- “Curses! I thought we were doing a great job of confusing you! I'll be back!”
- —Duplighost, Paper Mario
Duplighosts are ghost-like creatures that can take on the appearance, voice and abilities of other people. They appear primarily as enemies in Paper Mario, with only a notable one appearing in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. To attack, Duplighosts can either fly into Mario, or turn into his current partner; in this guise, the Duplighost gains that partner's basic single-target attack and physical properties (e.g., a Duplighost turned into Watt will damage Mario or his partner with Electro Dash, and will hurt them if they make contact with it).
Their name is a portmanteau of "duplicate" and "ghost".
History
Paper Mario
The first Duplighost appears alongside Kooper
In Paper Mario, Duplighosts start to appear during Chapter 7, in the Crystal Palace. They imitate other objects and characters in order to confuse Mario, often using the mirrors in the palace.
On the path to the Crystal Palace, one Duplighost pretends to be Kooper; Mario must hammer the impostor, then defeat the Duplighost in battle. In the Crystal Palace, four Duplighosts appear and pretend to be Bombette when Mario uses her to destroy one of the walls. The fakes can be distinguished by the way they speak, such as using more hearts or more exclamation points. Hitting the impostors with Mario's hammer will expose them, with all four running off once they are revealed; if the real Bombette is hammered, Mario must fight the four Duplighosts. Another instance occurs within the Crystal Palace when four Duplighosts attempt to impersonate Kooper, but instead disguise themselves as Luigi, Goompa, Koopa Koot, and Kolorado. As before, Mario can drive off the obvious fakes by hammering them, and if the player opts to hit Kooper instead, the four Duplighosts must be battled. At another point, one imitates Mario's reflection in a mirror. Elsewhere in the palace, undisguised Duplighosts appear as standard patrolling enemies.
Another Duplighost appears later on in Bowser's Castle, trying to trick Mario into believing it is Princess Peach. Mario can break the Duplighost's disguise by hammering the fake princess repeatedly, leading to a battle where he must defeat four of them.
A blue Duplighost named Lee is one of the students at the Toad Town Dojo, and can be fought as an optional boss to obtain the Second-Degree Card.
In the parade during at the credits, two Duplighosts are seen impersonating Crystal King, which are followed by the real Crystal King who reveals their disguises and berates them.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door has only one Duplighost, Doopliss, who stays in the Creepy Steeple. Many of the Twilighters refer to him as a demon, since they have never seen him in person. Doopliss appears as an enemy of Mario several times throughout the game, starting with the events of Chapter 4.
Doopliss causes the members of Twilight Town to become pigs whenever the bell tolls, and demonstrates the special ability to steal another character's body while copying them. Doopliss attempts to steal Mario's identity, even succeeding for a little while, until he is exposed by the real Mario and Vivian. Doopliss later becomes a member of the Shadow Sirens, replacing Vivian. In battle, he has the same powers and abilities as regular Duplighosts: using a swooping attack, and transforming into either Mario's partner to use their basic, single-target attack, or into Mario to use Jump and Hammer.
Profiles and statistics
| Paper Mario enemy
|
| Duplighost
|
|
Max HP
|
15
|
Attack
|
4
|
Defense
|
0
|
| Role
|
Common, boss
|
Type
|
Ground
|
Level
|
23
|
| Strong
|
None
|
Weak
|
None
|
Moves
|
Headbutt (4), Copy (copies current partner)
|
| Sleep?
|
60%, -1
|
Dizzy?
|
75%, -1
|
Shock?
|
75%, 1
|
| Shrink?
|
75%, 0
|
Stop?
|
80%, -1
|
Fright?
|
50%
|
| Air Lift?
|
80%
|
Hurricane?
|
70%
|
Coins
|
1 + 2-6
|
| Items
|
Mystery?
|
Run
|
32
|
Location(s)
|
Shiver Mountain, Crystal Palace, Bowser's Castle
|
| Tattle
|
This is a Duplighost. Duplighosts disguise themselves as members of our party. Max HP: 15, Attack Power: 4, Defense Power: 0 They love to attack in disguise. It seems like they're generally stronger fighters when they're not disguised, though.
|
| Paper Mario enemy
|
| Goombario??? (Duplighost)
|
|
Max HP
|
15
|
Attack
|
1/2/3
|
Defense
|
0
|
| Role
|
Common, boss
|
Type
|
Ground
|
Level
|
23
|
| Strong
|
None
|
Weak
|
None
|
Moves
|
Headbonk (1/2/3 x 2), Tattle (no effect)
|
| Sleep?
|
60%, -1
|
Dizzy?
|
75%, -1
|
Shock?
|
75%, 0
|
| Shrink?
|
75%, 0
|
Stop?
|
80%, -1
|
Fright?
|
50%
|
| Air Lift?
|
80%
|
Hurricane?
|
70%
|
Coins
|
1
|
| Items
|
N/A
|
Run
|
32
|
Location(s)
|
Shiver Mountain, Crystal Palace, Bowser's Castle
|
| Tattle
|
It's a Duplighost disguised as me. Max HP: 15 It'll do Headbonk and Tattle. That looks nothing like me. Does it? No! Seriously, though, does it? Mario? Hello? Look, I've been working out like crazy trying to get in shape for adventuring. There's just no way I'm that pudgy!
|
| Paper Mario enemy
|
| Kooper??? (Duplighost)
|
|
Max HP
|
15
|
Attack
|
2/3/5
|
Defense
|
1 (standing), 0 (flipped)
|
| Role
|
Common, boss
|
Type
|
Ground
|
Level
|
23
|
| Strong
|
None
|
Weak
|
None
|
Moves
|
Shell Toss (2/3/5), Stand Up
|
| Sleep?
|
60%, -1
|
Dizzy?
|
75%, -1
|
Shock?
|
75%, 0
|
| Shrink?
|
75%, 0
|
Stop?
|
80%, -1
|
Fright?
|
50%
|
| Air Lift?
|
80%
|
Hurricane?
|
70%
|
Coins
|
1
|
| Items
|
N/A
|
Run
|
32
|
Location(s)
|
Shiver Mountain, Crystal Palace, Bowser's Castle
|
| Tattle
|
It's a Duplighost disguised as Kooper. Max HP: 15 This imposter almost looks better than the original! Ha! Its disguise is pretty much perfect. Its attack power is exactly the same as the character it's imitating. It's probably not very difficult for this Duplighost to disguise itself as Kooper. After all, our pal is pretty unusual looking. It'll attack us with its shell, just like the regular Kooper. You'll have the best luck beating it if you flip it.
|
| Paper Mario enemy
|
| Bombette??? (Duplighost)
|
|
Max HP
|
15
|
Attack
|
2/3/5
|
Defense
|
0
|
| Role
|
Common, boss
|
Type
|
Ground
|
Level
|
23
|
| Strong
|
None
|
Weak
|
Fire (KO), Explosion (KO), Electric (KO), Shock (KO)
|
Moves
|
Body Slam (2/3/5)
|
| Sleep?
|
60%, -1
|
Dizzy?
|
75%, -1
|
Shock?
|
75%, 0
|
| Shrink?
|
75%, 0
|
Stop?
|
80%, -1
|
Fright?
|
50%
|
| Air Lift?
|
80%
|
Hurricane?
|
70%
|
Coins
|
1
|
| Items
|
N/A
|
Run
|
32
|
Location(s)
|
Shiver Mountain, Crystal Palace, Bowser's Castle
|
| Tattle
|
It's a Duplighost disguised as Bombette. Max HP: 15 Its disguise is pretty much perfect. Its attack power is exactly the same as Bombette's. You should be careful even though she looks cute.
|
| Paper Mario enemy
|
| Parakarry??? (Duplighost)
|
|
Max HP
|
15
|
Attack
|
2/3/5
|
Defense
|
1
|
| Role
|
Common, boss
|
Type
|
Flying
|
Level
|
23
|
| Strong
|
None
|
Weak
|
None
|
Moves
|
Sky Dive (2/3/5)
|
| Sleep?
|
60%, -1
|
Dizzy?
|
75%, -1
|
Shock?
|
75%, 0
|
| Shrink?
|
75%, 0
|
Stop?
|
80%, -1
|
Fright?
|
50%
|
| Air Lift?
|
80%
|
Hurricane?
|
70%
|
Coins
|
1
|
| Items
|
N/A
|
Run
|
32
|
Location(s)
|
Shiver Mountain, Crystal Palace, Bowser's Castle
|
| Tattle
|
It's a Duplighost disguised as Parakarry. Max HP: 15 He looks even more intelligent as an enemy. Its disguise is pretty much perfect. Its attack power is exactly the same as Parakarry's. Don't underestimate him, Mario. He looks pretty serious.
|
| Paper Mario enemy
|
| Bow??? (Duplighost)
|
|
Max HP
|
15
|
Attack
|
1
|
Defense
|
0
|
| Role
|
Common, boss
|
Type
|
Flying
|
Level
|
23
|
| Strong
|
None
|
Weak
|
None
|
Moves
|
Smack (1 x 4/5/6)
|
| Sleep?
|
60%, -1
|
Dizzy?
|
75%, -1
|
Shock?
|
75%, 0
|
| Shrink?
|
75%, 0
|
Stop?
|
80%, -1
|
Fright?
|
50%
|
| Air Lift?
|
80%
|
Hurricane?
|
70%
|
Coins
|
1
|
| Items
|
N/A
|
Run
|
32
|
Location(s)
|
Shiver Mountain, Crystal Palace, Bowser's Castle
|
| Tattle
|
It's a Duplighost disguised as Bow. Max HP: 15 Its disguise is pretty much perfect. Its attack power is exactly the same as Bow's. Look, you've seen her in action. Do you really want to know what a Smack attack feels like?
|
| Paper Mario enemy
|
| Watt??? (Duplighost)
|
|
Max HP
|
15
|
Attack
|
3/4/5
|
Defense
|
0
|
| Role
|
Common, boss
|
Type
|
Flying
|
Level
|
23
|
| Strong
|
Electric
|
Weak
|
None
|
Moves
|
Electro Dash (3/4/5)
|
| Sleep?
|
60%, -1
|
Dizzy?
|
75%, -1
|
Shock?
|
75%, 0
|
| Shrink?
|
75%, 0
|
Stop?
|
80%, -1
|
Fright?
|
50%
|
| Air Lift?
|
80%
|
Hurricane?
|
70%
|
Coins
|
1
|
| Items
|
N/A
|
Run
|
32
|
Location(s)
|
Shiver Mountain, Crystal Palace, Bowser's Castle
|
| Tattle
|
It's a Duplighost disguised as Watt. Max HP: 15 Its disguise is pretty much perfect. Its attack power is exactly the same as the character it's imitating. You know how Watt is shocking? Same goes for this Duplighost.
|
| Paper Mario enemy
|
| Sushie??? (Duplighost)
|
|
Max HP
|
15
|
Attack
|
3/4/5
|
Defense
|
0
|
| Role
|
Common, boss
|
Type
|
Ground
|
Level
|
23
|
| Strong
|
None
|
Weak
|
None
|
Moves
|
Belly Flop (3/4/5)
|
| Sleep?
|
60%, -1
|
Dizzy?
|
75%, -1
|
Shock?
|
75%, 0
|
| Shrink?
|
75%, 0
|
Stop?
|
80%, -1
|
Fright?
|
50%
|
| Air Lift?
|
80%
|
Hurricane?
|
70%
|
Coins
|
1
|
| Items
|
N/A
|
Run
|
32
|
Location(s)
|
Shiver Mountain, Crystal Palace, Bowser's Castle
|
| Tattle
|
It's a Duplighost disguised as Sushie. Max HP: 15 Its face looks even grouchier than the real thing! Its disguise is pretty much perfect. Its attack power is exactly the same as Sushie's. I'm glad we have Sushie on our side. She's intimidating! I wonder if this imposter is meddlesome as well...
|
| Paper Mario enemy
|
| Lakilester??? (Duplighost)
|
|
Max HP
|
15
|
Attack
|
3/4/5
|
Defense
|
0
|
| Role
|
Common, boss
|
Type
|
Flying
|
Level
|
23
|
| Strong
|
None
|
Weak
|
None
|
Moves
|
Spiny Flip (3/4/5)
|
| Sleep?
|
60%, -1
|
Dizzy?
|
75%, -1
|
Shock?
|
75%, 0
|
| Shrink?
|
75%, 0
|
Stop?
|
80%, -1
|
Fright?
|
50%
|
| Air Lift?
|
80%
|
Hurricane?
|
70%
|
Coins
|
1
|
| Items
|
N/A
|
Run
|
32
|
Location(s)
|
Shiver Mountain, Crystal Palace, Bowser's Castle
|
| Tattle
|
It's a Duplighost disguised as Lakilester. Max HP: 15 It's hard to take him seriously. Its disguise is pretty much perfect. Its attack power is exactly the same as Lakilester's. It's tough to dodge his Spiny Flip, so pay attention.
|
- If a Duplighost disguises as Goombario, it can use Tattle, the information of which is shown below.
- "It's Mario, silly! He's here to save Princess Peach, who was captured by Bowser. Remember? He fights until the bitter end, no matter what enemies attack."
Tattle of Duplighost disguised as Peach
- "It looks like Princess Peach, but something just doesn't seem right... I mean, I've never met the Princess, but I thought she was more... sweet. Hey, Mario, is she really Princess Peach?"
Paper Mario Official Nintendo Player's Guide
- The weird thing about Duplighost is that you can be battling one and not even know. It possesses an ability to look and fight like anyone or anything it wants—including your own party members.[1]
Names in other languages
| Language
|
Name
|
Meaning
|
Notes
|
| Japanese
|
バケバケ[?]
Bakebake
|
Partial repetition of「化ける」(bakeru, to disguise oneself) or「お化け」(obake)
|
|
| Chinese
|
伪装鬼[?]
Wěizhuāng Guǐ
|
Disguising Ghost
|
|
| French
|
Fantôcopie[?]
|
Portmanteau of fantôme ("ghost") and photocopie ("photocopy")
|
|
| German
|
Dupligeist[?]
|
Duplighost
|
|
| Spanish
|
Duplifant[2] (Paper Mario)
|
From duplicar ("to duplicate") and fantasma ("ghost")
|
|
Trivia
- Electrical sparks are not seen coming from the Duplighost mirror version of Watt, but when the mirror is underneath her, they are.
- In the Japanese version, they talk in various Japanese dialects after getting defeated.
- In Paper Mario: Color Splash, concept art for the Rock Paper Wizard shows a design similar to a Duplighost.
References
- ^ Paper Mario Official Nintendo Player's Guide. Page 103.
- ^ Red Shock Inc (July 6, 2020). #43 EL PALACIO DE CRISTAL!!. YouTube. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
