Vampire Bulbear

Vampire Bulbears, and their young, Dwarf Vampire Bulbears, appear in Pikmin: Infection in Progress as mutated Spotty Bulbears and Dwarf Bulbears, respectively. Only two Vampire Bulbears are encountered throughout the wastes of PNF-404. A lonesome individual appears deep within Fungal Grotto, wandering through the cavern with no juveniles accompanying it. The other specimen appears on the surface at Polluted Creek, typically wandering the shadier parts of the area. The Vampiric Bulbear wandering Polluted Creek bears companions, unlike the one encountered at Fungal Grotto. The President can assist in carrying the corpses of Vampire Bulbears.

Vampire Bulbears possess much more contrast in their coloration than ordinary Spotty Bulbears do. They possess more vibrant reds, deeper blacks, and paler flesh. On top of that, Vampire Bulbears also possess striking red eyes that can easily be seen within the dark depths of Fungal Grotto. Their sclerae are a deep black hue as well. Vampiric Bulbears also have additional and more pronounced fangs.

When initiated into combat, a Vampire Bulbear will typically trudge towards its target and attempt to bite them once it gets close enough. The sounds of their heavy footsteps and the sight of their glowing eyes make Vampiric Bulbears easily detectable, something they do not seem to be aware of. After having approached its prey, a Vampire Bulbear will lunge forward in an attempt to consume it, usually grabbing hold of its meal. If it had been harmed, anything the Vampire Bulbear eats will restore a portion of its health. Additionally, the Vampire Bulbear recovers slightly faster after death than an ordinary Spotty Bulbear does. If it manages to revive, the Vampire Bulbear will have full health and will have to be put down again. Vampire Bulbears do possess one weakness, however: softer skin. Not all the mutations that have transformed Spotty Bulbears have been beneficial, and softer skin has been a prime example.

=In other games=

In Pikmin: Wide World
The Vampire Bulbear, in Pikmin: Wide World, is an exceedingly dangerous bulbear found exclusively in Mycelial Sepulcher's darkest caves, but not the area itself. Its dwarf counterpart is the Dwarf Vampire Bulbear, which is often found in its company. Much like Spotty Bulbears, Vampire Bulbears may be found roaming parts of an area that are accessible to it. Any Dwarf Vampire Bulbear a Vampire Bulbear bypasses will emit an affectionate groan and begin following it. Should a Vampire Bulbear detect a leader or their Pikmin not in its sight, it will glance in their direction, and, if it sees them, unleash a deep bellow and begin pursuing them, stopping only once they flee far enough away. This is marked by the creature stomping one of its feet on the ground and grunting before resuming its normal patrolling behavior. Although a Vampire Bulbear may not be able to access some locations leaders and Pikmin and leaders can hide in, its young may be able to, and it will wait nearby such a place for some time to allow its young to investigate before finally giving up. Like some other bulbears, a Vampire Bulbear will, upon biting down on Pikmin or leaders, fling them upwards into the air so as to have them land in its mouth. If this is done to a leader, they will be chewed up, and then spat out alongside any Pikmin in the creature's mouth at the time. Vampire Bulbears, unlike any other grub-dog, have the unique ability to not only regenerate a portion of their health after consuming Pikmin or chewing a leader but also revive after death. After its defeat, a Vampire Bulbear will revive after it has regenerated half of its health, requiring it to be put down again if its body hasn't been disposed of by then.

Vampire Bulbears are known for their intimidating and macabre appearance. They are the size and shape of other bulbears, with features such as a wide face, a rounded forehead, short, stocky eyestalks, protruding nostrils, and pronounced lips, but have pale skin, a jet black backside with vibrant red spots, and eyes that each have a white pupil, red iris, and black sclera. The irises and pupils of a Vampire Bulbear glow softly in the dark environments in which they dwell. Their feet are also as dark as their backside. Furthermore, Vampire Bulbears each possess two sets of fangs, which further adds to their dreadful image.

In battle, Vampire Bulbears are resilient, strong foes, tougher than other lesser bulbears, but they do have a strong aversion to light. As such, a variety of light-based tools can be used against a Vampire Bulbear, which are but not limited to: the Radiant Illuminator can deter it from attacking leaders, a camera flash from the HocoPad can momentarily daze it, and a dazzling bomb rock can completely incapacitate it for a considerable amount of time. Vampire Bulbears will also stay away from Common Glowcaps and Colossal Glowcaps because they produce light. Vampire Bulbears are nigh impossible to sneak up behind because they are perceptive creatures with an impeccable sense of smell, and because a head-on conflict is highly likely, Pikmin should be thrown at their eyes. This will inflict minor damage, make the creatures flinch, and cause them to release any Pikmin they have bitten down on. As stated previously, every Pikmin a Vampire Bulbear devours will restore a small portion of its health, meaning preventing it from eating any Pikmin is crucial in taking one down quickly. As well, be mindful of any dwarfs that may be accompanying it. Upon being defeated, a Vampire Bulbear will yield only the first time it is brought down, and its body can be taken to the Lander Pod to either gain  or be stored to later gain fifteen discovered main Pikmin seeds of choice from the Master Onion, but only if the cave is exited using an escape geyser. A Vampire Bulbear will no longer be a threat once its body is delivered to the Lander Pod, and having it fall into a pit will have the same result so long as it hasn't ingested a fruit or treasure.

Olimar's notes

 * "A species found only in the darkest of subterranean environments, the vampire bulbear prowls in the shadows to catch helpless, unsuspecting prey off-guard and mercilessly devour them, restoring its own energy in the process. Its eyes glow softly and allow it to see easily in absolute darkness, although they give away its position. The vampire bulbear's name is made even more appropriate in that it can withstand harsh injuries that would easily end the lives of other creatures, continually rising to its feet to keep fighting no matter how much pain it has already endured."

Shacho's notes

 * "This creature... it scares me. I wouldn't touch it with a golden, jewel-encrusted ten-foot pole. Just keep it away from me!"

Marie's notes

 * "Vampiric bulbears look ghastly, and their attitudes aren't much better. They're a bit too barbaric to properly train, and they do not, even in the slightest, care for any sort of light, especially sunlight."

Louie's notes

 * "This beast's tough, tangy meat is most appropriate cooked and served in a savory tomato sauce. Serve with a side of red wine to really establish the vampire theme!"

Dolphin Lander's notes

 * "The range of creatures under PNF-404's surface oddly intrigues me, as vicious and frightening as some may be. I just can't help but wonder if this creature was born naturally or if it evolved over time from another bulbear that became trapped underground."