The Ultimate MOAB Meltdown: A Bloons TD Guide to Rapid Destruction

So, you’re staring down a Massive Ornary Air Blimp (MOAB) in Bloons TD and need it gone, yesterday? The short answer is: it depends on the game stage and your resources. For the early game, a well-placed 3-0-0 Ace can work wonders. But as rounds escalate, you’ll want a more substantial strategy. Think about MOAB-specialized towers like Bomb Shooters (especially with MOAB Mauler or MOAB Eliminator upgrades), Monkey Aces (Ground Zero ability), or strong single-target damage dealers like the Tack Zone. As your economy grows, a Super Monkey with the Plasma Monkey Fan Club or The Anti-Bloon upgrades can shred through MOABs with ease. The key is understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different towers and how they synergize. Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of MOAB destruction!

Understanding the MOAB Threat

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “what.” MOABs are the first of the MOAB-class Bloons, and they serve as a significant difficulty spike. They boast a substantial health pool, requiring focused damage to eliminate. When destroyed, they release four Ceramic Bloons, adding another layer of challenge. Therefore, an effective anti-MOAB strategy must account for both the initial threat and the cleanup of its ceramic children. Remember, efficiency isn’t just about raw damage; it’s about damage per dollar (DPC).

Early Game MOAB Annihilation

Early MOAB rounds (typically 40, 60) often catch players off guard. You’re still building your economy, and your defenses aren’t fully optimized. Here’s a breakdown of effective early-game strategies:

• The 3-0-0 Ace: As mentioned, the 3-0-0 Neva-Miss Targeting Ace is a surprisingly effective early-MOAB counter. Its cost is reasonable, and its global range ensures it’s always firing. This is the perfect early affordable tower.
• MOAB Maulers: Bomb Shooters with the MOAB Mauler (0-3-0) upgrade are another affordable and potent option. Their explosive damage is perfect for chunking away MOAB health. Support them with Camo Detection if necessary (Monkey Village, Ninja Monkey).
• Wizard Monkey’s of Flame: The 4-0-2 Wizard is good for dealing with MOABS for its price.

Remember to use support towers like Monkey Villages for increased range and attack speed. Every little bit helps in those crucial early rounds.

Mid-Game MOAB Mayhem

As you transition into the mid-game (rounds 60-80), MOABs become more frequent and are often accompanied by other Bloon types. You need to scale your defenses accordingly.

• MOAB Assassin: For more consistent results, a 4-2-0 or 4-0-2 Bomb Shooter (MOAB Assassin) can eliminate MOABs. The MOAB Assassin’s ability deals massive damage to the blimp and a little bit of damage to the other bloons nearby.
• Overclocked MOAB Maulers: Stacking multiple MOAB Maulers, buffed by a Monkey Village (2-3-0) and an Engineer Monkey (0-4-0, Overclock) is a deadly combination. The village provides pierce and attack speed, while the Engineer’s Overclock ability drastically increases the Maulers’ firing rate.
• Monkey Buccaneers: These are an extremely good early game tower against moabs. The MOAB Takedown is one of the best in the early game as the ability makes the moab and the children completely disappear.
• Tack Zone is a great option for dealing a lot of damage to the moabs.

Late-Game MOAB Onslaught

The late game (rounds 80+) is where the real challenge begins. MOABs swarm in unprecedented numbers, often fortified and accompanied by DDTs (Dark Dirigible Titan), BFBs (Brutal Floating Behemoth), and ZOMGs (Zeppelin of Mighty Gargantuaness). This is where you need your heavy hitters.

• Super Monkeys: Specifically, the Plasma Monkey Fan Club (PMFC) and The Anti-Bloon (TAB). PMFC, when activated, turns nearby Dart Monkeys into powerful plasma-shooting machines capable of tearing through MOABs. TAB is a powerhouse of raw damage, capable of popping all Bloon types (including Purple Bloons, which are resistant to energy attacks) and has a high attack speed.
• MOAB Eliminator: The ultimate Bomb Shooter upgrade, the MOAB Eliminator (5-2-0), deals a staggering amount of damage to MOAB-class Bloons. Its ability fires a powerful missile that obliterates the strongest blimp on screen, making it ideal for tackling high-health targets.
• Apache Prime: The ultimate Flying Ace upgrade, the Apache Prime (5-x-x), deals a high amount of dps against MOABS with ease and can also take care of the children.
• MAD: The MAD (5-x-x), also known as the “Mega Armored Droid“, is a rocket-based upgrade for the Dartling Gunner. It is the most expensive tier 5 Dartling Gunner upgrade. It shoots rockets at the most powerful bloon, and can take down MOABS fairly easily.
• Elite Defender: The Elite Defender (5-x-x) is a very powerful mid and late-game tower. It deals a lot of damage to MOABS due to its high attack speed.

Don’t forget about support! Alchemists (especially the Benchemical buff), Villages (for attack speed and range), and Engineers (for Overclocking) are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of your damage dealers.

Synergizing Your Defenses

The most effective MOAB-killing strategies don’t rely on a single tower. They involve a combination of towers that complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

• Damage Buffs: Alchemists (4-0-0) can buff attack damage by up to 4 damage. Camo Detection is also necessary as some MOABS are camouflaged.
• Debuffs: Ice Monkeys (0-2-4) can freeze MOABS in place, slowing them down and allowing your other towers to deal more damage. Glue Gunners (0-2-4) can also slow down MOABs.
• Crowd Control: Towers like the Wizard Monkey’s Archmage can clear out the ceramic Bloons released by MOABs, preventing them from overwhelming your defenses. The archmage is one of the best towers for dealing with crowds.

Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your playstyle and the specific map you’re playing on.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the best early game tower against MOABs for beginners?

The 3-0-0 Ace and the 4-0-2 Wizard are your best bets. They’re relatively cheap, easy to use, and effective against those early MOAB rounds. However, the ace does require precise placement.

2. How can I detect Camo MOABs?

Monkey Villages with the Radar Scanner upgrade (0-2-0), Ninja Monkeys (at any tier), and Snipers with Night Vision Goggles (0-2-0) can all detect camo Bloons. Another option is to use a Dart Monkey with the Crossbow upgrade which also detects camos.

3. Is the Super Monkey worth the investment for MOAB destruction?

Absolutely, but only in the mid-to-late game. A Super Monkey with Plasma Monkey Fan Club or The Anti-Bloon can single-handedly carry your defense against MOAB-class Bloons.

4. What’s the best Bomb Shooter upgrade path for MOABs?

It depends on the game stage. Early on, MOAB Maulers (0-3-0) are great. In the mid-game, MOAB Assassins (4-2-0) offer consistent damage and a powerful ability. For the late game, the MOAB Eliminator (5-2-0) is the ultimate choice.

5. How important are support towers for MOAB destruction?

Extremely important! Alchemists, Villages, and Engineers can significantly boost the damage output of your main damage dealers.

6. Can Ice Monkeys freeze MOABs?

Yes, the Ice Monkey’s snowballs can freeze and damage MOAB-class bloons, dealing 50 damage to each and freezing them instead of 2.

7. What’s the difference between a MOAB, BFB, ZOMG, and BAD?

These are all MOAB-class Bloons, but they differ in health and the number of Bloons they release when popped. MOABs are the weakest, followed by BFBs, ZOMGs, and then the BAD (Big Airship of Doom), which is the strongest non-boss Bloon.

8. What’s the best way to deal with DDTs?

DDTs are fast, camo, lead, and black Bloons, making them resistant to many types of attacks. Effective counters include Super Monkeys (The Anti-Bloon), Ice Monkeys with the Enhanced Freeze upgrade, and towers with camo detection and lead-popping abilities.

9. Are Monkey Buccaneers effective against MOABs?

The Monkey Buccaneer’s MOAB Takedown ability can instantly destroy a MOAB-class Bloon. However, its effectiveness diminishes in the late game when dealing with multiple, higher-tier blimps.

10. What towers can pop Purple Bloons, which are immune to energy?

Boomerang Monkeys (with the Glaive Lord upgrade), Dartling Gunners (with the Bloon Area Denial System upgrade), and towers with the “Normal” damage type can pop Purple Bloons. Also, the Super Monkey’s main attack will no longer be able to pop purples without support unless it is The Anti-Bloon or above.

11. How can I improve my economy to afford more powerful MOAB-killing towers?

Banana Farms are essential for generating income. The top path (Banana Central) is generally the most lucrative. Also, consider using Benjamin, a hero who generates extra income.

12. Is there a way to practice against MOABs?

Yes! Sandbox Mode allows you to spawn in MOABs and test different tower combinations and strategies.

13. What’s the best hero to use against MOABs?

It depends on your playstyle, but Geraldo is a top-tier hero overall. He provides buffs and powerful items that can significantly boost your MOAB-killing capabilities. Psi is also an excellent option if used correctly.

14. Does the Bloon Solver affect MOABs?

Yes, the Bloon Solver (5-x-x) can affect MOABs and other blimps, but its primary strength is clearing out large groups of regular Bloons. It’s best used in combination with other towers that focus on single-target damage.

15. Where can I learn more about Bloons TD strategies?

There are many great online resources, including the Games Learning Society where you can find helpful guides, tutorials, and community forums. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to expand your bloon-popping knowledge!

Conclusion

Defeating MOABs efficiently requires a combination of knowledge, strategy, and a bit of experimentation. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different towers, synergizing your defenses, and adapting to the ever-increasing challenges of later rounds, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a MOAB-popping master! Now, go forth and conquer!