How to read an upgrade tree without wasting resources

Upgrade trees are my favorite and least favorite thing in strategy games. Done well, they force genuine choices. Done badly, they're just a time tax. Either way, you need a plan before you start clicking.

My first move in any new game is to screenshot the full tree if I can. Seeing where the branches eventually lead stops me from sinking everything into an early node that turns out to be a dead end.

Specialize rather than spread thin. A fully committed path usually beats two half-finished ones, especially in tower defence where single strong towers anchor a defense. Hedging feels safe and usually loses.

If a game lets you respec cheaply, experiment ruthlessly. If it doesn't, slow down and commit only when you understand the enemy types you'll face. Patience here saves hours of frustration later.