How to Beat the Gargantuar in Plants vs. Zombies 1
Beating the Gargantuar in Plants vs. Zombies (PvZ) 1 requires a combination of strategy, understanding its weaknesses, and utilizing the right plants. This behemoth zombie is one of the toughest foes you’ll face, and he can easily overwhelm your defenses if you’re not prepared. The key to success lies in delaying and dealing massive damage. The simplest and most effective way to defeat a Gargantuar is by using instant-kill plants or heavy explosive damage plants. While it takes specific combinations to defeat it quickly, understanding his behavior and how certain plants interact with him is crucial.
Essential Strategies for Gargantuar Combat
Delaying the Gargantuar
A Gargantuar is slow but incredibly powerful, with a high health pool and the ability to smash plants with one hit. This means delaying tactics are crucial for dealing sufficient damage before he reaches your lawnmowers. Here are your best options:
- Spikerock: Place Spikerocks in the Gargantuar‘s path. They can take nine smashes before disappearing, buying you valuable time. This is a superior choice over the basic Spikeweed, which only lasts for one smash against Gargantuars.
- Cheap Plants for Delay: Plants like Puff-shrooms or Scaredy-shrooms are excellent for stalling due to their low cost and quick recharge times. Planting these directly in the Gargantuar’s path as it progresses can briefly pause its advance. Use these liberally to slow it down, but be prepared for them to be crushed quickly.
Delivering Massive Damage
Once you’ve slowed down the Gargantuar, it’s time to deploy high damage-dealing plants. Focus on plants with either instant kill capabilities or high explosive damage:
- Instant-Kill Combinations:
- Squash: Two Squashes can crush a Gargantuar. A combination of one Squash and either a Cherry Bomb or a Doom-shroom will also eliminate it. However, keep in mind the long cooldowns.
- Grapeshot: Under the right circumstances, a Grapeshot can instantly vanquish a full health Gargantuar (besides a Jurassic Gargantuar). This is a rare and powerful option.
- Explosive Power:
- Cherry Bomb & Jalapeno: Though not an immediate kill, using two Cherry Bombs, or one Cherry Bomb and one Jalapeno is an efficient way to deal heavy damage to a Gargantuar. Timing is key; plan to use these combinations before the Gargantuar reaches your other plants.
- Cob Cannon: The Cob Cannon delivers devastating damage. Although, it takes two hits from the Cob Cannon to kill a Gargantuar. The missiles take a few seconds between launching and detonating, so place it strategically.
- Sustained Damage:
- Gloom-shroom: While not a “one-shot” solution, the Gloom-shroom is a powerful area-of-effect damage dealer. Its ability to attack multiple zombies at once can significantly weaken a Gargantuar, especially in later waves with multiple threats.
- Cattail: While not typically the primary choice for Gargantuars, the Cattail’s ability to target zombies anywhere on the lawn makes it effective when combined with other strategies, and they can pop the balloon zombie that the Gargantuar sometimes carries.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- Garlic Uselessness: Don’t rely on Garlic to divert a Gargantuar. Garlic only affects zombies that bite them, so they will not stop a Gargantuar, as it does not actually eat the Garlic.
- Chomper Ineffectiveness: Chomper is an instant-kill plant that cannot kill a Gargantuar with only two bites. Therefore it is ineffective at taking down a Gargantuar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a single plant instantly kill a Gargantuar?
Yes, a Grapeshot (in specific conditions) can instantly kill a Gargantuar (except the Jurassic one). Two Squashes, or a Squash with a Cherry Bomb or Doom-shroom can instantly kill it.
2. How many hits does a Gargantuar take to kill?
The Gargantuar typically takes two hits from a Cob Cannon and is defeated by two squashes, but this varies based on plant type. In Co-op Bowling, it takes six hits, while four mallet hits.
3. Does a Jalapeno kill a Gargantuar?
A single Jalapeno will not kill a Gargantuar, but it will inflict significant damage. Using a Jalapeno and a Cherry Bomb in conjunction will effectively take the monster down.
4. Can a Gargantuar destroy Spikerock?
Yes, Gargantuars are one of the few zombies that can damage and destroy Spikerocks. It takes three smashes from a Gargantuar to destroy one.
5. What is the strongest plant to use against Gargantuar?
Plants like the **Gloom-shroom**, **Cob Cannon**, **Cherry Bomb**, and **Squash** are the most powerful plants to utilize against the **Gargantuar**.
6. Can a single Cherry Bomb kill a Gargantuar?
No, a single **Cherry Bomb** will not kill a **Gargantuar**. It takes two **Cherry Bombs** or a **Cherry Bomb** combined with a **Squash** or a **Jalapeno** to defeat it.
7. How does the Giga-Gargantuar compare?
The **Giga-Gargantuar** is the second strongest zombie, found only in endless modes, and is an upgraded version of the normal **Gargantuar** with even higher health and aggression.
8. Does Garlic work on a Gargantuar?
No, **Garlic** does not work on **Gargantuars** because **Garlic** works only on zombies that bite it, and **Gargantuars** do not eat the **Garlic** itself.
9. What does a Gargantuar usually hold?
Gargantuars are known for their size, aggression, and typically carry large weapons like telephone poles or other heavy objects to smash your plants.
10. How does the Cob Cannon fare against a Gargantuar?
The **Cob Cannon** is very effective against the **Gargantuar**. It takes **two hits** from the **Cob Cannon** to defeat a **Gargantuar**.
11. What plants are most effective for delaying Gargantuars?
**Spikerocks** and low-cost plants like **Puff-shrooms** and **Scaredy-shrooms** are best for delaying **Gargantuars**.
12. What is the most challenging level in Adventure Mode?
Level 5–9 is widely considered one of the most difficult levels, featuring a wide variety of zombies, including Gargantuars.
13. How many grenades would it take to kill a Gargantuar?
In real-world terms, it would take about nine thrown grenades to destroy a Gargantuar. However, this game is not realistic and follows set rules.
14. Why is PvZ 1 considered better than PvZ 2 by some fans?
Many players prefer PvZ 1 for its more relaxed gameplay, superior graphics and soundtrack, in-game achievements, and mini-games, finding PvZ 2 to be more rushed and difficult.
15. Can you beat the endless mode in Plants vs. Zombies?
The endless modes are designed to be a long challenge. There is no "beating" them, other than when your brains are eaten, or you choose to reset the game yourself.
By using a combination of these strategies and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your plants and the Gargantuar, you will be well-equipped to deal with this formidable zombie threat in Plants vs. Zombies 1. Good luck, and have fun defending your lawn!