Apple Mortar

*Apple Mortars launch heavy-damage apple cores down three lanes.*

**Apple Mortar stuns three zombies dead in their tracks. SPAF! That'll show 'em! That'll show ALL of them!**

**Apple Mortar** is a plant in *Plants vs. Zombies 2: Reflourished* and the ninth plant obtained in Pirate Seas. It is unlocked after beating Pirate Seas - Day 27.

Apple Mortar attacks by lobbing powerful apple cores in three adjacent lanes about every 2.95-3 seconds, in a similar manner to a Threepeater or a powered Dusk Lobber. Each apple deals 65 damage to a zombie, plus 20 splash damage to zombies in a 1x1 area.

## Almanac entry

**Apple Mortar**

Apple Mortars launch heavy-damage apple cores down three lanes.

Apple Mortar stuns three zombies dead in their tracks. SPAF! That'll show 'em! That'll show ALL of them!

## Plant Food effect

When fed Plant Food, Apple Mortar lobs a big apple at every zombie on screen and at every grid item in front. These bigger apples each deal 50 damage to all targets on the landing tile, as well as stunning them for 7 seconds.

## Strategies

Apple Mortar is a heavy duty plant for handling single targets over multiple lanes. Like other single target offensive plants, Apple Mortar naturally struggles against larger hordes, although this is somewhat relieved by the additional splash damage effect. If struggling against large hordes, consider supplementing Apple Mortar with similarly powerful multi-hit or area of effect plants like Electric Peashooter and Dandelion to clear low health zombies and allow Apple Mortar to focus its damage onto tough targets.

Apple Mortars that are planted in the top or bottom lane will only be able to fire in two lanes instead of three. Because of this, it is best to prioritise planting Apple Mortars in the second and fourth lanes instead, allowing for full coverage of the lawn without sacrificing any damage. Keep in mind that Apple Mortar's attack pattern also gives it the quirk of dealing more damage in the center of the lawn when used in groups, leaving the top and bottom lanes relatively vulnerable. Using plants such as Jalapeno and Garlic can either manage these lanes if they get congested, or send zombies toward the center where Apple Mortars deal the most damage.

Compared to its straight-shooting contemporary, Threepeater, Apple Mortar is more cost effective despite its heavy price tag, dealing splash damage without additional support and generally being able to fit more damage into a single tile. On the other hand, Threepeater can be boosted by Torchwood, with flaming peas matching Apple Mortar's splash damage while dealing greater single target damage. Make sure to choose one that fits the level, as scenarios such as limited sun or the presence of Excavator Zombie may circumvent the use of either plant.

## Balance changes

### Initial launch

* ▲ +30 damage
* ▲ +20 splash damage in a 1x1
	+ This change is not listed in the official changelog.
* ▼ +175 sun
* ▼ +8 second recharge
* ▼ No longer stuns

### Version 1.1

* ▲ Damage: 60 -> 65
* ▲ Plant Food projectiles now inflict a 7 second stun.

## Trivia

* Apple Mortar's "Ringo Morutaru" costume is based on Ringo Ando, a character from the *Puyo Puyo* series.
	+ The name of the costume consists of the Japanese word "ringo," meaning apple, and the syllables that make up the transliteration of the word "mortar" in Japanese.