Cloudy Day is an official single-player challenge mode in Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted (released in October 2025 by PopCap Games and Electronic Arts). Unlocked after completing Adventure Level 4-10, the mode challenges players across 12 fixed levels and an endless survival variant. Its core mechanic revolves around dynamic weather patterns that fluctuate between cloud cover and torrential rainstorms, directly manipulating your sun economy, plant prices, and seed packet recharge speeds.
Cloudy Day Weather Phases and Mechanics
The primary gimmick of Cloudy Day is a shifting atmospheric cycle that alternates between clear skies, cloud shadows, and heavy rainstorms. Because the weather dictates both your sun production and the cost of your seeds, understanding each phase is essential for survival.
| Weather Phase | Sun Production | Plant Sun Cost | Seed Packet Cooldown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Skies | Standard sun drops (25 sun) and normal Sunflower output (25 sun) | Normal base prices | Standard recharge time |
| Cloud Shadows | Sky sun drops and Sunflower production drop to 15 sun each | Normal base prices | Standard recharge time |
| Heavy Clouds / Rainstorm | No sun falls from the sky; all Sunflowers fall asleep | All plant costs halved (rounded up to nearest multiple of 5) | Seed packet recharge time is reduced (faster cooldowns) |
During heavy clouds, the complete shutdown of standard sun generation forces players to adapt to a sudden economic freeze. However, because seed packets recharge faster and cost half their normal value during storms, players gain a tactical window to deploy expensive defensive or offensive plants at a deep discount, provided they banked enough sun beforehand.
Plant Restrictions and Behavioral Quirks
Cloudy Day introduces strict deck-building limits and specific environmental interactions documented in the game's data and player testing:
- Banned Economy Plants: You cannot bring Sun-shroom or Twin Sunflower into Cloudy Day levels. Standard Sunflowers are your primary solar infrastructure.
- Mushroom Behavior in Rain: Although Sunflowers fall asleep during heavy rainstorms, nocturnal mushrooms do not wake up automatically. Placing mushrooms during any daytime, pool, or roof stage still requires a Coffee Bean to awaken them.
- Endless Mode Upgrade Scaling: In the Endless version of Cloudy Day (officially added in Patch v1.5.0), upgrade plants such as the Cob Cannon scale by an extra 50 sun per placement rather than the standard 25-sun increment. When heavy clouds roll in, the base cost of the plant halves before the placement penalty is calculated.
Level Structure, Progression, and Rewards
The standalone Cloudy Day campaign features 12 sequential levels across three environments from the base game. Each stage awards a bag of coins upon completion.
- Day Levels (Stages 1 to 4): Set on the daytime lawn, introducing basic weather cycles with low-tier zombie waves.
- Pool Levels (Stages 5 to 8): Introduce aquatic lanes requiring Lily Pads alongside standard weather fluctuations.
- Roof Levels (Stages 9 to 12): Require Flower Pots and catapult-based defenses due to the slanted roof elevation.
- Endless Mode: Added as a standalone survival option in Patch v1.5.0 with its own independent save slot.
Completing all 12 stages unlocks the Steam and console achievement Cloud Cover ("Complete all 12 Cloudy Day levels").
Strategic Tips for Beating Cloudy Day
1. Bank Sun Before the Heavy Storms
Because sky drops and Sunflowers yield only 15 sun during overcast phases and zero sun during rainstorms, solar income drops rapidly. Avoid spending down to zero during clear moments. Keep a reserve of at least 150 to 300 sun so you can take immediate advantage of half-price plants when the heavy storm begins.
2. Time Expensive Deployments for Rainstorms
Plants like Repeaters, Snow Peas, and Wall-nuts receive significant price cuts during heavy clouds. A plant that normally costs 100 sun drops to 50 sun, and a 175-sun Snow Pea rounds to 90 sun. Combined with accelerated recharge times, the storm window is the most cost-effective moment to build your frontline offense.
3. Use Low-Cost Stalling Tools Early
Early waves can strain your sun supply when clouds reduce output to 15 sun per drop. Relying on early stalling options like Potato Mines and Squashes buys essential time for your first two columns of Sunflowers to establish an operational economy before armored Buckethead or Conehead zombies reach the lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I unlock Cloudy Day mode in Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted?
Cloudy Day mode unlocks immediately after completing Adventure Mode Level 4-10 (the final fog level before reaching the roof).
Does Puff-shroom stay awake during the rain in Cloudy Day?
No. Even though heavy clouds simulate darkness and cause Sunflowers to sleep, mushrooms still require a Coffee Bean to function during Day, Pool, and Roof Cloudy Day stages.
Can you use Twin Sunflower or Sun-shroom in Cloudy Day?
No. The game restricts both Sun-shroom and Twin Sunflower from the seed selection menu in Cloudy Day levels.
What reward do you get for beating Cloudy Day?
Each completed level awards a money bag containing coins. Completing all 12 levels unlocks the "Cloud Cover" achievement.
