Spiked Balls (BTDB2)

BTDB2

“	Produces spiked balls that do extra damage to Ceramic and Fortified bloons.	”
	^{~ BTDB2 description}

Spiked Balls is the 3rd upgrade on Path 1 of the Spike Factory in Bloons TD Battles 2. Like its BTD6 counterpart, it deals extra damage to Ceramics and Fortified in addition to increased pierce and base damage. Spikes by default last for 40 seconds at base, or still 75s with 3-0-1+. Also, spikes from Spiked Balls deal +6 rather than +3 damage to Ceramics, similar to the BTD6 Spiked Mines upgrade, and does not carry over that Ceramic bonus over to the BTDB2 Spiked Mines. Each spiked ball has 14 pierce. The upgrade itself is more expensive, but overall price of a Spiked Balls remains cheaper than its BTD6 counterpart.

It costs $2,700, and is unlocked with the purchase of Spike Factory.

Strategy[]

Summary[]

It is a powerful choice for tanking stronger bloons. While being very cheap, and very efficient for its cost against tanking groups of bloons, it is is capable of tanking a small amount of various Bloon types, including stronger ordinary Bloons and small amounts of MOABs and DDTs. It makes its best use in the mid-game, and while less powerful due to the Version 1.0.6 lifespan nerfs it still works very well for that game range. Spiked Balls is best used at tanking spaced bloons, and particularly does well against early MOABs if enough spikes are produced prior. Compared to Long Life Spikes and Deadly Spikes, Spiked Balls is superior at tanking Bloons in the short-term while not costing very much.

Tips[]

3-2-0 is generally better if opting for a quick stockpile. It gives extra attack speed, as its faster refreshment and constantly greater DPS serves better general usage than much longer spike lifespan and directedness of spikes from Path 3.
3-0-2 shouldn't be underestimated because it allows you to pile it more easily so it counter quick rushes better but usually it is for mid-game and not advised to use for late-game.
Spiked Balls, even though it can work well even without external buffs, is very effective in combination with Berserker Brew or Stronger Stimulant, as each spiked ball can penetrate even more layers, gain an appreciate pierce increase, and become more effective against (low-tier) MOABs.
- However, the nerf to lifespan makes 3-0-1 (and 3-0-2) much less effective on Inflection, so a R9 3-0-2 wouldn't be very effective for massive tanking.

Version History[]

It is worth a mention of a very slight price buff for earlier Spike Factory upgrades leading into Spiked Balls. However, its price was increased later on to balance it with lesser performing mid-game options such as Long Life Spikes. Spiked Balls was popularly used for 3-2-0, later favoring 3-0-2 after not nerfing Long Reach in 1.0.4 compared to base lifespan. To reduce its total tanking power, Path 3 crosspath was reworked in addition to an overall neutral price change to Spiked Balls.

Initial release (compared to BTD6 during Version 28.0)

Spiekd Balls bonus damage to Ceramics increased (+3 -> +6)

1.0.4

Spiked Balls base lifespan decreased (50s → 40s). Does not affect 3-0-1+.

1.5.0

No longer requires 2,400 XP to unlock. Players who have unlocked this upgrade before the update will not receive a full refund.

1.8.2

Spiked Balls price increased ($2300 → $2500)

3.1

Spiked Balls price increased ($2500 -> $2700)
- Overall price increase is $0 due to base Spactory buff

“	The duration increase from Long Reach in addition to the start of round speed boost from Smart Spikes has resulted in xx2 being the dominant crosspath choice for Spiked Balls. We have lowered the duration so that there should be more choice between the crosspaths. xx3’s duration remains unchanged and xx4 has been buffed so that these upgrades can offer an alternative option.	”
	^{~ Ninja Kiwi}

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

As the cost of base Spactory is decreased by $200 and the Bigger Stacks by $100, Spiked Balls when first released costed $300 less than in BTD6 during Version 28.0.