Why Simon (Drill Hero) Is a Must‑Have Unit in Universal Tower Defense Z
The latest Universal Tower Defense Z update, version 4.0, dropped a massive wave of new content — including a roster of 24 new units. Among them, Simon (the Drill Hero) stands out as one of the most visually spectacular and mechanically unique characters. If you’ve been wondering how to add this Secret‑rarity powerhouse to your team, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Universal Tower Defense Z Simon: how to unlock him, the evolution materials you’ll need, his Drill Mech passives, and whether he’s worth the grind. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to adding this Gurren Lagann‑inspired unit to your lineup.
How to Get Simon in Universal Tower Defense Z
Simon (officially called Drill Hero) is obtained from the Beast Desert Legend Stage, specifically from Act 3. Before you can access this Legend stage, you must first complete all chapters in the Beast Desert Story mode. Once you’ve done that, Act 3 becomes available.
Drop rates and pity system
- Base drop chance: 7.25% per completion.
- Pity guarantee: You are guaranteed to receive Drill Hero after 30 completions.
- Additionally, Act 3 also drops the Starry Glasses (used for evolution) with a 14.5% chance (pity at 15 completions).
| Item | Drop Rate | Pity |
|---|---|---|
| Drill Hero (Simon) | 7.25% | 30 runs |
| Starry Glasses | 14.5% | 15 runs |
| Unrivaled Fragment (for Visionary) | Varies | N/A |
Player experience: One content creator reported pulling Simon on his fourth run, but stressed that luck plays a big role. The creator also noted that early runs after the update were plagued by a bug where the victory screen wouldn’t appear, forcing players to return to the lobby manually. This issue was later addressed in a hotfix.
Evolution Requirements for Drill Hero (Spiral)
After you’ve obtained Drill Hero, you can evolve him into Drill Hero (Spiral). This evolution unlocks the full power of the Drill Mech and is essential for serious end‑game content.
Materials needed:
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Universal Fragment | 4 |
| Burning Fragment | 8 |
| Holy Fragment | 12 |
| Starry Glasses | 1 |
| Gold | 25,000 |
Where to farm fragments:
- Universal, Burning, Holy Fragments: Dropped from Challenges. They can also be purchased with Gold from the Merchant or with Virtual Tokens from the Virtual Merchant’s shop.
- Starry Glasses: As mentioned, these drop from Act 3 of Beast Desert Legend Stage. Because of the 14.5% drop chance and pity, you’ll likely acquire them while farming for Simon or shortly after.
Drill Hero Passives and How to Use the Drill Mech Effectively
Drill Hero himself does not attack. Instead, he summons a Drill Mech on the nearest path. The Drill Mech is where all the damage comes from, and it has a complex set of passives that scale as it deals damage.
Once placed, both Drill Hero and the Drill Mech can be upgraded with cash. The unit costs 4,000 Yen to deploy (no additional cost for the mech). Upgrading either one increases both the unit and the mech simultaneously.
Drill Mech Passives (Spiral Core)
| Condition / Trigger | Effect |
|---|---|
| On takedown | +1% Charge |
| 25% Charge | Gains new attack: Brute |
| On any attack | +2% Elemental Damage (cap: +20%), +5% AoE Size (cap: +35%) |
| 50% Charge | Each takedown grants +5% Charge |
| Active ability at 50% | Switch between Brute ( +25% Hyper Armor Damage) and Stylish (gains Hybrid) |
| 75% Charge | Hitting an enemy grants +5% Critical Rate (resets on critical hit) |
| 100% Charge | Use Control active ability to pilot the mech for 120 seconds |
| Every 180 seconds | Overpower Mode for 30 seconds: deals +50% True Damage |
Additionally, the Drill Mech has a secondary passive called Brotherly Force (exact details not fully disclosed, but it’s tied to synergy with other units).
Pro tip: The Control ability lets you manually aim the mech’s attacks, which is extremely useful against bosses or waves with clustered enemies. The Switch Attack feature allows you to toggle between Brute (anti‑shield/hyper armor) and Stylish (hybrid damage).
Best Traits and Relics for Simon
Because of his high placement cost (4,000 Yen) and scaling nature, choosing the right trait is crucial.
| Trait | Recommendation | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Sacred | ⭐ Best | Drastically reduces spawn cost, making him viable earlier in the game. |
| Ruler | ⭐ Good | Increases damage and range, with additional stat bonuses. |
| Adept or Zeal | ⭐ Situational | If you lack Sacred or Ruler, these can work but are less optimal. |
Relic recommendations:
- Elemental Damage: Since the Drill Mech gains +2% Elemental Damage per attack (up to 20%), boosting your base elemental damage is a priority.
- Crit Rate / Crit Damage: At 75% Charge, the mech gets stacking crit rate. Invest in relics that amplify critical hits.
- Placement Cost Reduction: If you don’t have Sacred, look for relics that reduce spawn cost.
Player experience: The content creator tested Simon without any relics and still found him effective, but noted that he felt the unit would truly shine with proper gear. Early player feedback on the subreddit suggests that Sacred is nearly mandatory for late‑game efficiency.
Is Simon Worth the Grind? Player Verdict
Universal Tower Defense Z Simon has received glowing reviews from the community, especially regarding his cutscene — widely described as one of the best in any tower defense game on Roblox. Voice acting, dramatic camera angles, and the sheer scale of the mech make him a delight to watch.
Pros:
- Unique “no‑attack” design forces you to manage the Drill Mech carefully.
- Excellent crowd control with massive AoE.
- Overpower Mode provides burst true damage.
- Viable on all game modes (story, legend, challenges).
Cons:
- High upfront cost (4,000 Yen) can delay your early game economy.
- Requires farming Legend Stage Act 3 (30 runs at worst).
- Reliance on scaling (Charge) means he’s weaker in short maps.
Community reports: Several players on the official Discord have noted that Simon feels “perfect for mid‑game carries” and pairs well with other Secret‑rarity units. However, some expressed disappointment that he only has one evolution (Spiral) — they hope a future update adds a final form (perhaps the “Super Tengen Toppa” look from the anime).
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is Simon in Universal Tower Defense Z?
Simon (Drill Hero) has a 7.25% drop chance from Act 3 of the Beast Desert Legend Stage. A pity system guarantees the unit after 30 completions.
What is the spawn cost of Simon (Drill Hero)?
The base placement cost is 4,000 Yen. There is no additional cost for summoning the Drill Mech.
Can you get Simon without spending Robux?
Yes. The Legend Stage is free to play as many times as you want. There are no premium‑currency requirements to obtain or evolve Universal Tower Defense Z Simon.
What is the best trait for Simon?
Sacred is widely considered the best trait because it reduces the high spawn cost. Ruler is a strong alternative if you can manage the cost.