Fiery Bulblax

Fiery Bulblax
Appears in	Pikmin 2
Scientific name	Oculus vulcanus
Family	Grub-dog
Areas	Valley of Repose, Perplexing Pool
Caves	Submerged Castle, Cavern of Chaos, Hole of Heroes, Dream Den
Challenge Mode stages	None
2-Player Battle stages	None
Attacks	Eats/burns Pikmin

The Fiery Bulblax (ヤキチャッピー) is an uncommon enemy found in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 3. Its body parts appear to be melting away from its body's intense heat waves, and more strangely, one of its eyes is smaller than the other. Its fiery aura is caused by the glands and oils on this creature's body that result in a chemical reaction, which causes fire to ignite on its hide. Only Red Pikmin can withstand the blaze of this creature's body. However, if lured to water, the flame will go out, making it a prime target for Blue Pikmin. If it enters water, it will try to go back to where it was it was sleeping, and will sometimes ignore any Pikmin attacking it. It is recommended to use a spray against this enemy, because it is more aggressive than other members of its family. Due to the Bulblax's curtain-esque shape, Pikmin may get stuck under its body when they carry it. If that happens, call them and try dismissing them to pick it back up. As well as sharing the name with it, the Fiery Bulblax's melted features make it resemble the Emperor Bulblax, despite being the same size and having the same attack strategy as the smaller members of the Grub-Dog species. Also, this is one of the few members of the grub-dog family without a dwarf that replicates it.

Notes

Olimar's Notes

"Bodily excretions of a highly flammable waxy substance interact with the cell structure of this grub-dog's skin, causing a chemical reaction that produces extremely high temperatures. The skin benefits from a spongy cell structure that diffuses the surface heat, protecting the creature's inner organs. Due to the astonishing amount of heat produced by this beast, it should be observed with great caution."

Louie's Notes

"No stove? No problem! This sizzling beast practically cooks itself. Remember to thoroughly extinguish the steaks prior to eating."

Nintendo Player's Guide

"Flames rise from the Firey Bulblax. If you can draw one of the specimens into water, you'll extigush the flames and open it up to attack from any Pikmin type. If not, you'll have to use red Pikmin or Bulbmin to beat it. Like large Bulborbs, Firey Bulblaxes devour Pikmin. Keep troops away from their mouths."

Killing Strategy

Pikmin

Obviously, Red Pikmin are desirable due to their resistance of the flames emitted from the Fiery Bulbax's abdomen. Defeat it as if it were a standard Red Bulborb, by peppering its back with reds. Fiery Bulblaxes have high health for a grub-dog and can sometimes attack after shaking Pikmin off. Fiery Bulblaxes can also eat Pikmin much faster than a normal Bulborb can. An Ultra-spicy Spray may be desirable for killing it effectively and without danger. Additionally, simply swarming it with a squad of 50+ red pikmin can kill it within seconds without any casualties, even without sprays, but this is best done quickly, and from the back, while the creature is sleeping.

However, sometimes a Fiery Bulblax must be fought with Blue Pikmin, such as the lone one at the Valley of Repose. To kill it here, lure it into the water. The flames on its back will go out, but it will soon realize this, turn around, and head for dry land. During that time its primary urge will be to leave the water and re-ignite, so in this short space of time Pikmin will be safe from attack. Since repeatedly throwing blues at it puts them at high risk of being eaten, simply use an Ultra-bitter Spray and beat it. Note that spraying a Fiery Bulblax that has not been extinguished will still have flames coming out of its back.

Environment permitting, it is possible to lure the Fiery Bulblax to the limit of its natural roaming space, where it will look around before turning back. If attacked while it is moving back, it will shake off the Pikmin without attempting to eat any before it takes a few more steps and turning around. Repeating this a few times will be sufficient to kill.

A more risky way of defeating this creature is to throw many Purple Pikmin at it, and each will deal some damage before bursting into flames. Save them and, while the Fiery Bulblax is still stunned, attack again. This eliminates the need for Blue or Red Pikmin.

Captains

It is possible to kill it with the use of the captains, but resorting to this method not only consumes time, it also puts the captains at risk. Since it takes so long, it isn't recommended that you use a captain unless you're in a cave. A hit-and-run tactic can be useful for avoiding damage, so all you must do is punch the creature while dodging its bites. The Rocket Fist upgrade is highly recommended, as it makes the task considerably less laborsome.

Glitches

If you fight it while in water with Blue Pikmin, as soon as it gets out of the water, the fire starts again. Although, the Blue Pikmin that are still latched on to its body will not get burnt.

Trivia

• It is one of the few grub-dogs to have a unique facial look.
• So far, it is one of three enemies that require a certain type of Pikmin for killing, the others being the Pyroplasmic Slooch and the Goolix.
• In the Piklopedia, it does try to eat thrown Pikpik Carrots, but cannot, because its fire burns them before they can reach its mouth.
• Their scientific name, Oculus vulcanus, means 'Volcanic Eye'.
• Files within Pikmin 2's ROM reveal that the Fiery Bulblax was originally going to be a boss. This is evident by the fact that there is also an unused boss icon with the Fiery Bulblax inside, the fact that "Bulblax" is a title given to Grub-dog bosses (making the it the only creature with "Bulblax" in its name to not be a boss).
• When petrified, the Fiery Bulbax can still burn Pikmin.

Gallery

• Normal 13 Pikmin2 GCN Screen2.jpg

  Olimar and Louie, next to a Fiery Bulblax in the Perplexing Pool.

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  A Fiery Bulbax in the Japanese version.

• Fiery Bulblax.jpg

  A fiery bulblax

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  Another Fiery Bulblax, viewed at night in the Piklopedia.

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  Fighting a Fiery Bulblax in a cave.