Introduction
Ever felt like the balloons in Bloons Tower Defense were just a little too easy to hit? Well, prepare to have your targeting skills put to the ultimate test! The Small Bloons Challenge is a game mode modifier in several Bloons TD games that shrinks the size of all balloons, making them significantly harder to target and popping a whole new level of difficulty into the classic tower defense experience. This seemingly simple change forces players to rethink their tower placement, upgrade paths, and overall strategy. This article serves as your comprehensive guide to conquering the Small Bloons Challenge, providing you with strategies, tips, and tower recommendations that will help you emerge victorious, even against these diminutive threats.
Understanding the Small Bloons Challenge
The heart of the challenge lies in the “Small Bloons” modifier. When activated, it reduces the size of every balloon type, from the humble Red Bloon to the formidable Bad, making them trickier to hit with most towers. Imagine trying to thread a needle while it’s moving quickly – that’s the essence of this challenge.
The increased difficulty primarily stems from the precision required. Towers that rely on projectiles, like Dart Monkeys and Boomerang Monkeys, will have a harder time hitting the smaller targets, especially when the balloons are moving quickly or clustered together. Towers with splash damage or those that use hitscan mechanics fare a bit better, but even they require careful placement to maximize their effectiveness.
The Small Bloons Challenge has been featured in various Bloons TD titles, most notably in Bloons TD five and Bloons TD six. While the core concept remains the same across games, there might be minor differences in tower stats, upgrade paths, and available Monkey Knowledge that influence the optimal strategies. Therefore, keep in mind to adjust these strategies based on the specific game you are playing.
General Strategies for Success
To successfully tackle the Small Bloons Challenge, you will need a new approach to your tower defense gameplay. Here are general strategies that can help you:
Precision is paramount. Tower placement becomes absolutely critical. Instead of simply placing towers wherever there is space, carefully consider the angle of attack, the range of the tower, and the path the balloons will take. Chokepoints become your best friend, allowing you to concentrate your firepower and maximize the chances of your towers hitting their tiny targets. Moreover, using targeting priorities intelligently can significantly increase effectiveness. Set your towers to “First” if you need to eliminate early bloons quickly or “Strong” to focus on tougher targets.
Crowd control versus single target damage strikes a delicate balance. Towers that excel at dealing with crowds of weaker bloons can help prevent leaks, while towers with high single-target damage are essential for taking down fortified Bloons. Finding the right mix is key to a well-rounded defense.
Surviving the early game is crucial. Many attempts will fail simply because they cannot get past the early rounds. Starting towers such as dart monkeys, boomerang monkeys, or ninjas can provide necessary coverage to give you time to build up your economy and place other crucial towers.
Scaling for mid and late game is a different beast. As the game progresses, you will need towers to deal damage at scale. Ninja Monkeys, Wizards, and other high power towers are crucial for succeeding into the higher rounds.
Tower Recommendations
Choosing the right towers is essential for overcoming the Small Bloons Challenge. While some towers struggle with the reduced target size, others shine due to their innate accuracy, splash damage, or unique abilities. Here is a list of top-tier towers:
Dart Monkey: The humble Dart Monkey can be surprisingly effective, especially with specific upgrade paths. The “Triple Shot” upgrade provides more projectiles, increasing the chance of hitting the small bloons. Upgrade to the “Super Monkey Fan Club” for even more dart monkeys! Late game the “Plasma Monkey Fan Club” or the “Ultra Juggernaut” provide great bloon popping power.
Boomerang Monkey: The Boomerang Monkey benefits significantly from upgrades that increase its range and attack speed. The “Glaive Lord” path is a strong choice, as its glaives ricochet between bloons, effectively clearing large groups.
Ninja Monkey: The Ninja Monkey excels at both single-target damage and crowd control. The “Grandmaster Ninja” upgrade path provides incredible damage output, while the Ninja’s shurikens are accurate and can hit multiple bloons.
Wizard Monkey: The Wizard Monkey with the “Archmage” upgrade is another fantastic option. Its powerful magical attacks have decent range and hit multiple bloons, making it suitable for clearing large waves.
Sniper Monkey: The Sniper Monkey’s “Elite Defender” upgrade is effective at eliminating bloons at scale. It has a global range, can deal significant single target damage, and pops bloons quickly.
Towers to Avoid (or Use With Caution): Towers that rely heavily on single projectile accuracy, such as the Crossbow Monkey or the Bomb Shooter, may struggle in the Small Bloons Challenge, especially without support towers. Some towers that have low projectile speed are also often ineffective.
Map Specific Considerations
Keep in mind that map layout can significantly impact the effectiveness of your strategy. Maps with long, winding paths favor towers with longer ranges, allowing them to attack balloons for a longer duration. Maps with multiple paths require a more diversified defense, with towers strategically placed to cover each route. You should use this as a major factor when deciding which towers to place and where.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Mastering Micro-Management: Activating tower abilities at the right moment can be the difference between success and failure. Saving up abilities such as ninja monkey’s “Bloonjitsu” can wipe out entire waves of bloons.
Using Monkey Knowledge: Monkey Knowledge can provide significant advantages in the Small Bloons Challenge. Investing in upgrades such as the “Bonus Monkey!” that provide extra starting cash or the “Mana Shield” which provides a safety net can make early rounds easier.
Synergies Between Towers: Certain tower combinations work extremely well together. Pairing a Ninja Monkey with an Alchemist can boost its attack speed and damage, creating a formidable force. Using ice towers or glue gunners can slow down bloons to give other towers more time to hit the bloons. Experimenting with different combinations can unlock surprising synergies that can greatly enhance your defense.
Conclusion
The Small Bloons Challenge in Bloons Tower Defense is not just a simple modifier; it’s a test of your strategic thinking, tower placement skills, and ability to adapt to new challenges. By understanding the mechanics of the challenge, applying the strategies outlined in this guide, and experimenting with different tower combinations, you can conquer even the most daunting Small Bloons Challenge runs. Remember, the key is to be precise, adaptable, and always willing to learn from your mistakes. Every failed attempt is a lesson learned, bringing you one step closer to victory!
Now, it’s your turn! Share your own tips, strategies, and favorite tower combinations for the Small Bloons Challenge in the comments below. Let’s learn from each other and become masters of the small bloons!
