jpsalas,
Version:1.02,
Stern 2003,
IPD No. 4858
Rules:
Version:1.02,
Stern 2003,
IPD No. 4858
Rules:
P i n b a l l R u l e s h e e t 1 . 1
Written by Larry Scott - metallik@fuse.net (metallik on rec.games.pinball)
Valinor Multiball part written by The_Black_Knight for rec.games.pinball
Special thanks to PBLWZRD - without his machine, this rulesheet wouldn't
have been written!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Feb 2004. Permission granted to everyone to copy and use this
rulesheet an any manner, provided it retains this author and copyright
information. Feel free to add to it, fix mistakes, etc.
This rulesheet covers the Lord of the Rings pinball machine manufactured
by Stern Pinball, Inc (http://www.sternpinball.com (Stern Pinball)). It is based off ROM
version 5.01, but may be updated for future releases. Most of the rules
and scoring ae based off factory settings - many things can be altered
via the operator adjustments, so if your machine plays differently, it
may not be running factory settings.
*Update* - It appears the last ROM release will be version 8.0
Some changes from this rom version are now included, along with Valinor
information posted by The_Black_Knight to rec.games.pinball!
*NOTE* There are almost certainly mistakes in this rulesheet. Keith's
rules are incredibly complicated - many things affect scoring, some
of them quite subtle. If you see a mistake, PLEASE let me know so it can
be FIXED. There also may be things MISSING - Feel free
to reply with these additions so they can be added. Thanks!
Abbreviations:
--------------
FotR MB - Fellowship of the Ring Multiball
TTT MB - The Two Towers Multiball
RotK MB - Return of the King Multiball.
PotD - the Paths of the Dead
VUK - Vertical Upkicker
--------------------
Playfield layout
--------------------
Starting with the flippers and going clockwise:
Two flippers - Standard position.
Left slingshot - Standard position.
Left inlane - lights first E in K-E-E-P. Inlane/outlane divider post ships
with no rubber. Rubber can be easily added, however. Also lights "Spot
Ring" target (see Rings).
Left outlane - lights K in K-E-E-P. Has adjustable post on left side.
Games ship with post in highest (most difficult) position.
The Shire - Also known as Hobbiton. Big open area on left, similar to
Medieval Madness's Catapult shot. Instead of a gate, this area is recessed
to keep shots in. Balls can get here either from the playfield, or from
the Paths of the Dead. Can be lit for Mystery (see Rings). Can award
Souls (see RotK MB). Can award Sam (see FotR MB).
Left orbit - Shots here normally travel around the left orbit, across the
top of the playfield and into Barad-Dur (upper-right eject). During certain
modes, the game will raise a post to divert balls into Orthanc. Weak shots
will continue around, under Barad-Dur and around the right orbit. Weaker
shots fall into the O-R-C lanes. Very weak shots fall into the Orthanc VUK
without the assistance of the post. This shot can be lit for a Gift of the
Elves (see Gifts of the Elves), as well as Pippen (FotR MB).
Left ramp - Feeds left inlane via wireform. This ramp awards Legolas
(FotR MB). Can be lit for a Ring (see Rings)
Orthanc Tower - VUK located behind left ramp. Can be accessed via either
orbit (with help from a diverter post), or from the inner orbit shot if
the diverter is open. This VUK feeds the Paths of the Dead.
Inner orbit - Shot located between the left ramp and the Ring ramp. Awards
Gandalf (FotR MB). Shots here normally travel around the right orbit. The
ball will usually lose a bit of momentum around the right side, but can
occasionally come around VERY quickly. Weak shots will fall into the O-R-C
lanes. The "made" switch for this shot is the gate just around the first
bend, so these weak shots count as successful inner orbits. Can be lit for a
Ring (see Rings).
Ring Ramp - Brass-plated metal ramp located roughly in the middle of the
playfield, slightly off-center to the left. Has a spinner at the entrance.
This ramp extends over the inner orbit, and ends apprx 2 inches away from
the Ring in the backboard. Strong shots will jump the ramp and make it
into the Ring. Weak shots will fall off the end of the ramp, into the
upper orbit area and into Barad-Dur or the O-R-C lanes. This shot awards
Frodo (FotR MB).
Balrog - Large red Balrog toy located in the middle of the playfield.
Normally is parked out of the way, between the Ring Ramp and Gollum's Cave.
During some modes, it will swing out and block the Ring Ramp. Shots to the
Balrog MUST hit the center part of the figure firmly - hitting the posts on
either side does not count, and weak hits will also not count. The
Balrog pivots and must pivot enough to close the switch.
The Ring - Large ring in the backboard. This shot can only be made by
jumping the Ring Ramp into it. The Ring is equipped with a magnet that will
grab the ball - the spinner switch triggers the magnet for a brief time
to assist shots to the Ring. This shot awards Frodo towards FotR MB.
The Ring also starts Modes (see Ring Modes). The magnet can drop the ball
either out the front (usually if the Ring wasn't lit for anything), or pull
it through the Ring, where it will exit to the right, down the Gollum
wireform and eventually to the right inlane.
Palantir - White target located to the right of the Ring Ramp. Can award
mystery awards when lit (see Palantir). Shots from the left flipper can
easily rebound SDTM.
Gollum's Cave - otherwise known as the Right VUK - this is the VUK located
between Palantir and the right ramp. Balls can get here either from the
flippers, or from the jet bumpers just above it. Balls shot from the
flippers can easily go over the saucer and into the jets. Rules for
scoring lit awards are as follows: If the ball enters from the flippers
and sticks, lit awards are scored. If the ball is shot from the flippers,
goes through the VUK and into the jets, then back into the VUK, you get
the award. You do NOT get the award if the ball arrives to the jets via
any orbit, Ring Ramp or Barad-Dur, and then goes into Gollum. This VUK
can be lit for Gollum Multiball, Extra Ball, Special, and Gimli (FotR MB).
It will also award "Super" modes (see Gollum's section). This VUK feeds
the right ramp sword which feeds the right inlane.
Jet Bumpers - three of them, located under the O-R-C lanes and above
Gollum's Cave. They have red flashers. Scoring enough bumper hits will
award Boromir (FotR MB).
O-R-C lanes - Three rollover lanes above the jet bumpers. Completing
O-R-C increases the bonus multiplier. Lit lanes can be rotated with the
flippers.
Barad-Dur - Eject hole located in the far upper-right of the playfield,
similar to Terminator 2. Has a model of Barad-Dur over it. Can be shot
from the left orbit, or sometimes by luck as missed Ring shots dribble
down into it. This re-lights Palantir and awards other bonuses
(see Barad-Dur).
Right ramp - otherwise known as the Sword Ramp or Aragorn. Shots here will
usually hit a target at the ramp U-turn, then come back down a reproduction
"sword" metalform. The "made" switch for this shot is under the hilt of
the sword, so the white target isn't essential to making this shot. Can
award Aragorn (FotR MB), TTT MB locks and TTT MB start. This ramp feeds
the right inlane. The sword metalform holds locked balls with a nylon
post. If a ball is shot here when lock is not lit, and there are locked
balls held by the post, the game will release a locked ball as soon as the
first ball closes the "shot made" switch. If there are locked balls here
and a ball comes from Gollum's wireform, the game will release a locked
ball as soon as the switch just below Gollum's VUK is made. Be ready for
these releases. Can be lit for a Ring (see Rings).
Right orbit - Shots here orbit around the left orbit and back to the
flippers. Weak shots will fall into the O-R-C lanes or Orthanc. Awards
Merry (FotR MB). Note that very weak shots that close the first switch,
then roll back and close the switch again will count as "made" and award
any lit items. Bug? Can be lit for a Ring (see Rings).
Spot Ring target - large white target along the side of the playfield,
below the right orbit. Spots one Ring (Elf, Dwarf, Man) when lit.
Right slingshot - standard position.
Right outlane - Lights P in K-E-E-P.
Right inlane - Lights second E in K-E-E-P. No rubber here from the factory
on the divider post. Shots to the left orbit from a right inlane feed are
diverted to Orthanc.
Ring display - Just above the flippers, three concentric circles display
how many Elf, Dwarf and Man rings are collected. See Rings for more
information.
Plunger lane - Auto/manual plunger.
---------------
SKILL SHOTS
---------------
Skill shots are lit on any ball plunged to the shooter lane EXCEPT balls
saved by a ballsaver, and the plunge immediately after a successful Ring
destruction. There are three skill shots: lanes, tower and flipper:
Lane - Plunge the ball softly into the flashing O-R-C lane. Awards +5X
bonus multiplier if made. Lit O-R-C lane can be moved via flippers.
Tower - plunge a bit stronger to drop the ball into Orthanc. This awards
250K plus 50K for each successive made tower skillshot. Also good
for a free trip to the PotD.
Flipper - Plunge strong to go all the way around the left orbit, then
shoot the right orbit from the flipper. Good for 1.25M for the
first shot, increasing by ????? for successive shots.
---------
RINGS
---------
+-+--------------------------------------------------------+-+
+-+ +-+
| Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, |
| Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, |
| Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, |
| One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne |
| In the land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. |
| One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, |
| One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them |
| In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. |
+-+ +-+
+-+--------------------------------------------------------+-+
Collecting Rings:
Four shots (left and right ramps, inner orbit and right orbit) have three
Ring inserts each, one for Elf, one for Dwarf and one for Man. While no
modes or multiballs are in effect (except Gollum MB), each of these shots
will have one of the three inserts lit. Hitting that shot will award one
Ring of the type that was lit, and light all other shots for a short combo
attempt to collect two more of (usually) the ring type just collected. Ex:
Player shoots left ramp, which is lit for a Dwarf Ring. This adds one
Dwarf Ring, and lights every shot (via the red arrows) for two more Dwarf
Rings. The combo attempt times out after a few seconds, at which point
various Rings will again be lit at each of the four shots. When lighting
Ring, the game tends to favor Rings the player needs more. Hitting the
"Spot Ring" target will award one ring of random type. The left inlane
will re-light this target - it remains lit until collected. Combo rings
score increasing values, depending on the type of Ring.
Note: if Mode Start is not lit, hitting the center Ring shot will award
one Elf Ring.
Ring Awards: Collecting all Rings of a type (3 Elf, 7 Dwarf, 9 Man) will
award the following:
Elves: Lights Mode Start at center Ring shot (see Modes)
Dwarves: Lights MYSTERY at the Shire (see Mystery)
Man: Lights Gollum Multiball at Gollum's Cave. (see Gollum MB)
Once an award is lit, Rings of that type can still be collected, but they
simply award points until the lit award itself is collected, which resets
the Ring count of that type. If you combo a Ring type that you have
already completed, some shots will be lit for combos but for other
Ring types instead.
Ring Frenzy:
Collecting all of each Ring type at least once (3 Elven, 7 Dwarven and
9 Man) will start Ring Frenzy. This is a single-ball hurryup mode with
the following shots and rules: Each of the three inserts at each of the
four Ring shots will begin pulsing, the main Ring shot up the middle
is lit for Jackpot, and a ten-second timer starts. Each shot to any of
the four Ring shots collects an insert and lights it solid, awarding
100K for the first insert, 125K for the second and 150K for the
third. Collecting any insert also resets the ten-second timer.
These points are also added to the main Ring jackpot, which starts
at 600K. Completing all three inserts on any shot "finishes" that shot,
and increases the main Jackpot multiplier by one, to a maximum of 5 (all
four shot sets complete). Shooting the main Ring collects the Jackpot at
whatever value and multiplier it was increased to, and ends Ring Frenzy.
Note that it is possible to have all Rings lit in the LED display, but not
get Ring Frenzy. How is this so? Each collection of Man, Dwarf and Elf
rings counts towards only one Frenzy. Once Frenzy has been awarded, EACH
of the corresponding playfield Ring awards (Gollum MB, Mystery and Mode Start)
MUST be re-collected to reset that race's Ring count. Frenzy will not be
awarded until ALL rings are recollected - lit rings from the "last" Frenzy
that haven't been reset by collecting the playfield award will not count.
Ring Bonus: The spinner on the main Ring ramp increases the Ring Bonus
1000 points per spin. Shooting the main Ring when it is not lit for a mode
will award this bonus. Ring Bonus normally resets after each ball, but some
mystery awards will hold it.
---------
MODES
---------
Six modes are listed on the plastic surrounding the center Ring, two from
each of the three movies. Hitting either flipper will change the currently
selected mode. If Mode Start is lit on the center shot (from three Elf
rings), shooting the Ring starts the currently selected mode. The game
will hold the ball in the Ring while the mode intro is displayed, although
occasionally the ball will escape and fall onto the playfield during the
intro. Any mode intro can be aborted by the flippers. Modes are exclusive -
only one can run at a time. Once it is finished, the player must collect
three Elf rings to re-light Mode Start. After the into is displayed, the
ball is sucked through the Ring, eventually fed to the right inlane.
Completing a mode successfully will light a Gift of the Elves (see Elf Gifts)
Modes are as follows:
Escape the Ringwraiths:
This mode is a hurryup mode. During the entire mode. two shots are always
lit - the current 'destination' and the right ramp. 1,000,000 appears on the
screen and quickly begins to count down. The player must hit the flashing
'destination' shot before this countdown expires. Shooting the right ramp
(always lit) at any time adds approximately 200,000 to the countdown.
Shooting the flashing 'destination' shot completes it and awards the current
countdown value, then adds approximately 200,000 to the value and lights the
next 'destination' shot. The shots are: right VUK, inner orbit, left ramp,
and finally the right ramp to finish. If the countdown bottoms out
at 200,000, the mode ends unsuccessfully. There is a short grace period at
the end of this countdown.
Gandalf vs Saruman:
Help Gandalf battle Saruman. Both ramps begin lit - the player must shoot
four ramp shots, scoring 250K, 500K, 750K and 1M. Any ramp shot
immediately following a previous ramp shot scores double, so the last three
could possibly be 1M, 1.5M and 2M. After these four shots, Orthanc will be
lit for 1.25M. Next, a roving shot will light, starting at Gollum's Cave.
This shot is worth 1.5M. Finally, Orthanc will re-light to finish the mode
for 2M. A 30 second timer runs - if this timer expires, the mode ends
unsuccessfully.
Warg Battle:
This mode begins with another 30 second timer, and the left ramp lit.
Shooting the left ramp awards 300K, kills a Warg, then lights all seven main
shots (excluding The Shire), for Wargs. Each shot kills one Warg and unlights
that shot. Warg values increase 100K each successful shot. Kill all Wargs
to finish successfully. If the timer expires, the mode ends unsuccessfully.
War of the Ents:
Shoot Orthanc to help the Ents flood Saruman's orc factory. Both outer
orbits and the inner orbit are lit (the inner orbit diverter opens up to allow
shots directly into Orthanc). Outer orbit shots score 750K, while shots
directly to the Tower are worth 500K. Shoot six shots into Orthanc to win.
Note that this mode is a great way to collect Souls, as each Orthanc shot
is fed to the Paths of the Dead. Once again, a 30 second timer runs; if time
expires, the player loses the battle, and the mode.
Attack of Shelob:
Don't let Frodo become spider food! Three shots will light on the left side
of the playfield - left orbit, left ramp and the inner orbit. Hit any of
these to score 500K. Now, three shots light on the right - Gollum's cave,
right ramp and right orbit. Shoot any of these for another 500K. Now, the
lit shots move back to the left, less the shot you just hit. Either of the two
remaining shots are worth 750K and switch sides back to the right, again less
the shot you hit the first time. Score either right-side shot for 750K, at
which point your last left-side shot lights for 1M. Shoot it, then the
remaining right-side shot for 1M to kill the spider and win the mode. At all
times, Shelob is chasing Frodo on the display, slowly gaining on our poor
Hobbit. Scoring a lit shot will give Frodo more breathing room. If too much
time elapses between scoring lit shots, Shelob catches Frodo, enjoys a warm
meal, and the mode ends unsuccessfully.
Kill the Witchking:
This mode requires combos to win. The left ramp and right orbit will be lit.
Shooting either lights the right ramp for a combo for a few seconds. If the
right ramp is hit within this time period, a hit is scored on the Witchking.
If not, the light times out and the first shots are re-lit. Four combos total
are required to kill him. "First" shots score 500K, right ramp combo shots
score 1M. There is no limit to the number of "first" shots that can be
scored, but no progress is made towards finishing the mode unless the
followup right ramp shot is made. 30 seconds are given to complete this - if
time runs out, the mode ends unsuccessfully.
Completing a mode, successfully or unsuccessfully, will light its
corresponding lamp on the Ring solidly, and that mode cannot be played again.
When all six modes are complete, all Ring lamps begin to slowly strobe.
Shooting Mode Start now will begin the final mode...
There and Back Again:
Time to reminisce on all that has transpired on this long and grand adventure.
Or, more precisely, the six modes we just completed. Once the ball is
returned to play, the Ring will be lit and the mode lamps begin to
cycle quickly. Shooting the Ring scores 1M and "locks in" the lit mode. All
six main shots (less the Ring) are now lit. Shoot any lit shot to collect
the total points you had originally completed the mode with. I.E. If you
finished Ents with 6.25M, you will score 6.25M from any lit shot when Ents
are locked in. After scoring the mode total, the Ring relights for another
mode, with the completed one now lit solidly and excluded from the cycle.
Also, the shot used to score that mode total is now cleared and unavailable for
future modes during TaBA - only five shots will be lit for the next attempt.
As each shot is "used up", it becomes more difficult to score mode totals
after each Ring shot. Completing all six modes and shooting the Ring one last
time ends There and Back Again, awards 5M and lights a Gift of the Elves. A 60
second timer runs, and seems not to stop when the ball is hung up in the Jets,
so work quickly.
STACKING:
As was said above, all modes are exclusive - none can run with another.
However, any mode can be stacked with Gollum MB or one of the movie
multiballs. To stack with a movie multiball, the mode must be started
before the multiball. During the multiball, all of the red arrows will be
used for the multiball jackpot shots, so the player MUST know what shots to
hit for the mode, as there will be no playfield indications. Timers also will
not be displayed, being trumped by multiball animations, however as the mode
comes to an end, the game will still yell out the countdown as appropriate.
Once a movie multiball has been started, no modes can be started until the
MM is finished. Stacking with Gollum is easier, as modes can be started
even after Gollum is started, and Gollum doesn't pre-empt the shot displays.
--------------------
MOVIE MULTIBALLS
--------------------
There are three main multiballs in the game, each based upon one of the three
stories: Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and Return of the King. Each
one requires different steps to qualify, and each has its own rules. Progress
towards qualifying any multiball is completely independent of the other, and
they can be started in any order. The three multiball inserts by the flippers
show the status of each. Off = not qualified yet, blinking = qualified, ready
to start, lit solidly = completed (successfully or not). Finishing all three
multiballs (successfully or not) lights "Destroy the Ring" - the main goal
of the game. It is possible to play multiple instances of any movie multiball
before starting Destroy the Ring, and indeed, it will usually take several
attempts to complete each multiball's goal. Progress made in any multiball
is carried over to subsequent instances of that multiball. However, it does
become more difficult to qualify each successive multiball (see notes for each).
Add-A-Ball:
During any movie multiball, lighting Palantir during the MB and then collecting
it will usually give Add-A-Ball. This puts one additional ball into play, up
to four (if the player hasn't lost any). This award is pseudo-random - you will
USUALLY get it within the first or second Palantir, but occasionally not.
No ballsaver comes with this extra ball, however, balls drained SDTM *right* as
the new ball is ejected will usually be returned to play as well.
Fellowship of the Ring:
-----------------------
Qualifying:
This multiball is qualified by collecting each member of the Fellowship, then
shooting Barad Dur to start. White Fellowship member lamps are arrayed across
the middle of the playfield. Off means that member is not yet eligible to
be collected, flashing means they can be collected by shooting the appropriate
shot (see playfield description), lit solid indicates they are already
collected. At game start, all members are flashing, ready to be collected.
Future FotR multiballs have only some members flashing - only a couple are
eligible for collection at any one time. Once all are collected, the whole
line begins to strobe slowly and the left orbit is lit to start the multiball.
Note that any ball that finds its way into Barad Dur will start the multiball,
so a missed Ring shot that dribbles into the eject is just as good as a left
orbit shot.
Playing:
This is a two-part multiball, however, most games will have the Cave Troll
sequence disabled, as that is the factory setting. If the multiball starts
with "This isn't a mine... it's a tomb! Orcs!!", Cave Troll is enabled
and you get both parts. If it starts "A Balrog... This foe is beyond any of
us... RUN!" then that machine has Cave Troll disabled and you don't get to
see any of that - skip ahead to "Balrog" below.
Cave Troll: Once balls are put into play, all shots will be lit for Jackpot
and a ballsaver is active. It takes 5 Jackpots to kill the Troll. On the
first FotR MB of a game, these Jackpots are worth 00K (?), 250K, 500K, 750K
and finally 2.5M (and one dead Troll). Later FotR multiballs have each Troll
jackpot worth 1M. Once the Troll is dead, Balrog mode begins. A ballsaver
runs throughout this initial Troll mode. If the player drains too many balls
or takes too long to kill the troll, the game advances to the Balrog sequence
anyway, with no further Troll jackpots available.
(Note: 8.0 ROMS may have fixed the "00" Jackpot bug)
Balrog: Gandalf will announce the presence of the Balrog and suggest flight.
The glowing Balrog swings out to block the Ring ramp, and battle commences.
The player must first hit the Balrog (500K), then shoot either ramp to get
one member of the Fellowship across the bridge (750K). Repeat eight times
to rescue all Fellowship members except Gandalf, who will always be the last.
On this ninth Balrog hit (YOU.. SHALL.. NOT.. PASS!!!), the Balrog is
destroyed and the multiball ends successfully. Victory laps are now available
(see Victory Laps). Killing the Balrog is worth 5M and lights a Gift of the
Elves. Hits to the Balrog while it is unlit (ramps lit instead) are worth
100K each.
The Two Towers
--------------
Qualifying:
This multiball is qualified by spelling K-E-E-P with the bottom lanes to light
Sword Locks, then locking three balls on the Sword (right) Ramp. On the first
multiball, locks can be stacked (multiple K-E-E-Ps completed before locking a
ball). Subsequent multiballs require each lock to be lit, then collected
before the next lock can be lit. Locks are not virtual - balls are actually
kept on the sword. Locks ARE remembered, however, in case other multiballs
empty the Sword. No stealing other player's locks here. Note that K-E-E-P
letters can only be collected during normal play - any multiball or special
mode "locks" the letters and prevents any more from being collected. If,
during regular play, you have all four letters lit, that means you must
lock a ball before the next set can be collected. On the first multiball, if
all four stay lit, that means you already have all three locks qualified.
Later TTT multiballs are harder to qualify, with KEEP letters eventually
toggling with every rollover.
Playing:
"A new power is rising... TO WAR!!" Multiball begins with a base jackpot
value, and two available multipliers. First, the number of balls in play
determines if it is a regular Jackpot (2 balls in play), Double Jackpot
(three balls) or Triple Jackpot (4 balls, via Gollum MB stack or Add-A-Ball).
Next, the jackpot is multiplied by its "number". All shots begin lit for
Jackpot. As each is collected, it goes out and the number is increased by one.
"Double Jackpot ONE! Double Jackpot TWO! Double Jackpot THREE!" .. etc.
As long as the player keeps hitting Jackpots one after another, the number
keeps increasing, up to seven (the last lit Jackpot). If the player delays
more than three seconds between collecting Jackpots, the number resets back
to one and all Jackpots relight. The base value is first multiplied by 2 or 3,
depending on the number of balls in play, then by its number, so a "Triple
Jackpot 5", for example, is 15X.
The base value of the Jackpot depends on how far through th battle you've
progressed. It starts at 100K, then increases to 112.5K during Ladders, then
125K after the wall is breached, and finally 137.5K while falling back to
the keep. Progress through the battle by scoring Jackpots. Doubled and Tripled
Jackpots advance faster - approximately 7 Triples, 14 Doubles or 21 Singles
are required to progress to each new stage of the Battle of Helms Deep.
At the end of the last "Fall Back" stage, all Jackpots go out and the
center Ring is lit for a Super Jackpot. The value of the Super is determined
by how many points are collected during the battle - I do not know the exact
formula, but the better you do during the battle, the higher the Super. Average
values are from 1.5M to 2.5M. Collecting the Super lights two more Supers
at the inner orbit and Gollum Cave. After collecting one of these two, the
other is available for a few more seconds, at which point it is forfeited and
the next two Supers light, one on each ramp. Same rule - after collecting one,
you have about 5 seconds to get the other before it times out. Finally,
the two orbits are lit for Supers. Same rule, get one then the other before it
times out. Victory Laps are now available (see Victory Laps) and the battle
is effectively over.
Scoring the first Super Jackpot finishes the multiball successfully and
lights one Gift of the Elves.
Note: TTT has arguably the highest available Jackpot multiplier in all of
pinball: 84X. This is achieved by scoring a triple (3) jackpot seven (7)
during the Smeagol phase of Gollum Multiball (2) and also while the 2X
Playfield Elf gift is running (2). 3x7 = 21 x2 = 42 x2 = 84. Good luck
getting this!
The Return of the King
----------------------
Qualifying:
This multiball is qualified by collecting 5000 Souls from the Paths of the
Dead. Any time the ball falls into the Orthanc VUK during regular play (not
during a multiball or special mode), it is kicked up onto the Paths of the
Dead for soul collection. Four green lights are lit on the backboard, each
corresponding to one of the four switches on the Paths. These lights will
either be off, lit or flashing. Off = 100 souls, lit = 250 and flashing is
worth 500. As of v5.00, if the ball falls into the Shire, the player is
awarded 300 souls plus 50 more each trip to the Paths. Balls falling onto
the wireform earn no extra Souls. Once 5000 souls are collected, Orthanc,
Barad Dur and Gollum's Cave are qualified to start RotK MB.
The green lights on the Paths of the Dead are controlled two ways: Any white
playfield target will advance one light one step (i.e. off to lit, lit to
flashing), up to a maximum of four flashing lights. These targets are:
the target in the back of the Shire, the target in the back of the right
ramp, Palantir and Spot Ring. They add lights regardless whether they are
lit for their normal awards. Also, the jet bumpers re-arrange the order of
the lamps (obviously no effect if they're all lit the same).
Playing:
This multiball is divided into stages, with four Jackpots per stage. The four
Ring shots are always used for the four Jackpots - left ramp, inner orbit,
right ramp and right orbit. Each will be lit with one to four lamps (the red
arrow plus one to three of the Ring inserts). Single lamp shots are regular
Jackpots, two lamps are Double Jackpots, three lamps means Triple Jackpot and
four lamps score a 4X Jackpot. Base Jackpot value is 250K, plus 50K for each
level completed - scoring all four Jackpots advances one level. Also, and very
important, collecting Jackpots IN ORDER will increase the base multiplier by
one for the next level. I.E. If you collect the Jackpot, Double, Triple and
4X in that order on the first level, the second level will have 2x, 3x, 4x and
5x multipliers for the four Jackpots. Collect those in order (lowest to
highest) and level three will have 3x, 4x, 5x and 6x. Messing up one level
doesn't prevent increasing multipliers on later levels - you just don't get
any advancement for *that* level.
There are seven levels total. After getting the last Jackpot of the seventh
level, all four shots relight for Super Jackpots - 1M each multiplied by
whatever you've managed to push the multipliers up to by then. After
collecting these four Supers, Victory Laps are enabled (see Victory Laps).
Clearing Level 7 also lights one Gift of the Elves.
----------------
Victory Laps
----------------
Upon completing any movie multiball, Victory Laps are enabled. All 7 main
shots are lit for laps. First is worth 500K, next is 550K, next is 600K,
etc. As each shot is collected, it goes out - shooting the center Ring will
relight all shots and the value resets back to the base value (500K). If you
can collect all seven Laps before shooting the Ring to relight them, the base
value is increased 50K for all subsequent sets of Laps - first is 550K, second
is 600K, etc. This continues until the player drains back to one ball.
--------------------
Gollum Multiball
--------------------
Gollum Multiball is qualified by collecting nine Rings of Man (see Rings).
Shoot Gollum's Cave when it is lit to begin Gollum MB. Gollum cannot be
started during any Movie Multiball, nor can it be during special modes
such as Ring Multiball or Destroy the Ring. It CAN be started during any
regular mode. Gollum is a NON-exclusive multiball - anything that was running
before you started it will continue to run, modes and movie multiballs can be
started, souls collected, etc. Gollum Multiball simply does two things:
1. Adds a ball into play. During regular play, you now have two balls with
which you can score things. Very handy for clearing some modes. If a
movie multiball is started, you get four balls instead of three - also very
handy!
2. Alters ALL scoring based on the following pattern: Every seven seconds,
Gollum changes to Smeagol, and vice versa. If Gollum is up, all scores are
HALVED(!). If Smeagol is up, all scores are DOUBLED. This is on top of
any other multiplier or modifier that could be applied to the scoring in
question, and affects ALL scoring, regardless of source (except Bonus, of
course).
Mathematically, Gollum MB is good overall, as the player will get scores
of 1.25x normal on average. Skillful play (timing things so big scores are
achieved during Smeagol phases) can significantly increase scoring.
Note that on current software (5.01), Gollum MB cannot be achieved if RotK
MB is qualified, as Gollum's Cave starts RotK instead of Gollum MB. If you
want to stack these, start Gollum BEFORE qualifying RotK.
Note that this condition is fixed in version 8.0 - Gollum's VUK starts
Gollum instead of TTT multiball.
Resurrecting movie multiballs: If you just drained back to one ball after
a movie multiball, and Gollum MB is lit, you can "resurrect" that movie
multiball by starting Gollum MB *before* the final musical fanfare signifying
the end of the movie MB is played (this fanfare is accompanied by a screen
showing your total points for the multiball). There is about a 5 second
grace period between the end of the multiball music and displays, and the
actual "end" of the multiball, during which Gollum will "resurrect" the movie
MB with two ball play.
------------------------
Gollum's Cave Awards
------------------------
Shots to Gollum's Cave are counted, and "Super" awards are given at specified
intervals. "Super" awards increase scoring on a particular game feature. They
are, in order of being awarded:
Super Spinner: each spin is worth 15K
Super Pops: each jet hit is worth 20K
Super Ramps: each ramp is worth 250K
Super Loops: each loop is worth 250K
Super Everything: each switch is worth 10K
After going through the cycle, the number of cave shots required for each
award is increased by one, and the cycle begins again (on the next ball).
Initially, every three shots gives a Super award... after one cycle, four
shots are needed for each, etc. "Super" points are always scored, regardless
of what modes are running.
--------------------
Barad Dur awards
--------------------
Shooting Barad Dur (either via the left orbit, or by a ball bouncing in from
a missed Ring shot) will increment the Tower Hit count by one, and awards are
given out at certain intervals - 3rd hit, 7th, 12th and every 5th from there
onward. Hold Ring Bonus is the first award per ball, with future awards
usually being 2M each. Light Extra Ball is always awarded at a certain
interval (operator adjustable, usually the seventh hit).
Shooting Barad Dur also re-lights Palantir if it is unlit.
------------
Palantir
------------
When lit, the white Palantir target will give helpful awards when it is shot.
These awards are pseudo-random, but the game does a good job of giving out
awards that are particularly helpful for the current game situation. Example:
"Add-A-Ball" during a multiball, "Add 10 Seconds" if a mode is in danger of
timing out, "10 Second Ball Saver" during Destroy the Ring, etc.
Some examples of Palantir Awards:
Spot Fellowship member
Spot Keep Letter
Spot one Ring (dwarf/elf/man)
Spot 500 Souls
Add-A-Ball
10 second Ball-Saver
Add 30 Seconds (to 2x Scoring)
Add 100K to Bonus
Add 3 Bonus Multipliers
----------------------
Gifts of the Elves
----------------------
Gifts of the Elves are valuable awards that the player gets when any mode or
multiball is completed successfully. They are lit at the left orbit and
collected at Barad Dur. Multiple Gifts can be queued up, but only one can
be collected at any time. The six orange inserts near the left orbit
indicate which Gift is ready to be collected (blinking), which ones have
already been collected (lit solid) and which remain to be collected (off).
You can change the flashing Gift by hitting the white target in the back of
The Shire.
The gifts are as follows:
Light Extra Ball: Does exactly what it says - lights Extra Ball at Gollum's
cave. On factory settings, this lit EB is remembered if you drain the current
ball in play.
Ring Multiball: Begins Ring Multiball. This is a special, exclusive multiball
mode with one simple goal: shoot the center Ring repeatedly. This shot awards
a 600K jackpot, increasing 50K for each successive shot (to a max of 1M).
Palantir can award Add-A-Ball during this multiball, and it can be stacked on
a mode as long as the mode is started before collecting the Gift.
Light Special: Again, does exactly that: lights Special at Gollum's Cave. This
is remembered under factory settings.
Big Points: Awards 5M points instantly...
2X Scoring: Doubles ALL scoring for 60 seconds. This is on top of ALL other
multipliers that may be in effect (Gollum, TTT multipliers, RotK multipliers,
etc. etc.) Nothing is excluded. Collecting Palantir during this mode will
oftentimes add 30 seconds to the double-scoring timer.
Super Ring Frenzy: Starts Ring Frenzy, which operates exactly like a regular
Ring Frenzy, except the scoring is higher: each shot now earns 225K, 250K
and 275K, and the base Jackpot start at 1M. Timers and multipliers behave
the same as a regular Frenzy.
I have heard rumors of a Super Ring Frenzy Multiball that can be awarded when
all the other Gifts are completed...
-----------
Mystery
-----------
Mystery is lit at The Shire by collecting seven Dwarf rings. Getting the ball
into the Shire via the playfield (not the Paths of the Dead) will collect the
mystery award and reset the Dwarf Rings. Mystery awards can be pretty
lucrative - be sure to collect them whenever you can. Note, however, that
Mystery will often start movie multiballs that are close to being qualified, so
if that is something you do NOT want to happen, avoid this shot until you're
ready.
Examples of Mystery Awards:
Start Fellowship (multiball)
Start Two Towers (multiball)
Start Return of the King (multiball)
Spot 1000 Souls
Max Paths of the Dead (all lamps 500 souls)
Add 100K to Bonus
Medium Points (1M)
Light Extra Ball
Ad 5X Bonus
--------------------
Destroy the Ring
--------------------
Once all three movie multiballs have been played, the center Ring shot is
qualified for Destroy the Ring (no modes can be started until this is
collected). This is a three-stage mode. First, the ball will be returned
to play, and the four Ring shots (left ramp, inner orbit, right ramp, right
orbit) are all lit. Each must be collected, to the tune of 1M, 1.5M, 2M and
2.5M. Now, the Ring re-lights. Shoot it for 3M, and it will grab the ball
and hold it while the game autoplunges a new ball. For the final stage, you
must knock the captured ball out of the Ring. Doing this will destroy the
Ring (and poor Gollum), scoring 5M points, and cause the machine to go nuts
in celebration as both balls drain (you get your ball back). Destroying the
Ring also lights one Gift of the Elves, and (as of ver 5.01), displays a
hint towards achieving Valinor Multiball. Once finished, a ball is served
to the plunger and the movie multiballs that were solidly lit go out.
If you drain during any stage of Destroy the Ring, the mode ends and you get
nothing except any points you may have already scored in it. Bummer.
Malfunctions: It is possible to win Destroy the Ring early, if the shot to
the Ring after the initial four shots is strong enough to go THROUGH the ring
without being grabbed - this immediately ends the mode successfully. It is
also possible to get both balls stuck in the Ring - if this happens, a
ballsearch will drop both, and if either drains, you lose the mode. Not
good. Usually, things work as intended.
UPDATE: Later ROM revisions (8.0) provide the operator with the ability
to set DTR to a one-ball affair. If the game is set to this, the Ring does
not hold the ball, but will release it.. the player simply needs to shoot
the Ring again to win. This was added to overcome difficulties players were
experiencing on some location machines in dislodging the first ball from
the Ring. If the game's flippers are weak, do hope that this is enabled :)
---------------------
Valinor Multiball
---------------------
The following is a post by The_Black_Knight to rec.games.pinball on
March 21, 2004:
To all,
I finally achieved Valinor after almost two months of work (off and
on)...
Requirements:
1) Complete FOTR MB (All eight members+Gandalf Balrog Strike),
achieve Super Jackpots for an Elf Gift at minimum
2) Complete TTT MB (Survive the Assault to the end, new level every 5
jackpots achieved), achieve Super Jackpots for an Elf Gift at minimum
3) Complete ROTK MB (All Seven Levels), achieve Super Jackpots for an
Elf Gift at minimum
4) Play all 6 Rings Modes (Completion not required)
5) Play There and Back Again (Completion not required)
6) Collect all six Elf Gifts (not sure if this a requirement, but I
did, with modes and MB Gifts) (ed: yes this is a requirement)
7) Destroy the Ring (2X Required, or ONCE if you are SUPER SUPER HOT!)
Based on what I have seen, Valinor is near impossible to achieve
without playing each of the Movie MBs at least twice, because you have
to completed all the above requirements, and destroy the ring, before
Valinor will start immediately following. I did not complete FOTR
Ring MB, the first time, before Destroying the Ring, so I cannot
confirm.
STRATEGY TO VALINOR.......
My best strategy is to start working the TTT MB first, in conjunction
with Ring Modes, getting at least three rings modes in the first ball,
but not lighting the final lock on TTT MB if at all possible (left and
right ramps), to keep the ring modes open to collect.
I work the "War of the Ents" to maximize the trips to Path of Dead for
souls toward the ROTK MB. I do this by "setting up" the ring mode
selection, but adjusting the top lights to one light to left of War of
the Ents, and shooting the Ring from the right flipper. Another way
to maximize souls, is to use the sword ramp drop, in conjunction with
the right flipper shot directing around the left orbit.
By this time all three MBs are generally lit (with all those different
shots), and TTT MB is most likely already completed, and being lit for
a second time. I start another ring mode and I rape TTT MB for
points, extra balls, and completion of the ring mode (Attack of Shelob
is a good TTT MB choice).
I try to hold off Gollum MB if at all possible, until "Destroy the
Ring" is lit. Then I start Gollum MB. When this occurs the Ring shot
reverts back to allowing Ring Modes to be completed. I continue to
work Ring Modes in conjunction with Gollum, and play out FOTR MB, with
four immediate balls to get the Cave Troll Award and maximize chances
for completing FOTR MB.
If you are not able to complete all the Ring Modes and There and Back
Again, prior to Destroying the Ring, you will have to do it all again
(all the Movie MBs).......to get back to the chance to start Valinor.
The basic key is to use Ring Modes in conjunction with MB, to maximize
the effect. This way seem like common sense, but its tricky to
complete the Ring Modes without finishing all the MBs first, and
ending up already getting to the Destroy the Ring, which nullifies the
ability to get There and Back Again, without a Gollum MB. That is
why, is so important to get at least three Ring Modes on the first
ball of a 3-Ball game.
Good game for the ages. Still do not know if it will be with me in
two years.
Best Regards,
The_Black_Knight
- ROM------------------>
