Character Sheet: Pianta (Main 3D Games)

PIANTA

Now, let's move on to all newcomers to the roster, either by being introduced in these last five games, or by finally gaining enough source material to be upgraded to the status of playable character. In the end, my count is thirteen new characters, two of whom are echo fighters.

8e. Toadette
17e. King Boo
24. F.L.U.D.D. Mario
25. Rosalina & Luma
26. Cappy
27. Bowser Jr.
28. Shadow Mario
29. Pianta
30. Blooper
31. Monty Mole
32. Honeybee
33. Petey Piranha
34. The Broodals

Next up is Pianta, the local population of Isle Delfino and the most prominent NPCs in Super Mario Sunshine. They make a reappearance in Super Mario Galaxy 2 as residents of the beach-themed levels. I originally was not going to include the Piantas, as they didn't really seem to do much on first glance, however, upon further consideration of what little they are seen doing, and a few things unique to Sunshine than can easily be applied to them, making them a semi-reference character, I figured they were actually quite suited to being playable characters.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Fruit Juice
This one is primarily borrowed from Yoshi's unique move in this game, which is to spray a stream of juice from his mouth upon eating a fruit. As the move is likely to eventually be replaced in Yoshi's moveset (he has other abilities far more iconic), it seems fitting for the Pianta to take it up.

Side B: Watermelon

This move comes from the notorious sidequest in Super Mario Sunshine involving Mario rolling a giant watermelon a long distance. Basically, the Pianta will roll the giant watermelon which will then barrel through opponents before eventually splattering.

Up B: Chuckya

This is one of the few abilities actually demonstrated by the Piantas themselves. A second Pianta will appear on stage, grabbing the player Pianta and chucking them as hard as they can in the direction indicated.

Down B: Noki

The Pianta will toss out a Noki shell, which will spin and do damage to those around it. This doubles as representation for the Piantas' fellow island inhabitants, who unfortunately did not offer up enough to base a moveset on.

Final Smash: Shine Sprites

This one is the same as F.L.U.D.D. Mario's final smash, with the Pianta holding a giant Shine above his head as it glows and a bunch of smaller Shines circle around it.

Entrance: Maybe their animation when they're freed from the paint goop and shake themselves off?

Taunts: Definitely a hula dance. Maybe their angry animation too. And of course, their mumbling noise must be included as well.

Next up: The Blooper, who can thank Sunshine for its upgrade to playable.