Maze design 101 for tower defence beginners

The single biggest jump most tower defence beginners can make is understanding the maze. Every tower has a range, and a straight enemy path wastes most of that range. Force the path to curve back on itself and a single tower suddenly hits enemies two or three times as they wind past.

Start by treating your map as empty space to shape, not slots to fill. Even a simple S-bend near your strongest towers can turn a leaky defence into a wall. I like to sketch the intended path in my head before placing anything.

Then think about chokepoints. One tight corner where every enemy has to slow down is worth more than three towers spread thin across the map. Splash damage in particular loves a corner, since enemies bunch up right where the hit lands.

Finally, leave yourself room to adapt. A maze that's fully committed on wave one can't respond when a flying enemy or a fast rusher shows up. Keep a couple of open tiles for emergencies. You'll thank yourself around wave twelve.