The latest All Star Tower Defense X update is being called the biggest one yet, bringing faster gameplay, reduced grind, and a host of exciting new units. Among them, Tony Stark has quickly become a hot topic.
Players are wondering if this blue ground unit is truly meta-worthy or just another strong but replaceable pick. After unlocking, evolving, and testing him at max level, here’s a full breakdown of his performance and whether he’s worth your gems and grind. Also check out our ASTD X Codes and Tier List!
How to Unlock and Evolving Tony Stark
To get Tony Stark, you’ll first need to summon him from the banner, which was no easy feat if you were chasing other update headliners like Toji. Once obtained, evolving Stark requires:
- 3 Lightning Lances
- 5 Tony’s Weapons
- 5 Ghost Rainbows
- 500 Enemy Kills
The evolution process involves completing quests from the NPC Okiora, battling Tony Stark himself in special missions, and farming kill counts in Infinite Mode. Compared to some evolutions in ASTD X, the grind here is manageable, especially if you have a solid roster of green and purple counter units for the required missions.
Tony Stark Stats and Abilities (Max Level)
At Level 80 Ascended, Stark’s base stats are impressive:
- Damage: 25,600
- SPA: 4.5 seconds
- Range: 57
- Placement Limit: 4
- Targeting: Ground-only
Stark starts with a wide cone multi-hit attack and transitions into a line-style beam, eventually unlocking Beam Spam, a long-range, high-frequency attack covering massive areas. While his DPS lands around 5,600 base (up to ~23,000 with optimal traits), the true strength lies in his combination of range and multi-hit potential.
Strengths and Weakness Tony Stark ASTD X
Strengths
- Exceptional Range: At 57 range, Stark can cover huge portions of the map, reducing the need for tight unit placement.
- Consistent DPS: With 4.5 SPA and multi-hit potential, his beam attacks are deadly against high-HP enemies.
- Manageable Upgrade Cost: Final upgrade costs are reasonable for his damage output and utility.
- Trait Synergy: Traits like Overlord or Sniper can make him even more dominant.
Weaknesses
- Ground-Only: Stark cannot hit air units, meaning you’ll need dedicated anti-air support.
- No Crowd Control: Unlike freeze or stun units, Stark relies purely on raw damage and range.
- Placement Limit: Capping at 4 placements restricts stacking damage in tighter maps.
Is Tony Stark Meta?
Yes – with caveats. Ascended Tony Stark is absolutely a meta ground DPS in the current ASTD X environment, especially in Infinite mode where his range and consistent damage shine. However, his inability to handle air enemies and lack of utility effects means he works best alongside hybrid or control units. For players already equipped with strong anti-air and CC options, Stark’s raw firepower can be the perfect finishing touch to a meta roster.
The grind for Ascended Stark is worth it if you’re looking for a long-range powerhouse to anchor your ground defense. He may not replace versatile hybrids or CC-heavy meta picks, but when it comes to clearing waves of high-HP enemies before they reach your core, few units in ASTD X can match his efficiency. If you have the gems, grab him while he’s still on the banner – and be ready to farm those quest items for his ascension.