Crosspathing/Beast Handler (2024)

In Bloons TD 6, it is important to choose the best crosspathing for a specific tower in order to receive the best benefits out of that tower type. Towers have special roles to play for each stage of the game. The Beast Handler in its core is to co-operate with other Beast Handlers to create increasingly stronger beasts.

Introduction[]

The Beast Handler operates different from other towers. It requires mutlple Beast Handlers for the full power of the upgrade, with it's power represented with Beast power. Path 1 is about aquatic animals which requires water (but not the beast handler themselves) to purchase. It mainly focuses on doing high single target DPS with collateral damage. Path 2 is about land animals and requires land to be to purchase and mainly focuses on more general damage and stunning. Path 3 has airborne animals has them grab the increasingly large bloons and placing them away from the exit, in a unique form of knockback. Because the individual beasts are almost completely independent entities, crosspaths do nothing specific to each of the beast, except if going for its independent crosspathing benefits such as popping Camo via Horned Owl or Lead via Adasaurus, or if needing separate targeting priorities for each beast.

Upgrades[]

Tier 2 and below[]

Base Tower and Tier 1 Crosspaths[]

• 0-0-0: The base Beast Handler stabs at bloons moderately slowly with energetic damage. It loses that melee attack once it gains any upgrade, so choosing a beast can sometimes a downgrade if not taking care of the full advantages of the beasts themselves.
• 1-0-0: Adds a piranha that quickly grabs bloons from the water. It has low pierce and range but quick attack speed. Could be used to catch bloons quickly.
• 0-1-0: Adds a microraptor that kicks bloons in a straight direction, hitting several bloons within a tight area in front of the kicking.
• 0-0-1: Adds a gyrfalcon that can pick up and scratch bloons, grabbing a several bloons into a different location.
• 1-1-0: Adds a piranha and a microraptor, which combined perform fast-attacking early-game but requiring high micromanagement to pull off effectively. Like many Tier 1 crosspaths, there is a noteworthy crosspathing synergy between the two smaller beasts for a single handler; it's considerably cheaper than two separate Beast Handlers with separate beasts.
• 1-0-1: Adds a piranha and a gyrfalcon, which combined have the piranha do quick damage with gyrfalcon doing pickup. Like many Tier 1 crosspaths, there is a noteworthy crosspathing synergy between the two smaller beasts for a single handler; it's considerably cheaper than two separate Beast Handlers with separate beasts.
• 0-1-1: Adds a microraptor and a gyrfalcon, which combined have the microraptor do much of the early-game damage and gyrfalcon catching several bloons. Like many Tier 1 crosspaths, there is a noteworthy crosspathing synergy between the two smaller beasts for a single handler; it's considerably cheaper than two separate Beast Handlers with separate beasts.

Tier 2 Crosspaths[]

• 2-0-0: Transforms the piranha into a barracuda that deals extra damage to more bloons and knocks bloons backwards. It can help clump the bloons.
• 0-2-0: Transforms the microraptor into a adasaurus that deals much more damage and pierces many more bloons, including Lead Bloons. Adasaurus assists in pure damage for the early-game and cleanup purposes.
• 0-0-2: Transforms the gyrfalcon into a horned owl that detects Camo and can pick up more bloons, including Ceramics. It can assist some pure stalling and camo-popping.
• 2-1-0:
• 2-0-1:
• 1-2-0:
• 1-0-2:
• 2-2-0:
• 2-0-2:
• 0-2-1: Adds an adasaurus and a gyrfalcon. It is often the result of the progression from 0-1-1 into the Adasaurus upgrade, which excels versus early-game bloons and does some cleanup later on in the game. In terms of self-synergy between the beasts, the Gyrfalcon can catch a few bloons that may be missed by the Adasaurus.
• 0-1-2:
• 0-2-2:

Upper Path 1[]

Great White[]

• 3-0-0: Great White controls a great white shark that grabs Bloons and produces literal splash damage around itself. If it can instakill a Bloon, it drags it down to the water. Great White automatically now pops Frozen and Lead. An uncrosspathed Great White doesn’t lose out on much power, since much of its power derived from merges.
• 3-1-0: Adds a microraptor that attacks quickly within tight range, hitting many bloons per attack. The microraptor could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. The Microraptor isn't very significant for the Great White in terms of self-synergy, since the Microraptor does comparatively low base damage, although it could help damage MOAB-class bloons unlike the bird crosspaths.
• 3-2-0: Adds an adasaurus that deals increased damage and pops Lead within tight range. The adasaurus could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. In terms of internal crosspathing synergy, Great White would benefit from the Adasaurus chomping up Bloons that aren’t quite reached by the shark.
• 3-0-1: Adds a gyrfalcon that picks up a few bloons at a time. The gyrfalcon could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Gyrfalcon can help pick up a few stray bloons that could be missed from the Great White. However, the Great White deals so much base damage that the low pierce of Gyrfalcon's pickup utility becomes redundant.
• 3-0-2: Adds a horned owl that detects camo and can pick up Ceramics. The horned owl could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. Since Great White cannot naturally detect Camo, Horned Owl can assist in hitting Camos. Horned Owl can also pick up one to several Ceramics at a time, depending on the given merges, which has a limited synergy with Great White, picking up clumps of weaker bloons and also repositioning stronger bloons.

Orca[]

• 4-0-0: Orca greatly increases the damage of each splash, and can now instakill MOABs and BFBs, even ZOMGs with max power. Like Great White, crosspathing is almost impactless for Orca, since Orca deals so much base damage per splash, and most of its true power comes from merges.
• 4-1-0: Adds a microraptor that attacks quickly within tight range, hitting many bloons per attack. The microraptor could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. The Microraptor isn't very significant for the Orca in terms of self-synergy, since the Microraptor does comparatively low base damage, although it could help damage MOAB-class bloons unlike the bird crosspaths.
• 4-2-0: Adds an adasaurus that deals increased damage and pops Lead within tight range. The adasaurus could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. In terms of internal crosspathing synergy, Orca would benefit from the Adasaurus chomping up Bloons that aren’t quite reached by the shark, even if the Orca already deals such incredible base damage.
• 4-0-1: Adds a gyrfalcon that picks up a few bloons at a time. The gyrfalcon could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Gyrfalcon can help pick up a few stray bloons that could be missed from the Orca. However, the Orca deals so much base damage that the low pierce of Gyrfalcon's pickup utility becomes redundant.
• 4-0-2: Adds a horned owl that detects camo and can pick up Ceramics. The horned owl could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. Since Orca cannot naturally detect Camo, Horned Owl can assist in hitting Camos. Horned Owl can also pick up one to several Ceramics at a time, depending on the given merges, which has a limited synergy with Orca, picking up clumps of weaker bloons and also repositioning stronger bloons.

Megalodon[]

• 5-0-0: Megalodon deals massive damage with each splash, and can now instakill any type of non-Boss bloon, including BADs. Crosspathing has very low impact for Megalodon, as is gains much of its overall DPS from merges.
• 5-1-0: Adds a microraptor that attacks quickly within tight range, hitting many bloons per attack. The microraptor could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. The Microraptor isn't very significant for the Megalodon in terms of self-synergy, since the Microraptor does comparatively low base damage, although it could help damage MOAB-class bloons unlike the bird crosspaths.
• 5-2-0: Adds an adasaurus that deals increased damage and pops Lead within tight range. The adasaurus could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. In terms of internal crosspathing synergy, Megalodon would benefit from the Adasaurus chomping up Bloons that aren’t quite reached by the shark, even if the Megalodon already deals such incredible base damage.
• 5-0-1: Adds a gyrfalcon that picks up a few bloons at a time. The gyrfalcon could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Gyrfalcon can help pick up a few stray bloons that could be missed from the Megalodon. However, the Megalodon deals so much base damage that the low pierce of Gyrfalcon's pickup utility becomes redundant.
• 5-0-2: Adds a horned owl that detects camo and can pick up Ceramics. The horned owl could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. Since Megalodon cannot naturally detect Camo, Horned Owl can assist in hitting Camos. Horned Owl can also pick up one to several Ceramics at a time, depending on the given merges, which has a limited synergy with Megalodon, picking up clumps of weaker bloons and also repositioning stronger bloons. However, the Megalodon deals so much base damage that the low pierce of Horned Owl's pickup utility becomes insignificant, even versus Ceramics.

Upper Path 2[]

Velociraptor[]

• 0-3-0: Velociraptor controls a velociraptor that greatly increases damage per kick and bite, in addition to more pierce and capability of more damage from stunned targets. An uncrosspathed Velociraptor doesn't lose out on too much benefit, since much of its true power derives from merges.
• 1-3-0: Adds a piranha that assists with catching a few bloons quickly. The piranha could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Velociraptor doesn't really benefit from another beast doing just quick low-pierce damage onto bloons.
• 2-3-0: Adds a barracuda that assists in damaging more bloons and applying knockback to them. The barracuda could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Velociraptor could potentially benefit from Barracuda's bloon knockback versus Ceramics, clumping up the bloons for Velociraptor to hit many targets per shot.
• 0-3-1: Adds a gyrfalcon that picks up a few bloons at a time. The gyrfalcon could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Gyrfalcon can help pick up a few stray bloons that could be missed from the Velociraptor, although proper Velociraptor micro should help the Velociraptor do cleanup anyway.
• 0-3-2: Adds a horned owl that detects camo and can pick up Ceramics. The horned owl could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. Since Velociraptor cannot naturally detect Camo, Horned Owl can assist in hitting Camos. Horned Owl can also pick up one to several Ceramics at a time, depending on the given merges, which has a limited synergy with Velociraptor, picking up clumps of weaker bloons and also repositioning stronger bloons.

Tyrannosaurus Rex[]

• 0-4-0: Tyrannosaurus Rex controls a T-Rex that greatly increases damage per bite, much more pierce, and gives an activated ability that triggers a stomp that stuns bloons caught in range. An uncrosspathed T-Rex doesn't lose out on too much benefit, since much of its true power derives from merges.
• 1-4-0: Adds a piranha that assists with catching a few bloons quickly. The piranha could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. In terms of self-synergy, T-Rex doesn't really benefit from another beast doing just quick low-pierce damage onto bloons.
• 2-4-0: Adds a barracuda that assists in damaging more bloons and applying knockback to them. The barracuda could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. In terms of self-synergy, T-Rex could potentially benefit from Barracuda's bloon knockback versus Ceramics, clumping up the bloons for T-Rex to hit many targets per shot.
• 0-4-1: Adds a gyrfalcon that picks up a few bloons at a time. The gyrfalcon could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Gyrfalcon can help pick up a few stray bloons that could be missed from the T-Rex, although proper T-Rex micro should help the T-Rex do cleanup anyway.
• 0-4-2: Adds a horned owl that detects camo and can pick up Ceramics. The horned owl could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. Since T-Rex cannot naturally detect Camo outside of its Stomp Ability, Horned Owl can assist in hitting Camos. Horned Owl can also pick up one to several Ceramics at a time, depending on the given merges, which has a limited synergy with T-Rex, picking up clumps of weaker bloons and also repositioning stronger bloons.

Giganotosaurus[]

• 0-5-0: Giganotosaurus controls a Giganotosaurus that deals incredible damage and pierce per bite, gains much greater range, improves its activated ability to affect the entire screen, but its main attack becomes much slower. An uncrosspathed Giganotosaurus doesn't lose out on too much benefit, since much of its true power derives from merges.
• 1-5-0: Adds a piranha that assists with catching a few bloons quickly. The piranha could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Giganotosaurus doesn't really benefit from another beast doing just quick low-pierce damage onto bloons.
• 2-5-0: Adds a barracuda that assists in damaging more bloons and applying knockback to them. The barracuda could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Giganotosaurus could potentially benefit from Barracuda's bloon knockback versus Ceramics, clumping up the bloons for Giganotosaurus to hit many targets per shot.
• 0-5-1: Adds a gyrfalcon that picks up a few bloons at a time. The gyrfalcon could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. In terms of self-synergy, Gyrfalcon can help pick up a few stray bloons that could be missed from the Giganotosaurus, although proper Giganotosaurus micro should help the Giganotosaurus do cleanup anyway.
• 0-5-2: Adds a horned owl that detects camo and can pick up Ceramics. The horned owl could be used a cheap merge for flying beasts. Since Giganotosaurus cannot naturally detect Camo outside of its Stomp Ability, Horned Owl can assist in hitting Camos. Horned Owl can also pick up one to several Ceramics at a time, depending on the given merges, which has a limited synergy with Giganotosaurus, picking up clumps of weaker bloons and also repositioning stronger bloons.

Upper Path 3[]

Golden Eagle[]

• 0-0-3: Golden Eagle controls a golden eagle that picks up many more bloons and has a lower pierce penalty versus heavier bloons such as Ceramics. An uncrosspathed Golden Eagle doesn't lose out on too much benefit, since much of its true power derives from merges.
• 1-0-3: Adds a piranha that assists with catching a few bloons quickly. The piranha could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. Piranha does help hit a few stray bloons in addition to quick single-target damage, although not very significant for self-synergy.
• 2-0-3: Adds a barracuda that assists in damaging more bloons and applying knockback to them. The barracuda could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. Barracuda's knockback could help in addition to the Golden Eagle's pickups and generally low base damage.
• 0-1-3: Adds a microraptor that attacks quickly within tight range, hitting many bloons per attack. The microraptor could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. Microraptor could be used to hit a few bloons, but not very significant for Golden Eagle which already can attack fairly quickly and deal decent damage.
• 0-2-3: Adds an adasaurus that deals increased damage and pops Lead within tight range. The adasaurus could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. In terms of internal crosspathing synergy, Golden Eagle appreciates from the adasaurus popping non-Camo Leads.

Giant Condor[]

• 0-0-4: Giant Condor controls a giant condor that can pick up bloons as strong as BFBs. An uncrosspathed Giant Condor doesn't lose out on too much benefit, since much of its true power derives from merges.
• 1-0-4: Adds a piranha that assists with catching a few bloons quickly. The piranha could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. Piranha does help hit a few stray bloons in addition to quick single-target damage, although not very significant for self-synergy.
• 2-0-4: Adds a barracuda that assists in damaging more bloons and applying knockback to them. The barracuda could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. Barracuda's knockback could help in addition to the Giant Condor's pickups and generally low base damage.
• 0-1-4: Adds a microraptor that attacks quickly within tight range, hitting many bloons per attack. The microraptor could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. Microraptor could be used to hit a few bloons, but not very significant for Giant Condor which already can attack fairly quickly and deal decent damage.
• 0-2-4: Adds an adasaurus that deals increased damage and pops Lead within tight range. The adasaurus could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. In terms of internal crosspathing synergy, Giant Condor appreciates from the adasaurus popping non-Camo Leads.

Pouākai[]

• 0-0-5: Pouākai controls a pouākai that can pick up a large quantity of MOAB-class bloons, even ZOMGs and DDTs, consume less pierce on heavier bloon types, and target all bloon types. An uncrosspathed Pouākai doesn't lose out on too much benefit, since much of its true power derives from merges.
• 1-0-5: Adds a piranha that assists with catching a few bloons quickly. The piranha could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. Piranha does help hit a few stray bloons in addition to quick single-target damage, although not very significant for self-synergy.
• 2-0-5: Adds a barracuda that assists in damaging more bloons and applying knockback to them. The barracuda could be used as a cheap merge for aquatic beasts. Barracuda's knockback could help in addition to the Pouākai's pickups and generally low base damage.
• 0-1-5: Adds a microraptor that attacks quickly within tight range, hitting many bloons per attack. The microraptor could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. Microraptor could be used to hit a few bloons, but not very significant for Pouākai which already can attack fairly quickly and deals a lot of damage.
• 0-2-5: Adds an adasaurus that deals increased damage and pops Lead within tight range. The adasaurus could be used as a cheap merge for dinosaur beasts. Since Pouākai already pops Leads, including Camo Leads, it doesn't necessarily need the adasaurus for maximum popping potential, though the extra popping power is always appreciated especially given the progression from earlier tiers of birds.

Strategy[]

Unlike the majority of towers in BTD6, the Beast Handler does not benefit from crosspathing. Each path spawns or upgrades a different beast, rather than directly affecting the other crosspaths. Therefore, Beast Handler has no specific crosspathing benefits aside from fulfilling roles that single beasts alone cannot. Additionally, a crosspathed Beast Handler has some advantages in terms of merging into beasts of different paths.

In general, T1 crosspaths are synergetic for cheaper beast handling of separate beasts, while higher-tier crosspaths are less impactful unless saving money from not needing to buy separate base Base Handlers. The existing non-crosspathed Beast Handlers can be used with crosspaths in order to buy additional beasts for cheaper. Note the terrain when trying to buy more beasts; prioritize the Beast Handler crosspaths that are nearby water, followed by track.