Careening Dirigibug
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| 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
Louie's notes
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
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The following article or section contains guides. |
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.
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| How to obtain: Random appearance. | Type: Fighter Related | |
Glitches
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- 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.[1]
- 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
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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 (14th 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
References
- ^ YouTube video showing the invisible bomb-rock glitch.
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