In my experience as a Bloons TD 6 player, I have found both CHIMPS (no Continues, Hearts, Income, Monkey Knowledge, Powers, or Selling) and Half Cash modes to be quite challenging in their own ways. However, when it comes to determining which is harder, I would have to say that it ultimately depends on the specific stages of the game and the player’s individual playstyle.
Let’s start by discussing CHIMPS mode. In this mode, you are not allowed to generate any additional income throughout the game, making it particularly difficult in the early game. Without any income, you have to rely solely on the starting cash and whatever you can earn from popping bloons to purchase and upgrade towers. This restriction forces players to carefully plan their tower placements and upgrades, as every dollar spent needs to be maximized for efficiency.
One of the biggest challenges in CHIMPS mode lies in the fact that you have to survive multiple deadly rounds in the late game. Rounds like 95, 98, and 99 can be incredibly tough to pass, as they feature large and powerful bloons that require specific tower combinations or strategies to effectively deal with. These rounds often demand precise timing and coordination between different towers, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the mode.
On the other hand, Half Cash mode poses its own set of challenges. In this mode, your income is significantly reduced, making it much harder to afford expensive towers and upgrades. This restriction forces players to think strategically and make careful decisions about which towers to prioritize and when to upgrade them. Unlike CHIMPS, where you have a fixed starting cash, Half Cash mode introduces an element of uncertainty and resource management throughout the entire game.
While CHIMPS mode primarily focuses on surviving the late game rounds, Half Cash mode presents its own set of deadly rounds earlier on. Rounds like 40, 63, and 78 can be particularly brutal, as they often overwhelm players with large numbers of bloons and powerful MOAB-class balloons. In these rounds, players must find creative ways to efficiently pop bloons without relying heavily on expensive towers or high-level upgrades.
In terms of overall difficulty, it is subjective and can vary from player to player. Some players may find the income restrictions of Half Cash mode to be more challenging, as it affects their ability to build and upgrade towers throughout the entire game. Others may struggle more with CHIMPS mode due to its demanding late game rounds and the need for precise tower coordination.
Both CHIMPS and Half Cash modes provide unique challenges and require players to think strategically and make efficient use of their resources. CHIMPS mode presents difficulties primarily in the early game and has more deadly rounds to pass in the late game, while Half Cash mode makes the entire game difficult due to its income restrictions and features its own set of deadly rounds. Ultimately, the harder mode depends on the player’s playstyle and the specific stages they find most challenging.