Editing Mysterious Life-Form

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{{otheruses|the form that chases [[Captain Olimar]]|the creature in general|Plasm Wraith}}

The '''Mysterious Life-Form''' ('''Mysterious Life Form''' in Europe, {{j|謎の生命体|Nazo No Seimeitai|Life Form of Mystery}}) is an [[enemy]] in {{p3}} and the alternate form of the '''[[Plasm Wraith]]'''. In this form, it looks like an amorphous slug-like blob of translucent plasm. It follows [[Brittany]], or whoever is guiding the [[Pikmin family|Pikmin]] carrying [[Captain Olimar]], through the labyrinth that is the [[Formidable Oak]]. Once Olimar is outside, the creature turns into its original form, the Plasm Wraith.

== Biology ==

{{see|Plasm Wraith}}

== Behavior ==

When inside the Formidable Oak, in its slug-like shape, it moves about the cave slowly, inching its way forward through the corridors and rooms, although it can also vault over some of the terrain to take shortcuts. Its main goal is to chase after Olimar, wherever he is. It cannot be stopped in this state, as any Pikmin it touches get trapped, although it can be slowed down in a few ways:

 

If it manages to ensnare Olimar, it becomes opaque, meaning it can be hit by Pikmin to lose health. In this state its objective is to escape through the cave's opening at the top with Olimar inside. At a few intervals when being damage, and also specifically when its health reaches 50% and 25%, it stops and turns into a sphere momentarily, bumping latched Pikmin off. When doing this, it may then transform into an [[Plasm Wraith#Elemental Plasm|Elemental Plasm]]. Unlike the humanoid form's Elemental Plasms, its nucleus is the creature's nucleus, and so it shares the same health. If left alone as an Elemental Plasm, it eventually returns to a sphere and then back to the slug. If defeated, either as an Elemental Plasm or in its standard form, it explodes into translucent chunks, stays that way on the floor, and begins [[reviving]]. In this state, nothing can be done to it. Once done, it quickly snaps into its slug shape and resumes the hunt. Hitting it with the iron ball instantly puts its health at 0% if it has Olimar inside.

** The Mysterious Life-Form is invincible, unless it's captured Olimar, so focus on always moving forward.

** Though it cannot be stopped, [[bomb rock]]s and the [[iron ball]] can slow it down.

** It completely passes through [[Candypop Bud]]s as if they did not exist.

** If the creature manages to recapture Olimar, it will stop following the crew and try to escape to the top of the area via the hole found at the dungeon's entrance corridor.

** The creature can take shortcuts over some walls. This is most noticeable with the wall between the room with the [[bridge]] fragments and [[Arachnode]], and the room with the [[Bulborb]].

** There are multiple paths you can take, so take whichever is easier to overcome.

** Many of the paths in the area are loops, so while Alph and Charlie are figuring out the puzzle, Brittany can go around in circles to distract the creature.

** Every enemy in the area is an illusion created by the Mysterious Life-Form; when killed, they disintegrate into plasm. If the beast touches any, it instantly kills it and envelops and digests it in its body.

** The Mysterious Life-Form and the Pikmin carrying Olimar will always follow [[Brittany]]; this can be utilized to buy time. If Brittany is down, they will follow Charlie, then Alph.

** If Pikmin are enveloped by the Mysterious Life-Form, they will not die and can be freed by continuously whistling at them. However, if the creature recaptures Olimar while any Pikmin are inside it, the Pikmin will instantly die.

** If it is carrying Olimar and succeeds in reaching the hole, it will exit through it. This will trigger a cutscene where the [[leader]]s and all Pikmin go back out through the entrance to wonder where the creature and Olimar went and comment on how it is almost [[sunset]], resulting in the day ending instantly.

** If it is really close, it may be best to call the Pikmin carrying Olimar and let it get him. When it does, attack it, and as soon as it breaks, take advantage of its downtime and run away.

{{see|Plasm Wraith#Glitches}}

Because the explorers do not know about this form of the [[Plasm Wraith]], they simply nickname it "Mysterious Life-Form". In Europe, it's spelled as "Mysterious Life Form". In Japan, it uses the same name, {{j|謎の生命体|Nazo No Seimeitai}}, which translates to "Life Form of Mystery". Internally, it is called <code>metaboss</code>, most likely a combination between {{w|metaballs}}, 3D geometric functions for producing organic-looking blob objects, and "[[boss]]".