Skeeterskate

Skeeterskate
Appears in	Pikmin 3
Scientific name	Gerridus clavomacula
Family	Spitterspatter
Areas	Distant Tundra, Twilight River
Mission Mode Collect Treasure! stages	Silver Lake, Forgotten Cove
Mission Mode Battle Enemies! stages	Garden of Hope Remix, Fortress of Festivity, The Rustyard, Clockwork Chasm
Side Story days	Pikmin Reunion
Bingo Battle stages	Stagnant Sea, Parched Brook
Attacks	Spit water at Pikmin

The Skeeterskate (ミズンボウ^?, lit.: "Watery Pond Skater") is an enemy that appears in Pikmin 3. It skims around the surface of the water, and attacks by shooting small jets of water at the Pikmin and leaders. It can be killed in one hit by throwing a Pikmin on top of it, much like a Dwarf Bulborb.

Stats

Weight	Max. carriers	Seeds	Value	Health
2	4 (normally)	3	× 5  × 5	45

Notes

Alph's comments

“Structural flaw: weak hide
Weight: 2

The genius of this design is that it uses its habitat of water to fuel its spout attacks. It can spray three times on one tank! Top marks for efficiency. The most glaring downside is that it can't move while it's refueling. You'd think someone would have realized what a golden opportunity that presents to attack.”

Brittany's comments

“Mostly what this thing does is suck up water and spit it out to attack. I completely hate it. It keeps getting in the way of collecting fruit! I need that fruit NOW! It's not like I asked anyone to wash it for me first!”

Charlie's comments

“I've been watching this one, and I have a little theory about how it skates on water without sinking. Ready for this? It's so busy getting from place to place that it doesn't have time to sink.”

Louie's comments

“The extremities cannot be used for food, but you can drink the liquid inside for a stimulating apéritif!”

Olimar's comments

 US version

“Skeeterskate
Gerridus clavomacula
Spitterspatter family

It skates on water at high speed thanks to tiny hairs on the tips of its feet. These hairs are coated in an ultra-hydrophobic substance to minimize friction against the water's surface. Its long proboscis functions as a straw to take in water, which is stored in a reservoir in its head, as well as to spout it as a weapon against small insects. While taking in water, it also takes in microscopic plankton, meaning that its prime means of defense is also a feeding mechanism.”

 European version

“Skeeterskate
Gerridus clavomacula
Spitterspatter family

It skates on water at high speed thanks to tiny hairs on the tips of its feet. These hairs are coated in an ultra-hydrophobic substance to minimise friction against the water's surface. Its long proboscis functions as a straw to take in water, which is stored in a reservoir in its head, as well as to spout it as a weapon against small insects. While taking in water, it also takes in microscopic plankton, meaning that its prime means of defence is also a feeding mechanism.”

Pikmin 3 Prima Guide

“The Skeeterskate is a spindly aquatic creature that skims along the surface of the water. This creature utilizes long-range water attacks to drown its targets from an impressive distance.”

“To defeat a Skeeterskate, toss a Blue Pikmin onto its head, or use a squad of Blue Pikmin to charge the creature. When that's not an option, use Winged Pikmin to attack a Skeeterskate above the water – just be prepared to rescue any Winged Pikmin that get caught in the enemy's attack.”

Strategy

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

The Skeeterskate will skim across the water aimlessly until Pikmin are nearby. Once it spots Pikmin, it will inflate the sac atop its head and fire jets of water at them. A single shot of water will splash on the ground and affect all Pikmin within a small radius.

Skeeterskates are easiest to hit when the water sac is empty, as they will stop to refill it, so it is a good idea to run behind it with Blue Pikmin and throw them at such a time.

In certain areas of the game, the player is forced to fight them without any Blue Pikmin. In this case, it is possible to walk into the water underneath, then swarm them with Winged Pikmin. If a Skeeterskate is close enough to land, it is also possible to kill it with any other kind of Pikmin with a single toss, but the player must be ready to rescue any Pikmin that risk drowning.

Technical information

Pikmin 3 technical information (?)
Internal name	amembo
HP	45
Rock Pikmin throw hits to kill	1
White Pikmin ingestions to kill	0
Bomb rock explosions to kill	1
Bomb rock ingestions to kill	0
Number of direct hits on top to kill	1
Damage to leaders	0
Territory radius	500
Mission Mode value	5

Naming

The following article or section needs help from someone who can translate Japanese text.

See more: Spitterspatter family#Naming.

"Skeeterskate" is a play on the slang for "Mosquito" ("Skeeter") plus "skate", which means "to glide along a surface". In Japan, it's called ミズンボウ^? which means "water hat". Its internal name is amembo, which refers to the word アメンボウ^? which means pond skater.

In its scientific name, Gerridus clavomacula, clavomacula could be derived from the macula part of the retina creatures use to see with 20/20 precision, possibly in reference to the Skeeterskate's accurate shots when hitting targets.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	ミズンボウ? Mizunbou	Watery Pond Skater
French	Ragnée d'eau	From araignée d'eau (water spider)
German	Wasserflitzer	Water Dasher
Italian	Idrospruzzatore	Water Shooter
Spanish (NoA)	Acuatirador	Aquashooter

Gallery

• 

  A skeeterskate in the Distant Tundra.

• 

  The creature locked on.

• 

  Early E3 2012 screenshot of Skeeterskates in a water-based location.

Trivia

• The Skeeterskate is the first tripedal creature in the series, the second being the Quaggled Mireclops.

See also

• Watery Blowhog