How Do You Get Cattail in Plants vs. Zombies?
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The Cattail in Plants vs. Zombies is a powerful and versatile plant, often considered a key element for successful gameplay, especially in later stages and certain mini-games. To acquire the Cattail in the original Plants vs. Zombies game, you first need to understand its unique progression. Unlike most plants, it is not directly unlocked after a level or acquired through normal means. Instead, it functions as an upgrade for the Lily Pad. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process:
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Unlock the Lily Pad: First and foremost, you must unlock the Lily Pad. The Lily Pad is the essential aquatic plant that allows you to grow other plants on water tiles. This is typically achieved by progressing through the Adventure mode to level 3-4, which introduces the pool levels.
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Progress to Level 4-5: The next step is to reach level 4-5 of the main Adventure mode. This level will unlock the ability to purchase the Cattail.
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Purchase the Cattail: Before starting level 4-5, head into the Plant Selection screen. In the store, you’ll find the Cattail available for purchase. It costs 250 sun, which is a substantial amount at that point in the game, so ensure you have enough sun collected. It’s not a plant that is unlocked or rewarded for completing a level. It is essential that you go into the store before entering the level.
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Deploy the Lily Pad, Then the Cattail: Once purchased, you use the Lily Pad just as you always would on a water tile, and then plant the Cattail on the Lily Pad. The Cattail is not placed on land and is not an independent plant like others. It must have a Lily Pad underneath to be planted on a water tile.
That’s it! Once unlocked and purchased, the Cattail will be available to use in all other levels of the game (except for those in the Zen Garden or mini-games in which specific plants are preselected) as long as there is a Lily Pad present on the level. You now have a homing-spike launching behemoth in your arsenal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cattails in PvZ
General Questions
Is Cattail a dog?
The in-game Cattail is not a dog despite the quirky lore in some fan communities. It’s a plant based on the real-world cattail plant, and in the game is depicted as a plant with the unique ability to fire homing spikes at zombies. The lore, or rather fan theories, that say it acts like a dog are just part of the humorous side of the game. It is not a dog.
Can Cattails be planted on land in PvZ?
In the original Plants vs. Zombies, Cattails require a Lily Pad to be planted and are not planted on land. However, in Plants vs. Zombies 2, the Cattail can be planted on both land and water, becoming an amphibious plant. In this regard, the second game allows for more flexibility in strategy.
What does a Cattail do in PvZ?
The Cattail is a versatile offensive plant that fires homing spikes at the nearest zombie. These spikes will seek out the closest threat and hit them no matter their position on the map. This makes it particularly effective against zombies moving down multiple lanes at once. They also prioritize Balloon Zombies, making them a valuable asset for those levels. Cattails also help deal with Digger Zombies and Imps in later rounds.
How does Cattail compare to other plants?
The Cattail is comparable to a Repeater in terms of damage and rate of fire, but with the added benefit of firing homing spikes that can cover all lanes. In this sense, the Cattail is an upgraded and more efficient version of many other plants and an essential investment. For the initial high-sun cost, you obtain a powerful and versatile plant.
Gameplay and Strategy
Are Cattails good in PvZ?
Yes, Cattails are considered one of the best plants in Plants vs. Zombies. They are effective against a wide variety of zombies, especially on pool levels or when dealing with Balloon Zombies. Their homing capabilities allow you to easily target the biggest threats on the board.
Why are Cattails so useful in PvZ?
Cattails are useful due to their homing attack capabilities and their ability to cover the entire board. Unlike other plants that fire in a straight line, Cattails can hit any zombie within range, making them a great all-around defense, especially on later levels. This also makes them extremely useful against Balloon Zombies, which can often slip past other defenses.
How many Cattails should I use?
The number of Cattails to use depends on the level. Generally, having one or two Cattails is sufficient to cover a standard pool level. However, for more challenging levels or when facing a large number of zombies, placing more Cattails can create an overwhelming attack that takes care of anything that moves.
Are Cattails effective on pool levels?
Absolutely! Cattails are exceptionally effective on pool levels due to their ability to be planted on Lily Pads and to target zombies in any lane. This is critical to a good and effective defense during pool levels. Their homing capability makes them useful even if the zombies are dispersed.
Real-World Cattails
What are cattails in real life?
In real life, cattails (genus Typha) are tall reedy marsh plants that grow in wetlands. They are found in temperate and cold regions and are often found in marshy and moist environments. The plants are aquatic or semi-aquatic.
What do real-world cattail seed heads look like?
Cattail seed heads are easily recognizable and resemble corn dogs. The seeds are contained within a brown, cigar-shaped structure that eventually opens to release fluffy seeds.
Are real-world cattails edible?
Yes, many parts of the cattail plant are edible. The roots, pollen, shoots, stalks, flowers, and seed heads can all be consumed. However, it’s essential to correctly identify the plant and be aware of any potential contaminants before eating them. The roots are often compared to potatoes.
What do real-world cattails attract?
Cattails provide important food and cover for wildlife. Birds like yellow-headed blackbirds, red-winged blackbirds, and marsh wrens use them for nesting. Waterfowl like Mallards and Canada Geese also nest among them. In addition, many insects live in and near the stands of cattails.
Growing Cattails
Where do cattail seeds grow?
Cattail seeds grow on the edges of riparian zones in moist soil or silt. This is why they are often found in marshes, wetlands, and around ponds.
How do you grow cattails from seed?
To grow cattails from seeds, they need a lot of water for germination. The seeds should be sown on the surface of very moist soil or directly at the edge of a pond or marshy area. They need the conditions to stay very wet for the best results.
Are cattails invasive?
Yes, cattails can be invasive. They grow quickly in ideal conditions and can overgrow areas, displacing other native plants. This is why they need to be managed and why homeowners need to consider the consequences before allowing them to grow unchecked on their property.