Impkata is an ability for the Imp in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 and Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville. When used, the Imp starts to spin around rapidly in mid-air and damages plants using his Imp Blaster. The effect uses 100 ammunition. While Impkata is being used, he takes around 20% less damage, however he has reduced speed while using it. It takes 35 seconds in Garden Warfare 2 and 20 seconds in Battle for Neighborville to recharge.
Its name is a combination of the word "Imp" and "Kata," meaning "spin" in Japanese.
Description
Garden Warfare
It's time to set your butt boosters to overdrive as you spin uncontrollably with both Imp Blasters blazing.
Battle for Neighborville
We need more gems and sprouts.
This section is currently under construction. You can help expand it; it's your choice.
Balancing changes
Garden Warfare
January 2016 patch
▼ Impkata's start damage reduced to 3
▼ Impkata's end damage reduced to 2
▼ Impkata's cooldown was increased from 30 seconds to 35 seconds
▼ Impkata can now be interrupted by Spikeweed or by knockback
▼ Impkata's range was lowered
Associated upgrades (Battle for Neighborville only)
Ripcord
● 2
Increased rate of fire while using Impkata.
Increases Impkata's rate of fire by 25% (to 1750 RPM).
Centripetal Force
● 4
Move faster when enemies are near while using Impkata.
Increases movement speed by 100% and allows jumping during Impkata.
Strategies
With
While the ability is suggested by the game itself best used against groups, this is actually the worse way you can possibly use this ability as you are more vulnerable and can easily be swallowed by groups, and Impkata will actually randomly pick separate targets around the Imp rather than hitting all surrounding plants.
The ability is better used to scare away less skilled plants away, finishing off weakened opponents or groups you would rather not aim at, or as a last resort dealing as much damage as possible and potentially saving your life.
When using the ability spin your aim around, this will manipulate the hitboxes so more hits will land. Avoid using Gravity Grenade with it, as the airborne targets will be more difficult to hit. It also makes it easier for them to hit you with their primary weapons.
Against
The setbacks for Impkata outweighs the advantages. While the Imp gains a defense boost, he is also slower while using this, making it easy to shoot him. He is an easy prey to Chompers that can simply use Burrow to avoid it and swallow the Imp. Arcane Enigma can also deal with this ability easily since it allows the player to attack him while not getting hurt at all. Players can easily vanquish him after that.