The Purple Peril: Exploiting the Purple Bloon’s Weaknesses in Bloons TD 6
So, you’re facing down waves of those pesky Purple Bloons in Bloons TD 6 and wondering how to pop them effectively? You’re in the right place! Unlike other bloon types with straightforward weaknesses, Purple Bloons are a unique challenge, requiring specific strategies to overcome.
The short answer is that Purple Bloons are primarily weak to sharp, ice, normal, and explosive damage types. Towers that deal these types of damage can effectively pop Purple Bloons without any special upgrades or abilities, although upgrades or abilities can also have a factor. Understanding this is the key to building a solid defense. However, Purple Bloons are also immune to magic, energy, fire, and plasma damage.
Understanding Purple Bloon Immunities
Before diving into the weaknesses, it’s crucial to understand what doesn’t work against Purple Bloons. Their immunity to magic, energy, fire, and plasma damage is what makes them so challenging. Many players initially rely on powerful towers like the Wizard Monkey or Super Monkey, only to find their attacks completely ineffective. This is because the Wizard Monkey and Super Monkey(without Laser Vision) depend heavily on magic and energy based attacks, respectively. Knowing these limitations will prevent you from wasting resources on ineffective strategies.
Towers and Strategies Effective Against Purple Bloons
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Which towers can pop Purple Bloons?
- Dart Monkey: Don’t underestimate the humble Dart Monkey! Its sharp darts are perfectly effective against Purple Bloons, especially with upgrades like “Sharp Shots” or “Crossbow.”
- Boomerang Monkey: Similar to the Dart Monkey, the Boomerang Monkey’s sharp boomerangs are a reliable counter. The “Glaive Thrower” upgrade path is particularly strong.
- Bomb Shooter: As mentioned earlier, the Bomb Shooter is very effective against Purple Bloons, so you need to consider upgrading the Bomb Shooter Tower, to pop the Purple Bloons.
- Ice Monkey: The Ice Monkey doesn’t directly pop the Purple Bloon initially. However, it is effective against Purple Bloons because when the Ice Monkey freezes it, other towers can pop the frozen Purple Bloon.
- Tack Shooter: The Tack Shooter’s tacks deal normal damage and can efficiently shred through Purple Bloons, especially with increased range and tack count.
- Sniper Monkey: With his sharp bullets, he can hit Purple Bloons and pop them quickly.
- Spike Factory: The Spike Factory lays down sharp spikes that are effective against all bloon types, including Purple Bloons.
- Engineer Monkey: The Engineer Monkey’s sentries deal normal damage and can effectively defend against Purple Bloons.
- Mortar Monkey: The Mortar Monkey’s shells deal explosive damage, making them a solid counter against grouped Purple Bloons.
- Monkey Buccaneer: The Monkey Buccaneer’s darts and grapeshot are effective against Purple Bloons, especially when upgraded for increased attack speed and projectile count.
- Monkey Ace: The Monkey Ace’s darts and bombs can pop Purple Bloons, especially with upgrades that increase their damage output and attack speed.
- Heli Pilot: The Heli Pilot’s darts and missiles can effectively target and pop Purple Bloons.
- Dartling Gunner: The Dartling Gunner’s darts are effective against Purple Bloons.
- Druid: Druids with upgrades that focus on thorns and brambles are effective.
Strategic Combinations:
- Early Game: Focus on Dart Monkeys, Boomerang Monkeys, and Tack Shooters to handle early Purple Bloon waves.
- Mid Game: Introduce Bomb Shooters, Mortar Monkeys, and Monkey Buccaneers to deal with larger groups of Purple Bloons.
- Late Game: Utilize powerful tier 5 towers like the Super Mines (Bomb Shooter) or Overclock (Engineer Monkey) to provide consistent Purple Bloon defense.
The Importance of Monkey Intelligence Bureau
A crucial exception to the immunity rule is the Monkey Intelligence Bureau (MIB) upgrade for the Monkey Village. The MIB allows all towers within its range to pop any bloon type, including Purple Bloons, regardless of their usual damage type. While expensive, the MIB can be a game-changer, allowing you to use your favorite magic, energy, fire, and plasma-based towers against Purple Bloons. This provides a huge boost in flexibility and allows for more diverse tower compositions. If you find yourself struggling with Purple Bloons, consider investing in an MIB to unlock the full potential of your tower setup.
Addressing Camo Purple Bloons
Camo Purple Bloons present an additional challenge, requiring camo detection in addition to the correct damage type. Towers that can naturally detect camo, such as the Ninja Monkey, Dartling Gunner, Spike Factory, and Ice Monkey can pop Camo Purple Bloons without any additional upgrades. Alternatively, you can use a Monkey Village with the “Radar Scanner” upgrade or a hero like Quincy, Gwendolin, Striker Jones, Ezili, Sauda, Psi, or Admiral Brickell, to provide camo detection to nearby towers.
The Strategic Value of Purple Bloons
Purple Bloons are not simply an annoyance; they serve a strategic purpose in Bloons TD 6. They force players to diversify their defenses and avoid relying solely on magic, energy, fire, or plasma-based attacks. This encourages creative tower combinations and a deeper understanding of the game’s mechanics. Mastering the art of countering Purple Bloons is essential for success in advanced game modes and challenges. If you are interested in learning more about the educational applications of games like Bloons TD 6, visit the Games Learning Society website. At GamesLearningSociety.org, you’ll find valuable resources and insights into how games can be used for learning and development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can the Wizard Monkey pop Purple Bloons?
No, the Wizard Monkey’s base attacks deal magic damage, to which Purple Bloons are immune. However, upgrading to the Monkey Intelligence Bureau can make the Wizard Monkey effective against Purple Bloons.
2. Can the Super Monkey pop Purple Bloons?
The Super Monkey’s base attacks and Plasma Blasts deal energy damage, which Purple Bloons are immune to. However, the Sun Avatar, Tech Terror, The Anti-Bloon, Dark Champion, and Legend of the Night can all pop Purple Bloons.
3. Does the Monkey Intelligence Bureau allow any tower to pop Purple Bloons?
Yes! The Monkey Intelligence Bureau grants all towers within its range the ability to pop any bloon type, regardless of their usual damage type.
4. What is the best early-game defense against Purple Bloons?
A combination of Dart Monkeys, Boomerang Monkeys, and Tack Shooters is generally effective for handling early Purple Bloon waves. Position them strategically to maximize their coverage.
5. How do I deal with Camo Purple Bloons?
Use towers that can naturally detect camo, such as the Ninja Monkey or Dartling Gunner, or provide camo detection with a Monkey Village (Radar Scanner upgrade) or a hero like Quincy, Ezili, Sauda, or Psi.
6. Are Purple Bloons faster than other bloons?
Purple Bloons move at a speed of 3 relative to a Red Bloon, making them slightly slower than Pink Bloons (which move at a speed of 3.5).
7. Does the Alchemist’s buffs affect towers that attack Purple Bloons?
Yes, the Alchemist’s buffs can enhance the effectiveness of towers that already pop Purple Bloons, increasing their damage, pierce, and attack speed.
8. Can the Spike Factory detect camo?
Yes, alongside Ninja Monkey and Dartling Gun, Spike Factory can detect and pop Camo Bloons by default.
9. Why are Purple Bloons important strategically in Bloons TD 6?
They force players to diversify their defenses and avoid relying solely on magic, energy, fire, or plasma-based attacks, encouraging creative tower combinations.
10. Does Psi affect Purple Bloons?
Initially, Psi cannot affect Purple, Lead, and Ceramic or stronger Bloons.
11. Can Obyn Greenfoot pop Purple Bloons?
No, Obyn Greenfoot’s attacks cannot pop Purple Bloons.
12. Can Tech Terror pop Purple Bloons?
Upgrading to Tech Terror prevents the Super Monkey’s main attack from popping Purples without support, unless further upgraded to The Anti-Bloon.
13. Can Robo Monkey destroy lead?
No, it cannot naturally pop Frozen or Lead unless Path 1 upgrades are bought.
14. What kind of Bloons can Pat Fusty pop?
Pat Fusty grabs the strongest blimp within his range, squeezing it and crushing it for 4 seconds, destroying the outer layer and stunning the insides for 2 seconds. He can target a MOAB, BFB, ZOMG, Dreadrock Bloon, or DDT (if visible) and crushes it.
15. Is it ok to freeze pop Bloons?
Maybe, the key is to remove it from its can or bottle, place it into one of those airtight plastic containers and leave enough room for the soda to expand once it’s frozen.
By understanding the weaknesses and immunities of Purple Bloons, you can create effective strategies and overcome this unique challenge in Bloons TD 6. Good luck, and happy popping!