Ranger — Tower Defense Simulator Guide
Category: DPS
Unlock: 12,000 Coins
Detection: Flying, Lead
Placement Limit: 8 per player
Tier Rating: S
Total Upgrade Cost: $52,250
The Ranger Tower Defense Simulator tower is a long-range sniper that can only be placed on cliff positions. With a massive range of 70 units (the highest of any tower), the Ranger deals heavy single-shot damage and provides a 10% range buff to nearby towers starting at Level 2. At max level, each Ranger Tower Defense Simulator shot deals 875 direct damage plus 375 splash damage via Explosive Impact, resulting in approximately 156 DPS. The Ranger is naturally immune to all stun effects.
Ranger Stats Per Level
The table below shows all Ranger Tower Defense Simulator upgrade levels and stats. Click any column header to sort. All values are sourced from the TDS Fandom wiki (checked August 2, 2026).
| Level | Upgrade Cost | Damage | Cooldown | Range | DPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4500 | 100 | 6 | 70 | 16.67 |
| 1 | 1500 | 100 | 4.75 | 70 | 21.05 |
| 2 | 5500 | 185 | 4.75 | 70 | 38.95 |
| 3 | 15750 | 430 | 4.5 | 70 | 95.56 |
| 4 | 25000 | 875 | 8 | 70 | 156.25 |
Note: Cliff placement only, Firerate 8.0s, Explosive Impact: 375 splash damage, 10% range buff, 5 explosion range
How to Get Ranger
The Ranger costs 12,000 Coins from the in-game Store with no level requirement. The Ranger Tower Defense Simulator unlock price is one of the higher coin costs, but it requires no triumph gating and no Gem investment.
At 12,000 Coins, the Ranger purchase represents a significant but straightforward investment. Unlike the Cowboy there is no triumph requirement, and unlike the Accelerator there is no Level 50 gate. You just need to save Coins from regular gameplay.
Is Ranger Worth It?
The Ranger is rated S tier overall in our tier list, with an A rating in solo and S ratings in both Fallen and Hardcore modes. Sources earnaldo.com and tower-defense-simulator.wiki confirm: stun immunity, 70-unit range, and 875 plus 375 splash damage at max level make the Ranger Tower Defense Simulator tower a powerhouse.
The cliff-only placement is the Ranger's main limitation. Not every map has ideal cliff positions, and on maps with poor cliff coverage the Ranger's effectiveness drops. However, on maps with good cliffs, a single Ranger covers nearly the entire path from its 70-unit range.
The Level 2 range buff (10% to nearby towers for 20 seconds at the start of each wave) adds team utility beyond raw DPS. Combined with Commander and DJ Booth buffs, a Ranger Tower Defense Simulator anchored setup achieves very high effective DPS. With a placement limit of 8 and total upgrade cost of approximately $52,250, the Ranger is expensive but delivers exceptional late-game value.
Ranger Tier Rating by Mode
Best Loadouts With Ranger
The Ranger excels in Fallen and Hardcore loadouts. A top-tier Fallen setup includes Ranger, Accelerator, Commander, DJ Booth, and Farm. The Ranger Tower Defense Simulator splash from Explosive Impact clears grouped enemies while Accelerator handles single-target boss burst.
In solo mode, try Ranger, Farm, Commander, Minigunner, and Cowboy. The Ranger Tower Defense Simulator tower covers long paths from cliff positions while Minigunner and Cowboy handle closer-range defense and income generation.
FAQ
Where can you place the Ranger in Tower Defense Simulator?
The Ranger can only be placed on cliff positions. It cannot be placed on normal ground tiles. This cliff-only restriction is offset by the Ranger's massive 70-unit range, which allows it to cover most of the map from a single cliff position.
Can the Ranger detect hidden enemies?
No. The Ranger cannot detect Hidden enemies at any level. However, its Explosive Impact splash at Level 4 can damage Hidden enemies if they are near a visible target. The Ranger does detect Flying (Level 0+) and Lead (Level 2+) enemies.