Snowfake Fluttertail

Snowfake Fluttertail is a boss that appears only once in. It is a yellow moth-like enemy with a spiraled proboscis, blue antenna, and similarly blue wings. Its yellow coloration is typically hidden under a protective cocoon of ice that will freeze Pikmin upon touch.

Behavior
The Fluttertail initially stays out of sight, only descending from the ceiling when a leader and their Pikmin enter its arena. It has two methods of attack; fluttering its wings to send clouds of icy wind flying, and using its long proboscis to scoop up Pikmin in front of it and subsequently eat them. The icy wind attack can extinguish bonfires and fire starters, which will make the arena chilly and cause non-Ice Pikmin to freeze if they are not re-lit. When not attacking, the creature merely flies around its arena.

When a fire starter is thrown at the creature's body, the layer of frost will melt, causing it to clumsily fly about. At this point, it is vulnerable to Pikmin attacks and can be weighed down. Eventually, it will regenerate its frost layer; when it has low health, it will regenerate a thicker layer of frost that requires three fire starters to melt. Items like Trackonators are able to be used to destroy its cocoon. Additionally, the Snowfake Fluttertail may ingest explosives or fire starters instead of Pikmin, dealing damage to itself upon consumption.

Locations

 * Frozen Inferno

Strategy
The Snowfake Fluttertail is immune to damage while protected by its ice cocoon. Pikmin that touch the ice cocoon will instantly freeze, leaving them open to being eaten. Its proboscis attack and ice gust attack target in front of the creature, so trying to remain behind it will leave Pikmin less vulnerable. Riding on Oatchi provides more safety as your Pikmin squad will be less spread out.

There are several options to breaking the cocoon, the easiest is throwing a Red Pikmin holding a fire starter, as this will instantly shatter the cocoon. Take care when using fire starters, as the creature's gust attack can extinguish them. A Lightning Shock will shatter the cocoon, stun the Snowfake Fluttertail, and drop it to the ground. This creates an opportunity for a Pikmin charge or a rush by Oatchi and with enough Pikmin it will quickly defeat the Fluttertail. Bomb rocks can also instantly shatter the cocoon, but the creatures movements and the bomb's delayed explosion make this method harder to execute. Ice Pikmin can latch onto the cocoon and, with enough damage dealt, will shatter it. However, this method is much slower and leaves more time for the Fluttertail to attack.

When the cocoon is shattered, the Snowfake Fluttertail will attempt to flee. Keep throwing Pikmin unto its now vulnerable body and be ready to whistle them back when the Fluttertail starts to regenerate its cocoon.