ASTD X Skill Tree Guide: How It Works, What to Pick, and Tips for Beginners

If you’re jumping into All Star Tower Defense X (ASTD X) and feel overwhelmed by the new skill tree system, you’re not alone. It might look complicated at first, but once you understand how it works, you’ll be able to plan your units better and make progress faster. In this guide, we’ll explain the basics of the skill tree system in ASTD X, how to unlock certain nodes, which paths to choose depending on your units, and what items you’ll need to upgrade. Check out our ASTD X Beginner Guide and All Star Tower Defense X codes for more redeemable rewards.

What Is the Skill Tree in ASTD X?

The skill tree is a new system in ASTD X that lets you upgrade your units in specific ways. Each unit has its own skill tree, and you can choose between paths like damage, range, or SPA (seconds per attack). But once you pick one, you’re locked in—you can’t switch to another path later for that same unit.

That’s why planning is important. You’ll need to think about what role you want that unit to play on your team. Some units are better with faster attacks, others benefit more from longer range or higher damage.

Duplicate Nodes and Hidden Nodes

Each skill tree contains three duplicate nodes. These require you to sacrifice extra copies of the same unit. So, in total, you’ll need four copies of any unit you plan to fully upgrade—one to use, and three more for the duplicate nodes.

Unlocking these duplicate nodes also reveals hidden nodes. One example is a node called Employment, which gives your unit a 20% chance to earn double money every time it gets a kill. This is perfect for starter units or early defense characters that help farm cash.

Example: Upgrading Goku

Let’s say you’re building Goku. If you choose the SPA route (lower attack cooldown), you can turn him into a fast-hitting money-maker, especially with the Employment node. But you have to grind for it—especially since units like Super Saiyan God Goku need to be evolved from lower star versions, which takes time and effort.

What’s the Best Skill Tree Path?

There’s no universal “best” path. It depends on your unit.

• For example, Some heroes doesn’t benefit from SPA or damage, so it makes more sense to upgrade range instead.
• On the other hand, if you have a unit meant to deal fast, repeated hits, you may want to pick SPA.
• Units that are meant to support or buff should prioritize upgrades that actually enhance their main function.

Keep in mind that some benefits you can get from skill trees may overlap with traits or buffs. So don’t waste nodes if your unit already gets similar boosts elsewhere.

How to Get Skill Orbs

To upgrade your skill tree, you’ll need Skill Orbs. These are earned from Challenge modes in the game. Unfortunately, this means a bit of grinding, especially if you want to fully upgrade multiple units. Plan your grind and focus on key units first to avoid wasting time.

ASTD X’s skill tree system adds a new layer of strategy, but it doesn’t have to be confusing. Focus on understanding what each unit needs and plan around that. The grind can be heavy, but with smart choices and efficient upgrades, your team will be stronger and more effective than ever. If you’re still unsure which path to take, don’t hesitate to experiment on less important units first before applying the same logic to your mains.