progression help

my current max is tier 12, wave 40. the strat ive been using is knockback/orbs and thorns/hp with max defense%. I’ve read things about transitioning from these strats to damage scaling focused, but even after getting another 15-20 lab upgrades in attack damage and crit factor my damage jut gets outscalrd and i resort to hp and thorns mid run. am i attempting to make the switch too soon?