Golden Bloons, What pops them and what doesn't

[scalenex]

I apologize if this was already covered in another thread.

I tried experimentation and it seems a coin flip whether or not I end up popping golden bloons or they get away. Why do they sometimes stick around and let me shoot them and other times shoot to the exit crazy quick?

What factors control it? What strategies are best for popping golden bloons?

[Ludoro]

This should answer your questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB8GoU8envk

Check the comments too, there's additional tips to be found there. Good luck!

[Joshua Kurayami]

My strategy just involves using a 2x4 ice monkey slightly further at the back while magic monkey mode i used 2.. maybe 3 2x3 ninjas, also at the back.

[Kamen Kreuz]

The reason it seems random is because the gold bloon randomly moves forward or back on the track when it takes damage. To consistently pop it, you need stuns with 100% up-time. Additionally, it gains properties like lead or camo as the game progresses.

My strategy is a 022 Ice Monkey at the back of the track. It will need camo support (village or Etienne) by round 30, and lead support (200 Alch is easiest) by round 40. This will work until they become ice-immune, but if you're grinding the achievements it's faster to only play until round 80, so you'll never see zebra golds. Take care that the Alch cannot reach the track, as you don't want him to attack the gold bloon.
You can also spam flashbang Ninjas, but this doesn't work as well.