Hard Press

Hard Press is a fourth-row Primary knowledge that makes the special knockback boomerangs of MOAB Press and MOAB Domination push MOAB-class bloons back 30% further. You need 8 Knowledge Points in the Primary tree, Extra Bounce and a one-time 250 Monkey Money. It unlocks Long Turbo and, together with Aviation Grade Glue, Mega Mauler.

How it changes the game

MOAB Press (x-x-4 Boomerang Monkey) periodically throws a heavy boomerang that hits a blimp and shoves it backward along the track. Every bit of extra push means the blimp has to travel that distance again while your towers keep hitting it:

• MOAB Press: each special boomerang pushes MOABs and BFBs 30% further. Over a long round with several presses, that is a lot of extra time in range.
• MOAB Domination (x-x-5): its stronger knockback is also boosted, which helps it hold ZOMGs and DDTs a little longer.
• Stall setups: combined with Glue Gunner slows or Ice Monkey support, a well-placed MOAB Press can keep blimps in a kill zone for several extra seconds.

Only the special knockback boomerangs are affected. The regular Kylie-style boomerangs of these towers, other Boomerang paths and any non-Boomerang tower are unchanged. It also does not add damage. Bosses and BADs still resist knockback the way they always do.

Is it worth it?

Priority: good, mostly as a gateway. The knockback bonus itself is useful for players who use MOAB Press as a blimp stall, but most accounts buy Hard Press for what comes next. Long Turbo extends Turbo Charge and Perma Charge, and Bionic Augmentation after it gives those towers Camo detection during the ability. That pair makes middle-path Boomerang Monkeys much stronger.

Compared with So… Cold… or Master Double Cross, Hard Press ranks below Master Double Cross (on the More Cash route) but above So… Cold… for most players.

Hard Press matters more on short maps, where every bit of distance a blimp is pushed back is a bigger share of the remaining track.

Where it works

Hard Press is active in all modes with Monkey Knowledge enabled, such as Standard, Impoppable, Primary Only and Boss Events. It is turned off in CHIMPS and in challenges that disable knowledge. The 250 Monkey Money is paid once; after a respec, re-buying it only costs a point.

Frequently asked questions

What does Hard Press do?

MOAB Press and MOAB Domination knockback boomerangs push blimps back 30% further.

Does Hard Press affect normal boomerangs?

No. Only the special knockback boomerangs are improved.

How much does Hard Press cost?

One Knowledge Point and a one-time 250 Monkey Money, with 8 Primary points and Extra Bounce.

What does Hard Press unlock?

Long Turbo, and Mega Mauler together with Aviation Grade Glue.