Flanking Maneuvers

Flanking Maneuvers is a fifth-row Military knowledge that makes Sniper Monkeys, Monkey Subs and Monkey Buccaneers attack faster while they are set to Last targeting. Their attack cooldown drops by 10%, which is about 11% more attacks per second. You need 8 Knowledge Points in the Military tree, both Quad Burst and Trade Agreements, and a one-time 500 Monkey Money. It unlocks Sub Admiral. It was added in version 22.

How it changes the game

The bonus only applies while the tower's target priority is Last. Switch to First, Close or Strong and it disappears until you switch back. That makes it a trade-off rather than a free buff:

• When Last is fine: against a single blimp, a Boss, or a tight cluster of bloons, Last and First often hit the same target, so the 11% speed is free damage.
• Snipers: a Sniper with infinite range on Last hits the rearmost bloon, which is useful for stopping blimps that arrive behind a wave, or for spreading damage when several Snipers are desynced.
• Monkey Subs: homing darts often reach the right targets regardless of priority, so Subs on Last lose less than other towers.
• Paragons: the Nautic Siege Core, Navarch of the Seas and S.P.I.D.E.R. Monkey also get the bonus when set to Last. Navarch support was added in version 41 and Nautic Siege Core in version 42.

Aircraft Carrier planes and their upgrades are not affected. The knowledge never changes damage or pierce.

Is it worth it?

Priority: good, mostly as a gateway. The bonus is real, but in many situations Last is not the best target choice, so you will only use it some of the time. Its importance comes from what it leads to: Sub Admiral, and through it Big Bloon Sabotage, one of the strongest late-game knowledges.

For Boss Events, where the target is usually a single boss, Flanking Maneuvers is close to a permanent 11% buff for Snipers and naval towers set to Last.

Where it works

Flanking Maneuvers is active wherever Monkey Knowledge is enabled, including Military Only, Impoppable and Boss Events. It is disabled in CHIMPS and in challenges that switch knowledge off.

Frequently asked questions

What does Flanking Maneuvers do?

Sniper Monkeys, Monkey Subs and Monkey Buccaneers on Last targeting attack about 11% faster.

Does Flanking Maneuvers work on other target settings?

No. The bonus only applies while the tower is set to Last.

Does it affect Paragons?

Yes. Nautic Siege Core, Navarch of the Seas and S.P.I.D.E.R. Monkey all benefit when set to Last.

Does it affect Aircraft Carrier planes?

No. The planes are excluded.

What does Flanking Maneuvers unlock?

Sub Admiral, which is needed for Big Bloon Sabotage.