Fortunately my 2-5-0 Ice Monkey w/ 2-5-0 Glue Gunner still absolutely wrecks anything short of a MOAB regardless of group size. Strangely, it took me a while to get accustomed to the alchemist but I get the feeling that his bottom path may synergize with this.
I used a 032 Wizard, a 420 alchemist and a 420 tack shooter at the end of the track when money is available to first add the tack shooter then upgrade to a 420 ts.
0-2-4 ice across from a 0-2-3 wizard with a 3-2-0 spike factory at the end of the track worked for me. had to upgrade the spactory as the levels progressed
I think it's only annoying if you're actively achievement hunting, the average player will get the achievement eventually if they are going for golden bloons when they appear