Explode-o-Vine

*Explode-o-Vines detonate an explosion with knockback on a 3x3 area when planted, and then a larger explosion when defeated.*

## Almanac statistics

### Price from shop

20

**Explode-o-Vine is sooooooooooooooo ready to explode. Just ridiculously ready. He's got the color picked out and everything.**

**Explode-o-Vine** is a Timeless Avenue gauntlet plant in *Alternate UniverZ*. When planted, Explode-o-Vine releases an explosion in a 3x3 area. When Explode-o-Vine is eaten, he will explode and deal damage to zombies in a 3x3 area. His on-planting damage is one-third of his death damage. Zombies are knocked back after any of his explosions.

## Almanac entry

**Explode-o-Vine**

SUN COST: 250

RECHARGE: 30

TOUGHNESS: 1500

INITIAL EXPLOSION: 300

DEATH EXPLOSION: 900

KNOCKBACK DISTANCE: 1.5 Tiles

EXPLOSION AREA: 3x3

Explode-o-Vines detonate an explosion with knockback on a 3x3 area when planted, and then a larger explosion when defeated.
Usage: can be planted on top of non-vine plants

Explode-o-Vine is sooooooooooooooo ready to explode. Just ridiculously ready. He's got the color picked out and everything.

## Plant Food effect

When given Plant Food, Explode-o-Vine will produce an explosion and gain a armor piece which is capable of absorbing 1500 damage or one Gargantuar smash. When the armor is destroyed, it explodes again. Both of the explosions do 1800 damage. The plant that the Explode-o-Vine surrounds will also activate their Plant Food ability.

## Strategies

Explode-o-Vine's perk is very similar to Explode-O-Nut. Both of them aren't as tough compared to specialized defensive plants in exchange for a shorter recharge and additional offensive attributes. The difference is that Explode-o-Vine has less durability, but provides an additional explosion when planted, and since he is a vine, he can conserve space for other plants. Some zombies will make Explode-o-Vine explode by using their abilities like Barrel Roller Zombie, Pianist Zombie or a Gargantuar. Otherwise, he can explode as if he was a delayed time bomb that can only count down if zombies attempt to destroy him. The only exception is Explorer Zombie, but only if their torch is still lit. In that case, as they have low health, the plant's initial explosion can instantly kill them.

The player should be aware of the Mecha-Football Zombie, as he can push Explode-o-Vine to the left tile instead of detonating him. This also applies to Excavator Zombie, Punk Zombie and Fisherman Zombie. Attacks that can transform or neutralize plants such as Wizard Zombie, Octo Zombie, and Hunter Zombie are also a threat. Also, be cautious of Sasquatch Imps as they are immune to the explosion, although not to its knockback effect.

Explode-o-Vine also make a viable choice in higher levels of Endless Zones. Though he is obviously less durable than Pumpkin, he can provide two additional explosions, thus making plant the Explode-o-Vine surrounds safer, as he will explode when eaten, killing the attacking zombie, whereas for Pumpkin you need another plant to defend.

Feeding Plant Food to Explode-o-Vine is useful, as he will provide two additional explosions, four explosions in total, dealing 4800 damage. A good way to use Explode-o-Vine is with Sweet Potato or Void Orchid to group zombies up and provide extra defense to the plant.

## Balance Changes

### Version 1.6.2

* Sun cost: 200 -> 250
* Initial explosion damage reduced
	+ Dev note: As fun as this plant can be, it was WAY too strong by using it as just an insta. This chance doesn't make it bad, it rather makes it have the correct purpose.