Heavy Knockback

Heavy Knockback is a second-row Magic knowledge that makes the Super Monkey's Knockback effect 5% stronger. Bloons hit by a Super Monkey with Knockback are pushed back a little harder, and the bloons that resist knockback are slowed a little more. It requires SUPER Range, costs one Knowledge Point and no Monkey Money, and unlocks Strike Down The False.

How it changes the game

Knockback (x-x-1 Super Monkey) makes the Super Monkey's hits push regular bloons backward along the track, while heavy targets such as Ceramics and MOAB-class bloons are only slowed. The bottom path keeps the effect all the way up:

• Regular bloons: pushed back slightly further with each hit, which keeps them in range longer.
• Ceramics and blimps: slowed a bit more than before, which is the more meaningful gain since those are the bloons that cause leaks.
• Dark Knight, Dark Champion and Legend of the Night: these keep Knockback, and the extra strength carries over. On Dark Champion, the stronger effect is enough to push Ceramics slightly backward instead of just holding them in place.
• Crosspaths: many top-path and middle-path Super Monkeys take x-x-1 Knockback as a cheap crosspath, so the bonus also helps a 3-0-1 Sun Avatar or similar builds.

It only affects Super Monkeys with Knockback. Damage, pierce and attack speed are not changed.

Is it worth it?

Priority: situational. A 5% stronger knockback is a small improvement you will rarely notice directly. The reason to buy it is the column below: Strike Down The False lets Sun Avatar pop Purple Bloons, then X-Ray Ultra and There Can Be Only One, which unlocks the Vengeful True Sun God. Anyone planning Super Monkey strategies goes through here.

Compared with its sibling Cheaper Doubles, which leads toward Ninja knowledge, Heavy Knockback is the better route for Super Monkey players. Both are cheap filler points for the 4-point threshold of Magic row three.

Where it works

Heavy Knockback is active wherever Monkey Knowledge is enabled, including Magic Monkeys Only, Impoppable and freeplay. It is disabled in CHIMPS and in challenges that switch knowledge off. Boss Bloons have their own rules for knockback, so do not count on it against bosses in Boss Events.

Frequently asked questions

What does Heavy Knockback do?

It makes Super Monkey Knockback 5% stronger.

Does Heavy Knockback affect MOABs?

Blimps are not pushed back by Knockback, but they are slowed slightly more.

Does Dark Champion benefit?

Yes. Dark Knight, Dark Champion and Legend of the Night keep Knockback and get the stronger effect.

What does Heavy Knockback unlock?

Strike Down The False, which leads to X-Ray Ultra and There Can Be Only One.

Is Heavy Knockback worth it?

Mainly as a route node for Super Monkey knowledge.