|
<< Toxstool |
Pikmin 4 |
Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.
The Ancient Sirehound is the final boss of Pikmin 4. It is a gigantic dog-like creature similar to Oatchi or Moss, except much larger and with much thicker fur. It has a whopping five phases, more than any other creature in the series. The beast is fought in the Cavern for a King at the end of the Primordial Thicket, on the twentieth and final sublevel. When defeated, it drops its collar, the Gift of Friendship. Similarly to the Titan Dweevil, it is ridden and most likely controlled by Louie during the battle.
Background[]
The Ancient Sirehound's fight music; all phases.
Not much is known about the Ancient Sirehound, but the knowledge on how the player came to battle it is more prominent. After Olimar is rescued, found as the Red Leafling, him, the Rescue Corps, and the castaways attempt liftoff of PNF-404. While the liftoff is successful, right before the group initiates their maximum speed, Oatchi is seen suffering, and Shepherd demands the crew to stop. Olimar then tells them to turn back to PNF-404. Once they return, Yonny theorizes that Oatchi was in pain due to his repetitive exposure to PNF-404's atmosphere, and they seek out Nelle the Koppaite veterinarian to save him. Once Nelle is rescued through a battle of Dandori with Louie, she suggests that they use the cells of another dog of Oatchi's breed. Yonny then attempts to take Moss's cells, but it doesn't work, considering that she was born on PNF-404 and therefore was normalized to the ailment Oatchi had. This then leads them to search for a sufficient creature, leading to the finding of the Ancient Sirehound. After its defeat, it drops its collar, which has enough fur on it for Yonny and Nelle to create the appropriate cure. This then leads to the curing of Oatchi, and the end of Pikmin 4.
Phases[]
Phase 1: Normal[]
In this phase, the boss has two attacks. One is a jump attack where it tries to land on the player and their Pikmin, causing rocks to fall from the ceiling. The attack and the rocks are all fairly easy to dodge, but it helps to be on Oatchi to keep all of your Pikmin in one place. The other attack is identical to Oatchi's Rush, which can cause it to crash into one of the stone pillars that fall if you hide behind one of them. This then leaves it vulnerable to attack. Attacking the beast is done the same way for all phases - throw fifteen Pikmin onto its tail (or two Purple Pikmin), and then pummel its belly once it falls over. Repeat the process and the phase will end.
Phase 2: Ice[]
In this phase, the boss will start by summoning five indestructible snow-furballs. Aside from the poison, these are the only indestructible attack created by the boss. When the snowballs are summoned, it's best to be as far away from the boss as possible, as the snowballs move fast and it's bad to collide with one. They will bounce around the arena, and the boss will then proceed to aim ice breath at the Pikmin. While it does this, go around it and throw Pikmin at its tail, then attack its belly. Repeat this until its defeat.
Phase 3: Electricity[]
In this phase, the boss will throw three electric furballs into the arena. They each have four protrusions of electricity, so it's best to dispose of them as soon as possible. You can either throw some Yellow Pikmin on, or use Oatchi's rush (however, this may result in some of your Pikmin being electrocuted, so it should only be used as a last resort). The boss will then charge up three electric spots around itself. While it is doing this, throw Pikmin at its tail, and then more at its belly.
Phase 4: Fire[]
The fire phase.
In this phase, the boss will start by throwing two or three fire-furballs around itself, as well as shooting fireballs. While the furballs don't pose much of a threat on their own, when it uses its next attack, which is a stomp, creating an expanding fiery ring around itself, they will explode if the ring comes into contact with them, creating another ring of fire. This can be difficult to dodge, so it's best to eliminate them with Red Pikmin or Oatchi's Rush (which is now less risky) as soon as possible. When it uses the stop attack, navigate around to its backside (preferably on Oatchi to jump over the rings), and throw Pikmin onto its tail. Attack its belly and prepare for the final phase by going as far away from the boss as possible.
Phase 5: Gloom[]
The final phase.
The poison used by this phase is no ordinary poison. White Pikmin are not immune to it, and it has a blood-red hue, making it equivalent to the lethal fluid surrounding and fired by the Smoky Progg. Make sure to avoid it at all costs. The boss will start by levitating into the air (where it stays for the entire phase) and spitting several blobs of the poison into the arena. It will then use another poison-based attack where it shoots a ray of poison at you, so make sure to avoid that. It's also best to be on Oatchi, as the ability to have all of your Pikmin bunched up together is immensely helpful in avoiding the poison. After it fires the attack, run under it and throw two Purples onto its tail. While any other type could be used, it's best to use Purples, as they get the job done faster. After that is done, attack it, and repeat the process. However, sometime during the fight, it may roar, scattering all of your Pikmin. This can be absolutely devastating if you are near the poison puddles, so make sure to be as far away as possible.
Notes[]
Dalmo's Notes[]
"A coat that's dense and rough like a primeval forest, a stench like a wet canine, and a shockingly toasty body temperature... Clearly a dog in every sense. The long history of dogs being companions we can rely on triggers an instinctive reaction through our entire bodies! If I were left on this planet with this massive cutie, I'd be content!"
Olimar's Notes[]
"If we harvest mesenchymal stem cells from this gigantic canine creature and cultivate them with glow sap, the generated serum should return Oatchi's leafified tail to normal once administered. These results would indicate that 99.9 percent of the canine creature's DNA matches Oatchi's, and that the only difference between Oatchi and Moss may be the natural presence or absence of a leaf tail. If these two theories prove to be true, it would suggest the possibility that this ancient creature is a common ancestor to two canine species from vastly remote star systems. And that, perhaps, there are even more hidden secrets out there that could hint at a fascinating yet inconceivable truth the universe has yet to reveal."
Louie's Notes[]
"The ultimate ride, plush and comfortable. I wish I could bring it home with me."
Gallery[]
Main Article: Ancient Sirehound/Gallery.
Trivia[]
- After the Ancient Sirehound is defeated, instead of dying, it just runs away, and is seen in the ending credits after the player leaves PNF-404.
- The Ancient Sirehound's scientific name, Deicanis perditum roughly would mean "God's Lost Dog" or "Lost God-Dog". Deicanis is Latin for "God's dog" or "God-Dog". Perditum comes from the singular neuter form of perditus, "to destroy" or "to lose"