Buckshot

Buckshot replaces rapid darts with a slow shotgun blast of 6 pellets every 1.2 seconds (0.792 seconds with 0-2-3). Each pellet deals 3 damage with 4 pierce and knocks non-MOAB bloons back for 0.2 seconds. Pellets fly slightly faster but only last 0.25 seconds (0.35 with 1-0-3), and they spread across a 46-degree cone (18.6 degrees with 1-0-3).

With 2-0-3, the shock deals 2 damage and bloons take +2 bonus damage from top-path Dartlings.

When to buy it

Buckshot hits harder and adds knockback, but it is unreliable because of its slow fire rate and short range. Bloons can slip between shots, and in some cases it can feel like a downgrade from Powerful Darts. Buy it as a stepping stone to Bloon Area Denial System rather than for its own value.

Crosspaths:

• 2-0-3: the shock bonus and better accuracy. The usual pick.
• 0-2-3: faster fire and camo detection.

Is it worth it?

Only as the path to BADS. If you need a tier 3 Dartling to hold rounds, Hydra Rocket Pods is much stronger.

Frequently asked questions

Does Buckshot knock back MOABs?

No. The knockback only works on non-MOAB-class bloons.

What crosspath is best for Buckshot?

2-0-3 for accuracy and shock damage.

How much does Buckshot cost?

It costs $3,000 on Medium. Prices for every difficulty are on this page.