Super-Block Meter

The Super-Block Meter for plant heroes

The Super-Block Meter is a gameplay mechanic in Plants vs. Zombies Heroes. At every attack, the Super-Block Meter charges, and when it is fully charged, the attack is blocked, and the player receives one random superpower from their superpower set. The superpower can be played immediately for free, or turned into a 1-sun/brain card, depending on the side they are on, to be played at a later turn. The Super-Block Meter only works properly if there is space on the player's hand for a superpower. Therefore, if the player has 10 cards or more in their hand, and their Super-Block Meter is full, the Super-Block Meter will fail to block attacks until the player plays some of their cards.

After every hit, there is an equal chance of charging one, two or three bars of the Super-Block Meter, out of 8 bars total. The player can only block three times before the Super-Block Meter is destroyed, and the only way to attack the opposing hero without charging the meter is via fighters with the Bullseye trait.

Update history

Update 1.2.11

• Mechanic change: Charges based on percentages; randomly fills mini, normal, or double amount. 5% chance to "mega charge" and block instantly. → Charges based on segments, with 10 needed to block. May fill 1, 2, or 3 segments, or "Insta-Block" instead.

Update 1.6.27

• Mechanic change: Removed Insta-Blocks from occurring naturally.

Update 1.8.23

• Segment change: 10 segments → 8 segments

Update 1.14.13

• ▲ Mechanic change: Only blocks damage that activates it. → Blocks all incoming damage once activated.

Strategies

Even though it is based on odds, it is possible to turn the Super-Block Meter in your favor. If there is a low-strength fighter on the field like an Template:PvZHLink or a Template:PvZHLink, it is usually preferable let them attack you in order to fill the Super-Block Meter at a minimal health cost, and furthermore, to have a higher chance of blocking an attack from a more powerful fighter, which may be the key to victory. Grapes of Wrath's and Dandy Lion King's ability can easily be blocked by timing the Super-Block Meter correctly. However, as this is completely luck based, it may not work to your favor at all while working to your opponent to your dismay. For example, you may be two sections off of your Super-Block meter, about to block an attack, only not to block it and lose the game, or have your opponent block an attack that would make you win the game, making you lose.

One of the best ways to counter this mechanic is with the Bullseye trait, which is available on both sides. Another counter is the Shieldcrusher Viking, who drains the entire meter with each direct attack.

Insta-Block

I think I've seen that cloud before.

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“	We received a lot of feedback about them from players, both positive and negative. Ultimately, we decided that Insta-Blocks created too many frustrating moments and a little too much randomness, so we removed them.	”
—Devin Low, Creative Director and Lead Designer, Plants vs. Zombies Heroes

Insta-Blocks (called Mega Charges prior to version 1.4.14) were a mechanic that existed in older versions of Plants vs. Zombies Heroes. In those versions, the player had a 5% chance of receiving an Insta-Block whenever struck by a non-Bullseye attack, which would completely fill the block meter immediately regardless of any previous charge. It was removed on update 1.6.27, as PopCap decided that the mechanic introduced an unnecessary layer of luck to the game, created too many unfair situations, and made the block meter more critically rated.

For a time after their removal, due to a glitch, Insta-Blocks could still be triggered after a Soul Patch was played, or when a Plant with Bullseye and a Plant without Bullseye attacked in the same lane. It is unknown how exactly the glitch worked on a technical level. However, this has since been fixed.

Gallery

The plant hero's Super-Block Meter

The zombie hero's Super-Block Meter

The zombie hero's Super-Block Meter after activating once

The plant hero's Super-Block Meter after activating once

The zombie hero's Super-Block Meter after activating twice

The plant hero's Super-Block Meter after activating twice

The zombie hero's Super-Block Meter full after activating the first time

The plant hero's Super-Block Meter full after activating the first time

The zombie hero's Super-Block Meter full after activating the second time

The plant hero's Super-Block Meter full after activating the second time

The plant hero's Super-Block Meter activating in the trailer

Green Shadow unable to block the attack from Surprise Gargantuar due to her Super-Block Meter not activating due to her having 10 cards in her hand

Rustbolt unable to block an attack due to his Super-Block Meter not activating due to him having 10 cards in his hand

Template:PvZHLink unable to block the attack from Heartichoke due to his Super-Block Meter not activating due to him having 10 cards in his hand

Old

The guide for the Super-Block Meter mechanic before update 1.8.23

The zombie hero's Super-Block Meter after activating once before update 1.8.23

The plant hero's Super-Block Meter before update 1.8.23

The plant hero's full Super-Block Meter after activating the second time before update 1.8.23

The zombie hero's Super-Block Meter glitched, with the 4th segment being covered by the pole (due to an error in animation) before update 1.8.23

The Guide for the Super-Block Meter mechanic explaining the various odds before update 1.2.11

The zombie hero's Super-Block Meter before update 1.2.11

The plant hero's Super-Block Meter after activating once before update 1.2.11

Professor Brainstorm defeated despite having all 8 segments filled due to him having 10 cards before update 1.14.13

Both heroes blocking at the same turn (notice Green Shadow's meter is not empty due to the second Jester attacking) before update 1.14.13

Trvia

• So far, Shieldcrusher Viking is the only card that can empty the Super-Block Meter. This excludes various bugs and glitches.
  • Shieldcrusher Viking, Mars Flytrap, and Body-Gourd are the only cards that can directly influence the Super-Block Meter.
• Sometimes, the Super-Block Meter may stay full, but not negate damage. This usually happens with cards that have abilities that can damage the opposing hero like Sergeant Strongberry or Punish-Shroom. This may also happen if a player wins or loses a battle when these loops occur.
• The plant hero's Super-Block Meter is made up of leaves, while the zombie hero's Super-Block Meter is made up of gravestones.