Self Taught Heroes

Self Taught Heroes makes every hero earn 10% more XP during a game, so it reaches each level sooner. It is a third-row Heroes knowledge: you need 3 points in the Heroes tree and Scholarships, and it costs one Knowledge Point with no Monkey Money.

How it changes the game

Hero power is tied to level. Many heroes get their most important upgrades at specific levels: camo detection, lead popping, their level 3 and level 10 abilities, and big damage spikes in the teens. Earning XP 10% faster moves every one of those milestones a little earlier.

Who gains most:

• Slow-levelling heroes. Captain Churchill and Adora need a lot of XP, so 10% faster levelling saves several rounds on the way to their strongest levels.
• Benjamin. His key economy and support perks come at specific levels, and getting them earlier means more money over the game.
• Quincy and Sauda. When you plan to reach a specific level before a specific round, for example a Lead-popping level, faster XP means you need to buy fewer levels with cash.

The bonus stacks with the Support tree's Monkey Education (+8%) and with Monkeys Together Strong (+5% per hero on the map). Together they make a clear difference on Beginner maps, where heroes earn less XP per round, and in Boss Events, where a hero at level 20 a few rounds earlier can change a fight.

Is it worth it?

Priority: must-have. It helps every hero in every game, from the first round. It is also one of the two required parents of Hero Favors, together with Quick Hands, and Hero Favors leads to Empowered Heroes.

In the third row it is the best general pick. Quick Hands gives a bit of attack speed and Ability Mastery only matters at level 20, while faster levelling helps all game. A good order for a new hero player is More 'Splody, Scholarships, Self Taught Heroes, then the Quick Hands branch, then Hero Favors.

Where it works

Self Taught Heroes is active in every mode where Monkey Knowledge is enabled and heroes are allowed, including Impoppable and Boss Events. It is off in CHIMPS, which is why hero level timings in CHIMPS guides can be later than what you see with MK on. Challenges with MK disabled and Rogue Legends also use base XP.

Frequently asked questions

How much XP does Self Taught Heroes add?

Heroes earn 10% more XP in game.

Does Self Taught Heroes stack with Monkey Education?

Yes. Both bonuses apply to hero XP at the same time.

Is Self Taught Heroes worth it?

Yes. It speeds up every hero in every game and is required for Hero Favors.

What do I need for Self Taught Heroes?

Scholarships and 3 points spent in the Heroes tree.