Balloon

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This article is about Balloon. You may be looking for Lead Balloon.

"They're floating now?!?
Cliff units, attack!!!"

―Commander dialogue on Wave 12 (Hardcore)

"They'we fwoating now?!?
Cwiff units, attack!!! (☉ㅅ☉U)"

―Commander dialogue on Wave 12 (April Fools 2022 Hardcore)

Description

The Balloon is an enemy which only appears in Hardcore mode. It has a balloon tied on its back which makes it fly, making it immune to collisions from units, as well as making it undetectable by most ground towers and units. The balloon on its back pops when the Balloon loses all of its shield health, making the enemy vulnerable to collisions and ground towers.

The Balloon can be spawned by the Grave Digger in Hardcore mode. The Balloon can also be spawned from the Mystery upon its death in Hardcore mode.

Appearance

The Balloon has light red skin, brown torso and legs, and is faceless. It has one red balloon tied to its back. When it loses its shield health, the balloon pops and the Balloon walks along the path like any other regular enemy.

Strategy

• Only towers that have flying detection (cliff and air based towers, the Hunter, Executioner, Archer and Engineer, but not its sentries) can target the Balloon when it is in the air. However, explosions can indirectly hit the Balloon while it is in the air, and so can the Pyromancer's flames.
  • With the exception of the Mortar, explosive towers cannot detect the Balloon while it is in the air. If another enemy that can be detected by such a tower is present, then the Balloon can be damaged, so long it is within the explosion radius.
  • The Pyromancer can only set this on fire if there is another detectable enemy near it. However, it can only set the Balloon on fire at Level 5, as the flames are too small to hit the Balloon at any level below Level 5.
    • Because a Level 5 Pyromancer is impossible to get this early on during the game, it is not recommended to use it to kill the Balloon.
• Ace Pilots and Pursuits deal great amounts of damage to this enemy.
• The Executioner can effectively clear out hordes of Balloons, due to its bouncing and piercing.
  • A couple of Level 2+ Ace Pilots fare well against the Balloon.
• Mortars can be effective against this enemy as they usually spawn in hordes.
  • Be aware that the projectile explodes on the ground. At low levels, the Mortar may only deal small amounts of damage to the Balloon while it is in the air.
• Snipers and Rangers can be an option for popping Balloons, but are not recommended as they have a high firerate.
  • There are better options, such as the Mortar, which has splash damage, or Ace Pilots, which have a low firerate.
• The Balloon can get hit by a Level 4+ Electroshocker, if it is caught in a chain reaction.
• Some ground towers, like the Gladiator and Shotgunner, can hit the Balloon while it is in the air, if they are on a high platform or leverage.
  • However, this is extremely unlikely to occur.

Trivia

• The Balloon could be based on the Balloon Zombie from Plants vs. Zombies.
  • The Balloon could also be based on the Bloon from the Bloons Tower Defense series.
• The Balloon has the lowest Shield Health in the entire game, with only 10.

Version History

• 29 October 2020
  • Balloon added.

Hardcore
Previous Debut	Current Debut	Next Debut
Invisible Wave 10	Balloon Wave 12	Lead Wave 14