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This Article Contains Spoilers -
WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in a story, you may not wish to read beyond this warning: We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of said media should you continue. That is all. |
| “ | Interesting... My metal detectors are reacting violently! I can only conclude that there may be some sort of machine below, but that seems illogical... | „ |
| ~ The Hocotate Freight Ship on the Subterranian Complex, hinting at the Man-at-Legs. |
| “ | I filled my belly with all kinds of snacks. The strongest creatures are the tastiest. Except that ultimate weapon-like one. It was barely edible. | „ |
| ~ Louie's notes on the Ultimate Testing Range, revealing the Man-at-Legs is there. |
The Man-at-Legs are minor antagonists in the Pikmin series, appearing as bosses in Pikmin 2 and Pikmin 4. Unlike many of the hostile species in the game, the Man-at-Legs is the combination of wildlife and machinery, and was seemingly created by the now-absent humanity as living weapon.
Appearance[]
The Man-at-Legs is a comparatively large spider-like creature, with four thin legs (one of which is mechanical) attached to an olive green metallic orb for a torso, with a few missing panels revealing glowing orange skin inside. A red valve is at the top of its body, which opens up occasionally to release smoke. On its underside, the Man-at-Legs can open itself up to reveal a gun, while also showing a pink substance holding the creature together.
Powers and Abilities[]
The Man-at-Legs is unique in its family, the Arachnorbs, as it lacks the flat feet that members of the family use to crush Pikmin. As an alternative, it has a gun stored within its chest, which fires infinite rounds of energy bursts to shoot at its targets. Seeing how the Man-at-Legs needs to occasionally let out steam occasionally, its possible that this weapon can cause it to overheat.
Notably, the Arachnorb that makes up the Man-at-Legs is debatably not in control of its weapon, instead only providing transport. If Olimar's notes on the creature are to be believed, the machinery has a mind of its own, shooting at anything in sight.
Biography[]
Pikmin 2[]
While both fights with the Man-at-Legs can be fought in any order, the intended first fight with the Man-at-Legs is on the last floor of the "Subterranean Complex", a "snowy" labyrinth that slowly reveals itself to be a rusted structure. On the ninth floor, Olimar and company discover the Man-at-Legs resting in the center of the arena. Upon defeat, it's revealed that the Man-at-Legs has ingested a lightbulb dubbed the "Stellar Orb", and its research allows the captains to light up the surrounding areas.
The Man-at-Legs is refought in the "Hole of Heroes", a gauntlet containing numerous beasts and nearly all prior boss fights in the game. The Man-at-Legs is fought on level 13, where it rests in the middle of a giant moat, requiring the use of Blue Pikmin or Bulbmin. Upon defeat, it drops the "Memorable Gyro Block".
Pikmin 4[]
In an alternate timeline of events, the Man-at-Legs is the final opponent in the side mode Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, having taken one of the parts of the S.S. Dolphin in the Hero's Hideaway. Whether or not Olimar fights it is dependent on if Olimar had collected all previous ship parts. Fought or not, the outcome ends up the same, with Olimar failing to leave the planet and turning into the red Leafling in a last ditch effort to stay alive.
Later on, the protagonist can encounter the Man-at-Legs in the "Ultimate Testing Range", where it's implied that it's been kept as a secret weapon. The Man-at-Legs is fought on level 5, where it's nearly identical to it's Subterranean Complex fight in Pikmin 2, albiet with the walls that prevent it from fighting now being destructible with enough damage. Defeating the Man-at-Legs allows for the rescue of the fortune teller Bernise, as well as unlocking a Nintendo 64 controller known as the "Winged Freedom Sculpture" for collecting.
Another Man-at-Legs is fought in the "Cavern for a King", the game's final cave flooded with bosses from the whole game. The Man-at-Legs is fought on level 9, and just like its fight in the "Hole of Heroes", the arena is flooded, necessitating the use of Blue Pikmin once more. Clay pots line the arena, providing cover from its blasts.
Battle Strategy[]
Like many bosses in the Pikmin series, the Man-at-Legs has a simple, repeatable pattern that the player must learn in order to survive. After awakening, the Man-at-Legs will skitter about before opening up its ball-shaped torso, revealing a machine-gun inside. The Man-at-Legs will fire at the player before running out of rounds and reloading, where it continues to skitter about to avoid damage. The Man-at-Legs can also shake off any Pikmin that are attached to it before attacking.
A variety of strategies have been deployed to counter the Man-at-Legs.
- Most of the time, there are indents in the ground that are protected by walls in order to shield the player from the Man-at-Legs' blasts. If present, the player should rush to these before the Man-at-Legs starts to fire.
- The player can dismiss their Pikmin in a safe location before the Man-at-Legs begins firing, and then distract the mechanical beast by circling around it, risking their own health to keep the Pikmin alive. If done successfully, it's possible to escape unharmed.
- Oatchi is incredibly useful during its fights in Pikmin 4. Due to his increased speed, as well as forcing all the player's Pikmin into one target, Oatchi makes the party much harder to hit. That being said, if he is hit by a stray bullet, many Pikmin will be caught in the blast, taking a large chunk of the player's damage output with it.
- As with most enemy encounters, Red or Purple Pikmin are recommended for their higher damage output if one were to fight it normally.
- Winged Pikmin are not advised to be brought in, as although they can charge at it directly, their weaker damage output causes the fight to drag on.
- Both Ice Pikmin and Ultra Bitter Spray are useful, as they can stun the Man-at-Legs for an extended period of time. Although defeating enemies in this state causes them to shatter, the Man-at-Legs does not leave a corpse behind upon defeat, meaning there is no risk for doing so.
Piklopedia Notes[]
| “ | This species of the Arachnorb family fuses with machinery at a crucial point in the maturation process, giving it the ability to fire energy bursts from the launcher beneath its orbular torso. However, the Man-at-Legs itself is not in control of this weapon. Instead, the mechanical portions of its structure appear to automatically acquire and attack targets. The Man-at-Legs has a gentle disposition, and as a member of the Arachnorb species, it has no natural enemies. It is particularly difficult to understand why this species would develop such awesome offensive capabilities, leading to rumors among the scientific community that it was the machinery that approached the arachnorb and proposed the symbiotic relationship. | „ |
| ~ Olimar's Notes |
| “ | Although the meat is a bit on the metallic side, the oil makes a mouthwatering gravy or lubricative vinaigrette. | „ |
| ~ Louie's Notes |
| “ | Having a body made up of living cells, a metabolism, and the ability to produce offspring might be necessary traits to determine if something is truly alive. But this rapid-fire cannon blows away conventional definitions! Is it a machine AND a creature?! What a fascinating possibility! | „ |
| ~ Dalmo's Notes |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The Man-at-Legs is very different from the other members of the Arachnorb family; it is the only one that does not crush Pikmin or fall from the sky. Instead, it comes out of the ground.
- The Man-at-Legs is also the smallest known member.
- The Man-at-Legs' name comes from the term "Man-at-arms", a soldier who has extensive knowledge of various weapons.
- Like a few other bosses, Pikmin could attack the Man-at-Legs before it fully activated. This was removed in the New Play Control! Pikmin 2 release of the game, but restored in Pikmin 4.
- The first part of its scientific name (Pseudoarachnia) means "Fake spider".
- The second part of its scientific name (Navaronia) is likely a reference to the novel turned film Guns of Navarone, given how the Man-at-Legs is equipped with a gun.
External Links[]
- The Man-at-Legs on the Pikipedia
- The Man-at-Legs on the Pikmin Wiki
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 Villains
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