Explode-O-Nut

*Explode-O-Nuts provide protection, and when their shells are eaten, they explode to blow up zombies.*

## In-game statistics

### Codename alias

explodeonut

**"My only regret," says Explode-O-Nut, "is that I have but one chewy center full of nitroglycerin to give in defense of this lawn."**

**Explode-O-Nut** is a premium plant in *Plants vs. Zombies 2: Reflourished*. He costs 75 gems to purchase.

Explode-O-Nut is a slightly weaker Wall-nut that explodes in a 3x3 area when he is eaten or crushed, dealing 800 armor-piercing damage to zombies in that area.

Destroying him by other means such as burning him or removing him from the lawn will not cause Explode-O-Nut to explode.

## Almanac entry

**Explode-O-Nut**

Explode-O-Nuts provide protection, and when their shells are eaten, they explode to blow up zombies.

"My only regret," says Explode-O-Nut, "is that I have but one chewy center full of nitroglycerin to give in defense of this lawn."

## Plant Food effect

When given Plant Food, Explode-O-Nut gains full-body metal armor, capable of absorbing 3000 damage or a single Gargantuar smash. The armor will also explode when broken.

## Strategies

Explode-O-Nut is unique amongst most in the other wall plants in the game in that he doesn't just block off zombies, but explodes when eaten or crushed. Though 800 damage does not seem much on paper, the damage goes straight through armor, meaning that most zombies will be fried by the explosion - albeit, not to the extent of the power of a Cherry Bomb, and with higher health targets like mechanical zombies being more resistant to the explosion. In addition, Explode-O-Nut has a high cost and recharge for a wall plant, making him relatively difficult to set up.

Explode-O-Nut's death explosion makes him a great pick in levels with a high abundance of zombies, taking advantage of his explosion to destroy large swathes of the horde at once. Plant-crushing zombies are especially helpful in this regard, with zombies like Barrel Roller Zombie, Arcade Zombie and Jurassic Rockpuncher able to quickly trigger the explosion. Despite this, Explode-O-Nut remains vulnerable to zombies that shove plants like Punk Zombie, as well as being harmlessly roasted away by Explorer Zombie, so be extra wary when these zombies show up.

There are various ways to have as many zombies grouped up as possible and get the most out of Explode-O-Nut's death explosion. An example is using various stalling plants like Stunion, Snow Pea and Sap-fling, as well as healing through Aloe, to buy more time for more zombies to group up towards Explode-O-Nut. Shrinking Violet can directly reduce zombie eating speeds and toughness, both buying time and helping to destroy zombies that may otherwise survive the death explosion. Although the explosion does cover multiple lanes, lane redirection may also be helpful for bringing more zombies to Explode-O-Nut and trigger the explosion sooner. Garlic can be planted far ahead to push zombies into Explode-O-Nut's lane, or Sweet Potato and co. can be planted behind Explode-o-nut to bring approaching zombies right to him.

Due to his slow recharge, Explode-O-Nut upkeep can quickly become a challenge in the typical level. Because of this, Intensive Carrot will often be an excellent tool in doing so. With a significantly faster recharge and lower sun cost, this makes it much cheaper and faster to replace defeated Explode-O-Nuts, as opposed to simply imitating him, thus allowing Explode-O-Nut to more reliably fend off the zombie horde.

## Balance changes

### Initial launch

* ▼ +100 Sun
* ▼ +20 second recharge
* ▼ -1000 damage