Pianta 3
In this episode, Mario must reclaim FLUDD and rescue the mayor of Pianta Village, all while the level is coated in lava-like goop. This section will be broken down into four steps: (i) Setting up for the damage boost (ii) Damage boosting across the lava (iii) Crossing the mushrooms to FLUDD (iv) Obtaining FLUDD and finishing the level Appendices are provided containing hoverless and damageless strats - the latter of which may be useful for newer players uncomfortable with damage boosting, or bingo players that may encounter a “Pianta 3 damageless” square on their board.
Step 1: Setting up for the damage boost
Cross the wooden bridge using a series of jump dives and rollouts. As Mario crosses the bridge, he will gain the attention of three Wind Spirits. (insert figure here) Next, position Mario at the edge of the goop. Be careful not to bonk into any Piantas or the fence at the other side of the bridge. (insert figure here) The timing for this step is important, as we would like to use the Wind Spirits to hit Mario and obtain i-frames in Step 2.
Step 2: Damage boosting across the lava
The objective is for Mario to take damage from an enemy, and to use the i-frames (i for “invincibility”) to safely cross the lava and make it to safe ground. There are two ways to do this: (1) The ideal approach is for Mario to get hit from behind by one of the Wind Spirits that spawned near the bridge. (insert figure here) (2) If no Wind Spirits are left to hit Mario, you can have Mario get hit by one of the Goomies that spawn in the goop. (insert figure here) Once Mario has taken damage, you now have a short time window to cross the lava. The safest method is to dive-rollout into a spin jump onto the mushroom highlighted in the figure below: (insert figure here) Make sure to spin the analogue stick during the rollout animation so that the spin jump is ready to go once Mario finishes rolling out.
Step 3: Crossing the mushrooms to FLUDD
FLUDD is located at the top of the wooden structure in the middle of the goop, shown here: (insert figure here) To get there, the best approach is to spin jump across the mushrooms. Make sure to ground pound above each mushroom while in the spin jump animation, otherwise Mario will start sliding upon touching the ground. For the last mushroom, instead of ground pounding, you can rollout off the mushroom onto the wooden structure.
Aside: How to Recover From Lava
If Mario takes damage in lava, he will do several short bounces that will each do 1 point of damage. If you are close enough to safe ground, it may be possible to maneuver him towards it and avoid losing a life, getting booted out of the level, losing lots of time, etc. Pay close attention to which way Mario is facing. If you hold the analogue stick in the direction he is facing, you can move him in that direction. If Mario is facing opposite the safe ground you wish to direct him to, leave the analogue stick in its neutral position, and Mario will turn 180 degrees on his next bounce off the lava.
Step 4: Obtaining FLUDD and finishing the level
Once you have picked up FLUDD, the next step is to get on top of the mushroom and clean off the mayor. One method of doing this efficiently is to jump onto the platform the mushroom is growing off of, and hold down on the analogue stick to start a sideflip. The timing of the sideflip is important - if you jump too early Mario will hit the underside of the mushroom, too late and he’ll fall off the platform. (insert figure here) After the sideflip, hover backwards toward the mushroom. If you input a direction on the analogue stick opposite from the one Mario is facing, he will hover backwards without turning around (most of the time). You can quickly clean off the mayor by spam spraying him or backflipping near him followed by a ground pound (see also: Pianta 6). Talk to him and he will spawn the shine.
Full Level Example
(insert video here)
Appendix: Other approaches
Intermediate (insert video here) Advanced (insert video here) Hoverless (insert video here) Damageless (insert video here)