Buckethead Zombie


 * For the version in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, see Buckethead Zombie (PvZ: GW).

Buckethead Zombies and their time-themed variants in Plants vs. Zombies 2 are basic zombies with buckets on their head, greatly increasing their toughness. The bucket does not weaken the plants' effects though. One of their weaknesses is the Magnet-shroom, as it removes the buckets, rendering these zombies as vulnerable as normal zombies.

Plants vs. Zombies
This zombie is first encountered in Level 1-8. It is the fifth zombie to be found in Adventure Mode, and the last to be found in day levels. Like normal zombie and Conehead Zombie, Buckethead Zombies have Ducky Tube variants and they can come in Surprise Attacks at the Pool or Fog areas.

Plants vs. Zombies Adventures
The Buckethead Zombie first appears in Cadaver Cavern Level 1. Unlike zombie and Conehead Zombie, it is still appearing in every map after it debuts. Its appearances are higher than zombie's and Conehead Zombie's

Plants vs. Zombies 2
Normal Buckethead Zombies only appear in three levels, Player's House - Day 4, Piñata Party, and Vasebreaker. However, it has some variants in different areas: Buckethead Mummy in Ancient Egypt, Buckethead Pirate in Pirate Seas, Buckethead Cowboy in Wild West, Future Buckethead Zombie in Far Future, Buckethead Peasant in Dark Ages, Pompadour Buckethead and Bikini Buckethead in Big Wave Beach, and Cave Buckethead Zombie in Frostbite Caves. Its health and speed are the same as in Plants vs. Zombies.

Plants vs. Zombies
 BUCKETHEAD ZOMBIE 

His bucket hat makes him extremely resistant to damage.

Toughness: high

Weakness: magnet-shroom

Buckethead Zombie always wore a bucket. Part of it was to assert his uniqueness in an uncaring world. Mostly he just forgot it was there in the first place.

Buckethead Zombie
TOUGHNESS: Hardened

SPEED: Basic

His bucket hat makes him extremely resistant to damage.

There was a time when Buckethead Zombie was hailed as a zombie genius for his innovative bucket-on-head strategy. It's been a few years, though, and zombies wonder if he's got any surprises left. His secret? He doesn't.

Buckethead Mummy
TOUGHNESS: Hardened

SPEED: Basic

His sandy bucket greatly protects him from damage.

Buckethead Mummy Zombie graduated Magna Zom Louder from Zombie Academy where he learned to utilize his diaphragm during groaning lessons.

Buckethead Pirate
TOUGHNESS: Hardened

SPEED: Basic

His sturdy wooden bucket provides excellent protection from damage.

Buckethead Pirate Zombie is looking for his bucket. Have you seen it? It's where? Up where? Speak up, he can't hear you.

Buckethead Cowboy
TOUGHNESS: Hardened

SPEED: Basic

His chili pot hat makes him greatly resistant to damage.

A five-time winner of the temporal chili cook-off. Those Egyptian zombies don't know their chili, but Cowboys love their beans. The more you eat, the more you brains.

Future Buckethead Zombie
TOUGHNESS: Hardened

SPEED: Basic

His techno-bucket greatly increases his protection from damage.

Other zombies call him old-fashioned for being nostalgic for the year 2008. It was a simpler time when brains were brains, zombies were zombies, and those punk plants kept to themselves.

Buckethead Peasant
TOUGHNESS: Hardened

SPEED: Basic

His forged bucket provides great protection from damage.

None of the other zombies seem to understand just how versatile Buckethead Peasant's choice of headwear is. Sure, his bucket makes for a great battle helmet. But just last night, he cooked a truly divine stew in it. And next time you see his band, check out what he's using for a kick drum.

Pompadour Buckethead
TOUGHNESS: Hardened

SPEED: Basic

His scallop shelled bucket gives him great resistance to damage.

Pompadour Buckethead tried to learn to play the ukelele. He figured it would be easier to learn than the guitar on account of how small it is. But his stiff fingers ... they just weren't made for it. Now he just bangs on his bucket. And he's not half-bad either.

Bikini Buckethead
TOUGHNESS: Hardened

SPEED: Basic

Her scallop shelled bucket provides great protection from damage.

Bikini Buckethead had big ambitions. She wanted to do more than lurch around on a beach all day. Her life's dream: to perform internationally with a synchronized swimming team. Sadly, the nose plug was her undoing. If she only had a nose ...

Cave Buckethead Zombie
TOUGHNESS: Hardened

SPEED: Basic

His stone "bucket" hat provides great protection from damage.

Cave Buckethead Zombie likes rocks. He likes rocks A LOT. He strapped a rock to his head and called it a bucket. None of the other Cave Zombies know a "bucket" is, but they like his style.

Facebook Description
''He's always worn a bucket. First, it was to be unique. Later, he just forgot it was there.''

Overview
The Buckethead Zombie absorbs 64.25 normal damage shots, and its appearance changes upon an absorption of 19, 37, and 55 (when the bucket is destroyed) and 59.75 normal damage shots before dying at 64.25 normal damage shots.

Plants vs. Zombies

 * Adventure Mode: 1-8, 1-9, 1-10, 2-2, 2-5, 3-2, 3-4, 3-5 (DS, DSi), 3-7, 3-9, 3-10, 4-5, 4-7, 4-9, 4-10, 5-2, 5-5, 5-9, 5-10
 * Mini-games: Wall-nut Bowling, Slot Machine, It's Raining Seeds, Beghouled, Invisi-ghoul, Seeing Stars, Beghouled Twist, Portal Combat, Column Like You See 'Em, Whack a Zombie, Last Stand, Wall-nut Bowling 2, Dr. Zomboss's Revenge, Buttered Popcorn, Heat Wave, BOMB All Together!, Zombie Trap, Art Challenge Wall-nut, Sunny Day, Unsodded, Big Time, Art Challenge Sunflower, High Gravity, Grave Danger, Bungee Blitz
 * Puzzle Mode: Vasebreaker (Level), To the Left, Third Vase, M is for Metal, Hokey Pokey, Ace of Vase, Vasebreaker Endless, all I, Zombie levels, all Last Stand (Puzzle Mode) levels
 * Survival Mode: all levels
 * Co-op Mode: all levels
 * Others: Versus Mode

Plants vs. Zombies Adventures

 * Cadaver Cavern: All levels
 * Park-n-Perish: All levels
 * Killjoy Park: All levels except for 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 16
 * Sweaty Palms: All levels except for 4, 5, 9, 14, 15, 19, 23
 * U of Z: All levels
 * Frostbite Falls: All levels except for 16, 17
 * Mildew Meadow: All levels
 * Grey Matter Gardens: All levels except for 21
 * The Sever Glades: All levels
 * The Sand Dooms: All levels
 * Zombitorium Manor: All levels
 * Reclaiming lots: The Car Lot, The Post Office Lot, The Cafe Lot, The Fire Station Lot, The Flaming Lot, The Police Station Lot, The Bamboo Lot, The Fitness Lot

Plants vs. Zombies 2

 * Player's House: Day 4, To the Left, Boss Vase, Vasebreaker Endless and Piñata Party.
 * Ancient Egypt: Day 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, all Save Our Seeds levels, all Locked and Loaded levels, Last Stand I and III, Pyramid of Doom, Freeze 'Em and Block and Spike.
 * Pirate Seas: Day 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, Save Our Seeds II and III, Locked and Loaded III, Last Stand II, Dead Man's Booty
 * Wild West: Day 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, Save Our Seeds II, Locked and Loaded II and III, Last Stand III, all Not OK Corral levels, Big Bad Butte
 * Far Future: Terror from Tomorrow and all levels except Day 1, 3, 6.
 * Dark Ages: Arthur's Challenge and all levels except Night 1 and 9 (pre 2.7.1 update).
 * Big Wave Beach:
 * Pompadour Buckethead: Tiki Torch-er and all levels except Special Delivery (Day 21)
 * Bikini Buckethead: Tiki Torch-er and all levels except Day 1 and Special Delivery (Day 21)
 * Frostbite Caves: Icebound Battleground and all levels except Day 30

General
For most beginners, the Buckethead Zombie is highly annoying as it often appears in huge waves or in waves with other kinds of zombies. In the early levels, it is good to have two Peashooters against it. A Snow Pea with three Spikeweeds is sufficient, due to the slowing effect which makes the zombie spend more time walking on the Spikeweeds.

Although the Snow Pea is also a good weapon of choice, it is not recommended to do so for the sake of sun being wasted if it doesn't work. It is advised, however to use Threepeaters, Repeaters, or Gatling Peas in conjunction with a Torchwood. The Suburban Almanac advises the use of a Magnet-shroom, reducing the maximum absorption to 10 normal damage shots; however, it is not needed. You may want to use Instant Kills for them, such as the Squash. These zombies make up the majority of the offense in Survival: Endless. But one Snow Pea and one Peashooter is sufficient to kill a Buckethead Zombie, mainly due to the slowing effect. If they appear in the Night levels, you can use the Hypno-shroom on the Buckethead Zombie if your defenses are not yet set up. Using a Wall-nut and a Repeater works, but the Wall-nut will be eaten or severely damaged if you try that.

Vasebreaker Endless
Whenever one appears, refrain from breaking more vases within the same lane. A Potato Mine can be used if given enough time and a Squash or Wall-nut if not. Otherwise, a Snow Pea paired with either a Peashooter, Left-Facing Repeater, or Threepeater can work, although it is not as efficient.

A single Repeater with a Wall-nut is sufficient if the zombie is far back enough.

I, Zombie Endless
Avoid use around nearby Magnet-shrooms, a Squash in the same lane, or a Chomper that is not chewing. Otherwise, deploy when large (but not massive) amounts of damage need to be absorbed. A Snow Pea plus one or two other plants defending a lane may result in the Buckethead Zombie's death, so be careful there. These are one of the most useful weapons in your arsenal (second to the Ladder Zombie), being cheap while being able to absorb a large amount of damage.

General
The Buckethead Zombie has the same behavior as it does in the prequel. Like its prequel counterpart, Potato Mines, Chompers, and Squashes can instantly kill these types, even in world variations.

Magnet-shrooms are a great way of dealing Buckethead Zombies when there are too many in groups. Use Plant Food on it to remove almost every bucket and fling all the buckets to deal greater units of damage to tombstones and zombies. Be careful though, as these zombies can be spawned during ambushes (such as Necromancy, Low Tide, Sandstorm, etc.).

Chili Beans and boosted Sun Beans can instantly kill Buckethead Zombies, making it easier for you to complete the level. Torchwoods can deal double units of damage like in the prequel, but no splash damage is caused.

Magnifying Grasses can also be useful against Buckethead Zombies, but not when there are lots in groups. To avoid wasting tons of sun, use Plant Food on a Magnet-shroom to remove the buckets.

Tangle Kelp in Big Wave Beach can instantly drown a Buckethead Zombie like in the prequel. Be sure to put it close to the Buckethead Zombie so the Tangle Kelp will kill it instantly. Banana Launchers can also deal heavy damage to Buckethead Zombies, so that splash damage in one lane can kill almost every Buckethead Zombie quicker when they overlap.

General

 * In Plants vs. Zombies Risk, the Buckethead Zombie's card doesn't have a red stain on the bucket.
 * The red stain on the bucket could be one of the main reasons why Plants vs. Zombies is rated E10+ by the ESRB.

Specific to Plants vs. Zombies

 * The Tree of Wisdom says that a Buckethead Zombie is 5x tougher than regular ones, but it is actually 6.5x tougher. It might be referring to the Bucket, but it would also be wrong, as the bucket absorbs 5.5x as much as a Zombie.
 * It wouldn't have been right either because it should have estimated it to be 6x tougher.
 * This might be because regular Zombies actually have 13.5 health points, but lose their heads after taking 10 damage, the remaining damage being depleted with time. This would also explain why Conehead Zombies is referred to as having double the health of a regular Zombie.
 * The Bucket is available as a Hat for your avatar in the Xbox Live Marketplace. It costs 160 Microsoft Points.
 * There are some blood stains on the bucket the Zombie is wearing.
 * As seen in the concept design for Buckethead Zombie posted on the Plants vs. Zombies Facebook Page, the "blood" may be red paint, as it was supposed to be a painter who used his paint bucket as a helmet. It is unknown if this is still canon, though.
 * Buckethead Zombie, Conehead Zombie, Trash Can Zombie, and Screen Door Zombie are the only zombies that can degrade into a normal zombie.
 * However, that is only appearance-wise; Trash Can Zombie will be slower than the other three.
 * If Plants vs. Zombies: Game of the Year Version was purchased before May 5th, 2011 on Steam, players of Team Fortress 2  will be awarded with a Brain Bucket, a promotional cosmetic item for the Soldier.
 * Buckethead Zombie and Screen Door Zombie are the only zombies that have metal but still move at a similar speed to other normal zombies.
 * During the final wave of a Pool or Fog level on the DS version, the Buckethead Zombie's bucket does not have a third stage of damage if it appears as an Ambush Zombie.
 * When the Bucket gets hit, it makes a "clank" sound.
 * Buckethead Zombie most likely doesn't get stunned by the "clank" sound of its bucket because it has no ears.
 * Buckethead Zombie is the only zombie that can be used in all of the I, Zombie levels.
 * Despite that Buckethead Zombie and Screen Door Zombie have the same health,Buckethead Zombie in Wall-nut Bowling and Wall-nut Bowling 2 takes only three hits while Screen Door Zombie takes four hits (one for ricochet).
 * Buckethead Zombie is the first zombie encountered that has a metal object.

Specific to Plants vs. Zombies 2

 * According to the Almanac, Buckethead Mummy is one of the few zombies that are educated.
 * The regular Buckethead Zombie says in the present almanac entry that he was "hailed as a zombie genius for his innovative bucket-on-head strategy," but the preceded Buckethead Zombies have buckets on their heads too.
 * The "clang" sound is lighter than in the first game.
 * For some reason, the Egyptian, Pirate, Future, Peasant, Pompadour, Bikini, Cave, and Chinese Buckethead zombies do not have a red stain on their buckets, but the Western version does have a red stain.
 * Prior to the 2.5.1 update, in the almanac the Buckethead Peasant had a bone sticking out its arm.
 * It also has a different standing animation (similar to a buccaneer) and has shoulder armor like a regular knight, unlike in an actual game.
 * In Chinese version, a level 3 Buckethead zombie has 195 hit points which makes its health even higher than a regular Gargantuar Prime. It takes 3 level 1 instant kill plants to kill it.
 * Magnet-shroom can steal the buckets of Buckethead Mummy, Buckethead Pirate and Cave Buckethead Zombie, even though they are not made of metal.
 * Those buckets also make the "clang" sound despite being not made of metal.