Backup Dancer
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—Backup Dancer's Plants vs. Zombies 3 almanac entry | ||
- For other uses, see Backup Dancer (disambiguation).
Backup Dancer is a recurring character within the Plants vs. Zombies franchise. Backup Dancers are similar to basic Zombies, but almost always accompany a Disco Zombie, being summoned by these dancers as backup, usually in sets in four.
As of Plants vs. Zombies 3, Backup Dancer has appeared in five games, with two similar counterparts appearing in other games in the series.
History
Plants vs. Zombies
- Main article: Backup Dancer (PvZ)
In the original Plants vs. Zombies game, as well as certain Chinese spin-off games based on it, Backup Dancer is the 10th zombie encountered, appearing with Dancing Zombie, as only Dancing Zombies can summon Backup Dancers (though the 2nd phase of the Skeleton Demon Zombie can also summon Backup Dancers), appearing in a + shape around the Dancing Zombie.
While he works exactly like a Zombie similar to Ducky Tube Zombie, Backup Dancer and Dancing Zombie have an interesting history, originally based on Michael Jackson and his backup dancers, specifically Thriller. However, complaints were sent from the Michael Jackson estate, leading to a redesign for later releases.
In Plants vs. Zombies: Great Wall Edition, he was renamed and appeared as the Kid Taoist Monk Zombie.
Plants vs. Zombies Adventures (Archived content)
- Main article: Conga Dancer
The first of the similar counterparts for Backup Dancer was Conga Dancer, who appeared in the ill-fated Facebook game Plants vs. Zombies Adventures. She first appeared in the first level of Sweaty Palms with her summoned, Conga Leader. Unlike Backup Dancer, she was summoned behind her summoner rather than in a plus shape and spawning every four seconds (two seconds for the first one and none spawn while Conga Leader is eating a plant) until the Conga Leader was destroyed.
Conga Dancer, while not too interesting on her own, was the first official female zombie created in the series, an honor Bikini Zombie's entry in Plants vs. Zombies 2 would try to claim.
Plants vs. Zombies 2
- Main article: Disco Jetpack Zombie
The second counterpart to Backup Dancer would appear in Plants vs. Zombies 2 in the form of Disco Jetpack Zombie. First appearing in Day 10 of the Far Future with his summoner, like the first game, these zombies are spawned in a + shape around the Disco-Tron, but don't try to match the speed of the Disco-Tron, instead going the pace of a normal Jetpack Zombie.
Disco Jetpack Zombie shares all the stats and abilities of Jetpack Zombie, which includes being able to fly over almost every plant, but suffers the same weakness as Jetpack Zombie; a simple Blover or Hurrikale can blow him off the lawn, rendering him not a threat. Along with this, E.M.Peach can stun his summoner, which can potentially lead to the Disco-Tron being destroyed without spawning a single Disco Jetpack.
Garden Warfare series
- Main article: Backup Dancer (Spawnable)
Backup Dancers make a reappearance in as a spawnable in Garden Warfare and an OPs-only zombie Garden Warfare 2, summoned by glowing dirt piles (only in Garden Warfare) or by Disco Zombie. Unlike the first game, Backup Dancer doesn't follow whoever summoned him, going off on his own towards whatever objective the zombies are after and has more health than the first game, being based off a Conehead Zombie's health rather than a Browncoat Zombie's.
A specific Backup Dancer appears in Garden Warfare 2 during the "You Are Cordially Invited..." quest named Tony Boloney, who attempts to challenge the player to a dance-off to reveal the location of Zomboss' lair. However he accidentally injures himself and the player has to go elsewhere. Boloney oddly uses voice clips from Disco Zombie rather than from a Backup Dancer when dancing.
Plants vs. Zombies Heroes
- Main article: Backup Dancer (PvZH)
Backup Dancer reappears in Plants vs. Zombies Heroes, originally as only a token made by Disco Zombie and Dance Off, Update 1.2.11 made Backup Dancer the basic card of the Dancing tribe and thus of the 
Crazy class.
He is like the other basic cards, and such costs 1
, has 1
/1
and no special traits or abilities. Backup Dancer does, however, have one difference from other basic tribe cards, also having the Mustache tribe, which allows him to synergize with Mustache Waxer if necessary and be conjured by Duckstache and Frosty Mustache.
Plants vs. Zombies 3
- Main article: Backup Dancer (PvZ3)
Backup Dancer's latest appearance is in Plants vs. Zombies 3 as an Electric Nightclub zombie. He first appears at Floor 11 of the Devour Tower.
Once again, he can be summoned by Disco Zombies, but he can also arrive on the lawn by himself, having slightly more health than a Browncoat Zombie in return for being slower, though he also has the Electric typing, thus taking more damage against Earthy plants and resisting attacks from Chilling plants.
Gallery
Plants vs. Zombies Wiki has a gallery for Backup Dancer.
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Trivia
- The old Backup Dancer's design might be based on the backup dancers from Michael Jackson's music video "Bad".
- In certain promotional material such as the Stop Zombie Mouth! trading cards, the old Backup Dancer design is referred to as "80's Zombie."
- The word "Chewliard" from the Backup Dancer's Plants vs. Zombies Almanac entry is a pun to the Juilliard School in New York City. This pun would later be reused for Jester Zombie's Plants vs. Zombies 2 entry.
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