This article or section requires information involving Pikmin 4. This includes, but is not limited to, new infobox data, new images, and new information in general.
A large variety of Grub-dogs as seen in Pikmin 4. (Pik-Evolution)
The Grub-dog family contains true Bulborbs as well as several other species in the Pikmin series. The most widely recognized member of this family is the Red Bulborb (known as the Spotty Bulborb in the first game). It was previously believed that Dwarf Bulborbs were immature Bulborbs, but it was later discovered that they are a species of their own and actually belong to the Breadbug family. It's notable that Bulborbs aren't as abundant in Pikmin 3, because they might have lost their status of being on the top of the food chain. Many of the variants of Bulborbs cannot be found in Pikmin 3. New Bulborb variants are introduced in Pikmin 4,
The Grub-dogs' name comes from grub, and dog, because Captain Olimar's dog, Bulbie, resembles a Bulborb. Moreover, Bulborb is derived from the dog's name, BULB-ie. However, a Hocotatian dog looks very different than an earth dog. Members of the Grub-dog family seem to be generally mammal-like in physiology; they give birth to live offspring and (at least in the case of the hairy bulborb) possess hair. However, despite their seemingly mammalian biology, their growth cycle resembles that of amphibians, producing offspring that lack limbs until they reach a certain age.
The Red Bulborb is probably the most famous enemy in all Pikmin games, and appears in most areas in the games. Its original name was Spotty Bulborb, but it had its name changed when Olimar found other subspecies with spotted patterns.
Red Bulborbs, like most Bulborbs, are largely nocturnal creatures and prefer to spend the daytime sleeping. They have a slow reaction time and can be overwhelmed by a large enough force. Caution should always be observed, as these gluttonous predators can swallow as many as five Pikmin at once. Attacking from behind will usually yield the best results, though the safest method is often just to toss heavy Purple Pikmin onto its back.
The Orange Bulborb is an enemy in Pikmin 2,Pikmin 3, and Pikmin 4. Its appearance closely resembles that of other Bulborbs, but this particular variant sports an orange rump with black spots and a black face. Its yellow, bloodshot eyes are an indicator of this dangerous creature's vicious temperament.
As with other Bulborbs, you will usually find this animal snoozing. It does not have any particular resistances or special attacks, and can't stuff any more Pikmin into its mouth than its relatives, but approach with caution: as you will see from experience, Orange Bulborbs are especially easy to wake from a nap, and can often be extremely difficult to defeat without losing any Pikmin, even when using traditional Bulborb-fighting tactics.
Spotty Bulbears are creatures in all Pikmin games which resemble Bulborbs in appearance but are not identical. They are a bit shorter, with rounded snouts, large chapped lips, and a wide mouth which allows them to gobble up much more Pikmin. From a distance, they are easily distinguishable by their tan faces and black bodies with red spots. You will often see a Spotty Bulbear being followed by a group of Dwarf Bulbears.
These beasts slept most of the time in Pikmin but still posed a realistic threat, as they were a good deal tougher than Spotty (Red) Bulborbs. In Pikmin 2, they are wide-awake during daytime hours, making them all the more dangerous. Instead of passively waiting for food to wander by, Bulbears will traverse set patrol routes while hunting, which can sometimes lead them in the direction of your camp. You should never leave Pikmin unattended in Bulbear territory unless you're familiar with its patrol path. Attacking a Bulbear can be especially difficult if it is being followed by Dwarf Bulbears, as they will quickly devour any Pikmin that fall to the ground. Mature Bulbears are also one of two enemies in Pikmin 2 (the other being Gatling Groink) that can revive itself shortly after being felled, so make haste in disposing of the body.
Like the Spotty Bulbear, the Dwarf Bulbear appears in all Pikmin games. They resemble miniature Spotty Bulbears, but unlike Dwarf Bulborbs, are actually juvenile Bulbears. Bulbears, in particular, are known for hunting along set patrol routes in search for prey, but these immature grub-dogs do not yet have established routes, and thus rely on their parent to guide them towards food.
When by themselves, Dwarf Bulbears will behave just like Dwarf Bulborbs, hungrily sniffing at the ground while waiting for Pikmin to pass by, but they have a much higher reaction time than Dwarf Bulborbs and will not return to their original position after being disturbed. If a Spotty Bulbear happens to be nearby, these eager young creatures will bark and immediately fall into line behind the beast. Large numbers of Dwarf Bulbears can gather quickly in this way, so it is best to pick them off individually before they get the chance to clump. Sometimes the Bulbear is hidden, but you can tell it is there if the Dwarf Bulbear(s) are sniffing back and forth at a rapid pace and occasionally barking and walking forward a bit. This only happens in caverns.
The Frosty Bulborb is an enemy in Pikmin 4. It has the ability to freeze the Captain,Oatchi (without thermal defense) and Pikmin. When throwing non-Ice Pikmin onto its back it freezes them making it easier to feast on. When its at half health, all its ice shards on its back will fall of leaving spots on its back the ice shards will regrow if the player is not fast enough. It has a cyan outer covering with navy (?) blue as its back its nose is red probably because of the cold ice shards on its back. Using Ice pikmin is the safest strategy as they wont get frozen like other pikmin, throwing fire starters on its back works as well as other pikmin can attack when the fire burns its ice shards out. Ice Pikmin cannot freeze the Frosty Bulborb.
The Frosty Dwarf Bulborb debuted in Pikmin 4, they are the younger version of a Frosty Bulborb. They are cyan with a red nose and navy blue back. They also have ice shards on its back similar to its adult counterpart, although when broken off these ice particles takes about a year to grow back. Ice pikmin when throw on their back is the best strategy as these creatures will freeze anything else thrown on them. Fire starters work as well as when thrown onto their backs burn their ice shards allowing an pikmin to instantly kill it by throwing them onto its back like a normal Dwarf Red Bulborb. These little guys are immune to being frozen.
Whiptongue Bulborbs are a new species discovered in Pikmin 3. They feature the characteristic rounded body and bulbous stalk-eyes, as well as the simple color pattern (this one having a brown head, beige, abdomen, and brown spots), but they are different from their many terrestrial cousins in that they have a long, anteater-like snout instead of a large maw. The creature's snout houses it's whip-like tongue, hence its name.
It lashes its tongue out violently to ensnare pikmin, then pulls them in and does a very brief animation of licking its chops and swallowing. The long tongue gives the creature a ranged attack, which could make it a difficult foe to defeat.
The Hairy Bulborb is a Grub-dog species seen only in Pikmin 2, and hence its name, it has hair, unlike any other species in the Grub-dog family. It has a brown nose, feet and eyelids and is white nearly all over. When half of its health is gone, its hair falls away, revealing light blue spots. The hair provides a small increase to defense.
The Fiery Bulblax is found in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4, and is a rather odd-looking creature. Its entire body has a melted appearance, and one of its eyes is smaller than the other, possibly an eye tic. This mean-looking creature's skin secretes chemicals which combust upon exposure to oxygen, setting its body aflame.
Only Red Pikmin can withstand the blaze this creature's body produces. However, if lured into water, the flames can be extinguished, making it a prime target for Blue Pikmin. Purple Pikmin can deal damage and potentially stun the Bulblax simply by being thrown, so they work well in any situation provided they're called back before they burn to death. Whichever strategy is used, use of a spray is advisable to avoid losing any Pikmin to this walking inferno. It's also possible to slay this beast with your captains if you have the Scorch Guard, especially useful on the second sublevel of the Cavern of Chaos, where there are three of these creatures.
This is an enemy that debuted in pikmin 4. They are a type of bulborb that are only active at night. Although at first glance thought to be a Breadbug mimic, research shows that they are surprisingly arent. They are the grown version of the Bulborb Larva, although still not fully grown to their adult size.
The Emperor Bulblax is the final boss in Pikmin. It lies dormant in its arena at The Final Trial stage where it has ingested the Secret Safe. Until you approach, it will be dormant. It will wake up and hobble after your Pikmin if bothered. This beast resembles a flabby yellow Bulborb with small red eyes and a large, moss-covered backside. Particularly old specimens, called Sovereign Bulblaxes, are enormous, and the one fought in The Final Trial is a Sovereign.
Its attacks include licking the ground with its tongue (with the intent to eat any Pikmin that happen to be there), licking its face (to get rid of offending Pikmin), and jumping high into the air to crush and shake off Pikmin. The safest strategy by far is to have yellow Pikmin grab nearby Bomb Rocks and have the Bulblax ingest them (without your Pikmin still holding onto them, of course). The more rocks in one gulp, the better. The explosion is enough to stun the grub-dog, presenting the perfect opportunity to attack its fleshy face. Repeat this and a win is assured.
Younger Emperor Bulbaxes appear in Pikmin 2, though this time is much smaller, much weaker, and much more common, appearing in multiple caves, sometimes up to three times in the same sublevel. Although it still possesses its signature rock-hard hide, it is significantly less mossy. In Pikmin 4, both Emperor and Sovereign Bulbaxes appear, and the relation between the two is clarified.
The Sovereign Bulblax is an older version of the Emperor Bulbax. It is thought to be the one to be fought in Pikmin in the Final Trial. In Pikmin, they are defeated by using yellow pikmin. Putting them near the Bulblax to throw their bomb rocks into its mouth. Making it stunned and easier to beat.
In Pikmin 4, however the Sovereign Bulblax has been “nerfed” due to Oatchi’s dash and the insane amount of damage Purples do to it. These would be the recommended squad to the defeat the Sovereign Bulblax in Pikmin 4.
The Empress Bulblax is a boss-class enemy in Pikmin 2 and 4. It resembles a cross between a Red Bulborb and a gargantuan termite queen. Its head and legs dangle in the air, and it appears to be unable to eat on its own as it never once takes a bite at your Pikmin.
The Empress Bulblax seems to be vulnerable on all parts of its body, but attacking the head is easily the safest way to go about it. After a while, it will shake off any hostile Pikmin and roll left and right, crushing anything underneath and sometimes causing boulders to fall from the ceiling. It is one of the few bosses that can vary depending on where you encounter it, since later dungeons have the Empress continuously giving birth to ravenous Bulborb Larvae before and during the battle. The Bulblax can only be petrified if you release the spray on the middle of the monster's elongated torso. In the Frontier Cavern, the Bulborb Larvae can cause a threat.
Bulborb Larvae are seen in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4. These newly-born Bulborbs are without legs and do not yet have the unique color patterns that the adults display, but have white bodies with yellowish faces and what appear to be small pink tails.
These tiny creatures have exceptionally low vitality, being able to be killed with a single hit, but it is not advised that you make an attempt at them with your Pikmin, as the larvae eat them with incredible speed. Captains are usually used to deal with swarms of them. The larva will make a bee-line for the closest of your units the minute they're born, so it would be wise to keep a captain near the Empress' rear to distract/defeat them. The little monsters are continuously born from Empress Bulblaxes located on Sublevel 8 of the Frontier Cavern, Sublevel 11 of the Hole of Heroes, and Sublevel 4 of the Emperor's Realm in Challenge Mode. When battling an Empress Bulblax that gives birth, after reaching the face, her rolling attack will crush all larvae that will try to reach your Pikmin. Only fifty can be born, and once the maximum amount has been reached, the Empress falls asleep. If you destroy enough of them, she may wake up and start giving birth again. They burst upon being defeated, meaning you cannot carry them back to the Research Pod, but they are put in the Piklopedia and will sometimes release nectar for your Pikmin.
The Bulblord is a massive mechanical Bulborb, and is the first main boss encountered and is only seen in Pikmin Adventure. It is the only completly new Grub-dog introduced in Pikmin Adventure aside from Bilious Bulborbs and the Grand Bulblord that aren't color variations of the regular bulborb.
In that game, destroying the Bulblord's eyes give a stamp, called Eyes of the Bulblord. It is tied with the Grand Bulblord for second to most weak points, with nine total, only being beaten by the Emperor Pinchipede and it's stronger form the Monochromatic Pinchipede. The previously mentioned Grand Bulblord is it's extra challenge form and is faster and more health.
The Grand Bulblord is a huge robotic Bulborb, and is the extra challenges version of the Bulblord. Just like the Bulblord, it is exclusive to Pikmin Adventure. It's color scheme is similar to the Emperor Bulblax's with a mossy colored back, and a dulled yellow for linings. The fight is the same as it's previous version, except it has more health and is faster when enraged. When it becomes enraged, it's pupil turns red and the scalera turns black.
Destroying it's eyes also give the stamp Eyes of the Bulblord. The fight is exactly the same as the Bulblord's, except with previously mentioned difficulty increases. It also does not flinch when it's weak spots are broken, unlike the Bulblord. It is fought in the levels The Green Menace and is the first battle Good-Bye, Pikmin, the game's boss rush.
Water Dumples are enemies in all of the Pikmin games. They are part of the Grub-dog family, and also have similar eating habits, despite having different appearances for aquatic habitation. They are most commonly found in the water, but can survive on the land as well.
Water Dumples are defeated somewhat easily as long as you take caution and swarm them. Just like Bulborbs, Purple Pikmin will work well if you can find this creature on land. This creature can also be easily defeated by captains, as it has low health, and the Rocket Fist will do impressive damage on its last punch.
Eye-Stalker Bulbeels are enemies in Hey! Pikmin. They are aquatic grub-dogs that hide underwater, wait for prey to come by, and lunge upward with their mouths agape to devour it. They are the only grub-dog introduced in Hey! Pikmin, though there are several new breadbugs that resemble grub-dogs.
Bulbeels, keeping in similar fashion to Water Dumples, visually differ greatly from the standard Bulborb. Their elongated body and expanding mouth are not shared with any other known grub-dog, making their eye-stalks the only obvious similarity between the two.
The Long Water Dumple is a much larger and eel-like version of the standard Water Dumple featured only in Hey! Pikmin. It is the boss of Sector 2: Verdant Waterfront, and holds the Unexamined Nest.
It attacks by either lunging out to take a bite of your Pikmin, or by spitting three rocks. It's head is invincible due to the hairs that protrude from it, so it's tail is it's only weak point. After it's been attacked, it will briefly retreat, causing boulders to fall from the ceiling in the process. It's a relatively easy boss to fight, and only takes about 3 "hits" to kill it if most of you have most of your Pikmin.
