Taking on the responsibility of saving the world can be exhausting, even for iconic heroes like Mario and Luigi. As they navigate through challenges to reconnect the various islands and lighthouses in Mario & Luigi: Brothership, a well-deserved break is warranted. However, is it truly a break if the downtime just leads to yet another encounter with formidable foes?
This brings us to the thrilling challenge of Brothership’s final boss rematch: vanquishing the enhanced Glohm Pipegunk. Once this battle concludes, Mario and Luigi can finally unwind at the resort on Jellyfish Island, if they survive!
Kickstarting the Sidequest
To engage in this sidequest, make your way to Dewey Fightem on Shipshape Island, just like your previous encounter with Glohm Sharpcask. Dewey will alert you to the looming threat posed by Glohm Pipegunk, who has taken residence in the Great Lighthouse of the Brrrning Sea, and he’ll direct you to confront this menace.
Unlocking this particular sidequest necessitates defeating both Glohm Gobblick and Glohm Sharpcask first. Additionally, you must complete the main quest titled Two Geniuses, One Engine.
This quest follows immediately after you’ve successfully linked up Jellyfish Island. Upon completion, you’ll be able to teleport from Shipshape Island through various currents surrounding Concordia.
Moreover, a new array of sidequests opens up, including the intense battle with Glohm Pipegunk. As an extra incentive, Dewey promises to reward you with the second-best boots in the game if you secure a victory in this rematch.
| Item | Description | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Pipegunk Boots DX | Deals 30% more damage to enemies suffering from a status effect. | Jump +146, Def +4 |
Finding Glohm Pipegunk
Your confrontation with Glohm Pipegunk takes place at the depths of the Brrrning Sea’s Great Lighthouse, precisely in the spot where you first battled him. Once you arrive, head to the dungeon entrance and utilize the Green Pipe to transport yourself to the boss chamber.
Located conveniently by the Green Pipe is a Recovery Block; however, you’ll need to venture south to find the nearest Save Block. It’s wise to save your progress before initiating the boss fight!
When you’re prepared for battle, make your way through the northern door and descend the stairs to face Glohm Pipegunk.
A Question Block is located just beyond Glohm Pipegunk, revealing a 1-Up DX item. Additionally, the door to the east leads to another Question Block, which contains the Celebrity Wear equipment. I overlooked these items during my first visit to the dungeon since they’re positioned past the boss—now is an ideal time to grab them!
Gear Up for Battle
Glohm Pipegunk ranks as one of the toughest rematches orchestrated by Dewey and is arguably among the most challenging bosses in the game. He is not particularly discreet, but you’ll want to approach this battle with a recommended level of at least 43.
In comparison, Brothership advises reaching level 44 before attempting the final boss. Clearly, Glohm Pipegunk poses a significant threat.
As with any tough opponent, ensure you are well-stocked with essential items: 1-Up Mushrooms, Syrups, and Nuts. Don’t hesitate to utilize your best items during this encounter; after all, that’s what you’ve been saving them for!
If you’re running low on Refreshing Herbs, you should definitely gather more, as Glohm Pipegunk can inflict a range of debilitating status ailments.
In particular, consider using the rare Candies during this battle. These items are the most effective for restoring both HP and BP, but remember, you can’t purchase Candies!
Strategizing with Battle Plugs
Glohm Pipegunk utilizes three different status effects: Burn, Ice, and Glohm. Among these, Glohm can be particularly detrimental as it hinders Bros. Attacks and Luigi Logic.
Before entering the fray, ensure you have the Glohm Guard equipped to mitigate this status effect, a Battle Plug automatically obtained after your encounter with Zokket.
If you haven’t faced Zokket yet, the Auto Ampberry plug serves as a solid backup, especially in conjunction with Boomerang Items to conserve your limited stock of Ampberries.
To guard against Burn and Ice effects, it’s wise to equip the Temperature Guard. You don’t need to set this up before the fight begins, as Glohm Pipegunk only inflicts elemental damage when he rotates into those parts of the arena.
If you wish to conserve Battle Plug slots dedicated to defense, the Auto Herb plug is a practical choice. While it won’t prevent status ailments, it allows each brother to use a Refreshing Herb for free on their turns, thereby diminishing the effects. However, keep in mind that the herb has only a 50% chance of curing Glohm!
With so many items at your disposal during this confrontation, employing the Spirited Items and Deluxe Items plugs can yield a potent combination. Your Auto plugs will utilize more impactful items, and you’ll benefit from additional buffs!
When it comes to offensive Battle Plugs, it’s pretty straightforward:
- Anti-Glohm Specialist: Turns your Jump and Hammer attacks into critical strikes.
- Fiery Attack and Icy Attack: Provide bonus damage depending on Glohm Pipegunk’s elemental type.
- Bros. Boost: Essential for delivering heavy damage to Glohm Pipegunk.
There’s no harm in frequently tweaking your Battle Plugs! Since doing so doesn’t consume a turn, feel free to make adjustments. Personally, I found diligent management of Battle Plugs necessary for overcoming the more challenging bosses in Brothership.
Engaging Glohm Pipegunk
Glohm Pipegunk takes elements from his predecessors, being a faster and more aggressive version of earlier bosses. Unlike many of Brothership’s other boss encounters, this fight does not lend itself well to cautious strategies and grinding tactics.
Defensive gameplay is crucial; keeping both brothers intact allows access to your most powerful abilities. However, be mindful that Glohm Pipegunk can heal himself. When engaged in elemental sections of the arena, he can restore approximately 500 HP during his turn.
This amount of health can significantly impact the battle, even in the later stages of the game! As Luigi Logic appears to activate based on a boss’s HP threshold, Glohm Pipegunk’s persistent healing complicates “whittling him down”strategies, making it tougher than typical boss fights.
Utilize high-damage Bros. Attacks, like Mario’s Red Shell or Luigi’s Jump Helmet, to inflict consistent damage throughout the encounter. Preserve as much BP as possible for Glohm Pipegunk’s stun phase.
When the boss is stunned, deploy the Bros. Boost plug alongside powerful attacks like Mario’s Clockout Blow or Luigi’s Yoohoo Cannon to deal substantial damage.
The Power of Luigi Logic
During the encounter, a shadowy replica of Shun (a member of Zokket’s Extension Squad) appears and manipulates the arena’s elemental state. Utilizing Luigi Logic, you’re able to seize the remote control from Shun and alter the arena’s environment.
Always strive to transform the arena to counter Glohm Pipegunk’s current element. This tactic not only damages and stuns the boss but also maximizes the potential for critical damage during your Bros. Attacks.
The mini-game that follows mirrors your first fight, with the primary difference being that you’ll need to mash B faster to snatch the remote. Fortunately, the difficulty increment is minor compared to the overall challenge of the fight.
Once you have defeated Glohm Pipegunk, you will be rewarded with a Rainbow Medallion (which is valued at a staggering 10,000 coins!). Don’t forget to return to Shipshape Island to wrap up the sidequest and claim your new stomping boots!
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