Zombie Hamsterball

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An empty Zombie Hamsterball

Zombie Hamsterballs are items in Plants vs. Zombies 2 that were introduced in the 6.9.1 update. It only appears in Arena and certain Penny's Pursuit levels and will appear during "HAMSTER BRAWL!" ambushes.

It can come with nearly any zombie inside it, including Gargantuars, and significantly increases the speed of the zombie it contains (though prevents it from using any special abilities), but breaks after taking enough damage. The health, speed and contained zombie all vary from level to level. Some Zombie Hamsterballs also slow down after crushing a plant, or even switch lanes after encountering one. Alongside these abilities, Zombie Hamsterballs can appear with Plant Family icons on them, which will show what plants the Hamsterball is weak or strong against.

Origins

A real-life hamster ball

They are based on the real life object, known as the hamster ball, a type of exercise equipment for hamsters and other small rodents. However, these balls are resized for zombies to use.

Encounters

Arena:

Strategies

A Spikerock can instantly destroy it, but it will degrade it once. This, however, will not work if the Zombie Hamsterball approaches the Spikerock using a slider tile. Spikeweeds can also be used for their cheaper price and just as fast recharge, although they will only take one roll. The most effective way to counter the Zombie Hamsterball is to use the Spear-mint, which creates five Spikerocks, therefore quickly nullifying the threat.

Bamboo Spartan deals its massively increased damage to Hamster Balls, likely enough to kill it nigh instantly.

If using Spikerock is not possible due to zombies like Troglobites, then Squash (lv 3+) can also be very effective due to the Zombie Hamsterball's large hitbox, making it take damage from all three smashes, while not being able to move forwards while being squashed.

Bombard-mint is also a good choice to defeat it. Usually 2 out of 3 explosions will hit the Zombie Hamsterball, with each dealing great amounts of damage. This means that it will be likely to pop open. An Explode-O-Nut, Explode-o-Vine or Puffball once planted can fully break it with one hit.

If bounced slightly into the air by certain plants, the Blover will be able to instantly destroy it, destroying both the Zombie Hamsterball and the zombie within.

Players should also pay attention to the icons that appear on the Zombie Hamsterballs, as that helps show how to defeat them quickly.

Gallery

Trivia

  • According to a blog by PopCap representative Haemophilus_EA, the Zombie Hamsterballs were invented by Dr. Zomboss.
  • When Camel Zombies are inside of them, only the leading sign appears. The others instantly appear when the Zombie Hamsterball is destroyed.
  • One can see the Zombie Hamsterballs glowing, despite the zombies and the hamsterball itself not carrying Plant Food.
  • A Gargantuar inside the Zombie Hamsterball resembles the Gargantuar in the Gargantuar-Throwing Imp card in Plants vs. Zombies Heroes.
  • If no zombie is specified to appear inside of it, it will default to a Conehead Zombie.

See also