Herald of Everfrost

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The '''Herald of Everfrost''' is the [[Ice Monkey (BTD6)|Ice Monkey]]'s [[Paragon]] in ''[[Bloons TD 6]]'', introduced in {{BTD6 version|52.0}}. It is a combination of [[Super Brittle (BTD6)|Super Brittle]], [[Absolute Zero (BTD6)|Absolute Zero]], and [[Icicle Impale (BTD6)|Icicle Impale]].

The Herald of Everfrost's attacks alternate between four Ice Lance Beams and one Snowstorm Roar; either attack is only used when Bloons are in [[range]]. It also has an [[Arctic Wind (BTD6)|Arctic Wind]]-like aura that greatly slows [[Bloon|Bloons]] and [[MOAB-Class Bloon|MOAB-Class Bloons]] within its radius. The Paragon creates ice platforms for the water placement of land towers globally.

<section begin="lede" />The Herald of Everfrost's attacks alternate between four Ice Lance Beams and one Snowstorm Roar; either attack is only used when Bloons are in [[range]]. It also has an [[Arctic Wind (BTD6)|Arctic Wind]]-like aura that greatly slows [[Bloon|Bloons]] and [[MOAB-Class Bloon|MOAB-Class Bloons]] within its radius. The Paragon creates ice platforms for the water placement of land towers globally.

* '''Ice Lance Beam''': The Paragon launches an ice beam attack with very high [[pierce]] which travels in a straight line and [[Freeze|freezes]] all damaged Bloons for 10 seconds, leaving a trail of groups of 6 giant ice shards as it travels. Bloons that survive the attack grow icicles that damage other Bloons.

* '''Snowstorm Roar''': The Paragon freezes all Bloons on screen, applying [[Permafrost (BTD6)|permafrost]] to Bloons below a [[BAD (BTD6)|BAD]], removing [[Camo Bloon|Camo]] and [[Regrow Bloon (BTD6)|Regrow]] properties, as well as Lead and Frozen immunities. This attack also inflicts a powerful debuff that causes Bloons to take +8 [[damage]] from all attacks with an additional +40 damage from attacks that deal {{BTD6 dt|Cold}}, {{BTD6 dt|Frigid}}, or {{BTD6 dt|Glacier}}-type damage. This debuff overrides both [[Embrittlement (BTD6)|Embrittlement]] and [[Super Brittle (BTD6)|Super Brittle]]. BADs and [[Boss Bloon|Boss Bloons]] also receive the damage debuff with the visual effect, but they are not slowed.

Additionally, it has an [[Activated Ability]] called '''Eclipse of Fimbulwinter'''. It has a 5-second delay before freezing every Bloon on screen for 10 seconds, although BADs and Bosses are only frozen for 5 seconds. If a Boss Bloon reaches a skull after getting frozen during the ability, the skull effects are [[#Activated Ability|skipped completely]], and the Boss thaws early. It has a cooldown of 90 seconds and can only be used once per round. It can be used multiple times per Boss tier, but can only cancel the effects of one skull per Boss tier.

Additionally, it has an [[Activated Ability]] called '''Eclipse of Fimbulwinter'''. It has a 5-second delay before freezing every Bloon on screen for 10 seconds, although BADs and Bosses are only frozen for 5 seconds. If a Boss Bloon reaches a skull after getting frozen during the ability, the skull effects are [[#Activated Ability|skipped completely]], and the Boss thaws early. It has a cooldown of 90 seconds and can only be used once per round. It can be used multiple times per Boss tier, but can only cancel the effects of one skull per Boss tier.<section end="lede" />

==Mechanics==

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* '''Global slow effect''': Lasts for 25 seconds, starting at the moment the ability is activated. It slows Boss Bloons by 5%, BADs by 10%, and all other Bloons by 30%.

* '''Freeze''': This attack is applied 5 seconds after the ability is activated, affecting all layers and lasts for 10s. BADs and Boss Bloons are also frozen, but the duration is halved (5s). Frozen BADs move at 2.25 units/s and Bosses move at half speed.

* '''Freeze''': This attack is applied 5 seconds after the ability is activated, affecting all layers and lasts for 10s. BADs and Boss Bloons are also frozen, but the duration is halved (5s). Frozen BADs move at 2.25 units/s (half normal speed) and Bosses move at half speed.

* '''Permafrost''': It is applied at the same time as the freeze, lasting for 10s and slows regular Bloons by 75% and MOAB-Class Bloons by 50%, but it doesn't affect BADs or Boss Bloons.

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Eclipse of Fimbulwinter has a special effect that causes a Boss Bloon's skull effect to be negated if the skull was triggered between the moment the freeze is applied and the end of the ability (when the lighting returns to normal), which can be triggered within 20 seconds. Once the effect is triggered, the Boss will thaw early if it was frozen. This effect can only be used once per Boss tier. Specific interactions with Bosses are as follows:

* [[Bloonarius (BTD6)|Bloonarius]]: Does not spawn or scatter any Bloons.

* [[Bloonarius (BTD6)|Bloonarius]]: Does not spawn or scatter any Bloons, but it does not stop moving briefly.

* [[Lych]]: [[Lych-soul]]s do not appear, and Lych does not enter an immunity phase.

* [[Vortex (BTD6)|Vortex]]: It does not create a shield or stun towers, but does not get knocked backwards on the track.

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* [[Phayze]]: Prevents the warp, keeping the Bloon spawn portal in its current position, if present, and also prevents it from setting up its Reality Shield. Its slow aura does not become stronger.

* [[Blastapopoulos (BTD6)|Blastapopoulos]]: Does not spawn fireballs or pyroclastic rocks, and its heat meter does not gain 25%.

* [[Diamondback]]: Does not produce Diamond Bloons or other spawns, ~~and~~ one segment is not removed.

* [[Diamondback]]: Does not produce Diamond Bloons or other spawns, one segment is not removed, and the Rattle Tail's shield does not regenerate.

===Monkey Knowledge interactions===

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==Strategy==

The Herald of Everfrost is a cheap but very effective supporting Paragon for [[Boss Events]] and [[Freeplay]]. Instead of DPS, its value comes from its massive bonus damage via Bloon debuffs and an ability capable of skipping Boss skull effects and freezing even {{BTD6|BAD}}s. Towers that work well with {{BTD6|Super Brittle}} perform even better with it. The Cold bonus is not too impactful, though it has a strong synergy with [[Popseidon]] especially with its ability.

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The Herald of Everfrost and its ability have varied matchups against each Boss:

*[[Bloonarius (BTD6)|Bloonarius]]: Least effective matchup, since most Paragons already deal enough damage to deal with its minions by the late game. However, the ability's slowdown is effective against BAD spawns and limiting the Boss's progression on shorter maps.

*[[Bloonarius (BTD6)|Bloonarius]]: Least effective matchup, since most Paragons already deal enough damage and have enough pierce to deal with its minions by the late game, and the Boss does not have an invulnerability period. However, the ability's slowdown is effective against BAD spawns and limiting the Boss's progression on shorter maps.

*[[Lych]]: Particularly on rounds with {{BTD6|DDT}}s and Fortified DDTs, preventing a skull will avoid Lych-~~Soul and Resurrected Blimps~~. Additionally, not being able to become invulnerable allows better chaining of high-damage Paragon abilities, such as [[Goliath Doomship]]'s Carpet Bomb.

*[[Lych]]: Particularly on rounds with {{BTD6|DDT}}s and Fortified DDTs, preventing a skull will avoid invulnerability and Lych-Souls. Additionally, not being able to become invulnerable allows better chaining of high-damage Paragon abilities, such as [[Goliath Doomship]]'s Carpet Bomb.

*[[Vortex (BTD6)|Vortex]]: A double-edged sword, as the Boss would not be knocked back, but a detrimental tower stun can be avoided.

*[[Dreadbloon (BTD6)|Dreadbloon]]: Its best matchup against all except Primary immunity, potentially skipping the non-Elite Support category completely and offering a significant Bloon damage debuff that makes unshielded Dreadbloon easier to handle by projectile spam strategies. Time just before destroying the Military or Magic skulls for the best results. Still effective against the Elite version but not as powerful due to the immunities looping twice.

*[[Dreadbloon (BTD6)|Dreadbloon]]: Its best matchup against all except Primary immunity, potentially skipping the non-Elite Support category completely and offering a significant Bloon damage debuff that makes unshielded Dreadbloon easier to handle by projectile spam strategies. Time just before destroying the Military or Magic skulls for the best results. Still effective against the Elite version but not as powerful due to the immunities looping twice. Also indirectly deals massive damage by skipping Ceramic shield.

*[[Phayze (BTD6)|Phayze]]: Good matchup, since it can prevent a warp and reduce the speed penalty of towers. Despite stripping Camo properties, Phayze will be immune to decamo for half the time, and can still be an anti-synergy with [[Ascended Shadow]].

*[[Phayze (BTD6)|Phayze]]: Good matchup, since it can prevent a warp and reduce the speed penalty of towers. Despite stripping Camo properties, Phayze will be immune to decamo for half the time, and can still be an anti-synergy with [[Ascended Shadow]]. Also indirectly deals massive damage by skipping reality warper Shield

*[[Blastapopoulos (BTD6)|Blastapopoulos]]: Another very strong matchup, with the Bloon damage debuff and Heat Bar reductions assisting projectile spam strategies significantly. Skipping a skull effect is beneficial to limit Pyroclastic Rocks or Meteors where towers are close to the Boss.

*[[Diamondback]]: Having an extra segment leaves more opportunity to hit multiple parts of the Boss at once, ~~and~~ make it easier to trigger its self-debuffs, ~~though this also leaves more area to partially consume pierce~~.

*[[Diamondback]]: Having an extra segment leaves more opportunity to hit multiple parts of the Boss at once, though this also leaves more area to partially consume pierce. The Rattle Tail keeping its shield's health from before the skull make it easier to trigger its self-debuffs, or keep them if the shield was already destroyed.

If the Paragon is mainly used for the damage debuff, getting a high degree is important to maximize the uptime, but it cannot reach full uptime without an external attack speed buff, and they do benefit reducing the long cooldown of the Fimbulwinter ability as well as cooling Blastapopoulos faster. Obtaining at least full uptime for the damage debuff requires {{BTD6 mk|Paragon of Power}} and at least Degree 78, with this MK and Degree 91 together having about 103% uptime. The direct damage increases are not too significant, but can help to an extent. Otherwise, if the Paragon is mainly used for skull skip, then Degree 1 is enough if the player buys it several rounds in advance.

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 The '''Herald of Everfrost''' is the [[Ice Monkey (BTD6)|Ice Monkey]]'s [[Paragon]] in ''[[Bloons TD 6]]'', introduced in {{BTD6 version|52.0}}. It is a combination of [[Super Brittle (BTD6)|Super Brittle]], [[Absolute Zero (BTD6)|Absolute Zero]], and [[Icicle Impale (BTD6)|Icicle Impale]].
-The Herald of Everfrost's attacks alternate between four Ice Lance Beams and one Snowstorm Roar; either attack is only used when Bloons are in [[range]]. It also has an [[Arctic Wind (BTD6)|Arctic Wind]]-like aura that greatly slows [[Bloon|Bloons]] and [[MOAB-Class Bloon|MOAB-Class Bloons]] within its radius. The Paragon creates ice platforms for the water placement of land towers globally.
+<section begin="lede" />The Herald of Everfrost's attacks alternate between four Ice Lance Beams and one Snowstorm Roar; either attack is only used when Bloons are in [[range]]. It also has an [[Arctic Wind (BTD6)|Arctic Wind]]-like aura that greatly slows [[Bloon|Bloons]] and [[MOAB-Class Bloon|MOAB-Class Bloons]] within its radius. The Paragon creates ice platforms for the water placement of land towers globally.
 * '''Ice Lance Beam''': The Paragon launches an ice beam attack with very high [[pierce]] which travels in a straight line and [[Freeze|freezes]] all damaged Bloons for 10 seconds, leaving a trail of groups of 6 giant ice shards as it travels. Bloons that survive the attack grow icicles that damage other Bloons.
 * '''Snowstorm Roar''': The Paragon freezes all Bloons on screen, applying [[Permafrost (BTD6)|permafrost]] to Bloons below a [[BAD (BTD6)|BAD]], removing [[Camo Bloon|Camo]] and [[Regrow Bloon (BTD6)|Regrow]] properties, as well as Lead and Frozen immunities. This attack also inflicts a powerful debuff that causes Bloons to take +8 [[damage]] from all attacks with an additional +40 damage from attacks that deal {{BTD6 dt|Cold}}, {{BTD6 dt|Frigid}}, or {{BTD6 dt|Glacier}}-type damage. This debuff overrides both [[Embrittlement (BTD6)|Embrittlement]] and [[Super Brittle (BTD6)|Super Brittle]]. BADs and [[Boss Bloon|Boss Bloons]] also receive the damage debuff with the visual effect, but they are not slowed.
-Additionally, it has an [[Activated Ability]] called '''Eclipse of Fimbulwinter'''. It has a 5-second delay before freezing every Bloon on screen for 10 seconds, although BADs and Bosses are only frozen for 5 seconds. If a Boss Bloon reaches a skull after getting frozen during the ability, the skull effects are [[#Activated Ability|skipped completely]], and the Boss thaws early. It has a cooldown of 90 seconds and can only be used once per round. It can be used multiple times per Boss tier, but can only cancel the effects of one skull per Boss tier.
+Additionally, it has an [[Activated Ability]] called '''Eclipse of Fimbulwinter'''. It has a 5-second delay before freezing every Bloon on screen for 10 seconds, although BADs and Bosses are only frozen for 5 seconds. If a Boss Bloon reaches a skull after getting frozen during the ability, the skull effects are [[#Activated Ability|skipped completely]], and the Boss thaws early. It has a cooldown of 90 seconds and can only be used once per round. It can be used multiple times per Boss tier, but can only cancel the effects of one skull per Boss tier.<section end="lede" />
 ==Mechanics==
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 * '''Global slow effect''': Lasts for 25 seconds, starting at the moment the ability is activated. It slows Boss Bloons by 5%, BADs by 10%, and all other Bloons by 30%.
-* '''Freeze''': This attack is applied 5 seconds after the ability is activated, affecting all layers and lasts for 10s. BADs and Boss Bloons are also frozen, but the duration is halved (5s). Frozen BADs move at 2.25 units/s and Bosses move at half speed.
+* '''Freeze''': This attack is applied 5 seconds after the ability is activated, affecting all layers and lasts for 10s. BADs and Boss Bloons are also frozen, but the duration is halved (5s). Frozen BADs move at 2.25 units/s (half normal speed) and Bosses move at half speed.
 * '''Permafrost''': It is applied at the same time as the freeze, lasting for 10s and slows regular Bloons by 75% and MOAB-Class Bloons by 50%, but it doesn't affect BADs or Boss Bloons.
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 Eclipse of Fimbulwinter has a special effect that causes a Boss Bloon's skull effect to be negated if the skull was triggered between the moment the freeze is applied and the end of the ability (when the lighting returns to normal), which can be triggered within 20 seconds. Once the effect is triggered, the Boss will thaw early if it was frozen. This effect can only be used once per Boss tier. Specific interactions with Bosses are as follows:
-* [[Bloonarius (BTD6)|Bloonarius]]: Does not spawn or scatter any Bloons.
+* [[Bloonarius (BTD6)|Bloonarius]]: Does not spawn or scatter any Bloons, but it does not stop moving briefly.
 * [[Lych]]: [[Lych-soul]]s do not appear, and Lych does not enter an immunity phase.
 * [[Vortex (BTD6)|Vortex]]: It does not create a shield or stun towers, but does not get knocked backwards on the track.
@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 * [[Phayze]]: Prevents the warp, keeping the Bloon spawn portal in its current position, if present, and also prevents it from setting up its Reality Shield. Its slow aura does not become stronger.
 * [[Blastapopoulos (BTD6)|Blastapopoulos]]: Does not spawn fireballs or pyroclastic rocks, and its heat meter does not gain 25%.
-* [[Diamondback]]: Does not produce Diamond Bloons or other spawns, and one segment is not removed.
+* [[Diamondback]]: Does not produce Diamond Bloons or other spawns, one segment is not removed, and the Rattle Tail's shield does not regenerate.
 ===Monkey Knowledge interactions===
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 ==Strategy==
-{{BTD6 last updated|54.0|section=y}}
+{{BTD6 last updated|55.2|section=y}}
 The Herald of Everfrost is a cheap but very effective supporting Paragon for [[Boss Events]] and [[Freeplay]]. Instead of DPS, its value comes from its massive bonus damage via Bloon debuffs and an ability capable of skipping Boss skull effects and freezing even {{BTD6|BAD}}s. Towers that work well with {{BTD6|Super Brittle}} perform even better with it. The Cold bonus is not too impactful, though it has a strong synergy with [[Popseidon]] especially with its ability.
@@ Line 103: / Line 103: @@
 The Herald of Everfrost and its ability have varied matchups against each Boss:
-*[[Bloonarius (BTD6)|Bloonarius]]: Least effective matchup, since most Paragons already deal enough damage to deal with its minions by the late game. However, the ability's slowdown is effective against BAD spawns and limiting the Boss's progression on shorter maps.
+*[[Bloonarius (BTD6)|Bloonarius]]: Least effective matchup, since most Paragons already deal enough damage and have enough pierce to deal with its minions by the late game, and the Boss does not have an invulnerability period. However, the ability's slowdown is effective against BAD spawns and limiting the Boss's progression on shorter maps.
-*[[Lych]]: Particularly on rounds with {{BTD6|DDT}}s and Fortified DDTs, preventing a skull will avoid Lych-Soul and Resurrected Blimps. Additionally, not being able to become invulnerable allows better chaining of high-damage Paragon abilities, such as [[Goliath Doomship]]'s Carpet Bomb.
+*[[Lych]]: Particularly on rounds with {{BTD6|DDT}}s and Fortified DDTs, preventing a skull will avoid invulnerability and Lych-Souls. Additionally, not being able to become invulnerable allows better chaining of high-damage Paragon abilities, such as [[Goliath Doomship]]'s Carpet Bomb.
 *[[Vortex (BTD6)|Vortex]]: A double-edged sword, as the Boss would not be knocked back, but a detrimental tower stun can be avoided.
-*[[Dreadbloon (BTD6)|Dreadbloon]]: Its best matchup against all except Primary immunity, potentially skipping the non-Elite Support category completely and offering a significant Bloon damage debuff that makes unshielded Dreadbloon easier to handle by projectile spam strategies. Time just before destroying the Military or Magic skulls for the best results. Still effective against the Elite version but not as powerful due to the immunities looping twice.
+*[[Dreadbloon (BTD6)|Dreadbloon]]: Its best matchup against all except Primary immunity, potentially skipping the non-Elite Support category completely and offering a significant Bloon damage debuff that makes unshielded Dreadbloon easier to handle by projectile spam strategies. Time just before destroying the Military or Magic skulls for the best results. Still effective against the Elite version but not as powerful due to the immunities looping twice. Also indirectly deals massive damage by skipping Ceramic shield.
-*[[Phayze (BTD6)|Phayze]]: Good matchup, since it can prevent a warp and reduce the speed penalty of towers. Despite stripping Camo properties, Phayze will be immune to decamo for half the time, and can still be an anti-synergy with [[Ascended Shadow]].
+*[[Phayze (BTD6)|Phayze]]: Good matchup, since it can prevent a warp and reduce the speed penalty of towers. Despite stripping Camo properties, Phayze will be immune to decamo for half the time, and can still be an anti-synergy with [[Ascended Shadow]]. Also indirectly deals massive damage by skipping reality warper Shield
 *[[Blastapopoulos (BTD6)|Blastapopoulos]]: Another very strong matchup, with the Bloon damage debuff and Heat Bar reductions assisting projectile spam strategies significantly. Skipping a skull effect is beneficial to limit Pyroclastic Rocks or Meteors where towers are close to the Boss.
-*[[Diamondback]]: Having an extra segment leaves more opportunity to hit multiple parts of the Boss at once, and make it easier to trigger its self-debuffs, though this also leaves more area to partially consume pierce.
+*[[Diamondback]]: Having an extra segment leaves more opportunity to hit multiple parts of the Boss at once, though this also leaves more area to partially consume pierce. The Rattle Tail keeping its shield's health from before the skull make it easier to trigger its self-debuffs, or keep them if the shield was already destroyed.
 If the Paragon is mainly used for the damage debuff, getting a high degree is important to maximize the uptime, but it cannot reach full uptime without an external attack speed buff, and they do benefit reducing the long cooldown of the Fimbulwinter ability as well as cooling Blastapopoulos faster. Obtaining at least full uptime for the damage debuff requires {{BTD6 mk|Paragon of Power}}<!--"requires [mk] and at least D78" is necessary to add if the MK is a full prereq--> and at least Degree 78,<!--20*.617284*.8083=9.97901314--> with this MK and Degree 91 together having about 103%<!--10/(20*.598444*.8083)--> uptime. The direct damage increases are not too significant, but can help to an extent. Otherwise, if the Paragon is mainly used for skull skip, then Degree 1 is enough if the player buys it several rounds in advance.

Herald of Everfrost: Difference between revisions