Editing Empress Bulblax

{{Infobox enemy
|pikmin2     = y
|pikmin4     = y
|image       = Pikmin Garden Empress Bulblax render.png
|size        = 270px
|icon        = Empress Bulblax P4 icon.png
|namecustom  = ''Oculus matriarcha'' (''Pikmin 2'')<br>''Oculus kageyamii matriarchia'' (hypertrophic, gravid) (''Pikmin 4'')
|family      = Grub-dog
|areas       = None
|underground = [[Frontier Cavern]], [[Hole of Beasts]], [[Hole of Heroes]], [[Kingdom of Beasts]], [[Cradle of the Beast]], [[Cavern for a King]]
|challenge   = [[Emperor's Realm]]
|attacks     = Crush Pikmin, cause boulders to fall, birth larvae
}}

The '''Empress Bulblax''' ({{j|クイーンチャッピー|Kuīn Chappī|Queen Chappy}}) is a [[boss]] in ''[[Pikmin 2]]'' and ''[[Pikmin 4]]''. Its markings and general features are similar to those of the [[Bulborb]], but its body is much larger and composed of five distinct segments; the comparatively tiny legs dangle above the ground.

Unlike most [[boss]]es, its behavior is different each time it is encountered. In the [[Hole of Beasts]] and the [[Kingdom of Beasts]], it must be woken up before battling, rolling from side to side to crush any [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] under its weight. In the [[Frontier Cavern]] and the [[Cradle of the Beast]] (as well as the [[Emperor's Realm]] in [[Challenge Mode (Pikmin 2)|Challenge Mode]]), it will already be awake and giving birth to [[Bulborb Larva]]e. In the [[Hole of Heroes]], it does the same while also causing [[boulder]]s to fall when it hits a wall. In [[Cavern for a King]], it will not be giving birth, but instead can cause Bulborb Larvae to fall from above when it hits a wall in addition to boulders.

==Stats==
{{Game help|p4}}
{{enemy stats
|weight2 = 20 
|carriers2 = 30
|seeds2 = 30<ref group="note">This enemy cannot be delivered to Onions in-game. This information is obtained from the game files.</ref>
|value2 = 15
|hp2 = 5000<ref group="note">In the Hole of Beasts, this enemy has 3300 HP instead.</ref>
|regen2 = 1.5<ref group="note">In the Hole of Beasts, this enemy regenerates 1 HP per second instead.</ref>

|weight4 = 20 
|carriers4 = 40
|seeds4 = 50<ref group="note">This enemy cannot be delivered to Onions in-game. This information is obtained from the in-game [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 4)|Piklopedia]].</ref>
|value4 = 20
|hp4 = 5000
|regen4 = Unknown
}}

{{refs|note}}

==Behavior==
The Empress Bulblax appears in multiple locations across both {{p2}} and {{p4}}, with three encounters each (or an extra encounter if the [[Emperor's Realm]]'s is included). Its behavior changes depending on the [[cave]] it is encountered in.

When encountered in the [[Hole of Heroes]] or [[Kingdom of Beasts]], the Empress Bulblax will be asleep. It will be curled up into a compact position, comparable to how a dog sometimes sleeps. While asleep, it will be completely oblivious to the player's presence, offering the perfect chance for a sneak attack. In the [[Frontier Cavern]] or the [[Kingdom of Beasts]] (as well as the Emperor's Realm), the Empress Bulblax will be awake and will actively be birthing [[Bulborb Larva]]e. When awake, it lays forward, exposing its full form. The Bulblax will birth several Bulborb Larvae, which can quickly overwhelm players if not handled carefully. In the [[Hole of Heroes]] and the [[Cavern for a King]], it behaves the same but with an added danger: every time the Empress rolls itself into a wall, boulders will fall from the sky, potentially crushing non-[[Rock Pikmin]]. Though in the Cavern for a King, it will not be birthing any Bulborb Larvae &ndash; it will just be lying there.

If the Empress Bulblax is being swarmed by multiple Pikmin, it reacts violently to shake them off. Initially, the Bulblax raises its body from its half-lying state into the air before violently swinging its raised half from left to right. This action is intended to knock off the attackers and clear the area around itself. After it does this, the Empress will then lie back down before rolling to one side of the room, crashing itself against the wall. It will then roll itself to the other side of the room, crashing into the other wall. After doing this once or twice, it will return to the middle of the room and it will return to its idle-like state &ndash; either birthing Bulborb Larvae or simply lying still.

==Locations==
===''Pikmin 2''===
====Caves====
*[[Frontier Cavern]] - Births infinite [[Bulborb Larva]]e
**One can be seen on sublevel 8, holding the [[Repugnant Appendage]].
*[[Hole of Beasts]]
**One can be seen on sublevel 5, holding the [[Prototype Detector]].
*[[Hole of Heroes]] - Births infinite Bulborb Larvae
**One can be seen on sublevel 11, holding the [[Favorite Gyro Block]].

====Challenge Mode====
*[[Emperor's Realm]] - Births infinite Bulborb Larvae
**One can be seen on sublevel 4, holding [[The Key]].

===''Pikmin 4''===
====Caves====
*[[Kingdom of Beasts]]
**There is one Empress Bulblax on sublevel 3. It can be found in a long, open, arena directly in front of the [[S.S. Beagle]]. It holds a [[castaway]], and once defeated the nearby [[numbered gate]] lowers.
*[[Cradle of the Beast]] - Births infinite Bulborb Larvae
**There is one Empress Bulblax on sublevel 3. It is located in an open arena towards the northeast, requiring the nearby [[dirt wall]] to be destroyed in order to reach said arena. It holds five [[Stately Rubber Cutie]]s, and once defeated the nearby numbered gate lowers.
*[[Cavern for a King]] - Spawns 10 Bulborb Larvae after every second roll hit the wall (infinite)
**There is one Empress Bulblax on sublevel 17. It can be found in a small arena towards the northwest of the base, with a geyser in the northwestern corner and another in the southeastern corner. It holds a [[Fire-Breathing Feast]], and once defeated the nearby [[numbered gate]] lowers.

==Strategy==
{{guide}}

===With Pikmin===
To defeat the Empress Bulblax, it's important to swarm it with a decently-sized army. One good method involves throwing (preferably) [[Purple Pikmin]] onto its face and calling them back before the Bulblax shakes them off. Once the boss shakes them off, it will then begin to roll from side-to-side, attempting to [[crush]] your Pikmin by slamming itself into the walls. Be mindful of the boulders that fall when fighting the ones found in the [[Hole of Heroes]] and the [[Cavern for a King]], as they can crush non-[[Rock Pikmin]].

Purple Pikmin are very useful in fighting these bosses due to their high attack power and, for {{p2}}, their power to stun the Empress Bulblax. Rock Pikmin also have a major advantage &ndash; they cannot be knocked off by the Empress’ violent shaking, as they do not latch on to attack, and they are immune being crushed by both the beast and the boulders.

For the Empress Bulblax found in the [[Hole of Beasts]] and the [[Kingdom of Beasts]], due to their sleeping state, your best bet is to simply swarm it with your entire squad before it has the chance to fully awake &ndash; dealing a huge chunk of its health. For the other Bulblax encounters, this isn't suggested as they will be surrounded with [[Bulborb Larva]] and will be fully awake, so that sneak attack isn't available. For the Empress Bulblax specifically in the Cavern for a King, it will be encountered in a small space with [[geyser]]s on either side. It is highly recommended that Oatchi is ridden, as managing your squad is difficult. This is the trickiest and toughest fight against it in the entire franchise if played as expected, particularly since it is unlikely that you won't access to Rock Pikmin during the encounter. It should be noted that there is an exit located at the rear-end of the arena, which can allow for an easy escape without having to deal with the typically tricky geyser timing. The player can attack it from the rear with a rush while mounted on Oatchi, recall their Pikmin before it rolls, and simply exit the arena. This can take some time, but is considerably more reliable than other strategies.

===Alternate methods===
If you want to avoid any potential Pikmin casualties, there are a few method to defeat the Bulblax without Pikmin. One way is to just use a [[leader]]'s [[punch]]. Whilst it does take a long time, it is useful in dealing with the [[Bulborb Larva]] that get birthed, as they can be defeated with a single punch; Bulborb Larvae also eat Pikmin extremely fast. Additionally, you could lure the Bulborb Larva to stay at the side of the Empress Bulblax, as its crushing rolls will kill the Larva instantly.

In {{p4}}, [[Oatchi]] is a good way to defeat the beast, provided he has a sufficiently leveled [[Oatchi#Rush|Rush]] and [[Oatchi#Chomp|Chomp]]. Since he can attack and dodge quickly, he makes for an effective method to safely defeat the boss. Alternatively, 8 [[Bomb Rock]]s can swiftly deal with the beast.

{{Notes|olimar=y|louie=y}}

=== Dalmo's notes ===
{{transcript|The striking polka dots along that expansive hide provide the very image of royal splendor. While that regal presence essential for queenly quality might throw you off your guard, her grand, lumpy figure has more than just visual impact. When provoked, this charmer will roly-poly over and squash any threats! Approach with the utmost caution!|block=y}}

=== Olimar's notes (''Pikmin 4'') ===
{{transcript|Initial observations placed doubt on the capability of the Grub-Dog family to support a strong ant-or beelike social structure, but recent studies show the family is capable of such complexity for brief periods when certain external parameters are met.

The egg sac of the largest female Grub-Dog within a given range swells to dramatic proportions in response to environmental changes, such as the sudden depletion of prey species. These females temporarily take on the role of pack matriarch.

Also, in pack formation, it has been observed that nearly all males not involved in species reproduction undergo natural sex changes. The characteristics of such specimens are quite intriguing indeed.|block=y}}

=== Louie's notes (''Pikmin 4'') ===
{{transcript|For a sophisticated delicacy, make a pâté de foie gras from this massively obese creature's liver and spread it over a sesame cracker.|block=y}}

=== ''Pikmin 2'' Nintendo Player's Guide ===
{{transcript|The rolling wonder squashed Pikmin and its own larvae. Attack one end of the creature by tossing a small group of purples at her, but call them to your pilot's side before it shakes them off. If they are thrown off, they may land near the creature's rolling midsection.|block=y}}

=== Pikmin Garden ===
'''Text'''
{{transcript|
餌の枯渇などの環境変化の際に、周辺で最も大きなメスの卵嚢が肥大化し、イモムシのような姿に変化したデメマダラ。大量の子を産み落とし、この個体を女王とした社会形態を取るようになる。

特徴 その1 子を産む
:大量のベビーチャッピーを産み出し、最大でおよそ50匹ほどの群れを構成する。
:(Image text: 子を餌の豊富な場所へ送り出す生存戦略とも、同族の非常食にするためとも考えられている)

特徴 その2 転がる
:体が大きくなり過ぎて、歩くことはできない。体をくねらせたり、転がらせて移動する。
:(Image text: 斑紋がない幼生に気づかず、つぶしてしまうこともある)
|block=y}}

'''Translation'''
{{transcript|
During environmental changes such as food depletion, the egg sac of the largest female in the vicinity becomes hypertrophic, transforming this Bulborb into a caterpillar-like form. It produces a large number of offspring and a social form is established with this individual as the queen.

Feature #1: Producing offspring
:It gives birth to a large number of Bulborb Larvae and forms a pack of up to about 50.
:(Image text: "It is thought that this may be a survival strategy to send the young to a place where food is abundant, or to provide emergency food for its own kind")

Feature #2: Rolling
:Its body grows too large to walk. It moves by twisting its body and rolling around.
:(Image text: "Larvae without spots may go unnoticed and be crushed")
|block=y}}

==In other media==
===Pikmin comic===
In the [[Pikmin comic]] strip "Too Stuck to Pluck", an Empress Bulblax tries to pull a [[Red Pikmin]] into its underground nest while the [[rookie Rescue Officer]] pulls it in the opposite direction.

===''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''===
The Empress Bulblax appears as a trophy in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''.
{{smash trophy
|image  = Empress Bulblax trophy SSBB.png
|desc   = {{Notes:Empress Bulblax/ssbb}}
|type   = Fighter Related
|obtain = Random appearance.
}}

===''WarioWare'' series===
[[File:WarioWare Smooth Moves Pikmin 2 microgame.png|thumb|200px|The Empress Bulblax as it appears in ''[[mariowiki:WarioWare: Smooth Moves|WarioWare: Smooth Moves]]''.]]
The Empress Bulblax makes a [[Pikmin in other media|cameo]] appearance in ''[[mariowiki:WarioWare: Smooth Moves|WarioWare: Smooth Moves]]'', in a micro-game simply called ''[[mariowiki:Pikmin 2 (WarioWare: Smooth Moves)|Pikmin 2]]''. In this micro-game, the player must tilt the Wii Remote to squish some Pikmin. This micro-game returns in ''[[mariowiki:WarioWare Gold|WarioWare Gold]]''.

===''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
The Empress Bulblax appears as a Primary Spirit in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' after enhancing a [[Bulborb|Red Bulborb]] spirit. Its unique trait allows fighters to gain a large boost to their overall stats upon eating a food item.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="4" | Spirit info || colspan="6" | Augmented Fighter info
|-
! Name || Type || Class || Slots || Fighter(s) || Stage || Music || Rules/Hazards || Conditions || Image
|-
| ''Empress Bulblax''
| Shield || ★★★★ || 2 || colspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | None (Enhanced from the Bulborb Spirit) || [[File:Empress Bulblax spirit SSBU.jpg|150px]]
|}

==Technical information==
{{p2 enemy technical
|name = queen
|s000 = 0.5
|s001 = 0.5
|s002 = 0.25
|s003 = 0.1
|s004 = 0.3
|fp00 = 5000
|fp01 = 90
|fp02 = 0
|fp03 = 0.05
|fp04 = 0.35
|fp05 = 0.01
|fp06 = 125
|fp08 = 0.1
|fp09 = 200
|fp10 = 25
|fp11 = 70
|fp12 = 200
|fp13 = 90
|fp14 = 50
|fp15 = 120
|fp16 = 1
|fp17 = 300
|fp18 = 1
|fp19 = 120
|fp20 = 150
|fp21 = 25
|fp22 = 150
|fp23 = 25
|fp24 = 10
|fp25 = 50
|fp26 = 50
|fp27 = 50
|fp28 = 10
|fp29 = 15
|fp30 = 500
|fp31 = 0.00001
|fp32 = 300
|fp33 = 250
|fp34 = 50
|fp35 = 1
|fp36 = 50
|fp37 = 0 (0%)
|fp38 = 10
|ip01 = 30
|ip02 = 5
|ip03 = 35
|ip04 = 10
|ip05 = 45
|ip06 = 15
|ip07 = 50
|spec = {{p2 enemy property | fp01 | ローリング時間 | Determines how many rolls it completes (only with base fp06 value)| 3.5 }}
{{!}}-
{{p2 enemy property | fp02 | 出産間隔 ( sec ) | Birth interval | 2 }}
{{!}}-
{{p2 enemy property | fp | Forest 1 Life | [[HP]] on the [[Hole of Beasts]] | 3300 }}
{{!}}-
{{p2 enemy property | fp | 出産数 ( Max ) | Max births until it falls asleep | 50 }}
{{!}}-
{{p2 enemy property | fp | 出産数 ( Min ) | Min number of Larvae on the cave with which it will wake up again | 25 }}
}}

==Other information==
{{enemy other info
|piklopedia  = 70
|piklopedia4 = 14
|music2      = ''[[Music in Pikmin 2#Common boss battle|Common boss battle]]''
|music4      = ''[[Music in Pikmin 4#Boss battle (cave)|Boss battle (cave)]]''
|size        = Body length: {{mm|480}}
}}

==Naming==
{{see also|Grub-dog family#Naming}}
{{naming
|common     = Empress Bulblax. It is the female counterpart to the [[Emperor Bulblax]], and is indeed a large Bulborb. Unlike the other two Bulblaxes, which share at least some features, the Empress seems to have the name only for its role in the ecosystem.
|jpcommon   = {{j|クイーンチャッピー|Kuīn Chappī|Queen Chappy}}. 
|jpname     = {{j|デメマダラ（卵嚢肥大個体）|Deme Madara (rannō hidai kotai)|Spotted Bug-eye (specimen with egg sac hypertrophy)}}.
|scientific = ''Oculus kageyamii matriarchia'' (hypertrophic, gravid). ''Oculus kageyamii'' is the scientific name of the Bulborb species, and ''matriarchia'' being similar to the English word "matriarch", which is the female leader of a community. 'Hypertrophic' relates to {{w|hypertrophy}}, referring to the swelling of the creature's egg sac. 'Gravid' simply means pregnant. Before ''Pikmin 4'', the scientific name was simply ''Oculus matriarcha''.
|internal   = Its internal name is simply <code>queen</code>.
|prerelease = In the [[Unused content in Pikmin 2|unused early English script]] inside the game's files, Olimar refers to the Empress Bulblax as "Queen Bulborb", a straightfoward translation of the Japanese nickname, and the species name is misspelled as ''matriarhca''.{{cite web|https://tcrf.net/Pikmin_2/Early_English_Script#Empress_Bulblax|Pikmin 2/Early English Script|The Cutting Room Floor}}
}}

===Names in other languages===
{{foreignname
|Jap = クイーンチャッピー
|JapR = Kuīn Chappī
|JapM = Queen Chappy
|JapN = ''"Chappy"'' is the Japanese name for Bulborb
|ChiTrad  = 王后恰比
|ChiTradR = Wánghòu Qiàbǐ
|ChiTradM = Queen Chappy
|ChiTradN = ''"Qiàbǐ"'' is the Chinese (traditional) name for Bulborb
|ChiSimp  = 王后恰比
|ChiSimpR = Wánghòu Qiàbǐ
|ChiSimpM = Queen Chappy
|ChiSimpN = ''"Qiàbǐ"'' is the Chinese (simplified) name for Bulborb
|Dut  = Keizerinbulblax
|DutM = Empress bulblax
|DutN = 
|Fra  = Reine Bulblax<br>Reine bulblax (''Pikmin 4'')
|FraM = Bulblax Queen<br>Bulblax queen (''Pikmin 4'')
|FraN = 
|Ger  = Fürstin Knollenauge
|GerM = Lady Bulbeye
|GerN = 
|Ita  = Bulbica Imperiale<br>Bulbica imperiale (''Pikmin 4'')
|ItaM = Imperial Bulblax<br>Imperial bulblax (''Pikmin 4'')
|ItaN = 
|ItaI = Bulbica imperiale
|Kor  = 여왕차피
|KorR = Yeowang-Chapi
|KorM = Queen Chappy
|KorN = ''"Chapi"'' is the Korean name for Bulborb
|Spa  = Bulbo emperatriz 
|SpaM = Empress bulborb
|SpaN = ''"Bulbo"'' is the Spanish name for Bulborb
|Por  = Bulbolhona-real
|PorM = Royal big bulbeye
|PorN = ''"Bulbolhona"'' is the feminine augmentative form of ''"Bulbolho"'', the Brazilian Portuguese name for Bulborb<br> ''"Bulbolhona"'' also sounds close to ''"bobalhona"'' (a childish slang that means "silly" or "stupid", feminine form of ''"bobalhão"'')
|notes = y
}}

==Gallery==
===''Pikmin 2''===
<gallery widths="120">
Empress Bulblax Spirit.png|Artwork of the Empress Bulblax.
70empressbulblax.png|The Empress Bulblax in the [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)|Piklopedia]].
Pikmin 2 Empress Bulblax.png|The Empress Bulblax in the [[Hole of Beasts]].
Bulborb Larva Army.png|The Empress Bulblax in the [[Frontier Cavern]], surrounded by its Bulborb Larva offspring.
Empress Bulblax.png|The Empress Bulblax as seen from above.
Empress Bulblax Spoils.png|The Empress Bulblax's corpse.
Empress Bulblax P2 early.png|[[Pikmin 2 prerelease information|Prerelease]] screenshot showing the Empress Bulblax beginning to roll.
Empress Bulblax P2S icon.png|The Piklopedia icon of the Empress Bulblax in [[Pikmin 2 (Nintendo Switch)|the Nintendo Switch version of ''Pikmin 2'']].
P2 Empress Bulblax Petrified.jpg|An Empress Bulblax petrified in the [[Frontier Cavern]].
</gallery>

===''Pikmin 4''===
<gallery>
Empress Bulblax P4 icon.png|The Empress Bulblax's [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 4)|Piklopedia]] icon.
Pikmin 4 empress bulblax.jpg|The Empress Bulblax rolling over several [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] and [[Bulborb Larva]]e.
Pikmin 4 Empress Bulblax Behind.png|The Empress Bulblax as seen from behind.
P4 Empress Bulblax defeat.jpg|The Empress Bulblax during its death animation in the [[Kingdom of Beasts]]. Notice the small chunks flying off its body.
Dead Empress Bulblax P4.jpg|An Empress Bulblax corpse in the Kingdom of Beasts.
P4 Empress Bulblax sleeping.jpg|A sleeping Empress Bulblax in the Piklopedia.
P4 Dead Empress Bulblax.jpg|A defeated Empress Bulblax in the Piklopedia.
P4 Comic Empress Bulblax.png|An Empress Bulblax as seen in the "Too Stuck to Pluck" [[Pikmin comic|comic]].
</gallery>

===Other===
<gallery>
E+ Red4 14.jpg|The Empress Bulblax's [[e-card]], #14 (20<sup>th</sup> red card).
</gallery>

==Trivia==
* Empress Bulblaxes can apparently shed their skin, as there appears to be a shed skin on the floor on the last sublevel of the [[Hole of Beasts]], right underneath the Research Pod.
* It is impossible to wake up the Empress Bulblax in the [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)|Piklopedia]] in {{p2}}, no matter how many [[Pikpik carrot]]s are thrown at it. The only other enemies who will not attack in the Piklopedia are the [[Titan Dweevil]] and the [[Segmented Crawbster]].
* The Empress Bulblax is the only member of the [[grub-dog]] family that cannot kill [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] by eating them.
* The creature resembles a real-world {{w|Termite#Caste system|pregnant queen termite}}.
* The Empress Bulblax gives birth to live larval-form offspring. This is not only unique to the {{ps}}, but also to real-world lifeforms.
* In ''Pikmin 2'', the Empress Bulblax's specific epithet, ''matriarcha'', indicates that it is considered a different species from its offspring, the Bulborb Larvae (''bambinii''), which is a biological impossibility. ''Pikmin 4'' corrects this by updating the specific epithets of both the Empress Bulblax and the Bulborb Larvae to that of the Bulborb (''kageyamii''), establishing that they are all different forms of the same species.
*Louie's notes in the Japanese version of the game mention cooking the ovaries of the creature instead of its liver. This was also the case for the prototype version of ''Pikmin 2''{{'s}} English script.{{cite web|http://tcrf.net/Pikmin_2/Early_English_Script/Louie%27s_Notes#Empress_Bulblax|Pikmin 2/Early English Script/Louie's Notes|The Cutting Room Floor}}
*In ''Pikmin 2'', the Empress Bulblax bizarrely does not appear to have a [[soul]]; when defeated, one does not rise from its corpse. While there exist other enemies that similarly don't have souls, they explicitly are only incapacitated when defeated, unlike the Empress Bulblax, which is clearly dead. This oddity is shared with the [[Toady Bloyster]] (also only exhibiting this anomaly in ''Pikmin 2''), [[Ranging Bloyster]], and [[Titan Dweevil]], along with all members of the [[arachnorb family]] regardless of game.

== See also ==
*[[Bulborb Larva]]
*[[Emperor Bulblax]]
*[[Fiery Bulblax]]
*[[Sovereign Bulblax]]

==References==
{{refs}}

{{bosses}}
{{p2enemies}}
{{P4enemies}}
[[Category:Crushing enemies]]
[[Category:Enemy-harming enemies]]
[[Category:Frontier Cavern]]
[[Category:Hole of Beasts]]
[[Category:Hole of Heroes]]
[[Category:Kingdom of Beasts]]
[[Category:Cradle of the Beast]]
[[Category:Cavern for a King]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. series]]
[[Category:Pikmin 2 Challenge Mode]]
[[Category:Pikmin 2 bosses]]
[[Category:Pikmin 4 bosses]]