Exploring the New Garden Tower Defense Update: Starfruit and Bluminator Tested
The latest update in Garden Tower Defense (GTD) brings two exclusive new units — Starfruit and Bluminator — along with a few gameplay tweaks that have players experimenting with new strategies. After diving deep into the update, here’s a detailed breakdown of how these new additions perform, where they shine, and how they fit into current meta setups.
First Impressions: New Additions to the Garden
Right from the start, the update feels like a refreshing change of pace. The Starfruit and Bluminator both join the roster with distinct roles, though not all players will be equally impressed. The Starfruit is especially interesting — it’s classified as a starter unit but surprisingly offers endgame-level DPS when properly upgraded. On the other hand, the Bluminator seems like a pure damage dealer that struggles to stand out among stronger, more versatile towers.
One odd design choice is that both units are still priced in candy corn, a seasonal currency that many players hoped would be retired. For those who’ve been stacking seeds or other currencies, this might feel a little frustrating. Still, the grind for these exclusives is worth it if you’re a collector or like testing new synergies.
Starfruit: The Overachieving Starter
The Starfruit might look simple at first glance, but it quickly proves itself as a powerhouse. Its base DPS sits around 2,800 — quite high for a starter — and it’s surprisingly cheap to upgrade through the early stages. Once you reach the final upgrade tier (costing 25,000 candy corn), it transforms from a basic unit into an endgame threat.
What makes Starfruit especially exciting is its balance between accessibility and performance. It’s affordable to place multiple copies early in a match, yet still scales effectively for late-game waves. If you’re planning to buy GTD units, consider building your lineup around this one — it’s a solid investment for both beginners and veteran players.
In gameplay, the Starfruit’s wide range and consistent attack rate make it perfect for maps like Back Garden Impossible, where you need to handle swarms early while preparing for tougher bosses. However, without support from slowing or confusion units, it can struggle against heavy tanks.
Enchanting Rose and Crowd Control Synergies
Alongside the new damage dealers, the Enchanting Rose adds a whole new layer of strategy. This unit can hypnotize enemies, causing them to turn and attack their allies. When combined with the Confusion Plant, it creates devastating crowd-control loops that can melt enemy waves before they reach your defenses.
While the focus of the update is clearly on Starfruit and Bluminator, the Rose deserves equal attention. It offers an alternative to traditional stuns or slows, allowing enemies to destroy each other while your DPS towers focus elsewhere. Players experimenting with hybrid builds that include the Corrupted Stem and Stick Pedal will find the Enchanting Rose to be an incredibly fun and tactical addition.
Bluminator: Heavy Hitter with Limited Utility
Now let’s talk about the Bluminator, the other headline unit in this update. Unfortunately, despite its promising stats, it doesn’t quite deliver. It’s marketed as a high-DPS unit, but it lacks range and versatility. Its final upgrade costs a staggering 45,500 candy corn, and yet the return on that investment feels minimal.
The Bluminator has a max placement of two and doesn’t seem to gain any unique effects or synergies with other towers. Compared to Starfruit’s flexibility, Bluminator’s limited range and slow fire rate make it situational at best. Unless you’re trying to complete your collection of GTD units, this one might not be worth prioritizing for most players.
Surviving the Impossible Waves
During the test runs on Impossible Mode, it became clear that this update’s real challenge lies in balancing your lineup between pure DPS and control effects. Players who relied solely on damage were quickly overwhelmed by high-HP bosses, while those who mixed in crowd-control units like Stick Pedal and Enchanting Rose fared much better.
Upgrading your Earth Dragon and maintaining a steady rotation of Reflectia units also proved essential in the later waves. The boss units, particularly the Wasp Queen and the Hidden Tank, can easily ruin a good run if not properly managed. Having confusion units in play can literally save a match in those tense late-game moments.
If you’re planning to strengthen your roster or expand your build options, platforms like U4GM provide a reliable way to explore different upgrade paths and resources. It’s especially handy for players who don’t want to grind every event manually.
Overall, this update adds exciting new dynamics to Garden Tower Defense. The Starfruit stands out as one of the best starter-to-endgame units ever added, while the Enchanting Rose redefines what crowd control can look like in a tower defense game. The Bluminator, though flashy, falls short of expectations and may need a future rework to justify its cost.
For now, focus on experimenting with Starfruit-based builds and pairing confusion effects for maximum control. If you love mixing strategy with experimentation, this patch has plenty to offer — and it’s a great time to revisit GTD and see how these new units change the way we defend our gardens.
