Empowered Heroes

Empowered Heroes makes your hero start at level 3 instead of level 1 the first time you place it in a game. It is a fifth-row Heroes knowledge: you need 8 points in the Heroes tree and Hero Favors, plus a one-time fee of 500 Monkey Money.

The head start only applies to the first placement. If you sell the hero and place it again, it starts from level 1.

How it changes the game

Two free levels at placement is a big early boost, and it compounds. Your hero is stronger from the first round it is on the map, and because it is ahead from the start, it reaches every later level sooner too.

What you get at level 3 right away:

• The level 3 ability. Quincy's Rapid Shot, Striker Jones's Concussive Shell, Admiral Brickell's Naval Tactics and every other level 3 ability are available from the start. Like all abilities, they have a short initial cooldown before the first use.
• Level 2 and 3 stat upgrades. Extra damage, pierce or attack speed that normally takes several rounds of XP.
• A faster road to key levels. Lead popping, camo detection and big damage spikes all arrive a little earlier.

This matters most in the opening and on hard difficulties, where the hero is a large part of your early defence. On Impoppable and in Boss Events, where you cannot afford leaks, a stronger hero in round 1 makes openings much safer.

Selling and re-buying your hero later in a game loses the bonus, so avoid hero-swap tricks if you rely on it. In strategies that sell the hero on purpose, plan around the level 1 restart.

Is it worth it?

Priority: must-have. Along with Hero Favors, Empowered Heroes is the main reason to invest in the Heroes tree. It helps every hero, every game, and it is the gate to Monkeys Together Strong and, with Big Bloon Blueprints, to Weak Point.

In the fifth row, Big Bloon Blueprints adds blimp damage, but Empowered Heroes has the larger impact for nearly everyone. Get it first. The path is Hero Favors plus enough points to reach 8 in the tree, which you will have once both side branches are filled.

Where it works

Empowered Heroes works in every mode where Monkey Knowledge is enabled and heroes are allowed, including Impoppable and Boss Events. In Co-op each player's hero gets the head start. It is off in CHIMPS, so heroes start at level 1 there, which is a big difference when you copy a strategy from a non-CHIMPS game. Challenges with MK disabled and Rogue Legends also start heroes at level 1.

Frequently asked questions

What does Empowered Heroes do?

Your hero starts at level 3 instead of level 1 the first time you place it each game.

Does Empowered Heroes work if I sell and re-buy my hero?

No. A hero placed a second time starts at level 1.

Can I use the level 3 ability right away?

Yes, after the short starting cooldown that every ability has.

How do I unlock Empowered Heroes?

Get Hero Favors, have 8 points in the Heroes tree and pay 500 Monkey Money once.