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For the functionally similar BTD5 upgrade, see Absolute Zero (BTD5).

Snowstorm Ability: Freezes all regular Bloons on screen, briefly freezes White, Zebra, and Camo, and slows MOAB-class.
~ In-game description

Snowstorm is the fourth upgrade of the middle path for the Ice Monkey in Bloons TD 6.

It increases the Ice Monkey's range by +10 for a total of 30 range, and grants it an activated ability, which immediately creates a damaging blizzard across the entire screen and freezing virtually every affected bloon in the process. Snowstorm doesn't increase pierce of the main freeze attack, which remains at 45 pierce.

The Snowstorm ability does 1 damage to all bloons on screen other than Leads and DDTs if not given lead-popping, then proceeds to freeze all bloons (with exceptions). It freezes most bloons for 6 seconds, but freezes Camos, Whites and Zebras and heavily slows down MOAB-Class Bloons for 3 seconds. Leads and DDTs are completely immune to any ability effect unless using the 2-4-0 crosspath or given lead-popping, to which then will be able to be dealt damage and become frozen for the full period. BADs and Boss Bloons can be damaged by Snowstorm's ability but will not be slowed down. Cooldown is 30 seconds upon activation, along with a 10 second initial cooldown prior to first activation upon purchase.

This upgrade costs $3,230 on Easy, $3,800 on Medium, $4,105 on Hard, and $4,560 on Impoppable.

Description[]

Overview[]

Placeholder other

Snowstorm

Snowstorm wears a white jacket instead of orange jacket, and a blue scarf instead of a red scarf. The Ice Monkey now sits on top of a snow mountain, and he now holds a long staff with both hands. Whenever making a basic attack, he strikes the staff downwards. When activating ability, the Snowstorm monkey reaches his arms out, with the staff on his anatomic right hand.

The Ice Monkey gains the Snowstorm ability, which freezes all bloons on screen, including MOAB-Class Bloons up to a ZOMG. Normal bloons are frozen for 6s, while MOAB-Class bloons are frozen for 3s. Affected ZOMGs are slowed to half speed, while all other applicable MOAB-Class bloons are slowed to ZOMG speed. HypothermiaIcon Hypothermia increases the duration of the ability by 1s.

On top of gaining the Snowstorm ability, the Ice Monkey itself gains +10 range. Otherwise, it acts just like the Arctic Wind.

Activated Abilities[]

See also: Activated Abilities (BTD6)#Snowstorm
SnowstormUpgradeIcon

Snowstorm Ability

Snowstorm replaces the old Absolute Zero upgrade in BTD5. The ability immediately freezes all bloons on screen, including frozen-immune (White and Zebra, but not Lead unless with Cold Snap or any other source of lead-popping power), camo, and MOAB-class (but not BADs or Bosses). Additionally, all bloons on screen except lead (unless with Cold Snap or any other source of lead-popping power) are dealt 1 damage. However, the freeze duration is reduced to 3 seconds for any bloon with properties of white, camo, or MOAB-class, while other types of bloon without any of the three properties are frozen for up to 6 seconds. The freezing soaks up to 2 layers, not including MOAB-class. The Snowstorm ability is considered an "instant" ability; it can still be re-activated immediately after usage if the ability is reset pre-emptively.

Snowstorm ability has a cooldown of 30 seconds, alongside a 10 second initial cooldown. The total uptime of the freeze varies; 10% if the bloon is a White, Zebra, Camo, or MOAB-class bloon, or 20% if any other freezeable bloon type.

Snowstorm's ability cooldowns can accept cooldown reduction buffs from Primary Mentoring and Primary Expertise, as well as the global Energizer buff. It can also accept the cooldown reset of Geraldo's Rejuv Potion.

Targeting Priorities[]

Snowstorm's main attack produces freezing blasts in a zone-like style. Technically, the Ice Monkey is locked on the Close targeting priority. However, for simplicity reasons, this monkey has no targeting priorities.

Snowstorm's ability targets all bloon types across the whole screen, and because it has infinite pierce this attack has no specific targeting priority.

Full Popology[]

Statistics[]

Updated as of Version 40.2
Base stats
  • Freeze:
    • Zone, cold type, detects centerpoint hitbox, 30 range, 1.8s attack cooldown, 1 damage, 45 pierce, freezes for 2.2s and penetrates two layers. Blast radius matches current range.
  • Aura:
    • Zone, cold type, detects partial hitbox, 30 range, 0 damage, infinite pierce, slows affected bloons by 40%.
  • Frozen water:
    • Zone, passive type, converts water into frozen water within 30 range excluding external buffs, allowing land towers to be placed on it.
Ability stats
  • Snowstorm:
    • Whole screen, shatter type, 1 damage, freezes for 3.0s to Whites, Zebras, Camos, and MOAB-class, and 6.0s for other freezable bloon types. Can target MOAB-class bloons.
Crosspathing interactions
  • 1-4-0: Freeze and Snowstorm adds Permafrost that affects up to two layers of non-MOAB-class bloons.
  • 2-4-0: Freeze and Snowstorm pop Lead and Camo Bloons and apply Permafrost to Lead Bloons, Aura slows Lead and Camo Bloons by 40%.
  • 0-4-1: Range increased from 30 to 37, also increases Frozen water radius from 30 to 37.
  • 0-4-2: Damage type of Freeze changed from cold to glacier.
Monkey Knowledge interactions

Attack Interactions[]

See also: Attack Interactions/Bloons TD 6/Primary
Updated as of Version 40.2
Base attack(s)
  • Freezing:
    • Cold Type (pops Black, Purple) Cold
    • Area of Effect Area of Effect
    • Target Bloon(s) (unless upgraded to tier 5) Target Bloon
    • Freeze (standard bloons, 2 Freeze (2.2s)
  • Aura:
    • Cold Type (pops Black, Purple) Cold
    • Area of Effect Area of Effect
    • Target Bloon(s) (unspecified types of bloons targeting, and quantity) Target Bloon
    • Slowdown (-40% speed for bloons within range of Ice Monkey) Slowdown (-40%)
    • True Infinite Pierce Infinite Pierce
Abilities
  • Snowstorm:
    • Shatter Type (pops Black, White, Purple, Frozen) Shatter
    • Also affects Camo Bloons Camo Detection
    • Also affects White Bloons White-Popping Power
    • Also affects Frozen Bloons Frozen-Popping Power
    • Whole Screen Whole Screen
    • Freeze (standard bloons, 6.0s (3 Freeze (6.0s, 3.0s for freeze-resistant, 4 layers)
    • Freeze (MOAB-class Bloons, 3 Blimp Freeze (3.0s)
    • True Infinite Pierce Infinite Pierce

Costs[]

Updated as of Version 41.0. 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) $3,230 $3,800 $4,105 $4,560 -
Total (0-4-0) $6,605 $7,775 $8,400 $9,330 $4,624 $5,443 $5,880 $6,531
Crosspath (1-4-0) $6,730 $7,925 $8,560 $9,510 $4,711 $5,548 $5,992 $6,657
Crosspath (2-4-0) $7,025 $8,275 $8,940 $9,930 $4,918 $5,793 $6,258 $6,951
Crosspath (0-4-1) $6,755 $7,950 $8,590 $9,540 $4,729 $5,565 $6,013 $6,678
Crosspath (0-4-2) $6,945 $8,175 $8,835 $9,810 $4,862 $5,723 $6,185 $6,867

This upgrade's prices (or included crosspath's prices) are affected by the following MK: ComeOnEverybodyIcon Come On Everybody!, BetterSellDealsIcon Better Sell Deals

Strategy[]

Summary[]

The ability for Snowstorm is brief and comes with an extensive cooldown, but in certain situations it can make a big difference with turning the tides of the game. When used wisely, it can clump up MOAB-class bloons and stops all bloons in place temporarily, allowing more time for other towers to destroy bloons. Using the ability willy-nilly, conversely, can detriment the defenses, especially for defenses that find it hard to counter Frozen Bloons.

The one other benefit for Snowstorm comes from the extended range, extending the effects of Arctic Wind further. This allows bloons to be slowed down at a further range, and it improves the range at which land towers can be placed on water. All together, Snowstorm is a strong option for specifically dealing with regular bloons, on top of utility in the form of freezing MOABs on demand and expanding placement of land towers.

Tips[]

  • The best crosspath depends on the player's defense layout and purpose for Snowstorm. 2-4-0 allows it to pop Lead Bloons and DDTs with the ability. While adding Acidic Mixture Dip can counter this type of issue with the 0-4-x crosspath, the saved cash and always reliable DDT slow is very useful, since the Arctic Wind aura is usually strong enough to let other towers handle regular bloons. If a Berserker Brew Alchemist is already close to a Snowstorm, then requiring lead popping is less of a problem, as it will randomly throw AMD stacks to the Snowstorm, which will use them up slowly due to its slow attack speed. In addition, 0-4-2 can still be useful to freeze Ceramic Bloons in place.
  • If opting for this upgrade for longer range frozen water platforms (primarily in Boss Events or Freeplay Mode), the 0-4-1 crosspath is better.
  • Much of its use is similar to its lower tier counterparts, including slowing/stalling swarms of ceramics/bloons, and water platforms with Arctic Wind.
  • Its ability is best used against MOABs, DDTs, and Ceramics, as it slows them either to a halt or to ZOMG speed. This means that the faster the target is moving, the more effective it is. The ability's best round is on round 99, as it can catch nearly all of the fortified DDTs, but it is useful in all stages of the game.
    • Snowstorm has a great synergy with towers that do large amounts of grouped damage that cannot soak through MOABs, like Brickell’s Mega Mines or Unstable Concoction. These towers often create giant rushes of ceramics at which even the best ceramic killers can die, however snowstorm's ability can freeze all of them, rendering them harmless with enough defense.

Bugs[]

Current

None (so far)

Patched
  • [2.0?] Snowstorm with Permafrost can apply Permafrost onto MOAB-class bloons by using its ability. Patched in 3.0.
  • [31.0] Snowstorm with Permafrost can apply Permafrost onto MOAB-class bloons by using its ability. This is the same bug that got patched in Version 3.0. Patched in 31.2.

Version History[]

Balance Changes[]

The Snowstorm ability was initially a minor ability that only applied a damaging freeze to bloons. Later on, Snowstorm now adds more base freezing range in addition to improvements to the ability too. On top of many buffs to Arctic Wind, Snowstorm has become much more viable, to the extent that it has become a very popular choice in the late-game for countering Super Ceramics and slowing blimps on demand. Several notable bugs to the 1-4-0 crosspath had made Snowstorm particularly stand out, which were soon patched twice.

2.0
  • BUFF Main attack pierce increased (30 → 100)
  • BUFF Ability duration increased (2s → 4s)
  • BUFF Ability also freezes MOABs, white, and zebra bloons briefly
3.0
  • NERF Ice Monkey 2/4/0 Snowstorm can no longer apply permafrost to MOABs
7.0
  • BUFF Snowstorm increases attack range (20 → 30)
12.0
  • Change Snowstorm now costs more ($1800 → $3000). Overall costs $600 less due to Arctic Wind price drop.
23.0
Ice Monkey power is currently too bottom heavy and mid-to-higher tiers are neglected, so some tweaks to mid-tier upgrades have been made.
~ Ninja Kiwi
  • BUFF Snowstorm ability cooldown decreased (60s → 30s)
24.0
  • Change Description changed from "Snowstorm Ability: Freezes all bloons on screen, and briefly freezes white, zebra, camo and MOAB class." to current description.
    • This is likely to clarify the fact that MOAB-class bloons factually speaking do not actually stop movement completely while frozen.
25.0
  • NERF [Undocumented] Snowstorm ability no longer pops Lead, freeze Lead, or slows DDTs without Metal Freeze or MIB
27.0
Snowstorm's duration has been improved to give it more bang for its buck as an alternate option to Ninja's Bloon Sabotage, [...]
~ Ninja Kiwi
  • BUFF Snowstorm ability duration increased (4s → 6s)
  • BUFF [undocumented] Snowstorm ability now pops White Bloons and Zebra Bloons.
31.0
  • BUFF [Undocumented bug] 1-4-0 Snowstorm ability now applies 50% Permafrost slowdown onto MOAB-class bloons
31.2
  • NERF Resolved an issue with Permafrost being applied to MOABs on 140 Snowstorm
33.0
Arctic Wind hardly gets used for its actual basic intended purpose, which would be cool to see used for more than just causing ice platform bug reports
~ Ninja Kiwi, referring to Arctic Wind
  • BUFF Snowstorm's Arctic Wind aura slow amount increased from (50% → 60%)
    • Note: Similarly to Arctic Wind, the Arctic Wind old slow amount was incorrectly listed as 40%; it was actually 50%.
36.0
  • NERF Snowstorm's Arctic Wind aura slowdown reverted back (60% → 50%)
38.0
  • NERF Snowstorm pierce reduced (100 → 40)
39.0
We’re happier with more recent freeze changes succeeding in some of the intentions of older nerfs, given the base tower value in races being hit far more than intended we’re going back over the pierce for Ice Monkey base & middle crosspath. Snowstorm continues to outshine any similar supportive options while being generally cheaper & more versatile.
~ Ninja Kiwi
  • BUFF Snowstorm pierce increased (40 → 45)
  • NERF Snowstorm cost increased ($3000 → $3800)
40.0
[...] Arctic Wind it feels was heavily underrated before it’s [sic] large slow aura increase, with so many players now working out how good it is and how much better an upgrade it leads into than any similar options we feel this aura needs to be reduced again although it will remain the same at T5.
~ Ninja Kiwi
  • NERF Snowstorm's Arctic Wind slow zone reduced (50% → 40%). Absolute Zero slow zone unchanged at 60%.

Bug Fixes and General Changes[]

8.0
  • Description changed from "Snowstorm Ability: Freezes all Bloons on screen for a short time" to "Snowstorm Ability: Freezes all regular bloons on screen, and briefly freezes white, zebra, camo, and slows MOAB class."
38.0
  • Change Description (incorrectly?) changed from "Snowstorm Ability: Freezes all regular bloons on screen, and briefly freezes white, zebra, camo, and slows MOAB class." "Greatly increases pierce and gains Snowstorm Ability: Freezes all regular Bloons on screen, briefly freezes White, Zebra, and Camo, and slows MOAB-class."
39.0
  • Change Descirption changed from "Greatly increases pierce and gains Snowstorm Ability: Freezes all regular Bloons on screen, briefly freezes White, Zebra, and Camo, and slows MOAB-class." to "Snowstorm Ability: Freezes all regular Bloons on screen, briefly freezes White, Zebra, and Camo, and slows MOAB-class."

Sounds[]

When activating Snowstorm Ability:

Gallery[]

Official artwork[]

Videos[]

Trivia[]

  • Even though Leads are usually immune to ice attacks, the Snowstorm ability can freeze Leads and Fortified Leads for the full duration.
  • The artwork shows the Ice Monkey levitating above a mountain, but the in-game tower shows the Ice Monkey standing on it.
  • Snowstorm used to be the only Tier 4 ability upgrade that is cheaper than its preceding Tier 3 upgrade, until the Rocket Storm upgrade was released for the Dartling Gunner in Version 22.0. In fact, it no longer fulfills this requirement as of Version 23.0's Arctic Wind price buff.
  • There was a bug present in Version 23.0 (although possibly also in previous versions too) where Camo Bloons frozen by the Snowstorm effect were still under the frozen status after naturally defrosting for the full 2-second duration, which can cause the moving Camo Bloons to still be immune to damage types that cannot pop Frozen.
  • Snowstorm strikes its warrior stick with both hands whenever it creates a freeze blast, but Absolute Zero uses just its right hand.


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