The Arachnode (マリグモ?, lit.: "Temari Spider") is a spider-like enemy in Pikmin 3 and Pikmin 4 that lives on interactable webs. While dormant on its web, it resembles a cocoon, with a black and yellow striped, sphere-shaped body. This shape and coloring comes from the eight legs wrapped tightly around its body; its actual body is a small black orb with yellow circles instead of stripes. The web will collapse once the Arachnode is defeated.
Pikmin caught in the web can be saved by whistling at them. This is important, especially with a small squad, as Pikmin shaken off by the Arachnode will usually get stuck in the web. Winged Pikmin carrying objects will get stuck in webs that are along their route, making webs a significant obstacle for this type of Pikmin.
Stats
Behavior
The Arachnode sits still when nothing is near, but when a leader or a Pikmin is thrown into its web, it will take on its spider-like form and attack its ensnared prey. It eats Pikmin by clamping down on them with its wide mouth, and it eats them quickly, so it can be difficult to save them in time. It may also wander around the web freely in order to avoid Pikmin that are being thrown at it. When all Pikmin are removed from the web, the Arachnode will take a moment and then go back into its resting state. It does not return to a specific point on the web to rest, so it can be put in a more vulnerable position for a second attack. When an Arachnode is defeated, it will fall to the ground and its web will collapse.
In Pikmin 3, if unsupervised Winged Pikmin carry an item right into an Arachnode's web, they will get stuck, whatever goods they had will fall to the ground, and the creature will proceed to eat them. Fortunately, Arachnodes pose no threat to any other types of Pikmin when left unattended.
In Pikmin 4, Pikmin will go in a circle or choose any other way if the object does not fit. There are 2 sizes for the webs, floating and down to the ground. The floating webs will stop Winged Pikmin, Oatchi, and any big object, while the webs that are down to the ground will stop everything, forcing Pikmin to take a different path.
Bizarrely, when a leader is thrown into an Arachnode's web in Pikmin 3, said leader will become slightly two-dimensional. If the enemy attacks, the leader may shrink even further or disappear altogether. This is merely aesthetic, however.
Locations
Pikmin 3
Areas
- Twilight River - One does not respawn
- There are five Arachnodes in this area, but one will not respawn after being defeated. The first Arachnode is located in the first main segment, towards the southeast. It is the Arachnode that has the Winged Onion stuck in its web. Once this enemy has been defeated, it will not respawn. The second Arachnode can be found in the cave, the one towards the northwest of the first main segment. The Arachnode is located in the northeastern part of this cave, guarding the three Juicy Gaggles. The remaining three Arachnodes are located in the second main segment. One can be found at the northwestern part of this segment, relatively close to a Burgeoning Spiderwort. Another is located slightly southwest of the previous Arachnode, on the raised section blocked off by a dirt wall. This Arachnode's web blocks Winged Pikmin from safely moving the pile of bridge fragments underneath the clipboard. The final Arachnode can be found towards the south, on the raised section surrounded by water. It has a web between the northern part of this section and the pillar holding some more bridge fragments, and just below the Arachnode is a Skeeterskate.
- Formidable Oak
- There are two Arachnodes in this area. The first Arachnode is located in the first main segment, towards the east. It is in a web just above a fragment bridge. Directly east of this Arachnode is the pathway leading to the second main segment, which is where the other Arachnode is found. In this second main segment, the Arachnode can be found on the raised section towards the north, just after the four Bloominous Stemples. Below the Arachnode is a dirt-mound containing either a Secret File or the To my family data file from Olimar's Log Vol. 2 (Exploration Notes).
Side Stories
Olimar's Comeback
- Another Part Found
- There is one Arachnode in this day's area, and it can be found directly next to where Olimar and Louie start the stage. It shares the same location as one of the Arachnodes found during Story Mode.
Mission Mode
Collect Treasures!
Battle Enemies!
- Twilight River Remix
- Beastly Caverns
- There are two Arachnodes in this stage. They can both be found in the central segment, with one being directly south of the SPERO and the other being towards the northeast.
Pikmin 4
Areas
- Giant's Hearth
- There are four Arachnodes in this area. The first Arachnode is located directly between the Line of Logs base and the Abandoned Throne base. There is a Stately Rubber Cutie stuck in its web. The second Arachnode can be found along the northern path from the Line of Logs base, just beyond the two patrolling Spotty Bulbears. It is next to some dried plants, and it is directly below the area's only lit bonfire altar. The third Arachnode is located in the northeasternmost section, which contains a clay valve and a Dandori Challenge cave entrance. The fourth and final Arachnode can be found towards the far east, above some water that can be drained. In its web, there will be a Universal Rubber Cutie.
Caves
Olimar's Shipwreck Tale
- Sun-Speckled Terrace
- There are three Arachnodes in this tale's area. The first Arachnode is located slightly west of the Rugged Scaffold base, the tale's default base, with it being at the top of the clay mound. The second Arachnode can be found a bit more northwest of the previous Arachnode, alongside a Puffy Blowhog. This Arachnode has an Automatic Gear stuck in its web. The third and final Arachnode is directly south of the Rugged Scaffold base, with it being on the raised section. This Arachnode is also near a Puffy Blowhog, and its web holds the Nova Blaster.
Strategy
|
The following article or section contains guides.
The strategies shown are just suggestions.
|
Rock Pikmin will kill an Arachnode in just three hits (just two in Pikmin 3 Deluxe's Normal difficulty) and can hit the Arachnode from either side of its web. Other Pikmin types can only attack the Arachnode on the side in which it rests, and they can get stuck if the Arachnode is too high or if they are thrown from too close to the web. Winged Pikmin are best for getting an Arachnode down from a high point in its web since they can charge at it, after which point other, stronger Pikmin can be employed. If Winged Pikmin are not available, any Pikmin can latch on to a low-resting Arachnode with a careful throw, and Yellow Pikmin can usually reach a high-resting one. As a last resort, a Pikmin or a leader can be thrown into the web to bait the Arachnode into a vulnerable position.
Notes
Alph's comments
US version
“Structural flaw: weak hide
Weight: 3
This creature's most dangerous weapon isn't its jaws—it's its web. Anything that touches the web, such as thrown Pikmin, gets stuck and must be quickly rescued before it's eaten. I've seen its web trap Winged Pikmin and withstand blows from Rock Pikmin, so those fibers must be tougher than they look. If we could build a suit out of them, I could be that tough too!
”
European version
“Structural flaw: weak hide
Weight: 3
This creature's most dangerous weapon isn't its jaws, it's its web. Anything that touches the web, such as thrown Pikmin, gets stuck and must be quickly rescued before it's eaten. I've seen its web trap Winged Pikmin and withstand blows from Rock Pikmin, so those fibres must be tougher than they look. If we could build a suit out of them, I could be that tough too!
” Brittany's comments
“Be quick and you can whistle to get Pikmin unstuck from its webs. If you're feeling daring, you can touch the web to lure the arachnode away, but if you're on the wrong side, you'll see your Pikmin get eaten in front of you.”
Charlie's comments
“This is a tricky one. We can't charge until it moves, but it doesn't move unless it senses prey in its web. Since I mustn't risk the lives of my squad, there's no other choice. I must volunteer to be the bait! Good luck, troops! My life will be in your hands!”
Louie's comments
- US version
“Pluck off the legs, crack open, and savor the meat inside. Dip them in soy sauce first for a nice mix of sweet and salty.”
- European version
“Pluck off the legs, crack open, and savour the meat inside. Dip them in soy sauce first for a nice mix of sweet and salty.”
Olimar's comments
- US version
“Arachnode
Clavo fictusphera
Awrapnid family
This spiderlike creature has distinctive yellow stripes on its black carapace. It spins webs in high-traffic areas and waits for prey to blunder into them. Unlike its relatives in the arachnorb and dweevil families, it's ambisexual and has eight legs. Some theorize that its gynandry is meant to aid in reproduction, though of course it cannot reproduce on its own. There is another theory that this species is in fact two organisms of opposing gender stuck together, but since no one has ever found a four-legged, single-sexed specimen, this remains speculative.
”
- European version
“Arachnode
Clavo fictusphera
Awrapnid family
This spiderlike creature has distinctive yellow stripes on its black carapace. It spins webs in high-traffic areas and waits for prey to blunder into them. Unlike its relatives in the Arachnorb and Dweevil families, it's ambisexual and has eight legs. Some theorise that its gynandry is meant to aid in reproduction, though of course it cannot reproduce on its own. There is another theory that this species is in fact two organisms of opposing gender stuck together, but since no one has ever found a four-legged, single-sexed specimen, this remains speculative.
”
Dalmo's notes
“It has an agreeable personality, and as long as a meal doesn't get caught in its web, it will sit there, curled up into a cuddly ball and waiting. You'll have to throw some food or even use yourself as bait if you wish to see it moving. What a leisurely method of hunting!”
Olimar's notes (Pikmin 4)
“This spiderlike creature has distinctive yellow stripes on its black carapace. It spins webs in high-traffic areas and waits for prey to blunder into them.
Unlike its relatives in the Arachnorb and Dweevil families, it's ambisexual and has eight legs. Some theorize that its gynandry is meant to aid in reproduction, though of course it cannot reproduce on its own.
There is another theory that this species is in fact two organisms of opposing gender stuck together, but since no one has ever found a four-legged, single-sexed specimen, this remains speculative.
”
Louie's notes (Pikmin 4)
“Pluck off the legs, crack open, and savor the meat inside. Dip them in soy sauce first for a nice mix of sweet and salty.”
Pikmin 3 website
“An eight-legged creature that traps its prey in a sticky web.”
Pikmin 3 Prima Guide
“The Arachnode is only able to attack Pikmin that become tangled in its web. When you first encounter a web, look for the attached Arachnode. To defeat the enemy quickly, throw a few Rock Pikmin directly at an Arachnode. You can also use a squad of Winged Pikmin to overwhelm an Arachnode with a single charge attack.
Because the Arachnode's web is fairly tall, the creature often moves out your standard throwing range. Use Yellow Pikmin or Winged Pikmin to attack an Arachnode when it retreats to the top of its web. If any of your Pikmin become ensnared in the web, use the whistle to rescue them. When you defeat an Arachnode, its web unravels.
”
Technical information
Other information
- Pikmin 4 Piklopedia number: #42
Naming
- Common name: Arachnode. From "arachnid" and "node".
- Japanese nickname: マリグモ?. It simply translates to "Ball Spider". However, it refers specifically to a temari, a traditional Japanese ball toy.
- Japanese name: ヨコスジタマモドキ?, lit.: "Pseudo Horizontally-striped Ball".
- Scientific name: Clavo fictusphera. Fictus and sphera are Latin for "fake" and "sphere", respectively.
- Internal names: Internally, its is called
kumo, which is a Romanization of クモ? (lit.: "spider")
- Prerelease: None.
Names in other languages
| Language
|
Name
|
Meaning
|
Notes
|
 Japanese |
マリグモ?
Mari Gumo |
Temari Spider |
|
 Chinese
(traditional) |
黃斑蛛
Huáng Bān Zhū |
Yellow Spotted Spider |
|
 Chinese
(simplified) |
黄斑蛛
Huáng Bān Zhū |
Yellow Spotted Spider |
|
 Dutch |
Spinneweps |
Spiderweb |
The name is a misspelling of the Dutch word 'spinnenweb', which means 'spiderweb'. The way it is misspelled resembles phonetically how a young child might say 'spinnenweb'.
|
 French |
Arachnodule |
Arachnodule |
The name is a portmanteau of "arachnide" (arachnid) and "nodule" (small round shape). A nodule is the word used to describe very small globes or spheres, so it is referencing the Arachnorb's smaller orb size.
|
 German |
Hornissarak |
Hornetvil |
The name is a portmanteau of "Hornisse" (hornet) and "arak" (German name for the Dweevil family)
|
 Italian |
Aracnopalla |
Arachnoball |
|
 Korean |
구슬거미
Guseul-Geomi |
Marble Spider |
From 구슬 (marble) and 거미 (spider)
|
 Portuguese |
Bolaranha |
Ballpider |
The name is a portmanteau of "bola" (ball) and "aranha" (spider)
|
 Spanish |
Bolaraña |
Ballpider |
The name is a portmanteau of "bola" (ball) and "araña" (spider)
|
Gallery
Pikmin 3
Artwork of the Arachnode from Pikmin 3.
The form it takes while waiting for something to fall on its trap.
Charlie caught on the Arachnode's web.
Alph caught on the Arachnode's web.
Side view of the Arachnode.
Analysis of the Arachnode.
An Arachnode eating a Pikmin stuck in its web.
The corpse of an Arachnode.
The backside of an Arachnode corpse with its mouth visible.
Pikmin 4
An Arachnode with a leafling
castaway in its web.
An Arachnode eating a
Pikpik Carrot in the Piklopedia. Note its flytrap-like mouth.
Trivia
See also
