| Mamuta | |
|---|---|
| File:56mamuta.png | |
| Appears in | Pikmin, Pikmin 2 |
| Scientific name | Unknown |
| Family | Unknown |
| Areas | The Impact Site |
| Caves | Frontier Cavern, Cavern of Chaos, Hole of Heroes |
| Challenge Mode stages | The Distant Spring, Trampled Garden |
| 2-Player Battle stages | None |
| Attacks | Pounds ground and replants Pikmin |
The Mamuta is an enemy found in both Pikmin games. It is fairly large, seemingly rocky and has two small eyes with dark markings around each one. Its body is notably asymmetrical with large, muscular arms that have strange markings around the wrists. The single Mamuta in the first game is neutral, and just stands and watches when Pikmin walk by; if any harm comes to it, it becomes enraged and attacks. In Pikmin 2, however, Mamutas are more aggressive, attacking Pikmin and captains when they approach.
These creatures attack by pounding Pikmin into the ground. This doesn't kill them, but replants them and turns them into flowered Pikmin by some unknown process, which can be used to one's advantage, though it can get very annoying when it comes to plucking the Pikmin if one is in a hurry. With the Pluckaphone, however, a Mamuta can do more good than bad, as the planted Pikmin can simply be called out of the ground.
Captains, as opposed to Pikmin, do take damage from Mamuta attacks. In the first Pikmin game, Olimar, like his Pikmin, can be pounded into the ground. This causes the creature to stop attacking and appear to relax, after emitting some odd donkey-like noises; it will only attack again if Pikmin are plucked or if it is attacked.
In Pikmin, the Mamuta is found at the Impact Site on even-numbered days (on odd-numbered days, the Goolix is encountered instead), but in Pikmin 2, Mamutas are only found underground, and their health and weight is less than in Pikmin. A Mamuta inside the Frontier Cavern holds the Brute Knuckles, making it the only non-boss enemy which carries a piece of the Explorer's Friend Series, which constitutes the Exploration Kit.
Notes
Olimar's voyage log
Reel notes
Olimar's notes
Louie's notes
Killing strategy
Pikmin
There is no threat to your pikmin, only the problem of having to pick planted Pikmin, which can take a while without the Pluckaphone (Pikmin 2 only), although it can be troublesome if the Mamuta hits the captain, incapacitating him for a second or more. Throwing Pikmin onto it from a distance is often more effective to avoid this than swarming, unless Olimar is accompanied by a large group of Pikmin. Attacking from behind is also advantageous. Purple Pikmin allow for an especially easy defeat. One must try to be careful; some Pikmin being planted is inevitable, but if all of your army is planted, then it is likely that you will have to either resort to throwing and calling back two or three salvaged Pikmin, as the Mamuta will attempt to attack you if you pluck any more than that; or, you could be forced to use the below strategy, which is marginally simpler and much harder.
Captains
Although very difficult, Olimar can defeat the Mamuta by attacking him from behind. However, it is recommended that Olimar uses Pikmin, as attacking the Mamuta by himself is time-consuming. In Pikmin 2, this is less of a problem due to Mamutas only appearing in caves with no time limit. Also, the Mamutas in both games cause major damage to Olimar and, at least in the first game, can land multiple hits on him while he is incapacitated. This can damage him even to the point of death. Inexperienced players, beware.
See also
- Smoky Progg - thought to be a malformed larval Mamuta.
