Pop and Awe

Pop and Awe replaces Bombardment with a screen-wide ability. For 8 seconds it stuns every bloon and blimp on screen except BADs and bosses (which still inch forward slowly), deals 20 damage per second to everything, and hits any newly spawned bloon immediately. The cooldown is 60 seconds. With the 0-5-2 crosspath, the ability also sets everything on fire for 36 damage every 1.25 seconds, for up to 7.5 seconds.

Outside the ability, the Mortar fires four times faster than Artillery Battery, deals +8 damage to stunned targets (up from +2), and has a larger blast. The regular burn with 0-5-2 also goes from 6 to 20 damage per tick and lasts twice as long. Pop and Awe also gives every Artillery Battery on the map +1 damage to BADs and bosses, though not to itself.

When to buy it

At $38,000 on Medium, Pop and Awe is one of the strongest tier 5s for its price and a top CHIMPS option if you can micro it. Use the ability on the round's hardest wave, and retarget the Mortar to the densest part of the track.

It shines on maps with long, compact loops such as Moon Landing and Dark Path. Towers that stun blimps, such as Relentless Glue, multiply its damage thanks to the stunned bonus.

Crosspaths:

• 2-5-0: Bloon Buster damage and bigger blasts. The standard choice.
• 0-5-2: the burn crosspath, adding strong damage over time and a burning ability.

Striker Jones is the best hero, with direct buffs to Mortars and stuns that work with the bonus damage.

Late game and bosses

Pop and Awe's ability is a reliable answer to the hardest late CHIMPS rounds. Against BADs and boss events, the stun does not apply, so its value comes from steady damage and buffing other Artillery Batteries.

Is it worth it?

Yes, it is one of the best tier 5s for the money. Compared with The Biggest One and Blooncineration, it gives the most direct damage and the strongest emergency button.

Frequently asked questions

Does Pop and Awe stun BADs?

No. BADs and bosses are not stunned, but other blimps up to ZOMG are.

What crosspath is best for Pop and Awe?

2-5-0 on most maps, 0-5-2 when burn damage fits better.

How much does Pop and Awe cost?

It costs $38,000 on Medium. The prices for every difficulty are shown on this page.