| “ | Bomb damage increased significantly. Ground Zero Ability: Drops a huge bomb that destroys most things on screen. | ” |
| ~ In-game description |
Ground Zero is the 4th upgrade on Path 2 for the Monkey Ace in Bloons TD 6. It adds a new ability that drops a bomb, which deals 700 damage onto up to 2,000 bloons nearest the center of the Ace's runway upon detonation. It deals twice the damage of its BTD5 counterpart but requires a 0.8s deployment cooldown and no longer has infinite pierce, albeit arbitrarily high pierce. The nuclear explosion affects the whole screen, starting with the bloons closest to the Ace's runway, and can penetrate blimp layers. The ability has a cooldown of 35 seconds.
In addition to an added ability, the Ground Zero plane now drops improved Bomber Ace bomb arrays that deal 15 damage per bomb instead of 3, and bombs pop 40 bloons instead of 20 (52 instead of 32 with 0-4-1). The bomb arrays still cannot pop Black Bloon properties, but the ability bomb does.
This upgrade costs $15,300 on Easy, $18,000 on Medium, $19,440 on Hard, and $21,600 on Impoppable. If this tower is nearby Level 6+ Rosalia's workshop, this upgrade costs $13,770 on Easy, $16,200 on Medium, $17,495 on Hard, and $19,440 on Impoppable.
Quick Answers
What is the Ground Zero upgrade in Bloons TD 6?
How does the Ground Zero ability affect the bloons in BTD6?
What is the damage capacity of the Ground Zero bomb in BTD6?
How does the Ground Zero upgrade in BTD6 compare to its BTD5 counterpart?
What is the deployment cooldown for the Ground Zero ability in BTD6?
Description[]
Overview[]
Ground Zero producing much higher-damage bombs and almost exploded green nuke
Ground Zero is a green military-style monoplane. Shown in the upgrade artwork is the plane dropping a green-and-black nuclear bomb. Unlike in BTD5, which appeared as black-colored B-2 Spirit Bomber, the Ground Zero plane resembles a A-26 Invader instead, to appear in line with the airborne explosives upgrade theme.
As the new description of Ground Zero reads, the bomb arrays now deal significantly higher damage compared to Bomber Ace's bomb arrays, plus even more damage, although these same bombs still cannot affect bloons with Black Bloon properties (unless when paired with black-popping buffs such as Monkey Intelligence Bureau or Striker Jones Level 5+).
The landing base will have green borders upon purchasing the upgrade.
The Ground Zero upgrade also comes with an ability that deals 700 damage to up to 2,000 bloons on screen, prioritizing the bloons closest to the explosion radius. One use of this ability is enough to eliminate non-fortified MOABs and non-fortified DDTs before Round 101. Just like in BTD5, Super Monkey Storm can be used instead, but it costs much more Monkey Money to purchase Super Monkey Storms than in BTD5, and Ground Zero can penetrate through MOAB-class bloons. Note that there is an initial cooldown of 15 seconds before initial activation.
Each Ground Zero will have a cooldown of 45 seconds upon activation, along with approximately 0.8s seconds before the special Ground Zero bomb explodes on impact.
Activated Abilities[]
- See also: Activated Abilities (BTD6)#Ground Zero
Ground Zero Ability
When activated, Ground Zero drops a large nuclear bomb that deals 700 damage onto up to 2000 bloons on screen. Although the pierce is arbitrarily high, the ability affects the bloons closest to the center of the Ace's runway. There is a delay of about 0.8s as the ability deploys the bomb. Cooldown of 45 seconds. The Ground Zero ability is considered an "instant" ability; it can still be re-activated immediately after usage if the ability is reset pre-emptively.
The Ground Zero Ability can gain reduced cooldowns from 
Global Ability Cooldowns (Monkey Knowledge), Abilitized (Relic Knowledge), and the global Energizer buff. Its ability can be reset with Geraldo's Rejuv Potion.
Targeting Priorities[]
Like all Monkey Aces, Ground Zero uses flight patterns as its targeting priority settings. It can also access Centered Path targeting option by purchasing the Centered Path upgrade.
- Circle: Flight pattern becomes a circular path around the runway.
- Figure Infinite: Flight pattern becomes the shape of the infinite symbol (∞). As the Monkey Ace flies, it will pass its runway during its flight, specifically at each half of the whole flight path.
- Figure Eight: Flight pattern becomes the shape of the number 8. As the Monkey Ace flies, it will pass its runway during its flight, specifically at each half of the whole flight path.
- Wingmonkey: Instead of a fixed flight path, the Monkey Ace will attempt to fly as close to the path as possible, similarly to an Aircraft Carrier Plane. Available only via the Wingmonkey MK.
- Reverse Flight: Shown by an icon of a reverse aircraft, the Ace will reverse direction of flight. Unlike other target priorities such as Change Hands, there is a cooldown of 5 seconds before being able to reverse flight direction again. It can be coupled with all flight options except Wingmonkey.
Dart volleys are zone-type sprays of projectiles shot relative to the position of the aircraft. Bomb salvos are considered on-track attacks by a spawn. Ability bomb affects the whole screen and is locked on Close relative to the landing base for pierce calculations.
Full Popology[]
Statistics[]
- Updated as of Version 47.0
- Base stats
- Landing Base has a rectangular footprint of 28x18. "Dummy range" of 22. Upon placement, spawn Monkey Ace as the main tower.
- Monkey Ace moves in a fixed pathway around its base, flying above all obstacles. Creates Dart projectiles from centre of Monkey Ace, and spawns Bomb Array from centre of Monkey Ace.
- Circle: circular loop of 80 radius, center is the runway
- Figure-Eight: figure-eight loop of (40, 40) radii, center is the runway
- Figure-Infinite: figure-infinite loop of (40, 40) radii, center is the runway
- Dart:
- Projectile, sharp type, camo detection, spray of 8, 1.68s attack cooldown, 1 damage, +1 Camo damage, 5 pierce. Projectile lifespan of 300.
- Bomb Array:
- Spawn, explosion type, camo detection, 1.6s attack cooldown, spray of 4, 15 damage, +1 Camo damage, 40 pierce, 35 blast radius. 0.8s (?) delay before detonation.
- Ability stats
- Ground Zero Ability:
- Cooldown of 35 seconds, initial cooldown of 11.6667 seconds, drop Ground Zero when activated.
- Ground Zero:
- Spawn, normal type, whole screen, infinite range, 1000 damage, penetrates MOAB-class bloons, 2000 pierce. Deployment time of 0.8s.
- Crosspathing interactions
- 1-4-0: Cooldown of Dart reduced from 1.68s to 1.26s, cooldown of Bomb Array reduced from 1.6s to 1.2s
- 2-4-0: Dart projectile quantity increased from 8 to 12.
- 0-4-1: Pierce of Dart increased from 5 to 8, pierce of Bomb Array increased from 40 to 52.
- 0-4-2: Gains the Centered Targeting flight path.
- Monkey Knowledge interactions
Airforce Upgrades: All T3+ Monkey Aces get +1 pierce.
- Base pierce increased from 5 → 6.
- Bomb pierce increased from 40 to 41
- Nuke pierce increased from 1000 to 1001.
- Elite Military Training: All Military Monkeys get a one-off +1000 XP and earn XP in-game 5% faster permanently.
- Accelerated Aerodarts: Darts from Monkey Aces fly faster.
- Darts fly 50% faster.
- Gun Coolant: Monkey Aces attack 10% faster.
- Wingmonkey: Grants all Monkey Aces with a new target priority that allows it to fly around the screen like the planes from the Aircraft Carrier.
- Military Conscription: First military tower costs only ⅔ of the original cost.
- Monkey Ace base cost from $680, $800, $865, and $960 → $455, $535, $580, and $645 on Easy, Medium, Hard, and Impoppable, respectively.
- Advanced Logistics: All Military Monkeys base costs reduced by 5%.
- Monkey Ace base cost from $680, $800, $865, and $960 → $645, $760, $820, and $910 on Easy, Medium, Hard, and Impoppable, respectively.
- If Military Conscription is also enabled, the final cost will be $420, $495, $535, and $595.
- Monkey Ace base cost from $680, $800, $865, and $960 → $645, $760, $820, and $910 on Easy, Medium, Hard, and Impoppable, respectively.
- Monkey Education: All Monkeys XP earn rate increased by 8%.
- Better Sell Deals: All Monkeys sell for 5% more. Increases sell potency from 70% to 75%.
- Veteran Monkey Training: All Monkeys reload time reduced by 3%.
- Global Ability Cooldowns: All Ability cooldowns for all Monkeys reduced by 3%.
Attack Interactions[]
- See also: Attack Interactions/Bloons TD 6/Military
- Updated as of Version 42.0
 |
WIP Will add the GZ nuke stuff later... |
- Base attack(s)
- Dart:
- Sharp
- Camo Detection
- Orbital Spray (8)
- Straight Attack
- Path-Based Mobility
- Flying
- Extra Damage to Camos (+1)
- Bomb Array:
- Explosion
- Camo Detection
- On-Track
- Straight Spray (4)
- Path-Based Mobility
- Flying
- Extra Damage (3)
- Extra Damage to Camos (+1)
Costs[]
- Updated as of Version 46.0. Listed prices exclude external buffs, any sacrifices, and Monkey Knowledge.
| [Module | Data] | Purchase | Sell | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costs | Easy | Medium | Hard | Impoppable | Easy | Medium | Hard | Impoppable |
| Upgrade (X-4-X) | $15,300 | $18,000 | $19,440 | $21,600 | - | |||
| Total (0-4-0) | $17,210 | $20,250 | $21,870 | $24,300 | $12,047 | $14,175 | $15,309 | $17,010 |
| Crosspath (1-4-0) | $17,760 | $20,900 | $22,570 | $25,080 | $12,432 | $14,630 | $15,799 | $17,556 |
| Crosspath (2-4-0) | $18,310 | $21,550 | $23,270 | $25,860 | $12,817 | $15,085 | $16,289 | $18,102 |
| Crosspath (0-4-1) | $17,635 | $20,750 | $22,410 | $24,900 | $12,345 | $14,525 | $15,687 | $17,430 |
| Crosspath (0-4-2) | $18,100 | $21,300 | $23,005 | $25,560 | $12,670 | $14,910 | $16,104 | $17,892 |
This upgrade's prices (or included crosspath's prices) are affected by the following MK: 
Military Conscription, 
Advanced Logistics, 
Better Sell Deals
Strategy[]
Summary[]
The Ground Zero upgrade is substantially stronger in BTD6 compared to in BTD5, not only packing with a powerful bomb ability but also much stronger bombs. Ground Zero’s main value comes from its ability, packing widespread high damage, enough to wipe out MOABs and DDTs and virtually all weaker Bloons. In addition, the Ground Zero’s arrays of bombs deal a massive 10 damage each, significantly stronger than its dart attacks; when micromanaged carefully by ensuring the bombs explode when the bloons do not turn into Blacks or Zebras, Ground Zero is formidably powerful under the right hands of an expert. For an average player, Ground Zero lacks reliable damage, even with the significant damage bonus from the ordinary bombs.
Tips[]
- When it comes to optimal crosspathing, this upgrade benefits the most from the Rapid Fire crosspath, as this upgrade will allow the Ground Zero to produce arrays of bombs much faster. Sharper Darts increases pierce of bombs by +12, but Ground Zero bombs have great pierce already. Lots More Darts is nearly useless, but Centered Path grants access to a new style of Ground Zero micro plus central access.
- The Ground Zero bomb arrays deal massive damage compared to Bomber Ace. As such, it is an excellent option for beating mid-game, but does require a decent amount of supporting towers due to the general unreliability of each of the bomb arrays.
- Note the 0.8s time delay before the Ground Zero bomb explodes after activating the ability. Prepare the ability before the bloons reach the exit.
- Several Ground Zeroes can be used to beat rounds with regular DDTs easily. Two or three of these abilities with a slight delay between each Ground Zero ability usage may be required to beat Round 95. Two simultaneous Ground Zero abilities may be required to beat Round 99's Fortified DDTs.
- The limited 2,000 pierce of the Ground Zero ability should not matter in any situation except where there are severe Regrow Farms or on Race Events and Time Attack.
- Ground Zero has high synergy with the heroes Admiral Brickell and Psi. For Brickell, it is chaining Mega Mine with Ground Zero ability to wipe out high-HP blimps. For Psi, it is to make mid-game more manageable and deal with weaker blimps without reliance on Psionic Scream.
- Because of its powerful versatility, a single 1-4-0 Ground Zero has been used to successfully complete multiple 2TC challenges and LCC (Lowest Cost CHIMPS) challenges.
Version History[]
Balance Changes[]
Ground Zero has overall been buffed since it was first released, mostly for its bomb attacks and ability damage. The ability keeps the original BTD5 Ground Zero damage (700 instead of the nerfed 350), though in later updates it now only has limited but still substantially high pierce. Since it gained dominance as a mid-game advancer, it received a price nerf to account for its incredibly versatile damage potential and give more value to Tsar Bomba. Several buffs were given afterwards to account for the increased price.
- Initial Release
- Ground Zero ability deals more damage (350 → 700).
- After use of the Ground Zero ability would give +8 damage for 10 seconds.
- 10.0
- Remove damage buff effect from Ground Zero ability.
- Ground Zero bombs do 10 damage permanently (3 → 10).
- 22.0
| “ | While Pineapples are never the star of the show, the amount of pierce they have is completely unnecessary for their usage window and has only led to balance problems for Bombing Run, specifically in races. This high amount of pierce has been more evenly spread through higher tiers & crosspath. [...] | ” |
| ~ Ninja Kiwi, referring to direct attention to nerfing Bomber Ace |
- 0-4-1 Ground Zero bombs have more pierce (40 → 52).
- 23.0
| “ | Monkey Ace was never intended to be a great starting tower and instead come into power at mid- and high-tier upgrades, but since the base tower feels lacking to new players (and some of us old timers) we decided to rework low tier power into the base tower. [...] | ” |
| ~ Ninja Kiwi, referring to base Monkey Ace attack speed rework |
- Affected by base Bomber Ace buffs.
- 24.0
| “ | Similar to Tack Shooter Maelstrom upgrades, we have targeted a nerf to Ground Zero for race conditions by amounts which are not relevant outside of those conditions. Additionally Tsar Bomba has received a much smaller version of this nerf along with a reduced cooldown to increase its relevance. | ” |
| ~ Ninja Kiwi, referring to Ground Zero and Tsar Bomba nerfs by stripping their infinite pierce |
- Ground Zero ability pierce reduced from infinite to 1000, only to the bloons near the center of the runway.
- 30.0
| “ | More of a straight quality of life, Ace has gained a new special toggle button to allow it to turn back and fly in reverse on any selected flight pattern. As Ground Zero stands out in power, & enough so to make the upgrade to Tsar Bomba questionable, some upgrade cost has been moved out of Tsar Bomba into Ground Zero to make Ground Zero more expensive while not changing Tsar much other than a slight overall cost buff. [...] | ” |
| ~ Ninja Kiwi |
- Ground Zero price increased from $14,000 → $18,000
- Monkey Ace can now toggle flight direction for any pattern.
- 31.0
| “ | Spy Plane is always a lesser crosspath aside from specific challenges that call for camo detection. It has a similar vibe to Night Vision sniper so we have given it a similar buff. | ” |
| ~ Ninja Kiwi, referring to Spy Plane |
- Ground Zero now deals +1 damage to Camos with all its attacks
- 38.0
| “ | As the price of Ground Zero has been considerably increased in the base game since then, the nerf to 1000 pierce set for races a long time ago now feels restrictive for the price. | ” |
| ~ Ninja Kiwi |
- Ground Zero ability pierce increased from 1000 → 2000
- 41.0
| “ | [...] Exploding pineapples gained a larger rate bonus from crosspathing than the main attack did to make up for its base rate being so poor, so we're fixing that poor base rate while keeping the crosspath bonus the same. [...] | ” |
| ~ Ninja Kiwi, referring to Exploding Pineapple |
- 1-4-0 Ground Zero's bombing array attack cooldown increased from 1.02s to 1.275s
- 43.0
| “ | Minor catchup changes to some parts have fallen out of line slightly due to balance changes for other parts of the Ace. | ” |
| ~ Ninja Kiwi |
- Ground Zero bombing array base attack cooldown reduced 1.7s to 1.6s
- 1-4-0 Ground Zero bombing array attack cooldown reduced from 1.275s to 1.2s
- 47.0
| “ | Upgrades to the basic Bombing run are never why you move up this path, so we’re improving these across the board while also reducing the cooldown of Ground Zero to match the T5. | ” |
| ~ Ninja Kiwi |
- Ground Zero ability cooldown decreased from 45s to 35s
- Ground Zero bomb array damage increased from 10 to 15
Bug Fixes and General Changes[]
 |
This section is incomplete. You can help by expanding it. |
Extra Notes (Version History)[]
- Ground Zero was not affected by pierce nerfs to Exploding Pineapple bombs or Bomber Ace bomb arrays in Version 22.0, but the pierce buff interaction with Sharper Darts affects Ground Zero.
- Version 44.0 buffed Rosalia's Level 6+ discount from 5% to 10%, which changed the prices of Ground Zero when buffed by her:
- Easy: $14535 → $13770
- Medium: $17100 → $16200
- Hard: $18470 → $17495
- Impoppable: $20520 → $19440
Sounds[]
When activating Ground Zero Ability:
- [Explosion]
Gallery[]
Official artwork[]
Trivia[]
- The Operation: Dart Storm is no longer on the same path as the Ground Zero, and instead that upgrade is a Tier 4 upgrade of its own.
- The Ground Zero ability in BTD6 currently does twice as much damage as the current damage that BTD5's Ground Zero ability currently does (700 over 350).
- It however no longer has infinite pierce like its BTD5 counterpart but still has extremely high pierce nonetheless.
- Instead of producing regular 16-dart volleys and explosive pineapples, like the BTD5 Ground Zero, BTD6 Ground Zero produces high-damage bomb salvos.
- The Bomber Aircraft is roughly based on the Douglas A-26 Invader.
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