Defender pinball rules and strategy

The Strategy

Complete a wave by hitting the lit Lander drop targets, then any Mutant Bull's-Eye, until all 15 Landers are gone. Complete Bomber lanes 1 through 4 for Bonus X; at 10x, hit the Warp Bull's-Eye to advance three waves. Lock three balls in the right trough to start Multiball.

The goal

Protect Humanoids first, because a missed rescue adds a moving Mutant target. Build Bomber lanes toward Warp when safe, and take right-trough locks whenever the feed is controlled.

  1. Hit the flashing Lander drop target to rescue its Humanoid; if it becomes a Mutant, follow and hit the moving Mutant Bull's-Eye.

  2. Clear all 15 Landers and any Mutants to complete the current wave.

  3. Complete Bomber lanes 1 through 4 to raise Bonus X; at 10x, knock down the Warp target and hit its Bull's-Eye to advance three waves.

  4. Feed balls into the right lockup trough; the third lock starts three-ball Multiball.

Need to know
Complete a Wave
Clear 15 Landers and any Mutants.
Build Bonus X
Complete Bomber lanes 1 through 4.
Warp Three Waves
Reach 10x, then hit the Warp Bull's-Eye.

Machine setup

  • Check Reverse, Smart Bomb, Extra Ball, Warp, Multiball, Bonus X, and wave-completion settings before play.
  • Test all Lander and Mutant targets and lamps, Bomber lanes 1-4, Warp target and Bull's-Eye, Pod and Swarmer targets, return gate, lock trough, all three flippers, and both cabinet buttons.
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