Careening Dirigibugs (サクレウラメ) are extremely strange creatures found in Pikmin 2. Colorful balloon-like appendages allow them to drift gracefully around their underground territories. Despite their comical appearance, when approached, Dirigibugs pull Bomb Rocks from their mouths and toss them onto the ground with the intent of blowing Pikmin off the map which makes them quite threatening enemies, especially when trying to carry treasure or deal with other enemies. This can be taken advantage of, to damage other enemies. Dirigibugs can be defeated in the same manner as Scarpanids and other flying enemies: Olimar and Louie must rapidly throw Pikmin onto it while in the air (one Purple Pikmin also works) and swarm it when it falls.
These beasts are only found underground, which includes caves, Challenge Mode and a single 2-Player stage, Hostile Territory.
Notes
Olimar's Notes
"This creature floats effortlessly through the air using gas-filled balloons. Both its appearance and its nature are antagonistic. And it is the only variant of its species in this ecosystem. It may be best to consider the possibility that it somehow wandered into this ecosystem from an entirely alien one. Positive proof does not exist at this point, but that is how the creature is currently classified."
Louie's Notes
"Pull off the balloonlike air sacs, mince the meaty abdomen, and shape it into small cakes. Pan-sear the cakes until crusted, but be careful not to overcook the delicate meat. When ready to serve, garnish the plate with the vibrant air sacs. Even the most discerning dinner guest will be dazzled by the colorful presentation!"
Nintendo Player's Guide
"It's a wonder that a creature with such festive-looking balloons can be so dangerous, but the Careening Dirigibug is bad. It produces bomb-rocks and drops them into crowds. Keep your Pikmin clear of the fallen rocks, and hit the Dirigibugs by flinging troops at them between bombing runs."
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Trophy
"A dangerous, offensive-minded creature. It uses balloons to keep it afloat as it flies through the air and drops bomb-rocks on ground-bound prey. These bomb-rocks sometimes turn out to be duds, but since the slightest stimulus can set these things off, the utmost care should be taken when dealing with them."
Glitches
There is a rare glitch that you will see one floating without balloons.
In some dungeons like the Hole of Heroes, a Careening Dirigibug can throw a bomb rock over a barrier when trying to kill your Pikmin on the other side. In the Cavern of Chaos, some can get caught in the pipes.
One glitch that can occur with the Careening DirigiBug involves invisible bombs. A captain may activate a bomb while the DirigiBug is still holding it, which will cause it to explode while the creature is still holding the bomb.
"Invisible" Bomb glitch
The Careening DirigiBug continues the "holding" animation, even when there is no bomb there. It will eventually perform the throwing animation with the bomb that is not there.
Battle Strategies
Olimar and Louie can also throw Pikmin or, alternatively, a Purple Pikmin onto its underside, which will fling the bomb rock to a random place and can land close or far from the Pikmin. Be warned, if the Purple lands when the bomb rock lands, the bomb rock will instantly detonate. If it lands far away, Olimar and Louie should throw Pikmin onto the creature. If it lands close, Olimar and Louie should retreat as the bomb rock will explode on their Pikmin if they throw. If done correctly, the creature should be defeated in 1 to 3 cycles.
Careending Dirigibugs are also useful in that they can take out other enemies. The player must walk towards an or several enemies, and allow it to follow you. Once you have reached a group of enemies, separate your pikmin so they do not get hurt, and then go around the enemies in the Careening Dirigibug's view, then let it throw a bomb rock in front of you and the enemies. Then you must retreat, and watch the bomb rock as it detonates on the enemies.
Its bomb rock can also be used to kill a Careening Dirigibug, although it can be pretty hard to pull off since the Dirigibug is impervious to bomb rock explosions as long as it is airborne (even if it is in the blast radius). To kill the Careending Dirigibug with its bomb rock, you need to let it throw its bomb rock. After waiting the bomb rock to get close to detonation, throw a Pikmin onto the dirigibug, causing it to fall to the ground. Quickly call back the Pikmin to avoid blowing it up. If timed correctly, the bomb rock should explode while the Careening Dirigibug is struggling on the ground.
Gallery
