Dark Castle has 4 entrances that largely converge into 1 exit. The entrances are covered by trees that make all Bloons immune while under them, and the trees can be removed for $1,000 each. There is relatively large amounts of open space for an Expert map above and below the convergent part of the map, in addition to water above and below the end of the track. The castle at the right is mostly blocked by line-of-sight, except for the ledge, which is at a higher elevation than the rest of the castle.
Strategy
Dark Castle is a very short map, with Red Bloons exiting in 10 seconds or less on all paths in Hard difficulty. However, the converging end of the track, the large amount of open space, and lack of line-of-sight blockers throughout most of the map allow for a wide variety of strategies. Dark Castle is by consensus the second-easiest Expert map, only after Infernal.
Recommended towers and upgrades
Perma-Spike — The convergent exit of this map makes Perma-Spike function especially well, even considering the variety of towers that work on this map. It tanks leaks that are relatively easy to occur on this map due to its short length, and covers the weaknesses of many common strategies, such as Avatar of Wrath's against DDTs and the end of rounds. This map is an especially good place to obtain the Josh's Constant achievement by purchasing a 2-0-5 or 0-2-5 Perma-Spike without discount villages.
Gallery
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