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Pikmin |
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Pikmin 4 |
The Puffstool (ボケナメコ "Bokenameko") is a boss in Pikmin and Pikmin 4 that appears to be a huge type of walking fungus. It has twin antennae, a red-capped mushroom head, and a yellow torso which is very vulnerable to swarming. Only minimal details of the creature's biology in the game are supplied. The Puffstool is one of the enemies with which the crushing glitch happens relatively regularly, with the frequency increased in the Wii version of the game.
The Puffstool will try to run when swarmed, but its legs are clearly not made for sprinting, causing it to trip easily, landing on its head with feet in the air. Since the cap is invulnerable to attack, Pikmin should be thrown onto its under-section once it is on the ground. After a few seconds, the Puffstool will right itself up and blow out a purple cloud of spores which causes a strange effect on nearby Pikmin, where the Puffstool acts as a Captain, similar to the Antenna Beetle. Affected Pikmin turn into Mushroom Pikmin in Pikmin, which are purple and have small brown mushroom caps on their stalks. The infected Pikmin will pursue Olimar and attack him if given the chance. Then, they will die. Blowing the whistle repeatedly at the Mushroom Pikmin will save them. However, they will only start dancing around it in Pikmin 4, similar to Groovy Long Legs.
Notes
Reel Notes
"This creature's cap is elastic, negating any Pikmin attacks. Attacking its lower torso works better, but the puffstool lets out spores that turn the Pikmin into mushrooms, which then attack me! They return to normal when shaken off."
Pikmin Guide Book
"Red Sporovids seem to have developed higher functions than other fungi, as evidenced by the protruding reproductive organs on their caps. These organs act much like a flower would on a normal plant. This species appears to be able to separate for a short time from the fungal colony to which it belongs. This occurs when the mushroom cap has reached a certain size and the spore sac is full. It will then sever its connection to the colony to walk around a limited area to spread the spores. This walking form can no longer absorb nutrients from the colony, but if the released spores contact another living creature, spore-encased fungal filaments will begin an explosive cycle of reproduction within the host, taking over its central nervous system. The host will be controlled by the Red Sporovid within its area of activity. Edible, considered a delicacy. Referred to as "punchstool" in some locales."
Dalmo's Notes
"Come, let us ponder the Puffstool. This devious li'l bean releases spores that have a hallucinogenic effect on Pikmin. At the first inhale, affection sprouts, and they are drawn closer. Then they breathe in more and more of the confusion- inducing spores. Soon they think of nothing but the Puffstool as they jump around... Boing, boing...bo..."
Olimar's Notes
"A type of Ambulofungus, the current working theory is that the Puffstool evolved from a more common species of fungus that gained animal-like characteristics over time, including the ability to walk. When it senses danger, it will scatter spores from its cap, releasing a hallucinogen that confuses it's attackers. The hallucinogenic compound in the spores is only effective against this species natural enemies, the Pikmin, causing them to mistake it for their leader. The Pikmin who fall into this trap are then used as workers to maintain nutrition or defense for the Puffstool."
Louie's Notes
"Flip upside down, and cook cap over charcoal grill, low and slow. Once it starts to sweat, it's ready to eat."
Battle Strategy
The best way to defeat a Puffstool is to bring a large amount of Pikmin (anywhere from 40-60, though the more Pikmin the better). Bring the Pikmin to its lair and either swarm it, or get the Puffstool to chase you, both of which should cause it to trip. Once it falls over, throw as many Pikmin as you can onto its vunerable underside. Do not stop throwing Pikmin until it dies. You can usually kill it without it releasing any spores, but if it does manage to get back up, run away with all your Pikmin so they are not affected. Repeat the cycle again if nessecary. Usually you only need to do it once, but sometimes it can take two times. Overall, the Puffstool is not very hard to defeat. But if you bring Yellow or Blue Pikmin to fight it, be wary of the fire geysers that dot its lair in Pikmin.
Alternatively, if you have some time on your hands, you can attack it without the help of any Pikmin. By just punching it, you can slowly kill it, and since its spores have no effect on you, there is no harm done, and your Pikmin are safe.
Locations
The only Puffstool in Pikmin's main story dwells in The Forest Navel, where it holds the Omega Stabilizer. It is found to the left of the landing site, down a couple wooden bridges. Once defeated, its cap can be returned to an Onion to produce 30 Pikmin seeds. The Distant Spring in Challenge Mode features two more Puffstools, and according to the early screenshot to the right, a Puffstool would have appeared in The Forest of Hope on the plateau overlooking the small body of water where the trio of Burrowing Snagrets are in the final game. Note that the Challenge Mode Puffstools are weaker than the story ones.
In Pikmin 4, The only Puffstool appears in Primordial Thicket and does not regenerate after being killed. It is found by going though a tree trunk near the first base site. When it is killed, 12 Pikmin can carry it back to the onion for 20 more Pikmin. It's counter part, Toxstool, can be found underground in Cavern for a King, on the first sublevel.
Appearances in other games
- See also: the Puffstool article at the Zelda Wiki
In The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap for the Game Boy Advance, Puffstools are enemies that are encountered in a dungeon known as the Deepwood Shrine. Their appearance has been slightly altered. They now have eyes, a white ring around the cap of the mushroom, are taller, and have bigger feet. They are presumably about the same size as they are in Pikmin, in which Olimar's size makes them appear relatively much larger. If the player does not kill the Puffstools, they will leave clouds of gold spores everywhere, which must be disposed of with an item known as the 'Gust Jar'.
However, the name similarity only applies to their English names, as the Puffstool's Japanese name in The Minish Cap is "Powāru", as opposed to Bokenameko.
Gallery
Trivia
- In the official guide book for New Play Control! Pikmin, the Puffstool's page states that its name is commonly pronounced incorrectly as "Punchstool" by Hocotatians.
- If the player kills the Puffstool as it begins to get up, it will still do so and release its spores with its health indicating it is dead; a similar effect occurs when a Wollyhop is killed when jumping.
- Bomb Rocks can damage the Puffstool very slightly. However, if you manage to hit its legs, you take about a quarter of its health. However, this method is tedious and slow, so the simple use of Red Pikmin is a much better strategy.
- The enemy's Japanese name is ボケナメコ Bokenameko.
- ボケ Boke, is derived from the word 惚ける/呆ける bokeru, meaning "to fumble around" or "be air-headed". The term "boke" is used to describe the funny-man's role in a manzai comedy duo.
- ナメコ Nameko, can be written in kanji as 滑子, and refers to the nameko mushroom, or pholiota microspora. These mushrooms have a slightly greasy coating and have a dark amber-orange color on their cap. They are a very popular dish in many parts of Asia, and are usually sold in stores dried.