The Fiery Bulblax (ヤキチャッピー) is an uncommon enemy in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4. It resembles a large Bulborb, but with a fiery backside and meltier features. Only Red Pikmin can withstand the blaze of this creature's body. However, if lured to water, its flames will go out, allowing non-Red Pikmin to attack. It is recommended to use a spray against this enemy, as it is one of the most aggressive Grub-dogs.
Biology[]
The Fiery Bulblax is like all Grub-dogs in the fact that it has short legs, bulbous eyes, and a massive body. However, the Fiery Bulblax gets its name from the fact that it is enveloped in fire, and it is due to this fire that the Fiery Bulblax has a melted appearance, with its backside a burnt red and ending in curtain-like folds, its mouth looking slightly molten to resemble the Emperor Bulblax, and one eye being notably smaller than the other. This fire results from a particular bodily excretion, mainly from the back, as supported by the fact that fire is most visible from there, which "interacts with the cell structure of this grub-dog's skin." Its skin's cell structure is spongy, which allows the Bulblax to diffuse this heat and protects its organs from being fried. This does not prevent the Bulblax's prey from being burned, however, so this attribute makes this particular species of Grub-dog much deadlier than most of its relatives.
It is worth noting that the Fiery Bulblax's asymmetric appearance is unique in the Pikmin world, with any asymmetry existent in only a minute fraction of the ecosystem.
Notes[]
Olimar's Notes[]
"Bodily excretions of a highly flammable waxy substance interact with the cell structure of this grub-dog's skin, causing a chemical reaction that produces extremely high temperatures. The skin benefits from a spongy cell structure that diffuses the surface heat, protecting the creature's inner organs. Due to the astonishing amount of heat produced by this beast, it should be observed with great caution."
Louie's Notes[]
"No stove? No problem! This sizzling beast practically cooks itself. Remember to thoroughly extinguish the steaks prior to eating."
Dalmo's Notes[]
"When I see this blazing beastie, I get a rush of exciement. It's easy to lose track of time while staring fixated at the flame-enshrouded form of the Fiery Bulblax. Its appearence brings to mind ancient molten landscapes from an era before our earliest ancestors!"
Nintendo Player's Guide[]
"Flames rise from the Firey Bulblax. If you can draw one of the specimens into water, you'll extigush the flames and open it up to attack from any Pikmin type. If not, you'll have to use red Pikmin or Bulbmin to beat it. Like large Bulborbs, Firey Bulblaxes devour Pikmin. Keep troops away from their mouths."
Battle Strategy[]
Pikmin 2[]
Naturally, Red Pikmin are best to fight this creature due to their immunity to fire. Beat it as if it were a standard Red Bulborb, by peppering its back with a group of 50 or so reds. Fiery Bulblaxes have high HP for a grub-dog and have a fierce shake to fend off Pikmin. An ultra-spicy spray may be desirable for killing it before it can shake off attackers. Swarming a sleeping Fiery Bulblax with 50 or more Red Pikmin can also kill it quickly, but this is riskier since not all Pikmin will latch on to the beast, leaving them more vulnerable. Ultra-bitter sprays are also effective, but it should be noted the Bulblax's fire continues even while the creature is petrified.
Sometimes a Fiery Bulblax can only be fought with Blue Pikmin, for example in the Valley of Repose where one sleeps across a small lake. While a Fiery Bulblax is in the water, its flames are extinguished. So lure the Bulblax into the water until it reaches the end of its territory, then charge at it. Since water does not deter the Fiery Bulblax from attacking, it can be tricky to keep it in water without risking Pikmin, so an ultra-bitter spray is recommended here. In Pikmin 2 the foe will re-ignite the moment it leaves the water, but in Pikmin 4 it will remain extinguished until it prepares to go back to sleep, giving a much longer window of time to attack.
If Red or Blue Pikmin are scarce in these situations, you can also throw Purple Pikmin, since they will each cause it damage through their smash and have a chance of stunning it. The Purple Pikmin will either be ignited by the flames or—if the Bulblax is lured in water—risk drowning, so this dangerous method must be done hastily if attempted at all.
It should be noted that, although Fiery Bulblaxes do not wake up until touched, they are more sensitive than other Bulborbs when returning to their homes, and can stop in their tracks if Pikmin or leaders enter their territory. This can earn you a little time if you attack a returning Fiery Bulblax just as it pauses to notice you.
It is possible to kill a Fiery Bulblax with leaders, but without the Scorch Guard upgrade they are in overwhelming danger of getting burned. And even with that upgrade and the Rocket Fist, the task takes so long that it isn't recommended unless you are in a cave, without a time limit. But if you are to beat the Bulblax with just leaders, simply punch the creature and dodge its bites, as with other Grub-dogs.
Pikmin 4[]
Similar to the Pikmin 2 Strategy, but you can instantly freeze it with the Ice Blast item. Then rush into the Bulblax. Even after the ice wears off, the Bulblax will stay extinguished.
Glitches[]
If you fight it while in water with Blue Pikmin, as soon as it gets out of the water, the fire starts again. However, the Blue Pikmin that are still latched on to its body will not get burnt.
Gallery[]
Main Article: Fiery Bulblax/Gallery
Trivia[]
- On some versions of the game, the Fiery Bulblax's Piklopedia icon is an 80x80 image. This size is only used for bosses. This could mean that at some point during development, the Fiery Bulblax was intended to be a boss. This theory is also supported by its name ending in '-lax' (rather than '-orb'), which is a suffix only seen elsewhere by bosses of the Grub-dog family.
- In Pikmin 2, if a Fiery Bulblax is fought while in water with Blue Pikmin, as soon as it gets out of the water, the fire starts again. However, the Pikmin that are still latched on to its body will not get burned until whistled or shaken off[confirmation needed].