Shockcake

Shockcake
Appears in	Pikmin 4
Scientific name	Conchcrustus ampero
Family	Shellcake
Areas	None
Caves	Sightless Passage
Dandori Challenge stages	None
Dandori Battle stages	None
Attacks	Crush Pikmin, electrify Pikmin

The Shockcake (シビレオオバン^?, lit.: "Paralysis Ōban-yaki") is a disc-shaped enemy in Pikmin 4. On one side it has a hard brown carapace, while on the other side it has constant sparks of electricity that can electrify Pikmin. It flips between these sides and can crush Pikmin while doing so.

Stats

Weight	Max. carriers	Seeds	Value	Health
7	14	10^{[note 1]}	× 7	1000

^ This enemy cannot be delivered to Onions in-game. This information is obtained from the Piklopedia.

Behavior

The Shockcake will lie in wait for prey, occasionally sticking its eyestalks out. When a leader or Pikmin approaches it, it will rotate 90 degrees, resting its body on its side. After a short delay, it will rotate another 90 degrees in an attempt to crush or electrocute Pikmin, depending on which side it lands on. If it lands on its electric side, it will release jolts of electricity around itself, electrifying objects around it, so take care when getting close. Regardless of which side it lands on when it dies, its corpse will always land electric-side up but with the electricity deactivated.

Appearance

The Shockcake is a cylindrical rock-covered mollusc-like creature with its underside being constantly sparking with electrical currents. It has yellow snail-like eyes that are able to retract and hide within its shell.

Locations

Only a single Shockcake is found in the game, in the Sightless Passage.

Strategy

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

The non-elemental half of a Shockcake is able to be damaged by every Pikmin type, but its shocking underbelly can only be damaged by Yellow Pikmin (and Glow Pikmin). If the player character or Oatchi have equipped the Anti-Electrifier, then this enemy will be less of a hassle. Even with a small squad, defeating this enemy is simple enough, so long as you ensure no Pikmin are left vulnerable in its path. If any Pikmin are electrified, or about to be crushed, whistle them to your side. When the Shockcake loses all of its health while on its side, it will topple again before becoming a corpse, so whistle your Pikmin away before they get crushed. Both throwing and charging are effective methods of attack against this enemy.

Notes

Dalmo's notes

“Living creatures can sense your intent and emotions, so if you face them with love in your heart, they'll know it. When you love and are loved back, even the occasional electric shock isn't so bad. That's right—instead of play biting, this sweetie does play shocking. It can zap away shoulder stiffness and fatigue in a flash!”

Olimar's notes

“This species has muscular organs that can create electricity by using ion gradients within densely layered rows of electricity-generating cells, which are arranged in an asymmetrical series. It uses its plug-like protrusions to instantly shock its prey, and then squashes it. The squashed prey acts as fertilizer, improving the quality of the soil so that the microorganisms and moss that the Shockcake feeds on can thrive.”

Louie's notes

“Sauté in butter, and cover with a sauce made from the green liver paste. Anyone with a highly developed palate will enjoy the slightly bitter flavor profile.”

Other information

Pikmin 4 Piklopedia number: #72

Naming

See more: Shellcake family#Naming.

Common name: Shockcake. The name comes from its cake-like shape and ability to give Pikmin an electric shock.
Japanese nickname: (シビレオオバン^?) The first part is based on 痺れる, meaning "numbing" or "paralyzing". The second part could be derived from "ōban-yaki (大判焼き)", a Kansai-dialect derived name for a type of cylindrical cake cooked on a flippable, indented pan, like a waffle iron. In Tokyo, this kind of street food is usually called "Imagawayaki (今川焼き)".
Japanese name: シビレオオバンガイ^?, lit.: "Paralysis Ōban-yaki Shellfish". The first part is based on 痺れる.
Scientific name: Conchcrustus ampero. "Conch" may refer to the real life marine mollusk of the same name, and "crustus" may stem from "crust" or the Latin root word "crustae" meaning "rind, shell, crust". "Amp" is a unit of measurement for electricity.
Internal names: ELECSENBEI. Combination of "elec-" from "electricity" and "senbei", a type of Japanese cracker.
Prerelease: none

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	シビレオオバン^? Shibireōban	Paralysis Ōban-yaki	From 痺れる^? (lit.: "to get an electric shock") and 大判焼き^? (lit.: "ōban-yaki")
Chinese (traditional)	麻痺車輪 Mábì Chēlún	Paralyzing Wheel
Chinese (simplified)	麻痺车轮 Mábì Chēlún	Paralyzing Wheel
Dutch	Voltkoekeloerdraaier	Volt peekflipper	'Koekeloeren' is a more childish / fun way of saying the word 'gluren' (peeking)
French	Mastocrêpe électrique	Electric blockrepe	The name is a portmanteau of mastoc (bulky, blocky) and crêpe (crepe)
German	Elektrokuchen	Electro Cake
Italian	Elettrotorta	Electrocake
Portuguese	Electrobolo	Electrocake	The name is a portmanteau of elétrico (electric) and bolo (cake)
Spanish	Electritarta	Electricake	The name is a portmanteau of electricidad (electricity) and tarta (cake)

Gallery

This article or section is in need of more images. Particularly:
images of more wild Shockcakes.
You can help Pikipedia by uploading some images.

A Shockcake looking around.
A flipped Shockcake.
A Shockcake attacking some Pikpik carrots.
A frozen Shockcake.
A defeated Shockcake in the Piklopedia.
An idle Shockcake in Sightless Passage.
A Shockcake protecting itself.