Mastering the Artillery Battery: Choosing the Optimal Crosspath
The best crosspath for the Artillery Battery in Bloons TD 6 largely depends on your specific needs and overall strategy. However, in most cases, the 2-4-0 Artillery Battery is the superior choice. It offers a balance of increased blast radius and damage output, making it more effective against clumps of bloons.
Diving Deep: Why 2-4-0 Reigns Supreme
The Artillery Battery, when upgraded to 2-4-0 (“Bigger Blast” and “Faster Reload”), gains a significant advantage. The increased blast radius from Bigger Blast allows the mortar to damage more bloons per shot, especially when dealing with tightly packed groups. Furthermore, the shrapnel damage from Faster Reload is increased with the “Bigger Blast” crosspath, creating a deadly combination of area-of-effect and damage per second (DPS).
The alternative, 0-4-2, focuses on Increased Accuracy. While accuracy is always appreciated, the benefits are simply not as impactful as the raw damage and area denial provided by the 2-4-0. A perfectly aimed shot isn’t as valuable if it only hits a handful of bloons, while a wider blast will cripple entire waves.
The Art of Mortar Micro-Management
The Artillery Battery, and mortars in general, shine best when micro-managed. This means actively targeting the mortar at the leading edge of bloon waves, maximizing the number of bloons caught in the blast. This micro-management is far more effective when combined with the larger blast radius of the 2-4-0 Artillery Battery.
Artillery Battery FAQ: Your Guide to Mortar Mastery
Here’s a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to further elevate your Artillery Battery game:
1. What exactly does the “Bigger Blast” upgrade do?
Bigger Blast significantly increases the blast radius of the Mortar Monkey’s explosions. This means each shot will affect a larger area, damaging more bloons in close proximity. It’s the cornerstone of the 2-4-0 Artillery Battery’s effectiveness.
2. Is “Increased Accuracy” completely useless?
No, Increased Accuracy isn’t useless, but it is situational. It can be helpful on maps with long, straight paths, allowing you to consistently hit the front of the bloon wave. However, in most scenarios, the wider area covered by “Bigger Blast” offers greater overall value.
3. Does the 2-4-0 crosspath affect the damage output of the shrapnel?
Yes! The 2-4-0 crosspath (Bigger Blast) increases the base shrapnel damage from 1 to 2, making it a more efficient pick than the base 0-4-2 crosspath.
4. How important is micro-management for the Artillery Battery?
Micro-management is crucial for maximizing the Artillery Battery’s potential. Manually targeting the mortar ensures you’re hitting the densest parts of the bloon waves and optimizing the blast radius and shrapnel damage.
5. What are the best maps for using the Artillery Battery?
Maps with winding paths or chokepoints are ideal for the Artillery Battery. The area-of-effect damage is most effective when bloons are grouped together.
6. How does the Artillery Battery fare against MOAB-class bloons?
While the Artillery Battery can damage MOAB-class bloons, it’s not its primary role. Its strength lies in clearing out large numbers of regular bloons.
7. What are the best support towers to pair with the Artillery Battery?
Towers that slow or stun bloons, such as the Ice Monkey or Glue Gunner, are excellent complements to the Artillery Battery. These towers keep bloons grouped together, maximizing the mortar’s area-of-effect damage. Also Monkey Village is amazing at providing buffs for the artillery battery.
8. Can the Artillery Battery detect Camo bloons?
No, the Artillery Battery cannot detect Camo bloons without the assistance of other towers, such as the Monkey Village with the Radar Scanner upgrade or the Dart Monkey with the Enhanced Eyesight upgrade.
9. How does the Artillery Battery compare to the Bloon Buster upgrade?
The Bloon Buster focuses on single-target damage, making it better suited for dealing with MOAB-class bloons. The Artillery Battery excels at clearing out large groups of regular bloons.
10. What role does the Artillery Battery play in the early game?
The Artillery Battery can be a useful early-game tower on certain maps, providing decent area denial. However, there are often more cost-effective options available.
11. Is the Artillery Battery viable in late-game scenarios?
The Artillery Battery becomes less effective in the late game as bloon health and speed increase. It’s best used as a support tower to complement other, more powerful damage dealers.
12. What are the downsides of relying too heavily on the Artillery Battery?
Over-reliance on the Artillery Battery can leave you vulnerable to fast-moving bloons or those that are spread out. It’s important to have a balanced defense with towers that can handle different bloon types and formations.
13. How does the Artillery Battery synergize with Monkey Knowledge?
Certain Monkey Knowledge upgrades can significantly enhance the Artillery Battery’s effectiveness, such as those that increase attack speed or reduce cooldowns.
14. Are there any specific challenges or game modes where the Artillery Battery shines?
The Artillery Battery can be particularly effective in Apopalypse mode, where waves of bloons are relentless. Its area-of-effect damage can help control the chaos.
15. What is the overall strategic value of the Artillery Battery?
The Artillery Battery’s strategic value lies in its ability to clear out large groups of bloons, creating breathing room for your other towers to focus on tougher targets. It’s a valuable asset for controlling the battlefield and preventing leaks.
Beyond the Battery: Continuing Your BTD6 Education
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Conclusion: The Explosive Potential of the 2-4-0
In conclusion, the 2-4-0 Artillery Battery is the optimal crosspath for most situations. Its combination of increased blast radius and damage output, coupled with effective micro-management, makes it a formidable force against the bloon hordes. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses, and using it strategically, will significantly improve your BTD6 performance. Embrace the explosion, master the mortar, and conquer the bloons!