If you suddenly lose a run around Wave 45-50 without seeing any enemies reach the end, you likely fell victim to the Invisible (Stealth) mechanic.
In PokePath TD, certain enemies like Kecleon, Ninjask, and Ghost-types possess the “Invisible” trait. Your standard towers (like Charizard or Lucario) cannot see or attack them. They will walk right past your defenses and drain your hearts instantly.
To survive the mid-to-late game, you must have a Detection Unit on your team. This guide covers everything you need to know.
👻 How Invisibility Works
- The Mechanic: Invisible enemies are untargetable by standard units. They do not trigger attacks, and projectiles will not lock onto them.
- The Danger Waves:
- Wave 40-50: The first “Stealth Check.” Usually fast, low-HP invisible units.
- Wave 70+: High-HP invisible tanks that require sustained DPS to kill after being revealed.
- The Solution: You need a Pokémon with a Passive Ability that grants “Detection” or “True Sight.” Once an invisible enemy enters the range of a Detection Unit, it becomes permanently revealed for all your other towers to attack.
👁️ Top 3 Best Detection Units
You don’t need all of them, but you should have at least one of these in your active party.
1. Murkrow / Honchkrow (The DPS Choice)
- Role: Detection + Damage
- Why it’s the best: Honchkrow is not just a support ward; it deals respectable damage. Its passive allows it to see and attack invisible units.
- Synergy: Since it’s a Dark/Flying type, it pairs well with other Flying types if you are running a synergy build.
- Recommendation: S-Tier. The most efficient slot usage because it contributes to DPS while revealing.
2. Natu / Xatu (The Support Choice)
- Role: Pure Utility / Buffer
- Why use it: Xatu is a fantastic support unit. Besides revealing invisible enemies, it often provides buffs or crowd control (depending on the specific patch version).
- Recommendation: A-Tier. Great if you already have a “Hyper Carry” (like a maxed-out Garchomp) and just need a cheap unit to act as a radar.
3. Spoink / Grumpig (The Budget Choice)
- Role: Early Game Detection
- Why use it: Spoink is often easier to find in eggs early on. It gets the job done but lacks the late-game scaling of Honchkrow.
- Recommendation: B-Tier. Use it if you haven’t hatched a Murkrow yet.
🧠 Strategic Placement for Detection
Having a Murkrow is not enough; you must place it correctly.
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The “Choke Point” Rule: Place your Detection Unit at the very start of your kill zone (or the map entrance).
- Why? You want to reveal the invisible enemy immediately so your other towers have the maximum amount of time to attack it.
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Range is Key: Level up your Detection Unit! Higher levels usually mean more Range. The larger the blue circle (range), the earlier it “spots” the ghosts.
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The “Sniper” Setup:
- Front: Murkrow (Reveals the enemy).
- Back: Greninja/Sniper (Long-range DPS).
- Combo: As soon as Murkrow spots the Ninjask, your Greninja can instantly lock on from across the map.
🛡️ Summary Checklist
Before you start a run on Route 2 or Route 3, check your team:
- Do I have a Murkrow, Xatu, or Spoink?
- Is it leveled up enough (Level 20+) to have decent range?
- Did I place it near the entrance of my defense setup?
Don’t let the ghosts ruin your win streak. Recruit a detector today!