| Sandbelching Meerslug | |
|---|---|
| File:Pikmin3 Rawr.png | |
| Appears in | Pikmin 3 |
| Scientific name | Unknown |
| Family | Unknown |
| Areas | Tropical Wilds |
| Mission Mode Collect Treasure! stages | None |
| Mission Mode Battle Enemies! stages | None |
| Side Story days | None |
| Bingo Battle stages | None |
| Attacks | Eats Pikmin, launches boulders |
The Sandbelching Meerslug is the third boss of Pikmin 3 and the boss of the Tropical Wilds. It is a giant worm capable of shooting boulders and creating sinkholes. After rescuing Charlie, the leaders go to the Tropical Wilds to investigate a signal, which they believe to be Captain Olimar.
Attacks
The Sandbelching Meerslug will either create a sinkhole to suck in the player's Pikmin or to launch boulders to crush the Pikmin. As it loses health, these attacks steadily become more dangerous: the Meerslug will create a sinkhole the size of the arena, or will create sinkholes with sharp drops; it will also shoot boulders progressively faster.
Strategy to defeat
The Sandbelching Meerslug is most vulnerable when it exposes itself. When it rises up to shoot boulders, the player should charge all their Pikmin at the Meerslug. Doing so will cause it to pop out of the sand, allowing the player's Pikmin to attack it. If it creates a sinkhole, the leaders and the Pikmin should retreat, or risk being sucked in by the Meerslug. A riskier strategy is to charge all of the player's Pikmin at it while it's at the bottom of the sinkhole; if done correctly, the Meerslug will be forced out with no casualties. Alternatively, bomb-rocks can be thrown into its mouth while in a sinkhole to deal a large amount of damage; the player must be careful with bomb rock carrying Pikmin so as to not get squished by the Meerslug when it is popped out, lest the player risks losing a part of their army.
Once the Meerslug is below 50% health, it will sometimes circle around the arena; when it does so, it will create a massive sinkhole. When it's spiraling in, the player should use the described strategies above. At this point, it is also capable of creating sinkholes with sharp drops, making it impossible to get out of if caught. The Sandbelching Meerslug also shoots boulders much faster, but the Dodge Whistle is useful for evading the boulders. Continue to attack the Meerslug in this way, and it will die. Upon death, it releases the Folded Data Glutton, which unlocks the Twilight River, and it releases the Crimson Banquet, a watermelon, which gives the Koppaites 3 days' worth of juice.
Gallery
The Sandbelching Meerslug launching boulders.
The Meerslug creating a sinkhole.
The Meerslug making a large sinkhole, as big as the arena.
The Meerslug making a sinkhole with a sharp drop in it.
The corpse of the Sandbelching Meerslug, next to the Crimson Banquet and the Folded Data Glutton it released.
