Hard Tacks

Hard Tacks is a second-row Primary knowledge that lets all Tack Shooter attacks pop Frozen Bloons. Normally a basic tack bounces off frozen targets, so a Tack Shooter parked next to an Ice Monkey wastes shots. With Hard Tacks, frozen bloons become valid targets. It requires Fast Tack Attacks, costs one Knowledge Point, and leads to Poppy Blades and Icy Chill.

How it changes the game

Not every Tack Shooter needs the help. The builds that clearly gain frozen-popping are:

• Any Tack Shooter at tier 2 or below on every path, such as 2-0-0, 0-2-0 or 0-0-2 builds.
• Tack Sprayer and its upgrades on the bottom path (Overdrive and The Tack Zone).

Hot Shots (3-x-x) and the rest of the top path already burn through ice, so they gain nothing from it.

An important detail: Hard Tacks does not change the damage type of the tacks. They still count as Sharp, so they keep benefiting from Sharp-damage buffs such as Geraldo's Sharpening Stone while also being able to hit frozen targets.

Where you notice it most:

• Ice and Tack combos. A Tack Shooter in the middle of an Ice Monkey's freeze radius now pops everything the ice holds in place, instead of waiting for bloons to thaw.
• Embrittlement and Ice Shards. Saving up to Embrittlement is easier when nearby tacks can finish frozen bloons, and Ice Shards can be triggered by any Tack Shooter, including cheap high-pierce Super Range Tacks.
• Tack Zone defenses that rely on other towers for stalling.

Is it worth it?

Priority: good. If you never pair Tack Shooters with ice, the direct effect is small. But it removes an annoying weakness for free, and it is the required step toward Icy Chill, So… Cold…, Big Cryo Blast and Hypothermia, which is the whole Ice Monkey branch.

Compare it with Fast Glue, the other child of Fast Tack Attacks. Fast Glue leads to the Glue Gunner branch and eventually Bonus Glue Gunner, which most players value more. Buy Hard Tacks once you start on the ice nodes or if Tack and Ice is a combo you already use.

Where it works

Hard Tacks is active in every mode that allows Monkey Knowledge, including Primary Only, where Tack and Ice are both available and the combo shows up often. It is disabled in CHIMPS and in challenges whose rules turn knowledge off. When you practise a CHIMPS strategy that relies on a low-tier Tack Shooter next to ice, toggle your knowledge off so the run behaves like the real thing.

Frequently asked questions

Can Tack Shooters pop Frozen Bloons without Hard Tacks?

Some can. The top path from Hot Shots onward can, but basic tacks and the Tack Sprayer line cannot without this knowledge.

Does Hard Tacks change the damage type?

No. Tacks stay Sharp, so they still get Sharp-only buffs while also being able to hit Frozen Bloons.

Is Hard Tacks worth it without Ice Monkeys?

Not much on its own, but you need it to reach Icy Chill and the rest of the Ice Monkey knowledge.

Does Hard Tacks work in CHIMPS?

No. All Monkey Knowledge is disabled in CHIMPS.