Big Bunch

Big Bunch is a second-row Military knowledge that adds one grape to every Grape Shot volley. A Monkey Buccaneer with Grape Shot fires 6 grapes instead of 5, and 7 instead of 6 when crosspathed with Double Shot. It requires Naval Upgrades, costs one Knowledge Point, and unlocks Faster Takedowns.

How it changes the game

Grape Shot (x-1-x Monkey Buccaneer) adds a spread of grapes to each attack. One more grape per volley is a 20% increase in grapes, and each grape also carries the +1 pierce from Naval Upgrades:

• Early water defense: a 0-1-0 or 0-1-2 Buccaneer covers more of the track with its spread, which helps against spaced rounds.
• Double Shot crosspaths (2-1-x and up): Destroyer builds such as 3-1-0 or 3-2-0 fire grapes very quickly, so the extra grape adds a lot of total pops.
• Hot Shot and higher (x-2-x and up): every grape is now a hot grape that can pop Lead and Frozen bloons, so the extra one is more valuable.
• Merchantman strategies: Buccaneers farming with the bottom path rely on grapes for defense, and Big Bunch makes them more self-sufficient.

What it does not affect: the grapes fired by Aircraft Carrier planes and the Navarch of the Seas turrets, which stay at 6 grapes per spray. It adds no damage per grape and does not change attack speed.

Is it worth it?

Priority: good. It is a clean buff for one of the most common Buccaneer crosspaths, and it is on the route to Faster Takedowns, Trade Agreements, Flanking Maneuvers and Military Conscription. Anyone heading for Military Conscription's first-tower discount must buy it.

Compared with Breaking Ballistic, the other child of Naval Upgrades, Big Bunch has a more general effect and leads to more important nodes, so it usually comes first.

Where it works

Big Bunch is active in every mode where Monkey Knowledge is enabled, including Military Only, Impoppable and Races on water maps. It is disabled in CHIMPS and in challenges that turn knowledge off.

Frequently asked questions

How many grapes does Grape Shot fire with Big Bunch?

6 instead of 5, or 7 instead of 6 with the Double Shot crosspath.

Does Big Bunch affect Aircraft Carrier planes?

No. Plane grapes and the Navarch of the Seas turret grapes stay at 6.

Does it work with Hot Shot?

Yes. Hot Shot and higher fire hot grapes, and Big Bunch adds one more.

Is Big Bunch needed for Military Conscription?

Yes. It is part of the chain through Faster Takedowns and Trade Agreements.

Should I take Big Bunch or Breaking Ballistic first?

Big Bunch for most players, because it leads to Trade Agreements and Military Conscription.