X Factor is an Advancedmap in Bloons TD 6, introduced in version 22.0. It takes place in a wooded area with four paths that intersect in the middle. This map was created to promote the Dartling Gunner, which was released in the same update.
This map has 8 paths in total, with 4 being active per round. The presence of 8 paths is shown by the 8 Pre-game Prep piles on this map. Each of the four corners of the map has two paths starting there and ending at the diagonally opposite corner. Every path on this map has the same shape and a different path, except those mirrored paths. For example, the two paths starting at the top-left and ending at the bottom-right are identically shaped as the two paths starting at the bottom-right and ending at the top-left.
Bloons enter from the top-left and the top-right on round 1, and the locations of the Bloon spawns rotate by 90° clockwise every round, thus the Bloons spawn and exit at the same spots every 4 rounds. The barrack in the middle blocks all Bloons, including blimps, from being attacked, significantly increasing this map's difficulty. The stack on top of the barrack can be removed for $2000, revealing a placement location which can fit all towers except the Banana Farm.
Strategy
Due to 2 lanes being active each round, the spawn points changing every round, the intrusive barrack in the middle, and the rather erratic movement of Bloons through the mini-loops, X Factor is generally seen as the hardest Advanced map in BTD6. All parts of the game pose challenges, with Bloons having the ability to leak suddenly due to their erratic movement throughout the game. Global range towers often suffer from having to defend 2 lanes at once, while limited-range towers cannot affect half of the map are more affected by the erratic movement of the Bloons. Towers listed below are not inhibited by X Factor's immensely challenging layout.
The long portions of the track that most heroes/towers do not reach can be used by Psi, who can attack any Bloons on the map and catch leaking Bloons that are common occurrences. They can also stun both active tracks if placed in a spot that reaches the lanes to its top and bottom.
Snipers are pivotal to defeating the early game, due to them being able to attack any part of the track and being able to catch small leaks that occur easily. In the mid-game and late-game, Maim MOAB becomes a good option with its ability to stall blimps and give time for Psi and other global-range towers to take out as many of them as possible.
All spikes from it are placed on places where Bloons may reach every round, maximizing its potential. It can defeat DDTs with ease, do solid damage to ZOMGs throughout the whole map, and completely trivialize the Round 100 BAD.
Gallery
Easter theme
Fireworks theme
Halloween theme
Holiday theme
Island statue
Trivia
An x factor is a noteworthy quality or a significant variable in a situation.
Easter theme
Fireworks theme
Halloween theme
Holiday theme
Island statue
