Sponge (Thing)

The Sponge is a Thing in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, found in Gauntlet Pond. In the area to the left of the final room with the Comet Piece, Mario must reach an island platform and hammer the Sponge three times to wring out the poison it is soaked in to collect it. Once collected, it remains in Mario's Album until it is turned into a sticker at a Sling-a-Thing station. Once it has been used as a sticker, it returns to its original position. It can also be purchased from the Shady Toad for 180 Coins.

As a sticker, the Sponge takes up four squares in Mario's album. If and when it is used in battle, it appears in front of Mario, effectively defending him from a majority of enemy attacks for two turns. It may even deflect projectiles and soak up liquids, wringing them out toward the enemies; this can be used to severly weaken Gooper Blooper during the phase in which he spits poison at Mario.

The Sponge can also be placed into the Sticker Museum as #48, alongside the Powder Puff and the Car Sponge. Its description notes its absorption properties, and its Sticker Museum plaque confuses it for a bed mattress.