Guide For Plants vs. Zombies

Stage layout

The first and third levels are simplistic. The second and fourth levels expand upon this, with the new Zombie and multiple waves, as well as the past Zombies to deal with. The fifth level is always a bonus level, most of which later reappear as Mini-games. The sixth through ninth levels work similarly to the first through fourth. The tenth level is the final level in the stage, and is a conveyor-belt level. In these levels, you do not need to worry about sun. The seed packets come on the conveyor-belt at the top, and stop once they reach the end. You can grab them off of any part of it and plant them. Make sure to keep at least some space on the conveyo- belt clear, though, or there will be no room for new packets to come in.

Stage One: Day

Overview

The levels here are simple. It is daytime, so sun will come from the sky. This is the basic layout. At the beginning of the first few levels, strips of grass will roll out, eventually creating five rows. This acts as a tutorial level, and the first three levels cannot be replayed when completed.

Level 1-1

For full article, see Level 1-1

Here, there is only one strip of grass. So, plant as many Peashooters as possible. There are only five zombies during this level, and there is not even a "massive" wave of zombies at the end, so two Peashooters are sufficient, although three would be great. This level is, fittingly, the easiest level in the whole game. It is so easy that you can't even lose the level. No zombies will come until you plant your second Peashooter.

Plants earned: Peashooter, Sunflower

New Zombie: Zombie

Note: When you play this level for the first time, it is impossible to fail. Even if you plant two Peashooters on the extreme right side of the lawn, they would get eaten but the zombies are too slow, so by the time the final wave arrives, the zombies wouldn't have reached the Lawnmower, which would kill them all and complete the level.

Level 1-2

For full article, see Level 1-2 Two more strips of grass will roll out here. One on the top, another on the bottom, each above and below the "mid-strip." Plant three, six or nine Sunflowers in the back, then plant more Peashooters until you get a solid defense. This level is a good candidate for the achievement Sunny Days as no zombies will come until you plant your third Sunflower, making it possible to get maximum sun with only two Sunflowers.

Plant earned: Cherry Bomb

New Zombie: Flag Zombie

Level 1-3

For full article, see Level 1-3 Same tactic as Level 2. However, if anything gets bad, use a Cherry Bomb. You may want to use it at the final wave. This level is the first to feature Conehead Zombies, which are tougher than the normal variety. If you do not have enough Peashooters, save some Sun so you can bomb them. Also, note that from this point onward, every single level will contain Coneheads, with the exception of Level 2-1. Their inclusion in the level will be omitted from this guide.

Plant earned: Wall-nut

New Zombie: Conehead Zombie

Level 1-4

For full article, see Level 1-4

Here, you finally get all five lanes of grass, so use them well by planting either five, ten or fifteen Sunflowers. Apply the same tactics here from the previous levels. You may want to add a row of Wall-nuts as well. Again, use a Cherry Bomb if things get tough.

Item earned: Shovel

Level 1-5

For full article, see Level 1-5 Wall-nut Bowling time! First, using your trusty new Shovel, dig up the three Peashooters, as told by Crazy Dave. Next, when the first zombie comes, place a Wall-nut in its lane and watch. Repeat as necessary. Attempt to achieve as many ricochets as possible, and keep in mind that the Coneheads take two hits, and Zombies take one. Wall-nuts do not roll off the screen when they reach the end of the conveyor-belt. Explode-o-nuts (the red Wall-nuts) are essentially a Cherry Bomb. Save them for emergencies, or use them for groups of zombies.

Plant earned: Potato Mine

Level 1-6

For full article, see Level 1-6 This is the first actual level you will come up against, featuring the new Pole Vaulting Zombie. Although it is not quite as tough as a Conehead, it does move significantly faster. Stick anything cheap and easily rechargeable e.g. a Sunflower in front of it to slow it down, but if you have at least one Peashooter firing at it, it will go down easily. Other than that, there really is not anything else remarkable about this level.

Plant earned: Snow Pea

New Zombie: Pole Vaulting Zombie

Level 1-7

For full article, see Level 1-7 This level is the first of many to have multiple waves of zombies (only two), so save some Sun for Cherry Bombs for both waves. You can check your progress at the top or the bottom of the screen. Use the new Snow Peas to defeat the Coneheads and Pole Vaulters with ease. A single one is enough to stop both. Because of their higher Sun cost, though, you may want to use more Sunflowers than normal. Note that there is no added benefit to using multiple Snow Peas in the same row. Once you have a Snow Pea base, the game basically plays itself.

Plant earned: Chomper

Level 1-8

For full article, see Level 1-8

Moon Snail's second play strategy, simple and sun conserving.

This level introduces Bucketheads, which are tougher than Coneheads and Vaulters. Fortunately, very few appear. A Snow Pea/Peashooter combo is enough to take them out, but feel free to use Cherry Bombs, Potato Mines, or the new Chompers if conventional methods fail. Note that all levels, starting with this one, will limit the plants you can use. Later on, you can get more seed slots, but for now, you're restricted to six.

Plant earned: Repeater

New Zombie: Buckethead Zombie

Level 1-9

For full article, see Level 1-9

Pole Vaulters and a lot more Bucketheads appear frequently in this two-wave stage. Use a Snow Pea/Repeater combo to take them out, and pack your Instant Kill items if you need to take someone out in a pinch. A Wall-nut is also handy if the onslaught gets too unbearable.

Item earned: note

Level 1-10

For full article, see Level 1-10

This is your second conveyor-belt level, the first being Wall-nut bowling. Plant your Peashooters as soon as possible, and try to distribute them evenly between the rows. Set up a Wall-nut shield in a later column, with Potato Mines directly behind it. Try to spread out your Snow Peas so you have at least one in every row. Save your Cherry Bombs for clusters of Bucketheads and during any waves. Plant any plants you do not intend to use and dig them up immediately so you can leave space for new seeds on the conveyor-belt. This should be a fairly easy level.