Infernal Emperor Bulblax

The Infernal Emperor Bulblax is a powerful boss in Pikmin: Connection of the Worlds. It is the same size as the Emperor Bulblax at the end of . Instead of a purple tongue, yellow face and feet, and green hide, it has an orange tongue, red face and feet, and yellow hide. When it notices Pikmin or leaders, its entire body will turn aflame.



Behavior
When idling, the Infernal Emperor Bulblax lazily walks about the arena, much like the regular Emperor Bulblax. However, once it notices Pikmin, it becomes more aggressive: instead of passively walking towards them, it chases them until they leave the arena, at which point it will give up and resume slowly walking. It will also light itself on fire. It will lick the ground and shake Pikmin off, exactly like the Emperor Bulblax. However, when it licks the ground, it spreads lava on the ground, which it can get stuck in. Additionally, the creature may spit fireballs at Pikmin or create a fiery tornado. It has the potential to kill every on-field Pikmin in one strike, and bomb rocks are ineffective against this boss.

As its health depletes, the Infernal Emperor Bulblax will steadily get faster, unleash multiple attacks in succession, and will begin using new attacks. At below half-health, it will start belching stomach acid around itself. It may start jumping up and down from time to time, causing bomb-rocks and boulders to fall. Also, the creature may roar, which paralyzes the Pikmin squad and summons Flaming Mitites, which will try to attack Pikmin. Finally, after two-thirds of its health has been depleted, it will begin to use its super-jump attack. The force of the impact is so great that it will cause waves of sand to emerge around it, potentially burying the group. Upon death, the Infernal Emperor Bulblax will release a great deal of lava, shrink, and cool.

Strategy
Only Red Pikmin can attack this mighty foe, as it is on fire during combat. The Infernal Emperor Bulblax has much health and a wide variety of attacks that could potentially devastate Pikmin, so extreme caution should be exercised when battling this boss. As mentioned, bomb-rocks don't work against it. However, the key to successfully immobilizing this boss lies in its lava: after it spreads lava on the floor, trick the Bulblax into walking into it. After a moment, the lava will cool, and the boss will become stuck, providing a chance to attack. Remember that only Red Pikmin can attack, but there is a fifteen-second window before it breaks free of the rock. However, it will only take up to a sixth of its health during this time, at which point it will escape and chase after its attackers in a fiery rampage. The Bulblax is invulnerable during this time and will only calm down if its arena is fled from.

As the boss's health is reduced, it will have increased speed and new attacks. It will lick the ground less frequently so as to not get stuck. In the event that leaders get buried in the sand by a shockwave, quickly twirl the control stick so they escape and quickly whistle at Pikmin so they get up as well. When the Infernal Emperor Bulblax is preparing to roar, it starts breathing deeply. Get as far away from the Bulblax so leaders and Pikmin don't get paralyzed. Continue to get it stuck in its lava, attack it, and it will eventually die. It will release the Pluckaphone upon defeat.