Blade Maelstrom (BTD6): Difference between revisions

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Strategy: awkward wording regarding bloonarius innards; you use the mael in bloonarius to wipe out the innards, and those mael users on bloonarius from what I am aware of don't use bbrew because leads aren't a concern on that mode except ddts but base amd won't cut it anyway. where can I find 3-2-0 alch mael stuff btw?
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==Strategy==
==Strategy==
{{BTD6 last updated|section=y|51.2}}
{{BTD6 last updated|51.2|section=y}}
Blade Maelstrom is one of the strongest towers in [[Race Event]]s, due to its extremely high pierce and ability to wipe out extraordinary amounts of Bloons and make large amounts of cash that can be used to purchase other towers. When using it in Race Events, fullsend immediately after purchasing it, purchase a 0-2-0 {{BTD6|Alchemist}} next to it, and upgrade the Alchemist to a 3-2-0 {{BTD6|Berserker Brew}} immediately after using the ability to allow it to pop {{BTD6|Lead Bloon}}s and greatly boost its popping power.<!--seems good for a BIG initial burst, regardless of fast consume--> The same could be done for {{BTD6|Bloonarius}}.
Blade Maelstrom is one of the strongest towers in [[Race Event]]s, due to its extremely high pierce and ability to wipe out extraordinary amounts of Bloons and make large amounts of cash that can be used to purchase other towers. It also excels at wiping out large quantity of spawns from {{BTD6|Bloonarius}}. When using it in Race Events, fullsend immediately after purchasing it, purchase a 0-2-0 {{BTD6|Alchemist}} next to it, and upgrade the Alchemist to a 3-2-0 {{BTD6|Berserker Brew}} immediately after using the ability to allow it to pop {{BTD6|Lead Bloon}}s and greatly boost its popping power.<!--regardless of quick consumption, the big initial burst + amd also limits leads blocking future blades-->


Outside of Race Events, Blade Maelstrom is useful to wipe out Round 76, Round 78 (with [[Camo Bloon (BTD6)|Camo]] detection), and the 1st and 3rd wave of {{BTD6|Ceramic Bloon}}s on Round 63, but is not very useful on other rounds and becomes useless after Round 80 due to [[Ceramic Bloon (BTD6)#Super Ceramic Bloons|Super Ceramics]]. 2-4-0 and 0-4-2 are on roughly equal footing, the former being preferred for burst damage and the latter for more reliable damage, regardless of the game setting. The difference in rotation direction from bottom path rarely matters, with only extra duration being the reason for this crosspath.
Outside of Race Events, Blade Maelstrom is useful to wipe out Round 76, Round 78 (with [[Camo Bloon (BTD6)|Camo]] detection), and the 1st and 3rd wave of {{BTD6|Ceramic Bloon}}s on Round 63, but is not very useful on other rounds and becomes useless after Round 80 due to [[Ceramic Bloon (BTD6)#Super Ceramic Bloons|Super Ceramics]]. 2-4-0 and 0-4-2 are on roughly equal footing,<!--technically, (1.176*1.176)-(4/3)=positive so more blades with top--> the former being preferred for burst damage and the latter for more reliable damage, regardless of the game setting, but 0-4-2 preferred if transitioning into [[Super Maelstrom (BTD6)|Super Maelstrom]] which needs the longer duration. The difference in rotation direction from bottom path rarely matters, only the longer duration.


==Update History==
==Update History==

Revision as of 18:38, 29 November 2025

Blade Maelstrom
Portrait of Blade Maelstrom
Icon of Blade MaelstromBlade Maelstrom ability: Covers the area in a storm of blades.
Tower Tack Shooter — Path 2 — Tier 4
XP cost 9,000
Cash cost $2,295 — Easy
$2,700 — Medium
$2,915 — Hard
$3,240 — Impoppable

Blade Maelstrom is the Tack Shooter's path 2 tier 4 upgrade in Bloons TD 6. It grants a Blade Maelstrom ability, which causes the Tack Shooter to fire blades with increased damage and pierce in all directions. Blade Maelstrom and other tier 4 and above Tack Shooters also have slightly elevated lines of sight compared to tier 3 and below Tack Shooters. Additionally the base attack gains +1 damage.

Blade Maelstrom Ability

The Blade Maelstrom ability has a cooldown of 20 seconds, with an initial cooldown of 6.67 seconds. When activated, it fires extra-strong blades every 0.045 seconds in two opposite directions[fn 1] for 3 seconds, and the angle it shoots blades at rapidly rotates clockwise, creating a spiral pattern. Each blade deals 2 Shatter damage and has 100 pierce. It is affected by all types of buffs (damage, attack speed, pierce, etc.).

The ability also receives crosspathing benefits:

  • Faster Shooting — Ability gains ~17.6% increased attack speed (0.85x attack cooldown).
  • Even Faster Shooting — Ability gains ~38.4% increased attack speed total (0.85x attack cooldown on top, total of 0.7225x).
  • More Tacks — Ability lasts 0.5 seconds longer and spins counter-clockwise.
  • Even More Tacks — Ability lasts 0.5 seconds longer (+1 second overall).

Stats

For a complete list of Tack Shooter stats, see Stats:Tack Shooter (BTD6).
This data was last updated for: version 55.1
Tower
Display range46 units
Footprint radius6 units
Targeting options
  • Close
Attack
Cooldown1.12s
Offset (X, Y, Z)
0, 0, 11.9
TargetingDepends on targeting option
Targeting range46 units
Filters
  • Cannot target Camo
Projectile
Count8
Angle360°
Pierce8
Damage2
Damage typeShatter
Speed187.2 units/s
Lifespan0.3419s
Radius4 units
Filters
  • Cannot hit Camo
Ability
Cooldown20s
Lifespan3s
Attack
Cooldown0.045s
Offset (X, Y, Z)
0, 0, 11.9
Targeting range∞ units
Rotation speed-360 deg/s
  • Ignores blockers
  • Can fire without a target
Projectile
Count2
Angle180°
Pierce100
Damage2
Damage typeShatter
Speed150 units/s
Lifespan2s
Radius4 units
Filters
  • Cannot hit Camo
  • Ignores blockers

1-4-0

Attack
Cooldown1.12s → 0.84s
Ability
Attack
Cooldown0.045s → 0.0382s

2-4-0

Attack
Cooldown0.84s → 0.63s
Ability
Attack
Cooldown0.0382s → 0.0325s

0-4-1

Attack
Projectile
Count8 → 10
Ability
Lifespan3s → 3.5s
Attack
Rotation speed-360 deg/s → 360 deg/s

0-4-2

Attack
Projectile
Count10 → 12
Ability
Lifespan3.5s → 4s

Costs and sell values

Note: this list does not factor in Monkey Knowledge or other discounts.
Tiers Total cost Sell value
Easy Medium Hard Impoppable Easy Medium Hard Impoppable
0-4-0 $3,255 $3,835 $4,145 $4,600 $2,279 $2,685 $2,902 $3,220
1-4-0 $3,380 $3,985 $4,305 $4,780 $2,366 $2,790 $3,014 $3,346
2-4-0 $3,635 $4,285 $4,630 $5,140 $2,545 $3,000 $3,241 $3,598
0-4-1 $3,350 $3,945 $4,265 $4,730 $2,345 $2,762 $2,986 $3,311
0-4-2 $3,445 $4,055 $4,385 $4,860 $2,412 $2,839 $3,070 $3,402

Strategy

This section was last updated for: version 51.2

Blade Maelstrom is one of the strongest towers in Race Events, due to its extremely high pierce and ability to wipe out extraordinary amounts of Bloons and make large amounts of cash that can be used to purchase other towers. It also excels at wiping out large quantity of spawns from Bloonarius. When using it in Race Events, fullsend immediately after purchasing it, purchase a 0-2-0 Alchemist next to it, and upgrade the Alchemist to a 3-2-0 Berserker Brew immediately after using the ability to allow it to pop Lead Bloons and greatly boost its popping power.

Outside of Race Events, Blade Maelstrom is useful to wipe out Round 76, Round 78 (with Camo detection), and the 1st and 3rd wave of Ceramic Bloons on Round 63, but is not very useful on other rounds and becomes useless after Round 80 due to Super Ceramics. 2-4-0 and 0-4-2 are on roughly equal footing, the former being preferred for burst damage and the latter for more reliable damage, regardless of the game setting, but 0-4-2 preferred if transitioning into Super Maelstrom which needs the longer duration. The difference in rotation direction from bottom path rarely matters, only the longer duration.

Update History

For a complete list of Tack Shooter changes, see Update history:Tack Shooter (BTD6).
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  • Maelstrom projectiles are no longer deleted at the end of the round in Race events
  • Buff Ability: duration increased ― 2s → 3s
Maelstrom upgrades are in a good spot overall, but specifically for the low cost of this tower with such a rapid cooldown it was able to hit too many targets under race conditions. This targeted nerf is to the value of it under those race conditions and should be negligible in other game areas.
— Update notes
  • Nerf Ability: Pierce reduced ― ∞ → 100
We liked Maelstrom’s pierce change, however want to ease off a little as higher density rounds feel a lot more position & timing dependent now than they need to be.
— Update notes
  • Buff Maelstrom ability: pierce increased ― 100 → 200
Blade Shooter has always struggled to find much value without MK or as a step to Maelstrom, so to give it build value on its own we feel like this should be a part of the base value on the upgrade.
— Update notes
  • Buff Blade pierce increased ― 6 → 8
Maelstrom crosspathing? Why not, feels that this could be cool to try out, and more consistency on bottom crosspath may be able to make it the preferred ability crosspath while top path which already improves the base tower more will give back the massive pierce amount for times where the greater punch per use is required.
— Update notes
  • Nerf Ability: Pierce reduced ― 200 → 120
1-4-0
  • Nerf Ability: Pierce reduced ― 200 → 160
    • Note: 240 unchanged
0-4-1, 0-4-2
  • Neutral Ability: Now rotates counter-clockwise with this crosspath
0-4-1
  • Buff Ability: Duration increased ― 3s → 3.5s
0-4-2
  • Buff Ability: Duration increased ― 3s → 4s
The recent ability crosspathing for Tack Shooter was fun but feels too lopsided as pierce concerns are very niche on Maelstrom, instead we want to shift this entire focus around for top path to be the rate crosspath for more damage in a shorter amount of time and leaving bottom mainly about greater overall uptime.
— Update notes
  • Buff Ability: Pierce increased ― 120 → 200
  • Nerf Ability: Attack cooldown increased ― 0.03s → 0.045s (attack speed reduced by 33.33%)
  • Neutral Main attack: Damage type changed ― Sharp → Shatter
1-4-0
  • Nerf Ability: Faster Shooting no longer increases pierce
    • Neutral Overall pierce is unchanged (due to changes to the base pierce)
  • Buff Ability: Faster Shooting now reduces attack cooldown by 15%
    • Nerf Overall attack cooldown with this crosspath increased ― 0.03s → 0.03825s (due to changes to the base attack cooldown)
2-4-0
  • Nerf Ability: Even Faster Shooting no longer increases pierce
    • Neutral Overall pierce is unchanged (due to changes to the base pierce)
  • Buff Ability: Even Faster Shooting now decreases attack cooldown by 15%
    • Reduces overall attack cooldown by 27.75% (due to changes to the previous tier)
    • Nerf Overall attack cooldown with this crosspath increased ― 0.03s → 0.0325125s (due to changes to the base attack cooldown)
Additionally, while we’ve held out on this change as there are strong use cases in prior upgrades, Blade Maelstrom lacks the single target punch to last late in Modern Bloons. While it is designed as a high pierce cleanup of low tier Bloons we want to try shifting some pierce to single target damage to feel good for longer.
— Update notes
  • Buff Overall cost reduced by $20 (due to cost changes for previous tiers)
  • Buff Ability blade: Damage increased ― 1 → 2
  • Nerf Ability blade: Pierce reduced ― 200 → 100
Blade Shooter has always visually increased the projectile size considerably but not actually changed this value at all, Blades will now actually be bigger.
— Update notes
  • Buff Blade Maelstrom ability: Projectile radius increased ― 2 → 4
  • Buff Reload rate reduced ― 1.19s → 1.12s
    • Note: Stacks with top crosspath: 1-X-0 ― 0.8925s → 0.84s. 2-X-0 ― 0.6694s → 0.63s
  • Buff Main attack: Projectile radius increased ― 0 → 4
Range fits well for this path, so we’re working this more into the main attack of middle path
— Update notes
  • Buff Acquisition range increased ― 31 → 46
  • Buff Blade: Projectile range increased ― 49.24 → 64
Middle Tack has always been ability heavy, so the base tower damage is improving with higher tiers to get more than just the ability.
— Update notes
  • Buff Main blade: Damage increased ― 1 → 2
For more Tack Shooter images, see Gallery:Tack Shooter.

Screenshots

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Assets

In other languages

This section was last updated for: version 50.2
Name
Language Text Notes
Arabic دوامة الشفرات
Danish Klingemalstrøm
German Klingeninferno
Spanish Vorágine de cuchillas
Spanish (Latin America) Vorágine de cuchillas
Finnish Terämyrsky
French Maelström de lames
Italian Vortice di lame
Japanese ブレード大混乱
Korean 칼날 소용돌이
Dutch Messenkolk
Norwegian Bladmalstrøm
Polish Wir ostrzy
Portuguese (Brazil) Tempestade de Lâminas
Russian Водоворот клинков
Swedish Rakbladmalström
Thai พายุใบเลื่อย
Turkish Bıçak Girdabı
Chinese (simplified) 利刃漩涡
Chinese (traditional) 刀刃漩渦
Description
Language Text Notes
Arabic القدرة على عمل دوامة من الشفرات: تغطية المنطقة في عاصفة من الشفرات.
Danish Klingemalstrøm-evne: dækker området med en storm af klinger.
German Klingeninferno-Fähigkeit: Fähigkeit: Bedeckt die ganze Strecke mit einem Klingenteppich.
Spanish Habilidad vorágine de cuchillas: cubre el área con una tormenta de cuchillas.
Spanish (Latin America) Habilidad vorágine de cuchillas: cubre el área con una tormenta de cuchillas.
Finnish Terämyrsky-kyky: peittää alueen terämyrskyllä.
French Aptitude Maelström de lames : fait pleuvoir une tempête de lames sur la zone.
Italian Abilità Vortice di lame: ricopre l'area coinvolta con una tempesta di lame.
Japanese ブレード大混乱能力:地域をブレードの嵐で覆う。
Korean 칼날 소용돌이 능력: 영역에 칼날의 폭풍이 휘몰아칩니다.
Dutch Messenkolk-vaardigheid: bedekt het gebied in een storm van messen.
Norwegian Klingemalstrøm-evne: dekker området med en storm av klinger.
Polish Umiejętność wiru ostrzy: pokrywa obszar burzą ostrzy.
Portuguese (Brazil) Habilidade Tempestade de Lâminas: Cobre a área numa tempestade de lâminas.
Russian Способность «Водоворот клинков» накрывает зону вихрем клинков.
Swedish Bladmalströmförmåga: Täcker området med en storm av blad.
Thai สกิลพายุใบเลื่อย: ยิงใบเลื่อยจำนวนมากออกไปเหมือนพายุหมุนครอบคลุมทั้งจอ
Turkish Bıçak Girdabı yeteneği: Bıçak fırtınasıyla alanı korur.
Chinese (simplified) 利刃漩涡技能:对目标区域发起利刃风暴。
Chinese (traditional) 刀刃漩渦技能:刀刃風暴覆蓋整個區域。

Footnotes

  1. It is treated as a type of spread attack with a 180° angle of separation between projectiles. Buffs like Deadeye's Take Aim ability can affect the angle between blades.