Is Chomper a Plant? Unraveling the Mystery of the Venus Flytrap of PvZ
The question of whether Chomper from the Plants vs. Zombies franchise is truly a plant is one that often arises amongst fans. The short answer, and the one we’ll delve into deeply, is: No, Chomper is not a plant in the traditional botanical sense within the lore of Plants vs. Zombies. While visually resembling a Venus flytrap, and classified as a “plant” within the game’s mechanics, Chomper’s established characteristics and lore point towards a more nuanced and unusual origin. Let’s explore the evidence.
Chomper’s Unusual Nature
More Than Just a Venus Flytrap
Chomper is presented as a Venus flytrap-like character, but his abilities and behavior stray far from the typical characteristics of a plant. Unlike other plants in the game that primarily rely on producing projectiles or defensive barriers, Chomper’s main method of attack is devouring zombies whole. This ability, along with his somewhat slobbish, dog-like behavior, sets him apart from his more traditional plant companions. He acts on primal instincts and exhibits a level of aggression, which is unusual for other plants in the PvZ universe. Chomper’s eating habits of stinging buzzers (bees) and his primal behavior seen when he bit another Sharptooth further distance him from being a typical plant.
Lore and Physical Characteristics
Chomper’s physical description, especially when looking at information outside of the games, adds to the mystery. He is frequently described as a purple male Tyrannosaurus or “Sharptooth”, albeit a juvenile one. In the Plants vs. Zombies comics, he is even seen being chased after by a Tyrannosaurus Rex, indicating that in the lore of the franchise he has a lineage as a dinosaur. The description of him being 4’2″ (approx 1.27m) tall and weighing 160 lbs (approx 73 kg) also suggests a creature with complex bone and muscle structures, rather than a typical plant with cells and fibers. While the Plants vs. Zombies universe is fantastical, the depiction of Chomper suggests a blurring between plant and animal, with a leaning towards the latter. The various voice actors playing Chomper as a male character across different iterations of the franchise also solidifies his status as a character with gender, unlike most of the plant based characters in the series.
Game Mechanics vs. Lore
It’s important to distinguish between the game mechanics that classify Chomper as a “plant” and the lore surrounding the character. In the gameplay of Plants vs. Zombies, Chomper is a plant that can be placed on the lawn to defend against zombies, similar to other “plant” characters. This classification is essential for gameplay balance and strategy. However, within the fictional universe of PvZ, Chomper’s origins and behavior tell a different story. He is less a product of standard plant biology, and more of a bizarre anomaly with animalistic behaviors within a plant-like package.
FAQs: Diving Deeper into the World of Chomper
To provide a comprehensive understanding of Chomper, here are 15 frequently asked questions that cover various aspects of this fascinating character:
1. Can a Chomper eat a Gargantuar?
While Chompers cannot eat a full Gargantuar whole, they can still inflict significant damage. Instead of a single instant defeat, Chompers deal 40 damage (equivalent to two pea shots) with every chomp. This makes them effective against larger zombies, albeit less efficient than against smaller ones.
2. What is Chomper’s favorite food?
Chomper’s favorite food is stinging buzzers (bees). This carnivorous nature further sets him apart from other plants in the PvZ universe, who usually rely on sunlight for energy.
3. What is Chomper’s Height?
Chomper is 4’2″ (approx 1.27m) tall and weighs approximately 160 lbs (approx 73 kg). His size further emphasizes that he is more than a simple Venus flytrap.
4. Is Chomper a Tyrannosaurus Rex?
Within the narrative, Chomper is described as a juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex, or a “Sharptooth” which is a general term for Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaurs within many dinosaur franchises. While his plant-like exterior is used in the games, his origin is closely tied to this dinosaur.
5. Is Chomper a boy or a girl?
Chomper is a male character, voiced by various actors across the franchise, including Rob Paulsen, Cannon Young, Max Burkholder, and Issac Ryan Brown.
6. Can Chomper eat a Zomboni?
Yes, a Chomper can devour an entire Zomboni machine, making him one of the most efficient plants for dealing with this dangerous vehicle-based zombie. He is also one of the fastest recharging plant that can take down a Zomboni.
7. What are Chomper’s primal instincts?
Chomper’s primal instincts are highlighted by his aggressive eating habits and the incident in which he bit another Sharptooth. These instincts showcase a carnivorous nature beyond that of a typical plant.
8. Is Unicorn Chomper a legendary character?
Yes, the Unicorn Chomper is a legendary character obtained as a player loyalty reward in PvZ: Garden Warfare 2.
9. Does Peashooter have a mouth?
Peashooter has a mouth that may also serve as its nose. This detail, while seemingly minor, is part of the charm and simple design of the character.
10. Are there other male sunflowers in the series?
Yes, there is one known male Sunflower named “Fred” in the Plants vs. Zombies comics. All other sunflowers are depicted as female.
11. Do plants in PvZ have genders?
While some plants are depicted with stereotypically male or female voices and designs, official sources indicate that no plants in PvZ have a defined gender. However, Chomper is an exception due to having a confirmed male voice acting across various entries in the franchise.
12. How tall is the tallest plant in PvZ?
The tallest plant in PvZ is the Tree of Wisdom, with a maximum height of 2,147,483,647 feet.
13. Is there a PvZ 5?
While there isn’t a traditional numbered sequel, there is a comic series called “Plants vs. Zombies Volume 5: Petal to the Metal” which focuses on plant-driven racing.
14. Does Tall-nut block imps?
Tall-nut can prevent Imp Pirate Zombies from advancing when they are launched by Imp Cannons, as long as they have not yet burst. He is stronger than Wall-nut and can stop low flying zombies as well.
15. What kills balloon zombies in PvZ?
Balloon zombies can be killed by popping their balloons with spikes fired by Cactus or Cattail. They can also be defeated by explosive plants (excluding Potato Mine) or blown away by Blover.
Conclusion
While Chomper is classified as a “plant” in the gameplay mechanics of Plants vs. Zombies, the character’s lore and unique attributes paint a different picture. He possesses a combination of plant-like features and animalistic behaviors that ultimately place him in a category of his own. Chomper’s true nature is a blend of dinosaur and plant, a curious anomaly in the PvZ universe. Understanding this distinction enhances the appreciation of Chomper as a character beyond a simple Venus flytrap and delves deeper into the strange and wonderful world of Plants vs. Zombies.