The Golden Ranger is an upgraded version of the Ranger with it having more advanced technology that allows it to deal full damage to bullet resistant enemies, Stealth Detection for both paths, more range, more DPS, and the ability to stun any enemy on its Bottom Path with its grenade ability. However, it has a higher placement cost than the Ranger and the tower's upgrades are comparatively more expensive. It is an amazing early-mid game tower that is useful for most gamemodes, especially Expert Mode as it is able to beat the gamemode all by itself.
Upgrades[]
The Top Path for the Golden Ranger gives it immense range and converts to full auto, but for a high price tag. It also gives it the ability to ignore the laser resistance of enemies like Resurrected Laser Gunners and Apex Predator. However, it is recommended to use Top PathGolden Juggernauts or XWM Turrets instead of going for this path, as this tower has less health despite costing more than it's Bottom Path. However, if the player is in need of some extra DPS to defend against something with Laser Resistance like Assailants, then it can serve as a supporting role against it, especially if the player only runs XWM Turret and Warship as their main DPS.
The Bottom Path grants the Golden Ranger Stun Immunity and a grenade ability with a quick cooldown that can deal massive damage to enemies while being able to stun both normal enemies like the Charger Boss and bosses like Eradicator MK II for a full second, unlike the Grenadier, which can only stun normal enemies.
The Golden Ranger is a great early game tower due to its cheap cost and high DPS. However, other than Endless Mode, Easy Mode[1] or Expert Mode[1] you will have to wait a few waves to place it down. Only those three gamemodes start you out with $900 or more.
Time your Golden Ranger grenades, as bosses will ignore the stun if they're currently in an attack animation.
Be aware of how slow the Grenade is, as it may miss it's target if fast enough. This may be problematic when faced with a speed boosted Grumble.
Because the Golden Ranger's base damage type is Laser, it can damage bullet resistance enemies from its base level, making it very useful against these types of enemies, an example being the Revived Titan.
This does mean it is weaker against laser resistant enemies if it is not upgraded to the max top path.
The X-2 upgrade (which gives stealth detection) is cheap, meaning the Golden Ranger can be used effectively against stealth enemies early on.
Because the upgrade is not exclusive to any path, it also means the Golden Ranger has hidden detection in both paths, which makes it more versatile.
The Golden Ranger is not as cost effective for late game, it is recommended you use other high DPS towers such as Juggernaut or Golden Juggernaut.
However, this does not mean it is useless for late game as it still has high DPS and its grenade for support.
Trivia[]
The Golden Ranger could be seen using his grenade at the base level in the TDX XMAS event leak video.
In one John's development livestreams[2], the Golden Ranger previous cost was 42,500 instead of the current 38,500 listed in the shop.