Chomper (PvZ)


 * For other versions, see Chomper (disambiguation).

Chomper is a multi-use instant-kill plant appearing in Plants vs. Zombies. He can eat zombies whole, killing them instantly, but is vulnerable to attacks when chewing.

About

 * For more information about this character, see Chomper.

Chomper is obtained by completing Level 1-7. Chomper can devour most types of zombies, instantly killing them in the process. However, after eating an enemy, Chomper will require 42 seconds before he can eat another, making him vulnerable, exposing itself to other zombies' attacks in the process

When faced with inedible targets such as a Gargantuar or its tougher variant, Chomper will instead attempt to damage them with his bites, dealing 40 damage per shot worth of damage for each bite.

Completing a level using only Sunflower, Wall-nut, and Chomper will grant the player the Nom Nom Nom achievement.

Origins
Chomper is based on the Venus flytrap, with a design similar to Audrey II's from Little Shop of Horrors.

His name is related to the verb chomp, meaning the act of chewing and munching something loudly or heavily.

Almanac entry
Chomper

Chompers can devour a zombie whole, but they are vulnerable while chewing.

Damage: massive Range: very short Special: long delay between chomps

Chomper almost got a gig doing stunts for The Little Shop of Horrors but it fell through when his agent demanded too much on the front end. Chomper's not resentful, though. He says it's just part of the business.

Cost: 150

Recharge: fast

Strategies
Chomper's main value in the plant arsenal is found in its ability to instantly devour tougher zombies such as Buckethead Zombies, Zombonis, and Football Zombies, who would otherwise be able to soak up a considerable amount of damage and allow their comrades to advance. However, this comes at a great price, as Chomper will be rendered inactive for a very long while and exposing itself to attacks after devouring an enemy, regardless of who the victim was - a basic Zombie and a Football Zombie will take the same amount of time to be digested. Chomper also has dismal performance against Gargantuars, due to its low range and bite damage.

As the Tree of Wisdom suggest, delaying plants, in particular Wall-nut, can help Chomper by buying additional time for Chomper to digest its victims. These include the following:
 * Defensive plants: Wall-nut, Tall-nut and Pumpkin,
 * Slowing and freezing plants: Snow Pea, Winter Melon, and Ice-shroom.

I, Zombie
It is suggested to use Digger Zombie to eat a Chomper from the back, as it cannot eat zombies backwards.

In ZomBoogie, Dancing Zombies are useful in countering Chomper, as they can summon Backup Dancers as shields while advancing. Deploying a Dancing Zombie between two lanes guarded with Chomper should be able to clear up to three lanes with little trouble, and additional regular Zombies can also be placed to ensure that the Chompers are defeated.

In All your brainz r belong to us, there is usually only one lane with Chompers. Digger Zombie is advised for assaulting this particular lane, but the player should remember to check Magnet-shroom on adjacent lanes that can force Digger Zombie to surface.

Nom Nom Nom achievement
To get this achievement, complete the level using only Sunflower, Wall-nut, and Chomper. It is advised to obtain this achievement by playing a Day level after finishing the game due to the low amount of zombies present there. The Garden Rake and Lawn Mowers can also be helpful in giving the player more time to gather sun.

Trivia

 * If it is smashed, its flattened sprite will always have no zombies or arms, and will have an open mouth regardless of whether it was chomping a zombie or not.
 * If it is planted directly in front of a bobsled and Chomper eats the bobsled before it breaks, he will instantly devour all four zombies inside, saving lots of time.
 * According to the Plants vs. Zombies website, Chomper costs 175 sun, while in-game, it actually costs 150.
 * Its Almanac entry states that it was going to be a movie star. Its explicit reference to the Little Shop of Horrors movie may be due to the fact that it resembles Audrey II, the carnivorous monster plant from that movie.
 * On the Nintendo DS, iOS, and Android versions of Plants vs. Zombies, its Almanac entry replaces "The Little Shop of Horrors" with "Hollywood."
 * It, Sunflower, Peashooter, Repeater, Wall-nut, Tall-nut, and Cactus are the plants that appear on the start menu, but in this art, it has no spikes on its head.
 * In the art cover of the Plants vs. Zombies Original Soundtrack, it is visible singing along with the Squash and Sun-shroom. This version has three spikes on its head, while the in-game Chomper has four.
 * When a Pole Vaulting Zombie (while it still has its pole) runs into it (not chewing), it will attempt to chomp, but fail to catch the vaulting zombie. This is not the case if it's slowed down enough to be eaten.
 * If player pause the game and exit to the main menu while it tries to devouring Gargantuar then loads the saved game, the Chomper will appeared as if it already "devouring" some zombie, this is most likely a programming glitch.
 * In the PC demo version, when it eats a zombie, the player will hear the noise when a zombie eats a plant, as well as its normal biting sound.
 * According to the Tree of Wisdom, Chomper and Wall-nut were roommates in college. This is an obvious reference to it's efficient use.
 * The idea of it was from Swiss Family Robinson, George Fan's favorite movie. The idea was from a tiger in a hole, that would eat pirates.