ	Shake damage	1
fp19	振り払い範囲	Shake range	120
fp20	攻撃可能範囲	Unknown (shock attack max range?)	100
fp21	攻撃可能角度	Unknown (shock attack max angle?)	45
fp22	攻撃ヒット範囲	Unknown (attack hit range?)	50
fp23	攻撃ヒット角度	Unknown (attack hit angle?)	15
fp24	攻撃力	Attack damage	10
fp25	視界高	Unknown (height visibility?)	50
fp26	探索高	Unknown (exploration height?)	50
fp27	ライフの高さ	HP wheel height	50
fp28	回転最大速度	Rotation speed	2
fp29	警戒時間	Unknown (warning time?)	15
fp30	警戒ライフ	Unknown	100
fp31	ライフ回復率	Regeneration rate	0
fp32	LOD半径	Off-camera radius	80
fp33	マップとのあたりポリゴンの選定	Collision processing radius	30
fp34	ピクミンとのあたり	Pikmin damage radius	20
fp35	石化時間	Petrification duration	1
fp36	ヒップドロップダメージ	Purple Pikmin drop damage	50
fp37	地震気絶確立	Purple Pikmin stun chance	0.3 (30%)
fp38	地震気絶時間	Purple Pikmin stun time	5
ip01	振り払い打撃Ａ	Shake mode 1 – hit count	3
ip02	振り払い張付１	Shake mode 1 – Pikmin requirement	3
ip03	振り払い打撃Ｂ	Shake mode 2 – hit count	8
ip04	振り払い張付２	Shake mode 2 – Pikmin requirement	5
ip05	振り払い打撃Ｃ	Shake mode 3 – hit count	15
ip06	振り払い張付３	Shake mode 3 – Pikmin requirement	10
ip07	振り払い打撃Ｄ	Shake mode 4 – hit count	30
Specific properties
ID	Japanese comment	Property	Value
fp01	飛行高さ	Unknown (hover height?)	70
fp03	状態遷移高さ	Unknown	50
fp10	上下の揺れ速度	Unknown	2.5
fp11	上下の揺れ幅	Unknown	20
fp21	上昇係数(0)	Unknown	1.5
fp22	上昇係数(5)	Unknown	1
fp31	振払確率(1)	Unknown	0.2
fp32	振払確率(5)	Unknown	0.8
fp40	もがき時間	Unknown (time it spends struggling on the ground?)	0.8

Gallery

• 

  A Careening Dirigibug in the Piklopedia.

• 

  Another screenshot of the creature in the Piklopedia.

• 

  A Careening Dirigibug carrying a bomb-rock.

• CareeningDirigibugTrophy.png

  The trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

• 

  A Careening Dirigibug with a non-existing bomb-rock in its claws.

• 

  The Brazilian Treehopper, a real world insect that bears a striking resemblance to the Dirigibug.

• 

  The creature's e-card, #37 (14^th yellow card).

Trivia

• The trophy description details that Careening Dirigibugs occasionally throw dud bomb-rocks, which is not true in Pikmin 2. This is likely the result of a mistake. A glitch does exist where bomb-rocks stay stuck and never explode, but it is unlikely that this is what the trophy was referring to.
• The Careening Dirigibugs bear a strange resemblance to the Eosapiens from the documentary "Alien Planet", and also from William Barlowe's book, Expedition. Both these creatures float using gas-filled sacks on their heads, effectively hunt down their targets, and also have generally similar body shapes.
• It's odd that Louie details the balloon-like air sacks in his notes, because the air sacks all burst upon defeat.

See also

• Bomb-rock
• Gatling Groink
• Explosion enemy category
• Airborne enemy category