5. How to Do Dartling Brothers in Btd6

Embark on a thrilling adventure in Bloons Tower Defense 6 (BTD6) with the enigmatic Dartling Brothers. These formidable towers possess unique abilities and synergies that can decimate enemy bloons like never before. Join us as we delve into the depths of the Dartling Brothers’ arsenal, uncovering their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to maximize their potential. Brace yourself for a journey that will test your tactical prowess and leave you craving more of the tower defense genre’s endless challenges.

At the heart of the Dartling Brothers’ arsenal lies their exceptional versatility. Each tower boasts distinct capabilities, allowing you to adapt your defense to any situation. The Apprentice Dartling Gunner specializes in crowd control, unleashing a barrage of darts that pierce through multiple bloons. As you upgrade, the Apprentice gains additional features, such as increased attack speed and homing darts, making him a formidable force against early-game rushes.

Synergy plays a crucial role in unlocking the full potential of the Dartling Brothers. By combining different towers, you can create devastating combinations that overwhelm enemy bloons. Pair the Apprentice with the Buckshot Dartling Gunner, whose high-damage shrapnel shots excel against fortified bloons. Further down the upgrade path, the Hydra Rocket Pods transform the Buckshot into a fearsome anti-air weapon, capable of decimating swarms of ceramic bloons and MOAB-class blimps. Experiment with different combinations and discover the synergies that best suit your playstyle and the challenges you face.

Assembling the Dartling Brothers

To assemble the Dartling Brothers, you’ll need three Super Monkey Heroes, one of each type: Buccaneer, Bombardment, and Glue Artillery.

Once you have your Super Monkeys, follow these steps:

Place the Buccaneer as the main tower.
Place the Bombardment as the top path.
Place the Glue Artillery as the middle path.

That’s it! You’ve now assembled the Dartling Brothers, a powerful combination of towers that can take down even the toughest enemies.

Here are some additional tips for assembling the Dartling Brothers:

Make sure to place the towers in the correct order. The Buccaneer should be the main tower, the Bombardment should be the top path, and the Glue Artillery should be the middle path.
The Dartling Brothers are most effective when placed in a central location. This will allow them to reach all of the enemies on the screen.
Upgrade the Dartling Brothers as soon as possible. Each upgrade will make them more powerful and effective.

With these tips, you’ll be able to assemble the Dartling Brothers and use them to defeat even the toughest enemies.

Positioning for Maximum Efficiency

When placing your Dartling Brothers, there are a few key factors to consider to maximize their effectiveness:

1. Line of Sight

Ensure that your Dartling Brothers have a clear line of sight to the track. Avoid placing them behind obstacles or in blind corners, as this will limit their ability to fire and damage bloons.

2. Tower Overlapping

Dartling Brothers synergize exceptionally well when placed in close proximity to each other. By overlapping their ranges, they create a zone of intense fire that can decimate large groups of bloons. Aim to place the towers in a tight cluster, preferably within each other’s attack range.

The table below illustrates the optimal placement for two Dartling Brothers for maximum efficiency:

Tower 1	Tower 2

As shown in the diagram, Tower 1 and Tower 2 are placed slightly behind each other, with their ranges overlapping slightly. This ensures that they cover a wider area and maximize their combined firepower.

3. Crossbow Master Synergy

If you have access to the Crossbow Master Tier 5 upgrade, consider placing it in the center of your Dartling Brothers cluster. The Crossbow Master’s piercing bolts synergize exceptionally well with the Dartling Brothers’ high attack speed, allowing them to shred through dense bloon swarms with ease.

Upgrading for Enhanced Capabilities

Upgrading your Dartling Gunners is crucial to maximizing their effectiveness. Each upgrade offers unique benefits that enhance their damage output, range, and utility.

Tier 1 Upgrades

Sharp Darts: Increases pierce, allowing darts to hit more bloons.
Long Range: Extends the range of the tower, allowing it to target bloons from a greater distance.
Rapid Shot: Increases the tower’s attack speed, allowing it to fire darts more frequently.

Tier 2 Upgrades

Dartling Gunner III: Upgrades the tower to Fire three darts simultaneously, increasing damage output.
Buckshot: Replaces darts with a spread of buckshot pellets, covering a wider area and hitting more bloons.
Distraction: Causes nearby bloons to become distracted and target the tower, redirecting their attacks from other targets.

Tier 3 Upgrades

Plasma Accelerator: Replaces darts with powerful plasma beams that pierce through multiple bloons, dealing massive damage.
Hydra Rocket Pods: Equips the tower with rocket pods that fire multiple rockets simultaneously, providing splash damage and high damage output. These rockets have a shorter range than the Plasma Accelerator.
Super Sniper: Transforms the Dartling Gunner into a sniper, significantly increasing its range and damage. It can also temporarily stun bloons, making it effective against fast-moving targets.

Upgrade	Cost	Effect
Sharp Darts	$170	Increases pierce
Long Range	$200	Extends range
Rapid Shot	$300	Increases attack speed
Dartling Gunner III	$400	Fires three darts
Buckshot	$500	Fires buckshot pellets
Distraction	$600	Distracts nearby bloons
Plasma Accelerator	$700	Fires plasma beams
Hydra Rocket Pods	$800	Fires multiple rockets
Super Sniper	$900	Transforms tower into a sniper

Utilizing Micro Capabilities

The Dartling Brothers’ unique micro capabilities offer a range of strategic advantages. Here’s how to harness their power effectively.

Micro Placement

Precision is crucial when placing Dartling Brothers. Their attacks prioritize closer targets, so position them near the track’s edge to maximize damage output. Consider using obstacles or obstacles to block their line of sight, redirecting their fire towards the track.

Precision Targeting

The Dartling Brothers’ micro targeting allows you to focus their attacks on specific targets. By holding down the “Ctrl” or “Shift” key while rotating them, you can target individual bloons, eliminating high-priority threats like Ceramics or Fortified Bloons.

Advanced Targeting

Mastering advanced targeting techniques can significantly enhance the Dartling Brothers’ effectiveness. By combining precision targeting with crosspaths, you can unlock unique abilities such as:

Crosspath	Ability
0-4-0	Buckshot Darts: Explodes on impact, damaging multiple bloons
0-5-0	Laser Shock: Fires a powerful laser beam that stuns and damages bloons
2-0-3	Maelstrom: Rapidly fires a vortex of darts, damaging and sucking in bloons

Combining with Other Towers for Synergy

The Dartling Brothers can be a potent force when paired with other towers to maximize their effectiveness. Here are some synergistic combinations:

Alchemist Buffing

Alchemists can provide the Dartling Brothers with substantial attack speed and damage buffs. The Acidic Mixture (Tier 3) and Stronger Stimulant (Tier 4) upgrades increase attack speed by 10% and 15%, respectively, while Perishing Potions (Tier 5) adds +1 damage. This synergistic combination strengthens the Dartling Brothers’ piercing and allows them to take down more Bloons more efficiently.

Village Range Boost

Villages provide an aura that increases the range of all towers within their radius. By placing a Village near the Dartling Brothers, their range can be significantly extended. The Radar Scanner (Tier 2) upgrade increases range by 5%, while the Military Conscription (Tier 3) upgrade adds a further 5%. The Global Range upgrade (Tier 4) grants a massive 20% increase, enabling the Dartling Brothers to target Bloons across a wider area.

Ninja Sabotage

Ninjas can make the Dartling Brothers’ projectiles more effective by applying the Sabotage (Tier 3) upgrade, which reduces Bloon speed by 20%. This slow effect allows the Dartling Brothers’ darts to stay in contact with Bloons longer, dealing more damage over time. Furthermore, the Sticky Bomb (Tier 5) upgrade applies bonus damage on Bloons affected by Sabotage, creating a deadly combination.

Sun Avatar Damages

Sun Avatars deal bonus damage to ceramic and lead Bloons. When paired with the Dartling Brothers, they can form a devastating synergy. The Dartling Brothers can pierce through multiple layers of Bloons, breaking them down into smaller ceramics, which are then efficiently taken down by the Sun Avatar. The combination of these towers creates a powerful force against mid- and late-game Bloon rushes.

Etienne’s Global Range

Etienne’s Level 20 upgrade, Global Range, increases the range of all Dartling Gun towers by 20%. This increase in range is not stackable with the Village’s range boosts, but it can still provide a significant advantage. Etienne’s presence allows the Dartling Brothers to target Bloons from even further away, making them a more valuable asset in defending against large-scale attacks.

Countering Enemy Bloons

The Dartling Gunner has a range of abilities to counter different types of enemy bloons. It can use its explosive darts to pierce multiple bloons at once, its plasma accelerator to deal damage to ceramics, and its hydra rocket pods to pierce even more bloons than its standard darts.

Ceramic Bloons

Ceramic bloons are resistant to the Dartling Gunner’s standard darts, but they can be easily defeated by the plasma accelerator or the hydra rocket pods.

Lead Bloons

Lead bloons are immune to the Dartling Gunner’s standard darts, but they can be defeated by the plasma accelerator or the hydra rocket pods upgraded with the Energizer or Shattering Shells.

Rainbow Bloons

Rainbow bloons are immune to all of the Dartling Gunner’s direct fire attacks, but they can be damaged by the plasma accelerator’s explosion damage or by the Special Poperations upgrade.

Moab-Class Bloons

Moab-class bloons are very large and tough, but they can be defeated by the Dartling Gunner’s hydra rocket pods or by the plasma accelerator upgraded with the Blooncineration upgrade.

Fortified Bloons

Fortified bloons are covered in a thick layer of armor that reduces the damage they take from explosions. However, the hydra rocket pods and the plasma accelerator can still defeat them, although it may take a few more shots.

Zomg-Class Bloons

Zomg-class bloons are the largest and most powerful bloons in the game. They can only be defeated by the plasma accelerator or the hydra rocket pods upgraded with the Shattering Shells upgrade.

Bloon Type	Suggested Dartling Gunner Upgrade
Ceramic	Plasma Accelerator
Lead	Hydra Rocket Pods (Energizer or Shattering Shells)
Rainbow	Plasma Accelerator (Blooncineration)
Moab	Hydra Rocket Pods
Fortified	Hydra Rocket Pods or Plasma Accelerator
Zomg	Plasma Accelerator or Hydra Rocket Pods (Shattering Shells)

Managing Ceramic Bloons

Ceramic Bloons arrive in Waves 39 and 59, and they begin to appear more frequently in later waves. Due to their increased durability, dealing with Ceramic Bloons requires more strategic planning:

1. Prioritize Damaging Upgrades

Focus on upgrades that enhance your towers’ damage output, such as the Plasma Accelerator and the AP Darts.

2. Use Crosspathing

Opt for crosspathing options that increase attack speed and pierce, allowing you to deal with multiple Ceramic Bloons simultaneously.

3. Lead Popping Support

Ensure that you have towers with Lead Popping capabilities to handle Lead Bloons that may accompany Ceramic Bloons.

4. Multiple Layers Defense

Deploy a range of towers with different attack types to effectively pop through the multiple layers of Ceramic Bloons.

5. Consider Abilities

Activate tower abilities like the Spike Factory’s Spike Storm or the Bloonchipper’s Refrigeration to slow down or damage Ceramic Bloons.

6. Wall of Fire, Icicle Impale, and Super Brittle

These towers can be particularly effective in dealing with large groups of Ceramic Bloons due to their pierce, damage output, and slow-down abilities.

7. Upgrade Paths for Dartling Gunner and Sniper Monkey to Handle Ceramics

Tower	Upgrade Path
Dartling Gunner	1-0-4 (Buckshot), 5-0-2 (Ray of Doom)
Sniper Monkey	5-0-0 (Elite Defender), 0-2-5 (Cripple MOAB)

These upgrades provide increased damage output, pierce, and lead popping capabilities, making them invaluable against Ceramic Bloons.

Dealing with Hoards of Bloons

When facing massive hordes of Bloons, prioritizing defense and efficient resource management are crucial. Here are some additional strategies:

8. Mid-Game Transition

Around Round 60-80, the Bloons’ speed and density increase significantly. This is a critical juncture where you must upgrade your dartling arsenal to handle the growing threat. Consider the following upgrades:

Laser Cannon: Upgrade one or two dartling guns to Laser Cannons. They can pierce multiple Bloons in a single shot, decimating medium-sized hordes.
Hydra Rocket Pods: Add Hydra Rocket Pods to target a wide area. The rockets pierce and explode on impact, dealing splash damage to numerous Bloons.
Buckshot: Upgrade a dartling gun with Buckshot for increased pierce and damage against fast-moving Bloons.
Rockets: Replace laser cannons with Rockets to deal heavy damage to fortified Bloons and lead Bloons.

Upgrade	Cost	Effect
Laser Cannon	$1,700	Triple pierce and increased damage
Hydra Rocket Pods	$2,000	Fires rockets that pierce and explode on impact
Buckshot	$1,500	Increased pierce and damage against fast-moving Bloons
Rockets	$2,900	Deals heavy damage to fortified and lead Bloons

Strategies for Different Maps

Monkey Meadow

On Monkey Meadow, you can place two Dartling Gunners on the left side of the map, targeting the main path. Upgrade them to Sharpshooters (0-2-0) and add a third Dartling Gunner in the middle of the map, targeting the right side.

Four Circles

On Four Circles, place two Dartling Gunners on the left and right side of the circles, targeting the main paths. Upgrade them to Razor Shooters (0-3-0) and add a third Dartling Gunner in the middle, targeting the top and bottom paths.

Cubism

On Cubism, place one Dartling Gunner on the left side, targeting the main path. Upgrade it to Twin Guns (1-0-0) and add two more Dartling Gunners in the center of the map, targeting the left and right sides. Then, upgrade one of them to Sharpshooter (0-2-0) and the other to Poplust (2-0-0).

Donut

On Donut, place two Dartling Gunners on the left and right side of the inner circle, targeting the main path. Upgrade them to Hydra Rocket Pods (2-4-0) and add a third Dartling Gunner in the middle, targeting the outer circle. Upgrade it to Bloon Solver (0-0-2).

Peninsula

On Peninsula, place one Dartling Gunner on the left side, targeting the main path to the beach. Upgrade it to Crossbowman (0-4-0) and place two more Dartling Gunners on the lower and upper paths, targeting the paths to the finish. Upgrade one of them to Sharpshooter (0-2-0) and the other to Bloon Solver (0-0-2).

Geared

On Geared, place one Dartling Gunner on the left side, targeting the main path. Upgrade it to Buckshot (0-3-0) and place two more Dartling Gunners on the lower and upper paths, targeting the other paths. Upgrade one of them to Sharpshooter (0-2-0) and the other to Hydra Rocket Pods (2-4-0).

Workshop

On Workshop, place one Dartling Gunner on the left side, targeting the main path. Upgrade it to Sharpshooter (0-2-0) and place two more Dartling Gunners on the upper and lower paths, targeting the other paths. Upgrade one of them to Hydra Rocket Pods (2-4-0) and the other to Blazing Darts (3-0-0).

Chutes

On Chutes, place one Dartling Gunner on the left side, targeting the main path. Upgrade it to Hydra Rocket Pods (2-4-0) and place two more Dartling Gunners on the lower and upper chutes, targeting the paths to the finish. Upgrade one of them to Buckshot (0-3-0) and the other to Blazing Darts (3-0-0).

Spillway

On Spillway, place one Dartling Gunner on the left side, targeting the main path. Upgrade it to Crossbowman (0-4-0) and place two more Dartling Gunners on the lower and upper paths, targeting the paths to the finish. Upgrade one of them to Bloon Solver (0-0-2) and the other to Shattering Shells (5-2-0).

1. Dartling Gunners:

With their ability to pierce multiple Bloons and their high damage output, Dartling Gunners prove to be excellent first and mid-game towers.

2. Sharpshooters:

Sharpshooters upgrade the Dartling Gun’s damage capabilities, significantly increasing its effectiveness against Bloons with higher health.

3. Buckshot:

Buckshot upgrades enhance the Dartling Gun’s pierce count, allowing it to effortlessly pop multiple Bloons at once, particularly effective against dense Bloon swarms.

4. Hydra Rocket Pods:

Hydra Rocket Pods transform the Dartling Gun into a formidable anti-MOAB weapon, unleashing devastating rockets that deal immense damage to fortified Bloons.

5. Stronger Stimulant:

Stronger Stimulant increases the attack speed of all Dartling Gunners within its radius, bolstering their damage output and making them more effective in handling large volumes of Bloons.

6. Laser Blast:

Laser Blast significantly improves the range and damage of the Dartling Gunner, making it highly effective against distant and fast-moving Bloons.

7. Multi-Target Darts:

Multi-Target Darts grant the Dartling Gunner the ability to split its darts, allowing it to hit multiple Bloons simultaneously, ideal for handling grouped threats.

8. Ray of Doom:

Ray of Doom upgrades bestow an immense power beam that obliterates even the toughest MOABs. Its long cooldown and high cost necessitate strategic placement to maximize its potential.

9. Blueprint:

Blueprint grants Dartling Gunners the ability to create a temporarily indestructible copy of themselves, providing a much-needed damage boost to the defense.

10. Spectre:

Spectre upgrades conceal the Dartling Gunner from Bloon detection and detection abilities. This stealth makes it a potent force against camouflaged Bloons and fortified MOABs. When Spectre is active, the Dartling Gunner gains the ability to shoot a dense cloud of mini darts at nearby Bloons, rapidly inflicting damage. While this constant stream of darts has lower individual damage compared to its regular attack, the consistent and increased number of projectiles makes it excel at combating hordes of weaker Bloons, chipping away at their health and contributing significantly to overall damage output. Spectre’s effectiveness is particularly noticeable in situations where Bloons are tightly packed together, as its rapid-fire nature ensures that multiple Bloons are hit with each burst of darts. Additionally, the added range provided by Spectre’s stealth ability allows the Dartling Gunner to engage Bloons from further away, maximizing its coverage and impact on the battlefield.

Upgrade	Cost	Effect
Sharpshooter	$350	Increased damage
Buckshot	$400	Increased pierce
Laser Blast	$1,900	Increased range and damage
Multi-Target Darts	$1,500	Split darts to hit multiple Bloons
Ray of Doom	$10,000	Powerful beam that obliterates MOABs

Btd6 How To Do Dartling Brothers

The Dartling Brothers are a powerful group of monkeys that can deal with a lot of damage. They are unlocked by beating the Medium difficulty on any map except for Impoppable and CHIMPS.

The brothers are not very effective on their own, but they can be extremely powerful when combined with other monkeys. Their synergy makes them great for dealing with large groups of bloons, especially ceramics. They can also take down lead bloons, making them a great option for the early game.

To use the Dartling Brothers effectively, it is important to place them in a good spot. Make sure they have a clear line of sight to the track, and that they are not blocked by obstacles. It is also important to upgrade them as soon as possible, as the upgrades will increase their damage output and range.