Plants vs Zombies 2 - Zomboss - MONEY Plant Showcase - Cactus - May 2023 - SUCCESS

We felt bad releasing Zomboss fights where there were two (2) fails. So we re-recorded them but this time, with two (2) wins at difficulty 3 - to show that this indeed can be done.

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This Penny's quest focuses on the Money plant Cactus and was offered between between May 24, 2023 and May 31, 2023.

Cactus is a member of the Spear-Mint family.
Cactus costs 175 Sun. (-25 Sun at levels 5, 7 and 9.)
Fires a piercing spike that will damage 2-4 zombies.
Each spike 30 damage. (+10 per level.)
When given plant food, the damage will be doubled for the rest of the round.
When zombies get too close, Cactus will hide in the ground and act like a Spikeweed.
When zombies walk on Cactus, the zombies will take 10 damage. (+5 per level.)
When given plant food, zombies will take 20 damage. (+10 damage at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.)
Cactus will reach up and attack flying zombies doing 45 damage. (+15 per level.)

The Good:
Cactus is quite versatile.
Does more damage to fliers than other plants.
Not easily defeated as zombies can not devour this plant.
Plant food effect is permanent.

The Bad:
While the plant food is permanent, there is no one-time effect - just a damage increase.
Cactus is a bit of a scary-plant, hiding when zombies get within two (2) tiles.
Cactus is a money plant.

Commentary:
Many players poo-poo Cactus because it appears weak compared to their other leveled up plants. But when players play with Cactus when offered, Cactus will be level 1 - which naturally will be under-powered compared to their other plants.

That said, Cactus is a cross between Laser Bean and Spikeweed. For an additional 25 Sun, one can get Laser Bean which will pierce ALL zombies and do more damage.

While one CAN use Cactus like Spikeweed, Spikeweed is cheaper.

Bottom Line:
Game companies walk a fine line when it comes to micro-transactions. Make a money purchase "too good" and cries of “Pay to Win” will be said. Make a money purchase “too weak” and players will not purchase the item. Since the goal is to make money, this is indeed a fine line - one we do not envy.

That said, Cactus is among the weaker of the money plants. Laser Bean simply is not used as a viable long range Spear-Mint plant. Bloomerang is not used much more. Cactus simply does not offer anything unique enough to justify the purchase.

However, Cactus is on sale this week so support the game and pick up Cactus!

+Timestamps
00:00 Difficulty 1 - Cactus + Bloomerang + Pokra
02:20 Difficulty 2 - Laser Bean + Zoybean Pod + Tile Turnip = FAIL. Needed Shine Vine at the start.
04:39 Difficulty 3 - Lightning Reed + Power Vine = FAIL. Who knew tombstones could survive the entire level?

Jester and Fire Imp zombies make Appease-Mint unreliable.
Recommend using Arma-Mint strategies.

Given Plant = Cactus
Chosen Perk is Knock Back / Jalapeño / Boss Buster

Level 1 Objective - Remove seven (7) health bars in three (3) minutes.
Reward is 10 Cactus
Players start with 2,500 Sun.

Level 2 Objective - Remove nine (9) health bars in three (3) minutes.
Reward is 15 Cactus
Players start with 2,500 Sun.

Level 3 Objective - Remove eleven (11) health bars in three (3) minutes.
Reward is 20 Cactus
Players start with 2,500 Sun.

We do not get a preview of Penny's Pursuit before it is released. So what you see is what players get.

We also try to vary the strategies from week to week and showcasing different plants and strategies and ideas. Using the same strategy week after week would be boring to see.

As always, if you appreciate these videos, learned something from them, please subscribe. This incentives me to continue making these videos.