- Primary Units: The Update 5 Pencil Race introduces unique skibi defense units capable of cloning and summoning.
- Top DPS: Blastery Colossal Pencor leads the pack with a massive 76 million DPS at max level.
- Cloning Mechanic: Use the "Red" resource to clone powerful allies, including Prime or Gman units.
- New Map: Enerus serves as the primary testing ground for these high-tier summoning units.
- Key Strategy: Balance summoners like the Pencil Helicopter with high-damage dealers like C Pen for optimal defense.
Update 5: The Rise of the Pencil Race
The latest expansion to the Enerus map has introduced a transformative roster of skibi defense units known as the Pencil Race. Unlike traditional towers that rely solely on direct fire, the Pencil Race shifts the meta toward cloning mechanics and summoning swarms. This update requires players to manage a new resource—Red energy—to maximize the effectiveness of their defensive lines. Understanding the synergy between cloning duration and raw damage output is now essential for clearing high-wave content on the Enerus map.
Video Highlights:
- Detailed showcase of the new Pencil Race units and their unique cloning abilities.
- Breakdown of the Enerus map layout and optimal placement zones.
- Comparison of DPS stats for the Blastery Colossal Pencor and C Pen.
- Demonstration of the "Red" energy resource management for cloning high-tier units.
The introduction of the Pencil Race marks the first time line-attack mechanics and unit cloning have become central to the high-level strategy in skibi defense.
| Unit Name | Primary Role | Base DPS | Special Mechanic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pencil | Starter/Cloner | 500 | Clones units using Red energy |
| Pencil Helicopter | Summoner | Variable | Summons Pencil crew, Line attack |
| Large Hammer Pencil | AOE Dealer | 369,000 | 10m AOE width, Low cooldown |
| C Pen | Main DPS | 1.44 Million | Razor/Minigun hybrid, Piercing |
| Blastery Colossal Pencor | Ultra DPS | 76 Million | High-cost cloning, Massive damage |
Cloning Mechanics and Red Energy Management
At the heart of the new skibi defense units is the cloning system. Units like the standard Pencil and the Chief Pencil Guy do not just attack; they replicate other units on the field. This process is fueled by "Red," a resource that regenerates over time. Managing your Max Red capacity and Regen rate is the difference between a temporary distraction and a permanent wall of fire.
The cloning duration increases significantly with unit upgrades. For instance, a base Pencil unit starts with a short clone duration, but as you invest in upgrades, the clones persist longer on the battlefield, allowing for overlapping damage windows. This is particularly effective when cloning high-value targets like Upgraded Colossal Clock or Gman, though the Red cost for such elite units is substantially higher.
Red Resource
- Regen Rate: Increases by 0.5 per second at higher tiers.
- Max Capacity: Determines which units can be cloned.
- Strategic Use: Save Red for high-DPS clones during boss waves.
Cloning Duration
- Base Tiers: 5 to 7.5 seconds of active time.
- High Tiers: Extended windows for sustained DPS.
- Cooldowns: Manage the gap between clone expirations.
Target Priority
- DPS Targets: Clone units with over 1M damage.
- Utility Targets: Clone units with slow or stun effects.
- Placement: Place cloners near the strongest units on your map.
When using the Chief Pencil Guy, focus on upgrading his Max Red capacity early. This allows him to clone more expensive units like C Pen much sooner in the match.
| Upgrade Level | Max Red | Clone Duration | Regen Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 10 | 3.0s | 0.25/s |
| Level 2 | 12 | 5.0s | 0.50/s |
| Level 3 | 15 | 7.5s | 0.50/s |
| Max Level | 245+ | 15.0s+ | 1.00/s+ |
Top-Tier Unit Analysis: Blastery Colossal Pencor & C Pen
In the current meta, the Blastery Colossal Pencor stands as the undisputed queen of the skibi defense units. With a staggering 76 million DPS at max level, she is designed to shred through the highest HP bosses in the game. Her high cost is justified by her ability to clone almost any unit, including Prime and Gman, provided you have the Red energy to support the transformation.
C Pen, while offering lower raw DPS than the Colossal Pencor, provides more consistent mid-game pressure. Utilizing a combination of razors and a minigun, C Pen features a piercing attack that can hit multiple enemies in a line. This makes C Pen ideal for corridor defense where enemies are tightly packed.
Blastery Colossal Pencor is extremely expensive. Do not attempt to rush her in early waves without a solid economy or you will be overwhelmed by smaller mobs.
| Feature | C Pen | Blastery Colossal Pencor |
|---|---|---|
| Max DPS | 1.44 Million | 76 Million |
| Attack Type | Pierce/Minigun | High-Burst/Cloning |
| Primary Use | Lane Clearing | Boss Shredding |
| Cloning Ability | No | Yes (Up to 245 Red) |
| Charge Time | Short | Moderate |
Economy Building
Focus on low-cost units and income generation in the first 10 waves. Avoid placing high-tier Pencil units too early.
Mid-Game Piercing
Deploy C Pen at the end of a long straightaway to maximize his piercing minigun and razor damage.
Late-Game Scaling
Transition into Blastery Colossal Pencor once your Max Red capacity can support cloning high-tier allies.
Summoning Units and Swarm Tactics
The Pencil Helicopter and Large Pencil Summoner represent a different side of the skibi defense units roster. Instead of cloning existing towers, these units summon independent "Pencil Men" to the front lines. These summons act as mobile blockers and damage dealers, moving toward the enemy spawn point to engage targets before they reach your main defensive line.
The Pencil Helicopter is particularly unique due to its line attack, a new mechanic for the game. It summons various members of the "Pencil Crew," providing a constant stream of fodder to distract and damage incoming waves. While their individual DPS might seem low compared to C Pen, the collective damage of a summoned swarm can effectively stall even the fastest enemies.
Summoned units have their own health and damage stats. They are best used to create "choke points" far away from your base.
| Summoner Unit | Max Summon Count | Summon Type | Key Attribute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pencil Helicopter | 5 | Pencil Crew | Line Attack support |
| Large Pencil Summoner | 3-5 | Pensman Tiers | High scaling (111M DPS) |
| Chief Pencil Guy | 4 | Mixed Pencil Units | Combined Summon/Clone |
| Large Hammer Pencil | N/A | AOE Hammer | Heavy Stun/Knockback |
Optimal Placement and Synergies
To get the most out of your skibi defense units, placement is everything. Because many Pencil units utilize line attacks or AOE hammers, they should be placed at corners or at the start of long straight paths. The Large Hammer Pencil, for example, has an AOE width of 10 meters, making it incredibly effective when enemies are bunched up at a turn.
Synergy is also vital. Pairing a Chief Pencil Guy with a high-damage unit like a Titan allows you to effectively double your strongest unit's presence for a fraction of the original cost. However, you must ensure your Red energy regeneration can keep up with the expiration of the clones.
The 'Cloning' Pocket
Create a cluster of your strongest non-Pencil units in one area. Place your Pencil cloners in the center to ensure they always have high-value targets within their range.
The 'Swarm' Frontline
Place Pencil Helicopters and Summoners near the enemy entrance. This forces enemies to waste time and damage on summons rather than your main towers.
Invest in the Large Pencil Summoner's final upgrades to reach the 55 Red threshold, which is the sweet spot for cloning most mid-to-high tier utility units.
Progression Checklist & FAQ
The Pencil Race offers a complex but rewarding playstyle for those willing to master the Red energy system. By following the upgrade paths and placement strategies outlined above, you can conquer the Enerus map and push into the deep endgame of skibi defense.
Pencil Race Mastery Checklist:
- Unlock the Enerus map for testing
- Reach Max Level with Blastery Colossal Pencor
- Successfully clone a Prime or Gman unit
- Master Red energy management for 100% clone uptime
- Deploy a full Pencil Helicopter swarm
Q: What is the best skibi defense unit for boss damage in Update 5?
The Blastery Colossal Pencor is the best unit for boss damage, reaching up to 76 million DPS at her maximum upgrade level.
Q: How does the 'Red' energy resource work for Pencil units?
Red energy is a unique resource used by Pencil units to clone other towers. It has a maximum capacity and a regeneration rate that can be improved through unit upgrades.
Q: Can the Pencil units clone any tower in the game?
Most Pencil units can clone a wide variety of towers, including elite units like Prime or Gman, provided the unit's Max Red capacity meets the cost of the target tower.
Q: What is the benefit of the Pencil Helicopter's line attack?
The line attack allows the unit and its summons to damage every enemy within a specific path, making it highly effective against dense waves of enemies on straight tracks.