Puffball

*Puffballs explode when planted, poisoning zombies in the three columns around them.*

## In-game statistics

### Codename alias

puffball

**"You think cuz I'm Puffball that I'm puffy, that I'm soft, that I'm insubstantial?" fumes Puffball. "You need to change that thinking. PRONTO."**

**Puffball** is a premium plant in *Plants vs. Zombies 2: Reflourished*. He costs 75 gems to purchase.

When planted, he explodes and poisons every zombie caught in the three columns (5x3) surrounding him, dealing 30 damage per second to all of his targets until they are defeated. The poison can also be stacked with other Puffballs, increasing the damage dealt over time. As an instant-use plant, Puffball takes longer than typical plants to recharge.

## Almanac entry

**Puffball**

Puffballs explode when planted, poisoning zombies in the three columns around them.

Usage: single use, instant

"You think cuz I'm Puffball that I'm puffy, that I'm soft, that I'm insubstantial?" fumes Puffball. "You need to change that thinking. PRONTO."

## Strategies

As an instant-use plant that poisons zombies rather than outright destroying them, Puffball is an interesting pick. In contrast to Cherry Bomb and other instant-use plants who deal a set amount of damage, Puffball's permanent poison guarantees the eventual destruction of all zombies caught in a huge three column area. This way, he can single-handedly secure an entire wave of regular zombies, exposing and continuing to damage special zombie types who don't rely on protective armor.

However, Puffball requires not one, but two crucial payments: sun and time. Puffball is the most costly of any instant-use plant, requiring a strong backbone of sun production to reasonably afford. His damage per second is quite low, making it easy for high health targets like mechanical foes and Gargantuars to resist the poison. This puts Puffball at odds with other instant-use plants that are much more capable in dealing direct damage to these targets, while also being cheaper to use. As a result, Puffball is better used in levels with high zombie density, but not in levels that contain high health zombies.

In case Puffball is used to deal with high health zombies, stalling plants can be used to get more damage out of the poison effect. Options like Sap-fling and Snow Pea can slow poisoned zombies, while stun and knockback through plants like Stunion, Primal Peashooter and Chard Guard can prevent them from advancing altogether. With enough time, the poison can take its toll to deal much more significant damage.

Like any other instant-use plant, Puffball shouldn't be entirely relied on for defense, due to his minute-long recharge time.

## Balance changes

### Initial launch

* ▼ +200 Sun
* ▼ +40 second recharge
* ▼ No longer stuns
* ▼ -25 Poison DPS
	+ Not mentioned in the changelogs.

### Version 1.1.2

* ▲ Recharge: 60s -> 50s
* ▲ Poison DPS: 25 -> 30
	+ Developer Note: Puffball really lacked the oomph needed of such a high sun cost, as his effect was not immediate. As a result, his poison is now on par with Shadow-Shroom to have it really be that wave opening damager! This, alongside the slight recharge time decrease, should really get him in the fight.