Starfruit in Plants vs. Zombies: A Comprehensive Guide

Starfruit is a unique and recurring attacking plant within the Plants vs. Zombies franchise. Its primary function is to launch star-shaped projectiles in five different directions simultaneously, covering a wide area of attack. These projectiles are fired forwards, backwards, upwards, downwards, and directly towards the lane it is planted on. This multi-directional attack makes Starfruit a powerful asset in certain scenarios, offering exceptional coverage, but also creates limitations. While it is not a powerhouse in terms of single-target damage, its ability to hit multiple targets and attack zombies in unorthodox positions makes it a strategic choice for savvy players.

Understanding Starfruit’s Strengths and Limitations

Attack Pattern

The core of Starfruit’s functionality lies in its unique attack pattern. It doesn’t fire in a straight line like a Peashooter or Cabbage-pult. Instead, it releases five projectiles in a star formation. This pattern enables the Starfruit to:

• Hit zombies directly behind it: Unlike most plants that are vulnerable to rear attacks, Starfruit can defend itself effectively from all sides.
• Reach zombies in adjacent lanes: This allows for indirect support, dealing damage to zombies not directly in front of it.
• Attack zombies in multiple lanes at once: This characteristic makes it very useful for tackling large groups of zombies that are spread out.

Strengths

• Multi-directional attack: This is Starfruit’s greatest strength, providing excellent coverage and hitting multiple targets.
• Rear defense: It’s one of the few plants that can consistently defend itself from behind, reducing the need for supporting defense in certain situations.
• Versatile range: The ability to hit zombies in various locations adds a tactical dimension to using this plant effectively.

Limitations

• Lower per-hit damage: Starfruit’s individual projectiles do not deal as much damage as some other offensive plants, like the Melon-pult.
• Ineffective against armored zombies: The relatively low damage output makes it less effective against heavily armored zombies like the Buckethead or the Gargantuar.
• Requires strategic placement: Its effectiveness is maximized when placed away from the main lines of attack, as it is not effective as a frontline attacker.

Strategic Deployment of Starfruit

Optimal Placement

The best placement for Starfruit is often not directly on the front lines. Instead, consider placing it:

• On water lanes in Pool levels: Where zombie pressure tends to be less intense, Starfruit’s area of effect can cover multiple lanes.
• Behind defensive plants: Place Starfruit behind other plants like the Tall-nut or Wall-nut, allowing it to attack without taking as much damage.
• At a distance: Position Starfruit in locations where it can fire across multiple lanes without being easily overwhelmed.

Complementary Plants

Starfruit works well in conjunction with other defensive and offensive plants. Consider the following combinations:

• Garlic: Use Garlic to funnel zombies towards Starfruit’s range, making the most of its multi-directional attacks.
• Defensive Plants: Pair Starfruit with robust defenders to buy it time to unleash consistent damage.
• Area-of-Effect Plants: Plants like the Jalapeno can clear out large groups quickly, creating opportunities for Starfruit to do its work.

When to Avoid Using Starfruit

There are some situations where it might not be the most efficient plant:

• Front-line defense: Starfruit is not a strong frontline attacker. Avoid placing it directly against large waves of zombies without support.
• Levels with many armored zombies: Its damage output is not suited to rapidly defeating armored enemies.

FAQs About Starfruit

1. Where is the best place to put Starfruit in Pvz?

The best place to plant Starfruit is usually in the back or middle lines, where it can hit multiple lanes and not take as much direct damage. Water lanes in Pool levels are also a good choice for them.

2. How do you unlock Starfruit?

In the original Plants vs. Zombies game, as well as Plants vs. Zombies: Journey to the West, Starfruit is unlocked after beating Level 4-6.

3. What does Starfruit do when it shoots its stars?

Starfruit shoots five star-shaped projectiles simultaneously in different directions – forwards, backwards, upwards, downwards, and in the same lane it is planted.

4. Does Starfruit do more damage than Peashooter?

While the combined total damage output of Starfruit can be higher, the individual projectiles deal less damage than a single Peashooter shot, making it less effective against single, high health enemies.

5. Is Starfruit effective against Buckethead Zombies?

Starfruit is less effective against Buckethead Zombies. Its lower per-projectile damage means it takes longer to defeat such heavily armored zombies.

6. Does Garlic help Starfruit?

Yes, Garlic can enhance Starfruit’s performance. By redirecting zombies, Garlic funnels enemies into Starfruit’s firing range, optimizing its multi-directional attack.

7. Does Starfruit require specific planting strategies?

Yes, Starfruit requires strategic placement. It is most effective when positioned away from the front lines, where it can hit multiple lanes simultaneously and isn’t easily overwhelmed.

8. What are Starfruit’s weaknesses?

Starfruit’s weaknesses include a lower single-hit damage output and being ineffective against heavily armored zombies and it being less useful on the front lines.

9. Can Starfruit defend itself from behind?

Yes, one of Starfruit’s biggest strengths is that it can effectively defend itself from behind due to its multi-directional firing pattern.

10. Is Starfruit a good frontline attacker?

No, Starfruit is not a strong frontline attacker. Its relatively low per-hit damage and unique firing pattern make it better suited for back or middle positions where it can fire across multiple lanes.

11. How does Starfruit compare to Cabbage-pult?

Cabbage-pult fires a single, high-damage projectile in one direction at a slower rate of fire. Starfruit fires five low-damage projectiles in multiple directions. They’re both useful in different scenarios. Cabbage-pult is often better against single high health enemies, while starfruit is better against groups.

12. Can Starfruit defeat Gargantuars?

Starfruit can help weaken a Gargantuar but it is not very effective against them due to its relatively low damage per projectile. You would want to pair it with stronger single target attackers or explosive plants.

13. What are the health benefits of starfruit in real life?

Starfruit is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, phosphorous, and potassium. Vitamin A helps improve vision and Vitamin C boosts the immune system.

14. What other games does Starfruit appear in?

Starfruit is also available in Plants vs. Zombies: Journey to the West, a Chinese spin-off of the original game.

15. How does Starfruit work with other plants?

Starfruit is most effective when paired with defensive plants such as Wall-nut and Tall-nut, and plants that can funnel zombies toward it like Garlic, so it can maximize its multi directional attacks.