Spiked Balls (BTD6)

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==Strategy==

Spiked Balls is a ~~low-cost but flexible method of catching leaks during mid-~~game ~~while staying relevant against~~ [[Super Ceramic Bloon (BTD6)|Super ~~Ceramics~~]] ~~in lategame~~. ~~It can now layer-skip bloons~~, but ~~still lacks pierce~~, ~~isn't so synergetic with buffs nor strong enough when alone, and faces competition with blowbacks~~ such as ~~[[Druid of the Storm (~~BTD6)|~~Druid of the Storm]]~~. ~~Spiked Balls still has good synergy~~ with [[Berserker Brew ~~(BTD6)|Berserker~~ Brew]], ~~attacking slow enough to maintain both buffs, in addition to pierce buffs equating to stockpiled~~ damage~~. It remains helpful for catching leaks on difficult maps~~, ~~such~~ as ~~[[Dark Dungeons]]. 1~~-0-~~2 Spike is more practical~~ for ~~tanking bloons during early-game, plus better Alch synergy, while [[Spiked Mines (~~BTD6)|Spiked Mines~~]], its successor~~, is ~~more reliable compared to multiple Spiked Balls, except on maps with more than two separate exits~~.

Spiked Balls is a late game Super Ceramic catcher, being relatively cheap and taking 1.5 Spiked Balls to pop each [[Super Ceramic Bloon (BTD6)|Super Ceramic]] (0.85 with {{BTD6|Berserker Brew}}) and being more consistent, but less powerful, than other Ceramic control options such as {{BTD6|Cryo Cannon}} or {{BTD6|Juggernaut}}. Before round 81, it is weaker than and more expensive than a 1-x-x Spike Factory with Berserker Brew, and generally should only be used as a stepping stone for {{BTD6|Spiked Mines}}, which is much stronger during mid-game.

~~Crosspaths~~ with ~~middle or bottom have distinct~~ use ~~cases~~. 3-0~~-2 is~~ more ~~practical on most medium-to-long maps and lanes with intersecting exits, allowing~~ the ~~micro of spikes or focus at specific regions, plus the start-of-~~round ~~boost~~ and ~~potentially larger stockpile. However~~, 3-2-0 is ~~better on shorter~~ maps, ~~where leaking bloons~~ become ~~common enough that it'll have more overall stockpiled damage~~.

Spiked Balls still has good synergy with Berserker Brew due to a slow attack speed leading to good buff uptime coupled with getting full use out of the damage and pierce buffs. Both crosspaths are useful, with 3-2-0 having more power if spike piles are consistently pressured throughout the round and is the better stepping stone, while 3-0-2 is more useful against fast Bloon rushes such as round 36, maps where the tower can target multiple exits or intersecting exits, and if Bloons can be stalled for long enough for the longer lifespan to become relevant, though {{BTD6|Long Life Spikes}} is generally stronger with stall.

==Update history==

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 ==Strategy==
-{{BTD6 last updated|49.2|section=y}}
+{{BTD6 last updated|51.2|section=y}}
-Spiked Balls is a low-cost but flexible method of catching leaks during mid-game while staying relevant against [[Super Ceramic Bloon (BTD6)|Super Ceramics]] in lategame. It can now layer-skip bloons, but still lacks pierce, isn't so synergetic with buffs nor strong enough when alone, and faces competition with blowbacks such as [[Druid of the Storm (BTD6)|Druid of the Storm]]. Spiked Balls still has good synergy with [[Berserker Brew (BTD6)|Berserker Brew]], attacking slow enough to maintain both buffs, in addition to pierce buffs equating to stockpiled damage. It remains helpful for catching leaks on difficult maps, such as [[Dark Dungeons]]. 1-0-2 Spike is more practical for tanking bloons during early-game, plus better Alch synergy, while [[Spiked Mines (BTD6)|Spiked Mines]], its successor, is more reliable compared to multiple Spiked Balls, except on maps with more than two separate exits.
+Spiked Balls is a late game Super Ceramic catcher, being relatively cheap and taking 1.5 Spiked Balls to pop each [[Super Ceramic Bloon (BTD6)|Super Ceramic]] (0.85 with {{BTD6|Berserker Brew}}) and being more consistent, but less powerful, than other Ceramic control options such as {{BTD6|Cryo Cannon}} or {{BTD6|Juggernaut}}. Before round 81, it is weaker than and more expensive than a 1-x-x Spike Factory with Berserker Brew<!-- Brew gives +1 pierce and much better MOAB damage, the better ceramic damage only matters against chipped ceramics that can give spalls better layer skipping, as base Spactory actually gets better layer skipping against full HP cerams -->, and generally should only be used as a stepping stone for {{BTD6|Spiked Mines}}, which is much stronger during mid-game.
-Crosspaths with middle or bottom have distinct use cases. 3-0-2 is more practical on most medium-to-long maps and lanes with intersecting exits, allowing the micro of spikes or focus at specific regions, plus the start-of-round boost and potentially larger stockpile. However, 3-2-0 is better on shorter maps, where leaking bloons become common enough that it'll have more overall stockpiled damage.
+Spiked Balls still has good synergy with Berserker Brew due to a slow attack speed leading to good buff uptime coupled with getting full use out of the damage and pierce buffs. Both crosspaths are useful, with 3-2-0 having more power if spike piles are consistently pressured throughout the round and is the better stepping stone, while 3-0-2 is more useful against fast Bloon rushes such as round 36, maps where the tower can target multiple exits or intersecting exits, and if Bloons can be stalled for long enough for the longer lifespan to become relevant, though {{BTD6|Long Life Spikes}} is generally stronger with stall.
 ==Update history==

Spiked Balls (BTD6): Difference between revisions