2nd Place- The Ten Best Plants in Plants Vs. Zombies
Introduction
This is probably the closest thing to an epic that I have written.
I got inspiration from various Top Ten Video Game Lists I find in magazines. Couple that with me playing PvZ at the time, it resulted in this masterpiece.
I put this in 2nd place because it is one of my best masterpieces, in my eyes at least. However, it is still beaten by the top essay I have. I do not wish to edit this again. I feel that I have given everything that makes this essay great.
Essay Proper
As one of the most popular games among Xaverians, Plants vs. Zombies is subject to a debate on which plant is the best of them all. Most of the time, however, they choose it due to their liking, not on the plants' abilities. As a solution to this, I have made this top 10 list of plants along with what they do and their respective scores in each category, namely: Plant name - what it does
Power (P): the damage dealt/influenced/preventedper individual
Availability (A): how often the plant is available after every addition of said plant on the battlefield, plus its priceand the levels it is available of use Worth (W): how helpful it is in the game
Ease of use (E): how easy it is for people to understand how to use it
I didn't add sun-making plants, the sunflower and sun-shroom, which make the currency to add specific plants to the battlefield, because they are always needed in the game, making them obvious winners on this list due to their necessity.
But first, let's take a look at two of the plants that didn't quite make the list:
Peashooter–shoots one pea at a time The Peashooter got snubbed because of its lack of power. Sure, it shoots one pea at a time, damaging the zombies and all. But that's the problem. Because of this one-shot-at-a-time, it would be helpless against more powerful zombies like the Gargantuar. It's only good for the beginning of the level, not for the middle or the end.
Cob Cannon– fires a corn missile, annihilating zombies
Even though this is, by far, the most powerful plant in the game, this was snubbed for several reasons.
First, it's because of its price, costing 700 sun in total. Secondly, it has abysmal durability, taking only one bite from any zombie before disappearing. Thirdly, it's cob reload rate is extremely slow, taking about 30 seconds to one minute between each shot. And finally, its recharge rate, the rate at which it can be used again, is slow, taking as much as two minutes.
Basically, it is plant that does not live up to its worth, even though it's the most powerful.
Now, without further ado, here is the list of Top 10 plants, in no specific order.
Snow Pea- a pea shooter that not only shoots, but slows down zombies P-6/10
This Snow Pea does not get high marks because it's basically a Pea Shooter. But the slowing-down ability would be more useful if other ally plants are in front of it, maximizing the time for attacking zombies. A-8.5/10
This pea's recharge rate, is at the peak of the plant list, tied with some others, like the Repeater. However, it does not get full marks due to it costing a little more than most plants. W-8/10
Again, the Snow Pea slows down the zombies to maximize time for attacks, which could be the decider between going to the next level or losing. But if it's the one causing the lack of sun, the player would be better off using a Squash. E-7.5/10
This is relatively easy to use as one just needs to plant this far from a zombie to maximize its ability. However, this score does not get full marks because if one makes a novice move, which is planting a Torchwood in front of it, the Snow Pea would turn into a normal Peashooter, eliminating the slowing-down ability and makes you waste 75 sun for the Snow Pea. Plus, if you plant this on the roof, you’d just end up with a close range shooter that does nothing but hit the I call angled side of said roof. This is what I call “roofing”.
Doom-shroom- destroys zombies within a huge area and leaves a crater P-10/10
This, by definition, is probably one of the most helpful in zombie waves, situations in which huge amounts of zombies attack at the same time, because it destroys most, if not all of them, providing you with an easier time in advancing through the level. A-3.5/10
The recharge rate is slightly faster than the Cob Cannon's, but it's cheaper, costing only 125 sun. Yet, this gets low marks due to it leaving a crater. Imagine it, your field loaded with powerful plants and craters with no more spaces. You can't use the Doom-shroom until a plant gets eaten, you remove it or a crater fills up. W-4/10
Leaving a crater for half a level depends on the situation. T hat space could mean a win or loss. But if it's really needed, like the wave eating your plants, this black mushroom will be a life saver. But, more situations point to the former. E-7.5/10
It's easy enough to plant it on the ground and watch it explode, but what matters is timing. If you don't time it right, you could leave a huge crater with a remaining Football Zombie or worse, a Gargantuar.
Grave Buster- destroys graves from which zombies rise from P-5/10
The Grave Buster prevents more zombies from rising in the Final Wave, but it's vulnerable in doing so. Still, it helps in winning. A-2/10
It's available for only one of five locations, so I did the math. Since it gets full marks for what it does, 10/10. But since it is only available a fifth of the time, I divided the score by five. W-10/10
The Grave Buster gets full marks here because, even though it's isolated to one location, it certainly contributes because, through its grave busting ability, it can prevent a Buckethead Zombie from rising, which, as far as everyone knows, is a real pain in the ass. E-4/10
Timing is the key here. If you don't time it to when there are no zombies in the lane, you'd be wasting 75 of your own sun.
Kernel-pult- shoots kernels, and sometimes butter, which paralyzes the zombie for a short amount of time P- 4.5/10
The Kernel-pult's kernels are the only low-damaging ranged attack on zombies. Plus, you have to be lucky to have the butter used in the attack, which doesn't happen often.
A- 10/10
The redeeming factor is that it's at the peak recharge rate. That is to say, instead of strength by individual, you can add as many Kernel-pults as there are spaces on the battlefield. W- 8.5/10
The ability of paralyzing zombies for about seven seconds proves to be a useful trait, as more powerful plants can increase their damage on the zombie. E- 10/10
What’s not to get from here? Planting it with heavily-armed reinforcements is so easy even a novice can understand it.
Squash – squashes zombies in its lane proximity P- 10/10
This gets full marks due to the fact that, unlike other plants, this can destroy a Football Zombie with just one blow and a Gargantuar with two, feats achieved only by a few plants. A- 6/10
With the Squash, you have a desperation plant you can use to destroy a powerful zombie, supposing that you want to save your heavily-armed plants. Plus, it’s mighty cheap, costing only 50 sun.
However, it’s slow to recharge, taking as long as 30 seconds to recharge. More specifically, use this Squash only when you really need it
W- 10/10
Desperate times call for desperation plants. That’s why the Squash is here. It is the savior for your heavily-armed plants.
E-7/10
The only problem with the Squash is that it squashes the nearest zombie. So, to compromise this, you need to put it right next to the zombie you want to have squashed, requiring lots of timing, like the Doom-Shroom.
Torchwood– heats peas up into fireballs P- 0.5/10
This can’t attack on its own. It just lives in assisting any pea-shooting plant. A- 8.5/10
Its availability is just the same as the Snow Pea: peak recharge, but costs a little more sun W-10/10
The Torchwood maximizes the damage pea-shooting plants lay on the zombies. So, if there are three pea-related plants and a Torchwood in each lane, the deadly attack gets even deadlier. Plus, it has a hidden ability: it lights up the surroundings on the Foggy levels. E-7.5/10 Putting the Torchwood in front of other plants has a serious disadvantage: it’s vulnerable to attack. As long as there are zombies that survive the fireball onslaught, you’d have to put Wall-nuts or Tall-nuts to prevent this. Otherwise, 175 of your own sun will go down the drain.
Repeater– fires two peas at a time P- 8/10
It’s just like a Pea Shooter, but in a 2-in-1 package. That means you can plant as many of these as Pea Shooters, resulting in twice the damage in peas. A-9/10
Its recharge rate is as fast as the Pea Shooter’s, but costing twice as much. Still, it’s better than having a weak-ass Peashooter instead. W-9.5/10
The Repeater’s worth on the battlefield is priceless. It can take down a Cone Zombie on its own, plus it gets even more powerful with the help of a Torchwood, turning its peas into Fireballs of Doom. E- 9/10 Planting this far from zombies is as easy as pie. But, like the Snow Pea, it has a problem with roofing, lowering its score.
Potato Mine– blows up a zombie, but takes a while to activate P- 10/10
The Potato Mine, again, takes a while, 20-30 seconds, more specifically, to activate. But still, you have to admire its ability to destroy Football Zombies with ease. A-5/10
It’s cheap, costing only 25 sun. But this, along with several others, takes about 30 seconds to recharge, so use it wisely.
W-10/10
Because of its low sun cost, this can give you more time to plant your sunflowers and gather more sun. As a result, you’ll take less time planting your more powerful plants. E-2/10
Novice moves are what bring this plant’s score down. Everyone should have to understand this: plant it mighty far from zombies to give it time to activate. Novices won’t be able to use this well because they don’t read the definition. In effect, they’d just plant it right in front of the zombie, providing the un-dead with a healthy snack.
Cherry Bomb–destroys a small area of zombies around it through P-10/10
Explodonating, which is detonating and exploding at the same time, according to what it says in its bio, is what this plant does best. Thus, it gives you a version of the Doom-Shroom you can use anytime it’s available. A- 4/10
It, again, has a slow recharge rate, plus it costs 150 sun, more than most of the plants in the game. So, unless, you have lots of sun, or really desperate, don’t make this plant explodonate. W-8/10
It is a team player in the battlefield, as it helps reduce the number of zombies during huge waves. Problem is, it only destroys zombies that are near it, about a 3 by 3 square in proximity. E- 8.5/10 Again, timing is important. You should make the most of the small damage area you have, unless you just want to waste it.
Melon-pult– flings watermelons at zombies P-9.5/10
Third only to the one-time-use plants and Cob Cannon, this Melon-pult certainly is a wolf in sheep’s clothing as it destroys normal zombies with ease, using only two watermelons. A-8/10
It’s expensive, though, as it costs 300 sun. But look at the bright side. This is worth less than half of the Cob Cannon’ price, plus you don’t have to manually set the target. W-10/10
This is extremely priceless, as it will help in destroying more powerful zombies quicker if you have no more Cherry Bombs, Squashes, etc. E-9/10
It’s pretty easy to understand the concept: Plant this far the zombie and let it work its magic.
2nd Place- The Ten Best Plants in Plants Vs. Zombies
Introduction
This is probably the closest thing to an epic that I have written.
I got inspiration from various Top Ten Video Game Lists I find in magazines. Couple that with me playing PvZ at the time, it resulted in this masterpiece.
I put this in 2nd place because it is one of my best masterpieces, in my eyes at least. However, it is still beaten by the top essay I have. I do not wish to edit this again. I feel that I have given everything that makes this essay great.
Essay Proper
As one of the most popular games among Xaverians, Plants vs. Zombies is subject to a debate on which plant is the best of them all. Most of the time, however, they choose it due to their liking, not on the plants' abilities. As a solution to this, I have made this top 10 list of plants along with what they do and their respective scores in each category, namely:
Plant name - what it does
Power (P): the damage dealt/influenced/prevented per individual
Availability (A): how often the plant is available after every addition of said plant on the battlefield, plus its price and the levels it is available of use
Worth (W): how helpful it is in the game
Ease of use (E): how easy it is for people to understand how to use it
I didn't add sun-making plants, the sunflower and sun-shroom, which make the currency to add specific plants to the battlefield, because they are always needed in the game, making them obvious winners on this list due to their necessity.
But first, let's take a look at two of the plants that didn't quite make the list:
Peashooter –shoots one pea at a time
The Peashooter got snubbed because of its lack of power. Sure, it shoots one pea at a time, damaging the zombies and all. But that's the problem. Because of this one-shot-at-a-time, it would be helpless against more powerful zombies like the Gargantuar. It's only good for the beginning of the level, not for the middle or the end.
Cob Cannon – fires a corn missile, annihilating zombies
Even though this is, by far, the most powerful plant in the game, this was snubbed for several reasons.
First, it's because of its price, costing 700 sun in total. Secondly, it has abysmal durability, taking only one bite from any zombie before disappearing. Thirdly, it's cob reload rate is extremely slow, taking about 30 seconds to one minute between each shot. And finally, its recharge rate, the rate at which it can be used again, is slow, taking as much as two minutes.
Basically, it is plant that does not live up to its worth, even though it's the most powerful.
Now, without further ado, here is the list of Top 10 plants, in no specific order.
Snow Pea - a pea shooter that not only shoots, but slows down zombies
P-6/10
This Snow Pea does not get high marks because it's basically a Pea Shooter. But the slowing-down ability would be more useful if other ally plants are in front of it, maximizing the time for attacking zombies.
A-8.5/10
This pea's recharge rate, is at the peak of the plant list, tied with some others, like the Repeater. However, it does not get full marks due to it costing a little more than most plants.
W-8/10
Again, the Snow Pea slows down the zombies to maximize time for attacks, which could be the decider between going to the next level or losing. But if it's the one causing the lack of sun, the player would be better off using a Squash.
E-7.5/10
This is relatively easy to use as one just needs to plant this far from a zombie to maximize its ability. However, this score does not get full marks because if one makes a novice move, which is planting a Torchwood in front of it, the Snow Pea would turn into a normal Peashooter, eliminating the slowing-down ability and makes you waste 75 sun for the Snow Pea. Plus, if you plant this on the roof, you’d just end up with a close range shooter that does nothing but hit the I call angled side of said roof. This is what I call “roofing”.
Doom-shroom- destroys zombies within a huge area and leaves a crater
P-10/10
This, by definition, is probably one of the most helpful in zombie waves, situations in which huge amounts of zombies attack at the same time, because it destroys most, if not all of them, providing you with an easier time in advancing through the level.
A-3.5/10
The recharge rate is slightly faster than the Cob Cannon's, but it's cheaper, costing only 125 sun. Yet, this gets low marks due to it leaving a crater. Imagine it, your field loaded with powerful plants and craters with no more spaces. You can't use the Doom-shroom until a plant gets eaten, you remove it or a crater fills up.
W-4/10
Leaving a crater for half a level depends on the situation. T hat space could mean a win or loss. But if it's really needed, like the wave eating your plants, this black mushroom will be a life saver. But, more situations point to the former.
E-7.5/10
It's easy enough to plant it on the ground and watch it explode, but what matters is timing. If you don't time it right, you could leave a huge crater with a remaining Football Zombie or worse, a Gargantuar.
Grave Buster - destroys graves from which zombies rise from
P-5/10
The Grave Buster prevents more zombies from rising in the Final Wave, but it's vulnerable in doing so. Still, it helps in winning.
A-2/10
It's available for only one of five locations, so I did the math. Since it gets full marks for what it does, 10/10. But since it is only available a fifth of the time, I divided the score by five.
W-10/10
The Grave Buster gets full marks here because, even though it's isolated to one location, it certainly contributes because, through its grave busting ability, it can prevent a Buckethead Zombie from rising, which, as far as everyone knows, is a real pain in the ass.
E-4/10
Timing is the key here. If you don't time it to when there are no zombies in the lane, you'd be wasting 75 of your own sun.
Kernel-pult - shoots kernels, and sometimes butter, which paralyzes the zombie for a short amount of time
P- 4.5/10
The Kernel-pult's kernels are the only low-damaging ranged attack on zombies. Plus, you have to be lucky to have the butter used in the attack, which doesn't happen often.
A- 10/10
The redeeming factor is that it's at the peak recharge rate. That is to say, instead of strength by individual, you can add as many Kernel-pults as there are spaces on the battlefield.
W- 8.5/10
The ability of paralyzing zombies for about seven seconds proves to be a useful trait, as more powerful plants can increase their damage on the zombie.
E- 10/10
What’s not to get from here? Planting it with heavily-armed reinforcements is so easy even a novice can understand it.
Squash – squashes zombies in its lane proximity
P- 10/10
This gets full marks due to the fact that, unlike other plants, this can destroy a Football Zombie with just one blow and a Gargantuar with two, feats achieved only by a few plants.
A- 6/10
With the Squash, you have a desperation plant you can use to destroy a powerful zombie, supposing that you want to save your heavily-armed plants. Plus, it’s mighty cheap, costing only 50 sun.
However, it’s slow to recharge, taking as long as 30 seconds to recharge. More specifically, use this Squash only when you really need it
W- 10/10
Desperate times call for desperation plants. That’s why the Squash is here. It is the savior for your heavily-armed plants.
E-7/10
The only problem with the Squash is that it squashes the nearest zombie. So, to compromise this, you need to put it right next to the zombie you want to have squashed, requiring lots of timing, like the Doom-Shroom.
Torchwood – heats peas up into fireballs
P- 0.5/10
This can’t attack on its own. It just lives in assisting any pea-shooting plant.
A- 8.5/10
Its availability is just the same as the Snow Pea: peak recharge, but costs a little more sun
W-10/10
The Torchwood maximizes the damage pea-shooting plants lay on the zombies. So, if there are three pea-related plants and a Torchwood in each lane, the deadly attack gets even deadlier. Plus, it has a hidden ability: it lights up the surroundings on the Foggy levels.
E-7.5/10
Putting the Torchwood in front of other plants has a serious disadvantage: it’s vulnerable to attack. As long as there are zombies that survive the fireball onslaught, you’d have to put Wall-nuts or Tall-nuts to prevent this. Otherwise, 175 of your own sun will go down the drain.
Repeater – fires two peas at a time
P- 8/10
It’s just like a Pea Shooter, but in a 2-in-1 package. That means you can plant as many of these as Pea Shooters, resulting in twice the damage in peas.
A-9/10
Its recharge rate is as fast as the Pea Shooter’s, but costing twice as much. Still, it’s better than having a weak-ass Peashooter instead.
W-9.5/10
The Repeater’s worth on the battlefield is priceless. It can take down a Cone Zombie on its own, plus it gets even more powerful with the help of a Torchwood, turning its peas into Fireballs of Doom.
E- 9/10
Planting this far from zombies is as easy as pie. But, like the Snow Pea, it has a problem with roofing, lowering its score.
Potato Mine – blows up a zombie, but takes a while to activate
P- 10/10
The Potato Mine, again, takes a while, 20-30 seconds, more specifically, to activate. But still, you have to admire its ability to destroy Football Zombies with ease.
A-5/10
It’s cheap, costing only 25 sun. But this, along with several others, takes about 30 seconds to recharge, so use it wisely.
W-10/10
Because of its low sun cost, this can give you more time to plant your sunflowers and gather more sun. As a result, you’ll take less time planting your more powerful plants.
E-2/10
Novice moves are what bring this plant’s score down. Everyone should have to understand this: plant it mighty far from zombies to give it time to activate. Novices won’t be able to use this well because they don’t read the definition. In effect, they’d just plant it right in front of the zombie, providing the un-dead with a healthy snack.
Cherry Bomb –destroys a small area of zombies around it through
P-10/10
Explodonating, which is detonating and exploding at the same time, according to what it says in its bio, is what this plant does best. Thus, it gives you a version of the Doom-Shroom you can use anytime it’s available.
A- 4/10
It, again, has a slow recharge rate, plus it costs 150 sun, more than most of the plants in the game. So, unless, you have lots of sun, or really desperate, don’t make this plant explodonate.
W-8/10
It is a team player in the battlefield, as it helps reduce the number of zombies during huge waves. Problem is, it only destroys zombies that are near it, about a 3 by 3 square in proximity.
E- 8.5/10
Again, timing is important. You should make the most of the small damage area you have, unless you just want to waste it.
Melon-pult – flings watermelons at zombies
P-9.5/10
Third only to the one-time-use plants and Cob Cannon, this Melon-pult certainly is a wolf in sheep’s clothing as it destroys normal zombies with ease, using only two watermelons.
A-8/10
It’s expensive, though, as it costs 300 sun. But look at the bright side. This is worth less than half of the Cob Cannon’ price, plus you don’t have to manually set the target.
W-10/10
This is extremely priceless, as it will help in destroying more powerful zombies quicker if you have no more Cherry Bombs, Squashes, etc.
E-9/10
It’s pretty easy to understand the concept: Plant this far the zombie and let it work its magic.