Black Knight Pinball Rules & Strategy

Black Knight uses its lower ramp to reach an upper playfield where the mini-orbit stores three balls. Complete the upper bank when Lock is not lit, take three upper locks for Multiball, and keep the balls upstairs while three-ball scoring is tripled.

The goal

Reach the upper playfield through the safer lower ramp. Lock three balls through the upper mini-orbit, start Multiball, and keep the balls in the upper loop while scoring is doubled or tripled.

Test the left, center, and right routes to the upper playfield; use the one the current flipper can complete safely.
On the upper playfield, transfer to the upper-left flipper and shoot the short mini-orbit into the lock.
If Lock is dark, complete the upper three-bank, then return to the mini-orbit.
Repeat until three balls are locked and Multiball starts.
During Multiball, keep all three balls alive for 3x scoring and repeat upper loops, locks, and safe ramps.
When one ball remains, rebuild Lock and repeat the same route.

Alternative route: Upper-bank control

Use this when a lower ramp does not feed the upper playfield safely.

Stop forcing the rejecting ramp.
Use the safer available path to the upper playfield.
Repeat the upper-left target bank for points and Lock progress.
Take a lock only after the ball returns to the upper-left flipper under control.

Need to know

Ball locks: The upper mini-orbit locks balls after Lock is lit, and three locked balls start Multiball.
Multiball: Three balls score 3x and two balls score 2x until only one ball remains.
Upper bank: The three upper drop targets can light the next lock when the game uses the harder lock setting.

Black Knight uses its lower ramp to reach an upper playfield where the mini-orbit stores three balls. Use the safer ramp, complete the upper bank when Lock is not lit, and take all three locks. During Multiball, preserve three balls and repeat controlled upper scoring while using Magna-Save only when its stored magnet time can prevent a drain.

The goal

Reach the upper playfield through the safer lower ramp.Lock three balls through the upper mini-orbit, start Multiball, and keep the balls in the upper loop while scoring is doubled or tripled.

Test the left, center, and right routes to the upper playfield; use the one the current flipper can complete safely.
On the upper playfield, transfer to the upper-left flipper and shoot the short mini-orbit into the lock.
If Lock is dark, complete the upper three-bank, then return to the mini-orbit.
Repeat until three balls are locked and Multiball starts.
During Multiball, keep all three balls alive for 3x scoring and repeat upper loops, locks, and safe ramps.
When one ball remains, rebuild Lock and repeat the same route.

Fallback: Upper-bank control

Use this when a lower ramp does not feed the upper playfield safely.

Stop forcing the rejecting ramp.
Use the safer available path to the upper playfield.
Repeat the upper-left target bank for points and Lock progress.
Take a lock only after the ball returns to the upper-left flipper under control.

Alternative: Early center start

Use this when at least one ball is locked and the center green-arrow start shot is lit.

Confirm that the center start arrow is lit.
Shoot the center start instead of risking another upper lock.
Use the shorter Multiball for controlled 2x or 3x scoring.

Alternative: Timed return-lane awards

Use this when lock shots are unreliable but the return-lane feeds are controlled.

Let either return lane light its timed shot.
After the left return lane, take the briefly lit center-ramp award only from a controlled ball.
After the right return lane, use the briefly lit spinner only when its return is safe.

Builds toward: Three-ball Multiball and 5x bonus

Complete the upper bank when needed to light Lock, then shoot the upper mini-orbit for three locks.
Preserve three balls for 3x play.
During Multiball, let the half-figure-eight happen or shoot it only with another ball protecting the return to raise Bonus X toward 5x.
Repeat Multiball after the game returns to single-ball play.

Physical cautions

The upper-playfield exit can send the ball down the middle or toward the left outlane.Watch the full exit and use an early legal Move the cabinet briefly so the playfield shifts under the ball, changing its speed or path after contact with a post, rubber, or wall. before the ball gains speed.
Shots at the lower drop targets and incomplete ramp shots can return the ball through the center.Prefer complete ramp shots and stop shooting a target or ramp after an unsafe rebound.
Magna-Save time is limited and a late button press may not recover the ball.Test the magnet early and use it before the ball reaches the outlane mouth.

Sources and references

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The goal

Alternative route: Upper-bank control

The goal

Fallback: Upper-bank control

Alternative: Early center start

Alternative: Timed return-lane awards

Builds toward: Three-ball Multiball and 5x bonus

Machine setup

Playbooks

Pinball tournament study pack

Black Knight pinball rules and strategy

The Strategy

The goal

Alternative route: Upper-bank control

The goal

↪Fallback: Upper-bank control

↔Alternative: Early center start

↔Alternative: Timed return-lane awards

◆Builds toward: Three-ball Multiball and 5x bonus

Playbooks

Fallback: Upper-bank control

Alternative: Early center start

Alternative: Timed return-lane awards

Builds toward: Three-ball Multiball and 5x bonus