Plants vs Zombies

i hate you pogo zombies =<

Walkthrough notes

The key to help with this game, is not a straight-forward go here, go there, like with Hidden Object-games or Adventure-games. Instead, I'll give you some helpful strategy basics, the pros and cons of of your plants, a strategy against the different zombies, and tips on the extra puzzles and mini-games.

The times in this walkthrough are given in patches, which stand for the amount of patches an average zombie walks; this comes down to about 5 seconds per patch.

Besides Gamezebo wisdom, at the end of the walkthrough, you will find tips and tricks from the Tree of Wisdom.

Easter Eggs – funny extras

Type in the following codes during gameplay to activate them. Type them in again, to de-activate them. For some of the Easter eggs, your tree of wisdom needs to be a certain height, but often (not always, sorry if you are unlucky), you will be able to turn the Easter eggs on at any point.

* ”future” - the zombies wear retro sunglasses
* ”mustache” - the zombies get a mustache
* ”trickedout” - a visual upgrade of the lawnmowers
* "sukhbir" - toggles the zombie's call for brains sound
* ”pinata” - a shower of candy when a zombie dies (tree of wisdom at 500 feet)
* ”daisies” - flowers sprout from fallen zombies (tree of wisdom at 100 feet)
* "dance" - makes the zombies dance (tree of wisdom at 1,000 feet)

Basic strategy – timing your gardening

It may come as a shock, but zombies do not play nice. When you think you're almost save, and have a decent defense on 3 of your 5 lanes, suddenly two zombies appear on the other two. How are you going to stop them both!?

Timing is essential in this game. The above situation might make you feel helpless, but if one zombie is much slower then the other, that gives you the chance to tackle them both. That's why I've made a little chart below, with the average time (in distance covered by a zombie) it takes the most common plants to kill a normal zombie, and how long it takes to kill a Conehead zombie.
Plant Time to kill a normal zombie Time to kill a conehead zombie
Peashooter 2.5 patches 6 patches
Snow Pea 1.5 patches 3.5 patches
Repeater 1.25 patches 3 patches
Threepeater 2 patches 4 patches
Spikeweed 2 patches 4 patches
Cactus 2 patches 4 patches
Split Pea 2. 5 patches forward 6 patches
1.25 patches backward 3 patches backward
Cabbage-pult 2 patches 3.5 patches
Melon-pult 1.5 patches 3.5 patche

* Shooting a pea through Torchwood will kill zombies twice as fast as normal.
* A Potato Mine takes 3 patches to arm itself, but will be eaten by zombies if not armed. It recharges in 30 seconds (6 patches).
* The Wall-nut will stall zombies for 35 seconds (7 patches), and recharges in 25 seconds (5 patches).
* The Tall-nut will stall zombies for 70 seconds (14 patches), and recharges in 25 seconds (5 patches).
* It takes a Chomper 40 seconds (8 patches) to digest a zombie, during which time it is vulnerable to attacks.
* It takes a Grave buster 5 seconds (1 patch) to clear a grave, and it recharges in 7.5 seconds (1.5 patch).
* It takes a Squash 30 seconds (6 patches) to recharge.
* It takes a Tangle kelp 30 seconds (6 patches) to recharge.
* It takes a Jalapeno 50 seconds (10 patches) to recharge.

The Kernel-pult randomly fires either kernels, which take out a normal zombie in 5 patches (12 for coneheads), or butter, which will immobilize the zombie and takes out a normal zombie in 3 hits (7 hits for a conehead).

The Sunflower and Sun-shroom produce their first sun in 7 seconds (1.5 patch), but then take 20 seconds (4 patches) for every next sun. Recharging takes 25 seconds (5 patches).

Plant strategies

The game has a very nifty Suburban Almanac, which can be found in the main menu, that shows you a description of all the plants you have unlocked. In this section, I will give some additional hints on how to maximize the use of some of the plants.

* Chompers devour a zombie in one bite, but then take a long time to digest them. This makes them less effective in levels with many zombies. An effective way to work with them still, is to plant two chompers behind eachother, so when the first one is still digesting, the second one can eat the next zombie. You can also plant a wall-nut or tall-nut in front of them, who can protect the chomper for nearly the entire time it's digesting.
* Puff-shrooms are only used at night (waking them up with a coffee bean costs 75 sun, you can get better for that money), but they are free! It takes them 1.5 patch (7.5 seconds) to recharge. Their range is 3 patches, which is just enough to kill a single zombie before it starts chomping its head off. Be carefull not to place them closer to a zombie if you can help it.
* Fume-shrooms, another nocturnal plant, are your best attack against those Screen Door zombies. Luckily they have an added advantage of hurting multiple zombies at the same time. The Gloom-shroom you can put on top of it, limits its forward attack to 2 patches, but offer an extra 2 patch range to all other sides as well. However, planting them on the outside of the lawn, is quite a waste of money.
* Grave buster is a bigger help then you would firstly expect. During the final wave, most zombies come from the graves, yet if you clear the graves with this fearsome looking plant, the final waves will actually be a piece of cake. Take your time clearing the graves, you have the entire level to do so, so just send them out when you have suns left to spare.
* Hypno-shrooms take over a zombie when eaten and have them turn around and fight the other zombies, so naturally they are best used on the bigger zombies, like Football zombies.
* Scaredy-shroom is a cheap plant which works well in the back of your defensive lines, but cower and hide as soon as a zombie comes within 1 patch of them, leaving them wide open to a chomp-fest.
* Doom-shrooms are like the attomic bombs of the plant world. When they explode, they take out every zombie on 3 patches in each direction; a 25-patch area. They do leave a crater that can not be used for planting anymore though, but in time the patch will heal.
* Squashes are a good final defense, for whatever you really don't want to lose. They stomp every zombie on their patch, and the first patch to their left and their right.
* Threepeaters can be quite usefull in protecting a big area, and also do a little more damage with each single pea. Since they cover three lanes at ones, it'd be a waste to plant them on the sides.
* Spikeweed may not seem very useful on it's own, but in combination with other spikeweed, or other plants, it will get the zombie down eventually. One walk across a spikeweed takes about half of a normal zombie's health.
* Torchwood doubles the strength of any pea shooten through it. They also drive away fog in 3 patches in every direction.
* Sea-shrooms are the aquatic equivalent of the puff-shroom.
* Planterns light up an area covered in fog. As long as they are not eaten by zombies, they will clear 3 lanes of fog.
* Split peas are especially effective when dealing with Digging zombies, who try to attack from behind.
* Pumpkins are placed over other plants, and offer them an extra layer of protection against zombie gnawing.
* Kernel-pults can be either very effective, or very useless, because of their random attacks. If you're in bad luck and they only shoot kernels, you won't live very long. They work best in combination with another pult, that backs them up when they're shooting the weak ammo.
* Garlic can be extremely usefull, essentially completely protecting parts of the level. If you put one on the first, third and fifth lane, you basically have only got 2 lanes left to protect. You can put them next to eachother, but as the zombies change lanes, they also go forward half a patch, so they will eventually get through.
* Marigolds give you coins throughout the entire level, but certainly in the harder levels, are not really worth the risk of planting them instead of an attack plant.
* Cattails are planted on lily pads, but can attack any lane, giving them a very wide range of attack. They also take down Balloon zombies.
* Cobcannons are the most expensive plants available, but have a huge impact of 3 patches in each direction from the point of impact. Plant two kernel-pults behind eachother to be able to plant one of these big guys. Be careful for the time they take recharging between shots though: a hefty 25 seconds (5 patches).
* Imitator makes it possible to fill 2 slots with the same plant, meaning you won't have to wait as long for some plants to recharge.

Winning strat for Last Stand

Tree of Wisdom's Tips and Tricks

* Chompers and Wall-nuts work exceedingly well together.
* You want two columns of sunflowers.
* Snorkel Zombies... are best dealt with, with Wall-nuts on Lilypads.
* Have you heard of the elusive Yeti Zombie? Some say he likes hiding where it's pitch black.
* How many cherry bombs does it take to take down a Gargantuar? Here's a hint: more than one, fewer than three. Here's a more explicit hint: Two.
* If you're looking for mushroom plants for your Zen Garden, you'll have better luck playing on levels where it's night time.
* I wouldn't worry about permanently damaging your lawn with Doom-shrooms. In time the earth heals itself.
* Have you tried clicking on the flowers on the main menu? Give it a shot! I'll wait here.
* Legend has it that frozen zombies eat slower. I'm here to tell that legend has its facts straight.
* Pssst! Try typing 'future' while playing to experiences zombies... from the FUTURE!.
* What's cheaper than free? Nothing! That's why Puff-shrooms are essential on all night levels!
* Are you hoping to find water plants for your Zen Garden? I bet my phloem you'll have the most luck searching in pool levels.
* Have you noticed that Gargantuars sometimes use OTHER ZOMBIES to bash your plants? Whatever works, I guess.
* Stinky the Snail sure loves his chocolate. Maybe loves it a little too much, you know? He won't sit still for an hour after he's had some.
* If you think playing survival 'endless' mode only drops pool-style plants for your Zen Garden, think again! It drops everything-style.
* Often the question is asked: where do you find chocolate? A better question would be: where DON'T you find chocolate? It drops in every game mode.
* Grave busters, eh? Pick 'em only when you can see graves on the right side of the screen along with the zombies. That's what I do.
* I've heard that Buckethead zombies take five times as many hits as regular ones.
* The number of coins you receive in Wall-nut bowling is proportional to how cool you are as measure by how many ricochets per nut you can pull off.
* Do multiple Snow-peas in a row slow zombies down more than just one? The sad but truthful answer is 'Nay.'
* You know that zombies emerge from gravestones, right? So what's stopping you from using gravebusters to get rid of them in Survival night? Is it pride?
* If you're looking for the inside info on how long a level's going to be, count the flags on the level meter. That'll set you up real nice.
* Roof cleaners. Classic items. Can't recomment them highly enough. Best thing about them? They give you a shot at beating Pogo Party.
* If you're wondering if feeding a Hypno-shroom to a dancer zombie compels him to summon backup dancers for you, bet it all on 'Yes.'
* Make Money Fast! By Playing Survival Endless! Then E-mail Me Your Bank Account Number!
* You'd think Torchwoods would douse snow peas. And you'd be correct, because you, my friend, are one smart cookie.
* Those hateful Zombotany zombies! Who do they think they are, shooting at your plants? It's a good thing Wall-nuts stop 'em cold.
* The Pogo Party and Bobsled Bonanza mini-games are really, really, really difficult. Wanna drop one of those 'reallys' off that description? Use the Squash.
* Just when you thought jalapenos couldn't be any more useful, a Tree of Widowm lets you know that they also destroy the Zomboni's ice trails! Bam!
* Once you buy the Imitater, try clicking the little drawing in the upper left corner of your Almanac to access the entry on that sucker.
* I hear that typing 'mustache' brings about a terrifying transformation in the undead!
* Please do not tap on the glass! Or actually, go ahead, right-click on your Aquarium Garden or during Zombiquarium to deafen your underwater creatures.
* When I was just an acorn my grampa told me, 'Son, Vasebreaker puzzles are much easier if you break the vases on the right side first.'
* Dancers in I, Zombie may seem expensive, but in the right situation they're worth every penny.
* I had a dream. In it, cattail spikes popped balloons and dropped zombies to the ground. I don't know what it means.
* Growing aquatic plants in your zen garden is pretty much impossible without the zen aquarium. Just saying.
* Digger zombies violate the natural order with their subterranean ways. It's only fair to use Magnet-shrooms to steal their mining picks.
* Every day brings new challenges and opportunities. Oh, and new Marigolds in Crazy Dave's Shop.
* Mushroom Garden! Huh! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing'! Except growing mushrooms, that is.
* Tired? Depressed? Ladders on Tall-nuts getting you down? A quick Magnet-shroom will whisk your cares away!
* The tallness of Tall-nuts earns widespread acclaim due to their effectiveness vs. Dolphin Riders and Pogo Zombies.
* The explosive force of a Cherry Bomb is more than capable of disloging a ladder from a wall-nut.
* It's tempting to feed all your chocolate to Stinky the Snail. He's such a chocolate hog. But remember: zen garden plants like chocolate too!
* Torchwood fire is hotter than rage, but Zombonis, screen doors, ladders and catapults can take the heat.
* If you rely on upgrade plants in Survival endless, be acutely aware that they get more expensive the more you have on your lawn.
* The Imps in I, Zombie seem weak. But they're speedy and great for fetching that last brain when you've cleared the rest of the opposition.
* If you type 'tricked out,' don't be surprised if you see something wacky happen to your lawnmowers.

Step 1: Download a Hex editor. I use HxD.
Step 2: Open User1.dat in your Plants vs Zombies -> UserData folder.
Step 3: Change the 25th - 32nd digit on the first line to " FF FF 00 00 ".
Step 4: Save and open your game.
Step 5: Profit (literally)

Rocketmania Deluxe
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This build utilizes the most space and the most minimalist of defense/offense. It also reduce the amount of micro on collecting coins and rebuilding garlics, pumpkins, etc.

It will probably make it a bit easier to setup if you choose the seeds in this order:
Marigold, Lilypad, Gold magnet, Magnet, Coffee Bean, Tallnut, Fume Shroom, Gloom Shroom, Pumpkin, Garlic (which I didn't actually do lawl).
If you only have 9 slots You can skip the Tall Nuts and just use pumpkins. If you only have 8, I dunno, you lose with this builld.

r1

simple enough screen here.
Money Start= 19,850

r2

lost a lily @ c5-r3, had to rebuild that and then I placed a pumpkin and a marigold below it. Saved the 50 sun here because most likely the ducky zombie will pop up and rape that lily again. And I can bank it in case a garlic dies.
Money Gained=1580


r3

yup he came back and ate the lily again, replaced it, pump'd it, gold'd it. Bank 100 because those garlic are in tears.
Money Gained=1430 what an unlucky gold coin round >.<


r4

replaced the garlics during the level (obviously) but in doing so I accidentally placed one in the wrong spot and had to shovel and place it properly so I lost 50 sun and pump took a beating (@ c8-r2) T_T. Added a lily and marigold on c1-r3. If I didn't screw up I could place another marigold below in c1-r4 but i need to bank the 125 in case vaulter gets at the weak pump or if the garlics die.
Money Gained=1550

r5

You can't tell here but the top magnet pump got smashed by a football team. I had to replace it.
And I had to replace a garlic as well. Finally got down the marigold and lily in c1-r4.
Money Gained=1640

Final

had to replace garlics.
Money Gained =1960
Total Money Gained at End= 8160

Pro Tip #1: The gold magnets don't do their job 100% and sometimes miss a few coins. So what I do to minimize effort is just collect the coins that appear around the edges, the gold coins, and the zombie dropped coins if applicable.

I got unlucky around flag 150 because of five consecutive giga-gargantuar levels, plus some jacks killed my fume-shrooms. Thus my gold supply started going down

Another four consecutive giga-gargantuar levels came and eventually I ran out of gold

At the start survival endless I had around 3k