Man-at-Legs

Man-at-Legs
Appears in	Pikmin 2
Scientific name	Pseudoarachnia navaronia
Family	Arachnorb
Areas	None
Caves	Subterranean Complex, Hole of Heroes
Challenge Mode stages	Secret Testing Range
2-Player Battle stages	None
Attacks	Fires explosive projectiles

The Man-at-legs is a member of the Arachnorb family, and first appeared as a boss in Pikmin 2. Unlike the two other known Arachnorbs, it is a bio-mechanical creature and has very spindly legs and almost no feet, making its battle strategy different. Its interior appears to be filaments of biological matter that stretch to allow its gun to fold out. It moves around quickly, stopping to rest or to use its machine gun-like weapon to attack, which it does more quickly when attacked. It has its flaws, though: it lets off steam with a loud hiss before it attacks, signaling Olimar's retreat, and there is a visible red laser it uses to target the Pikmin, making it obvious where it's going to shoot. However, the blasts come very quickly, so the laser is not of much use when avoiding the enemy.

The Man-at-Legs is usually found in arenas that have raised ground that can be used as shields against the blasts. When it dies, it explodes; this is quite different from its relatives. As a side note, this enemy cannot be petrified while it is dormant.

It is only found on the last sublevel (9) of the Subterranean Complex, sublevel 13 of the Hole of Heroes and sublevel 2 of the Secret Testing Range in Challenge Mode.

The name is a pun on "man at arms", a professional soldier during the Middle Ages.

Notes

Olimar's notes

“This species of the arachnorb family fuses with machinery at a crucial point in the maturation process, giving it the ability to fire energy bursts from the launcher beneath its orbular torso. However, the man-at-legs itself is not in control of this weapon. Instead, the mechanical portions of its structure appear to automatically acquire and attack targets. The man-at-legs has a gentle disposition, and as a member of the arachnorb species, it has no natural enemies. It is particularly difficult to understand why this species would develop such awesome offensive capabilities, leading to rumors among the scientific community that it was the machinery that approached the arachnorb and proposed the symbiotic relationship.”

Louie's notes

“Although the meat is a bit on the metallic side, the oil makes a mouthwatering gravy or lubricative vinaigrette.”

Strategy

1. When the creature has fully risen from the ground and starts aiming, the player should run for cover behind an object. Once it starts walking around, it should be chased. It is most easily attacked when it stands still and lowers its head. When it shakes the Pikmin attacking it off in a fury, the player should hide again, and repeat the cycle.
2. A large mob of Purple Pikmin thrown at this enemy while it lies dormant in the ground should drop its health to a substantial fraction. Once it has risen fully, the first or third strategy should be used.
3. The creature is attacked until it has stood up all the way, and at that point it is petrified. As soon as the spray wears off, it should be petrified again. However, occasionally the Man-at-Legs will exit the stun and start shooting immediately, without the aiming laser.
4. Before the creature opens fire, the player can dismiss their Pikmin away from the Man-at-Legs and run in tight circles around its legs. As long as Olimar is closer to the creature than the Pikmin he will be shot at, and with skill, unharmed. This strategy is easier to perform after obtaining the Rush Boots.

Unfortunately, the player faces the Man-at-Legs in a watery area two out of three times, leaving the aforementioned strategy of Purple Pikmin useless. In such circumstances it is best to attempt the "Hit and Run" technique of number one. The second strategy has also been removed in New Play Control! Pikmin 2, as the creature is invincible while it is rising from the ground. The fourth method is effective, but hard to perform at times.

Gallery

• 140.jpg

  Concept art of a Man-at-Legs preparing to fire its cannon.

• 

  A Man-at-Legs in the Secret Testing Range, firing its weapon.

Trivia

• Holes in its metal plating reveal "skin" with a texture similar to that of the Beady Long Legs.
• The Man-at-Legs scientific name comes from the Greek word pseudo meaning false/fake and arachnia derived form arachnids, the scientific name for spiders. Pseudoarachnia therefore means 'False Spider'.
• In Olimar's Notes, it says that the Man-At-Legs is a mixture of biological and robotic matter, and the two combined at a crucial part of maturation. There is no artwork or scenery of the Man-At-Legs before it was a cyborg. However, you can see skin or veins inside the body of the Man-At-Legs when it opens up to shoot with it's weapon. The best place to try and do this is the Piklopedia.
• In Olimar's notes, it is revealed that the Man-At-Legs might not be in full control of itself.