Swordsman

After many times practicing on SFOTH, Swordsman is ready to slash enemies. Deals area damage.

Cost: 1000 Tix

This tower boasts a compact range but compensates with exceptional DPS, rapid attack speed, and an affordable cost. Its reliability and effectiveness make it a standout choice, holding its value consistently from early to late game. Undeniably, it reigns as the best tower in the game, providing unparalleled utility and performance in any strategy.

Upgrades

The top path is the definitive choice for this tower, offering unmatched value and utility. It is highly affordable, granting Hidden detection and Stun protection at a minimal cost. At the 4-X upgrade, it unlocks an additional poison effect that deals massive damage over time, particularly devastating against tanky enemies, dealing hundreds to thousands of damage as a secondary effect to its primary attacks. Remarkably, a 4-X Swordsman can outshine even a Heavy Gunner in raw DPS against the final boss. This path is often considered a win condition for challenging runs with specific modifiers, providing exceptional performance at a cost that remains competitive with other high-damage towers.

The bottom path focuses on boosting the Swordsman's DPS while introducing a burn effect to its attacks. However, its shortcomings overshadow its benefits. Lacking both Hidden detection and Stun protection, the tower is highly vulnerable to explosive units, as its short range ensures it will always be stunned when engaging them. While it theoretically deals higher DPS, this potential is rarely realized due to its inconsistency. Furthermore, the tankiest units in the game are camouflaged, making the lack of Hidden detection a critical flaw. Comparatively, the top path delivers far superior reliability, damage output, and versatility thanks to its poison effect and added utility, easily justifying its slightly higher cost. As a result, the bottom path is a poor investment and rarely worth considering in any strategic setup.

Base Stats

Top Path

Bottom Path

Stat	Value
Base Cost	$275
Base Damage	6
Base Cooldown	1.22s
Base Range	6
Splash Radius	1.25
Hidden Detection	Level 3-X

Longer Sword

Effect:
• +3 Damage
• +1 Range
• +0.25 Splash Radius

Cost: $475

Faster Swing

Effect:
• -0.22s Cooldown

Cost: $250

Gladiator Gear

Effect:
• +7 Damage
• -0.2s Cooldown
• +0.25 Splash Radius
• +Hidden Detection
• +Stun Protection

Cost: $1400

Venomshank

Effect:
• +21 Damage
• +1 Range
• +0.5 Splash Radius
• +Poison Effect
○ 2.5% Max HP per second for 3s, effects do not stack.

Cost: $9300

Sharper Sword

Effect:
• +2 Damage

Cost: $300

Wider Sword

Effect:
• +3 Damage
• +1 Splash Radius

Cost: $400

Geared Up

Effect:
• +10 Damage
• -0.35s Cooldown
• +1 Range
• +0.5 Splash Radius

Cost: $2700

Firebrand

Effect:
• +17 Damage
• +1 Splash Radius
• +Burn Effect
○ 20 DPS for 4s, effects do not stack.

Cost: $7500

Stats Table

Linear Path

Cross Path

Top Path

Bottom Path

Level	Cost	Damage	Cooldown	Range	Splash Radius	Hidden Detection
0-0	$275	6	1.22s	6	1.25	No
1-0	$750	9	1.22s	7	1.5	No
2-0	$1000	9	1s	7	1.5	No
3-0	$2400	16	0.8s	7	1.75	Yes
4-0	$11700	37	0.8s	8	2.25	Yes

Level	Cost	Damage	Cooldown	Range	Splash Radius	Hidden Detection
0-0	$275	6	1.22s	6	1.25	No
0-1	$575	8	1.22s	6	1.25	No
0-2	$975	11	1.22s	6	2.25	No
0-3	$3675	21	0.87s	7	2.75	No
0-4	$11175	38	0.87	7	3.75	No

Top Path

Bottom Path

Level	Cost	Damage	Cooldown	Range	Splash Radius	Hidden Detection
0-0	$275	6	1.22s	6	1.25	No
1-1	$1050	11	1.22s	7	1.5	No
2-2	$1700	14	1s	7	2.5	No
3-2	$3100	21	0.8s	7	2.75	Yes
4-2	$12400	42	0.8s	8	3.25	Yes

Level	Cost	Damage	Cooldown	Range	Splash Radius	Hidden Detection
0-0	$275	6	1.22	6	1.25	No
1-1	$1050	11	1.22s	7	1.5	No
2-2	$1700	14	1s	7	2.5	No
2-3	$4400	24	0.65s	8	3	No
2-4	$11900	41	0.65s	8	4	No

Unlocked at:
4-X

Poison Effect:
• 2.5% Max HP per second for 3s, effects do not stack

Ability Cooldown:
Passive

Unlocked at:
X-4

Fire Effect:
• 20 DPS for 4s, effects do not stack.

Ability Cooldown:
Passive