Ceramic Joustmite

The Ceramic Joustmite is a member of the burrow-nit family. It is a close relative of both the Flighty Joustmite and the Cloaking Burrow-nit as it has a pair of small wings that are on either side of its plump body and its proboscis resembles that of a Cloaking Burrow-nit's. The Ceramic Joustmite is unique in that its shell is destructible, and can be destroyed using Rock Pikmin or a single bomb rock. Rock Pikmin can be used to break the creature's shell and allow its entire body to be attacked, and a bomb rock can be used to instantly break the Ceramic Joustmite's shell as well as deal a large portion of damage to the creature itself. Ceramic Joustmites can be found burrowed halfway into the ground in much the same way normal Joustmites are, and when they are approached by a leader or Pikmin, the creatures will immediately begin attacking. At first, a Ceramic Joustmite will crawl along the ground in order to get close enough to its prey, where it will attempt to skewer up to three Pikmin with its proboscis. When its health reaches one-half, it will begin flying in the air and attacking its foes from there. So long as it is airborne, a Ceramic Joustmite's health will regenerate at a steady rate. Like with the Flighty Joustmite, if it misses its targets, a Ceramic Joustmite's proboscis will become stuck in the ground, leaving the creature open to attack. They often fly high enough that only Winged Pikmin and Yellow Pikmin can reach them. After a short while, a Ceramic Joustmite will free itself and resume its attack. When a Ceramic Joustmite's health reaches three-fourths, it will return to the ground. Airborne Ceramic Joustmites can also be brought to the ground prematurely by having ten or more Pikmin latched onto them at once. Doing so will cause the creatures to plummet to the ground and become temporarily stuck on their side, leaving them vulnerable to swarming as they struggle to reorient themselves.

The Ceramic Joustmite has a striking and colorful appearance. It has a plump, white, grub-like body, and connected to its body are a pair of small wings towards the back and two pairs of pointed legs at the front. Its proboscis is pink and sticks out like a Cloaking Burrow-nit's. The most remarkable feature of the Ceramic Joustmite is its highly-decorated shell, which resembles ceramic and gives the creature its name. It is reflective and primarily blue but has hints of teal at the back and pink on the front. On the front of its shell is a pair of eyespots, giving the creature a mildly cartoonish appearance, with the purple coloration somewhat resembling exaggerated eyebrows that twist up onto the parts of its shell above. Under its shell is its true eyes, which are round, empty, and teal.

In battle, the most optimal strategy against a Ceramic Joustmite is to attack it with Rock Pikmin. Not only can Rock Pikmin not be skewered by the creature's proboscis, but they can also be used to break its shell. The use of bomb rocks is just as effective, as a single one can destroy a Ceramic Joustmite's shell and inflict critical damage to the creature itself. Winged Pikmin and Yellow Pikmin may still be necessary, however, if the creature cannot be killed before it takes to the skies. As with all joustmites, the Ceramic Joustmite's weak point is its rump, but destroying its shell means its entire body can be targeted. Either way, charging Pikmin at the creature is yet another simple, quick, and effective method of taking one down.