Bulbmin

A Bulbmin.

Bulbmin

Parasiticus pikminicus

Bulbmin are parasitic Pikmin that have infected Bulborbs and taken control of their host. They can only be found in the sublevels of some caves and always appear as a group of 10 (unless you have 91 or more Pikmin) led by a mature Bulbmin. You need 1-10 free Pikmin slots when you enter the sublevel in order for the mature Bulbmin to have younger ones following it, as wild Bulbmin not under your command count towards the 100 Pikmin limit. Bulbmin may be Pikmin, but the host needs to be kept alive so the parasitic Pikmin becomes cannibalistic and will attack, meaning it won't be 1-10 free Bulbmin. When you exterminate the older Bulbmin, the small ones go into a panic, whistling at them then brings them under your command. They are immune to all hazards (fire, water, electricity, and poison; excluding explosions). As good as their abilities may seem, they cannot leave the caves with you, so it would be best to change them if possible. They can be changed into other Pikmin via Candypop Bud species. The only way they could be killed if they are not under your command is if an Armored Cannon Beetle relative flattens them, they are caught in an explosion, or they fall over the side of a level suspended over a pit when shaken by an enemy attack or explosion, etc. The largest population of Bulbmin is found in the Submerged Castle.

When Pikmin are dismissed, their heads glow their respective color (for example, Red Pikmin glow red.) When left alone, a Bulbmin's head glows green. This could mean that the Pikmin inside are green. However, their stems are orange, the tip of the thing that shows you where you're going to throw your Bulbmin is orange, and the trail that Bulbmin leave behind when thrown is orange. These is therefore some speculation about these Pikmin being orange. It is most likely that the Pikmin are actually green, and the orange comes from the adolescent Bulborb they are in.

Attack: Average

Speed: Average

Throw: Average

Mobility: Very High

Olimar's Notes

This loathsome creature is in fact a parasitic form of Pikmin that has infected a bulborb. Unlike Pikmin that nest in onions, this parasitic relative spends its life inside the body of a host, usually a bulborb. Juveniles fall in line and mimic the actions of their parent until maturing to full independence. By burrowing its root-like limbs into the nervous system of the host bulborb and infusing it with natural hormonal excretions, the Bulbmin is able to control virtually all of the host's body functions. However, the host's voracious appetite seems impossible to suppress.

Louie's Notes

Grind the meat and season with allspice, salt, and ground white pepper. Press the seasoned meat into satchels, then pan fry them with onions. Prior to serving, smother the brats in Dijon mustard and sauerkraut. Buns are optional.

How to Kill

Pikmin

To ensure a low Pikmin loss, if not zero, throw Pikmin rapidly directly on top of the beast. If your aim is good, it will stop and turn to eat Pikmin it shakes off, meaning that it stops coming towards you and your army. It should die before any of the Pikmin it swallows do. As extra precautions, use Purple Pikmin first and freeze it with Ultra-Bitter Spray if it captures any Pikmin. After the creature has been killed, call the parent's Bulbmin into your army. Make sure you don't forget them, they are extremly helpful.

Captains

The Bulbmin is the exact same as a Bulborb, except it won't be napping. The same tactics apply, however: run up and punch it, and when it starts to bite or struggle, retreat so it can trip, then come back and attack again. After the leader has been killed, call the panicking Bulbmin into your group.

A clay model of a Bulbmin.