In Plants vs. Zombies 2, use lobber plants such as A.K.E.E. or Melon-pult against the Shovel Zombie: their arcing attacks can clear its shovel. Reference materials call this enemy the Excavator Zombie; it appears in Lost City.
Why the shovel is a problem
The Excavator Zombie uses its shovel to block attacks while digging up plants and throwing them behind it. The PvZ reference lists the shovel itself as not damageable, so focus on attacks that get around it rather than trying to destroy the shovel.
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Ways to get past the shovel
Use lobber plants
A.K.E.E. and Melon-pult are named examples. Their attacks arc over the shovel and can hit the zombie. If a level preview shows Excavator Zombies, consider bringing a lobber that also fits the level’s other demands. The available reference does not compare these plants’ cost, damage, or recharge, so neither is established as universally better. PvZ community reference: Excavator Zombie
Attack from another direction or use splash
The reference also lists attacks from behind, above, or beneath the zombie, as well as splash damage, as ways to bypass the shovel. These describe attack patterns, not a guarantee that every plant in one of those categories will work in every situation. Ordinary forward shots may be intercepted.
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Magnet-shroom: a tentative option
An EA Forums search result says Magnet-shroom can absorb the shovel. The forum post and its version context could not be verified, so treat this as a possible additional interaction rather than the main counter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick counter choice
| Approach | Examples or detail | What is established |
|---|---|---|
| Lobbed trajectory | A.K.E.E., Melon-pult | Named counters whose attacks bypass the shovel. |
| Different attack direction | Behind, above, or beneath | Listed ways to get around the shovel; effectiveness depends on the attack. |
| Splash damage | No specific plant named | Listed as another bypass approach. |
| Magnet-shroom interaction | Magnet-shroom | Reported in an EA Forums search result; not verified in a post with known version context. |
The detailed mechanics here come from a community reference. EA’s PvZ2 support page confirms the official support context but does not document this zombie’s weaknesses. The listed counters should not be read as freshly tested across every current or regional game version.
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- Plants Attack — Bring the fight to the zombies for the first time in franchise history. Go on theoffensive as the plants in all-new 24-player Herbal Assault mode, or defend Zomburbia in 4-playerzombie co-op in Graveyard Ops.
- Characters From All Ages — Bring even more strategic depth to this all-out botanical battle with 14total character classes, and over 100 playable plants and zombies from the past, present, and future.
- Play Your Way — With over 7 lawn-inspiring game modes, play in crazy 24-player online battles inHerbal Assault or Gardens & Graveyards, choose the plant or zombie side in 4-player co-op, or gosolo playing against AI opponents or locally in split-screen co-op across any mode in the game (noXbox Live Gold or PS Plus required).
- A Living PvZ World — The struggle for Suburbia has come into full bloom, with 12 maps burstingwith personality and humor, Zombossified cityscapes, and crowded airspaces, all layered withhidden secrets waiting to be discovered.
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