How to Destroy Gargantuar in Plants vs. Zombies: A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The Gargantuar, that lumbering behemoth of the zombie horde in Plants vs. Zombies (PvZ), is a formidable foe that can easily crush your carefully laid defenses. But don’t despair! With the right strategies and a bit of plant power, you can consistently vanquish these giants. The key to taking down a Gargantuar is to understand its weaknesses and deploy effective counters, combining both instant kills and consistent damage. In short, to destroy a Gargantuar in PvZ, utilize a combination of instant kill plants like Cherry Bombs, Jalapenos, Squash, and Doom-shrooms, often paired with sustained damage from plants like Gatling Peas supported by Torchwoods, or multiple Gloom-shrooms. Prioritizing instant kills early in a wave is critical, while long-term solutions can help handle multiple Gargantuars.
Understanding the Gargantuar
Before we dive into the specifics of destruction, let’s understand our enemy. Gargantuars are massive, high-health zombies encountered usually mid to late game, often appearing in level 5’s on the roof in the original Plants vs. Zombies. They have a large amount of health, able to withstand significant plant attacks, and can smash through several plants at a time. They are immune to the mind-control effect of Hypno-shrooms because they don’t eat plants, but they are vulnerable to other forms of attack.
Key Vulnerabilities
- Instant Kills: This is arguably their biggest weakness. Plants like Cherry Bombs, Jalapenos, Squash, and Doom-shrooms (when used with a Coffee Bean) can inflict massive damage. Two Cherry Bombs will kill a regular Gargantuar, and two Squashes will achieve the same result.
- Explosives: While not one-shot kills (usually), explosives are still effective. Cob Cannons can deal massive damage but still need two hits to eliminate a Gargantuar.
- Sustained Damage: While instant kills are preferred, sustained damage from well-placed plants like Gatling Peas boosted by a Torchwood can work well. Similarly, multiple Gloom-shrooms adjacent to their path can quickly whittle down their health.
- Degradation through Spikerock/Spikeweed: When a Gargantuar smashes a Spikerock, they themselves take damage and will degrade over multiple smashes.
Effective Strategies
The Instant Kill Approach
The most direct and commonly used strategy is to rely on instant-kill plants. Cherry Bombs and Jalapenos are the standard go-to for dealing heavy damage to these behemoths. Two Cherry Bombs will eliminate a standard Gargantuar, and you can use a Jalapeno as a follow up if you only have one Cherry Bomb and the Jalapeno can do significant damage to any others nearby. Similarly, a Squash and Cherry Bomb, or two Squashes can achieve the same instant death. Utilizing Doom-shrooms with a Coffee Bean is also a viable option, especially in a pinch but watch the crater they leave behind.
Long-Term Damage Options
While instant kills are great for getting rid of a Gargantuar fast, you often encounter them multiple at a time or in rapid succession, requiring a longer-term damage strategy. For consistent damage, place a Torchwood directly in front of two Gatling Peas. The amplified damage will quickly drain the Gargantuar’s health. Alternatively, a row or two of Gloom-shrooms will shred the health as the Gargantuar passes.
Combinations for Efficiency
The best strategy often involves a combination of both instant-kills and long-term damage options. Consider having a row or two of Gloom-shrooms and a Torchwood boosting two Gatling Peas ready while you use your Cherry Bombs and Squashes to remove the biggest threats early in each wave. The combination allows you to handle both isolated Gargantuars and groups of them.
Utilizing Cob Cannons
Cob Cannons are an extremely powerful explosive option, able to clear a large area with massive damage. However, even the devastating missile from a Cob Cannon requires two hits to take down a Gargantuar. Make sure to have this planted for when a wave gets tough.
Spikeweed and Spikerock Strategy
Although often used against the general zombie hordes, Spikeweed and its upgraded version, Spikerock, have a very specific use against Gargantuars. As the Gargantuar tramples over Spikerock, he also degrades, losing health every time. However, they can only withstand three hits from a Gargantuar before they’re destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Cherry Bombs does it take to kill a Gargantuar?
It takes two Cherry Bombs to kill a standard Gargantuar.
2. Does a Jalapeno kill a Gargantuar?
A Jalapeno does not kill a Gargantuar with one hit, but it deals significant damage. It is ideal to use after a Cherry Bomb or with another damage source to finish off a Gargantuar or clear other zombies in a single lane.
3. Can a Chomper eat a Gargantuar?
No, Chompers cannot eat a full Gargantuar. They instead do a small amount of damage with each chomp.
4. Does Garlic affect a Gargantuar?
Garlic does not affect Gargantuars. They don’t bite, so Garlic is ineffective as a diversion for them.
5. Can a Squash take out a Gargantuar?
Yes, two Squashes will crush a Gargantuar. You can also use a combination of a Squash and a Cherry Bomb.
6. How do you kill a Giga-Gargantuar?
A Giga-Gargantuar has double the health of a regular Gargantuar, requiring four instant kills or more sustained damage. Use the same strategies, but be more aggressive with your instant kill plants.
7. Can Cob Cannons kill a Gargantuar?
Yes, but it will require two hits from a Cob Cannon to kill a Gargantuar.
8. What is the strongest Gargantuar?
The Giga-Gargantuar is the strongest Gargantuar. It has twice the health of the standard Gargantuar.
9. Can a Gargantuar kill a Spikeweed or Spikerock?
Yes, a Gargantuar can kill both Spikeweed and Spikerock. However, when they smash a Spikerock, the Gargantuar also degrades (loses health) with each smash. It takes 3 smashes for a Gargantuar to destroy a Spikerock.
10. How do you one-shot a Gargantuar?
Certain plants, when upgraded with plant food, can one-shot a Gargantuar. In other games a Grapeshot under the right conditions can instantly vanquish a full-health Gargantuar, except for a Jurassic Gargantuar.
11. Does Hypno-shroom work against Gargantuars?
No, Hypno-shrooms do not work against Gargantuars because they do not eat plants.
12. What is the best sustained damage plant against Gargantuars?
Gatling Peas supported by a Torchwood provide great sustained damage. Also, multiple Gloom-shrooms adjacent to the Gargantuar’s path will severely damage them.
13. Can a Blover push away a Gargantuar?
No, the Blover will not push away a Gargantuar. It does not affect him.
14. Which plants are most effective against multiple Gargantuars?
A combination of Gloom-shrooms, Torchwood buffed Gatling Peas, and an arsenal of instant kills are most effective when facing several Gargantuars at once. Cob Cannons can also deal massive damage to groups of zombies.
15. Are there any other zombies that can damage Spikeweeds or Spikerocks?
Yes, Zombonis, Catapult Zombies, Bungee Zombies, Jalapeno Zombies, Jack-in-the-Box Zombies and Giga-Gargantuars can all damage or kill Spikeweed and Spikerocks because they crush or trample plants as well.