Tier 5 upgrade
Apache Prime
Apache Prime upgrades every Heli Pilot weapon with lasers and plasma. Stats, best crosspath, CHIMPS use and how it compares to other tier 5s.
The Apache Prime leaves most Bloons wishing they'd never been inflated.
Daily challenges
Heli Pilot tier 5s
Quad Darts
Pursuit
Razor Rotors
Apache Dartship
Apache Prime
Stats
Main attack
- Damage
- 6
- Pierce
- 23
- Attack speed
- 0.428s
- Range
- 42
Machine gun
- Damage
- 5
- Pierce
- 11
- Attack speed
- 0.05s
- Range
- 42
Missile array
- Damage
- 2
- Pierce
- 40
- Attack speed
- 1s
- Range
- 84
Rotors
- Damage
- 8
- Pierce
- 40
- Attack speed
- 0.45s
- Range
- 2000
How to use Apache Prime
Apache Prime replaces the Heli's darts with lasers and boosts every weapon:
- Quad lasers: the main darts become lasers with 6 damage (up from 1) and 23 pierce (up from 3). They can pop frozen bloons but not lead or purple.
- Plasma machine gun: damage from 1 to 5 and pierce from 7 to 11. It can pop every bloon type except purple.
- Rockets: gain +15 damage against MOAB-class bloons.
- Razor rotors: damage from 4 to 8 and pierce from 20 to 40.
When to buy it
Apache Prime costs $45,000 on Medium. The save-up from Apache Dartship is long, and the save from Razor Rotors is even longer. Plan for it in the late 70s or 80s of a CHIMPS game, ideally with Rosalia's discount.
The standard crosspath is 5-0-2 for Faster Firing. 5-2-0 is only for camo detection when nothing else provides it.
Strengths and limits
It is easy to use on maps with one active lane per round, since Pursuit keeps it on the leading bloon. It is much weaker on maps with several entrances and exits, and it can chase stray bloons even with Monkey Intelligence Bureau support.
Compared with other tier 5s
In normal play, Apache Prime is often outclassed by tier 5s with a smoother save-up, such as the Carrier Flagship, or by similar-cost tier 5s with cheaper buffs, such as Bloon Exclusion Zone with Alchemist support. The Heli's own Comanche Commander is also much cheaper and easier to reach.
Where it does shine is with Rosalia, who can make the whole path noticeably cheaper, and in challenge modes where its all-in-one damage and free movement matter.
Is it worth it?
Only if your map suits it and you can afford the save. It is a strong tower, but the price makes it a niche pick in CHIMPS. In boss events, it is rarely the first choice.
Frequently asked questions
Can Apache Prime pop purple bloons?
Its quad lasers and plasma machine gun cannot, but the rotors and rockets can.
What is the best Apache Prime crosspath?
5-0-2 with Faster Firing.
How much does Apache Prime cost?
It costs $45,000 on Medium. The prices for every difficulty are shown on this page.
Guides that use Apache Prime
All Heli Pilot upgrades
Top path
Middle path
