Dragon pinball rules and strategy

The Strategy

Dragon turns upper-playfield lanes into Bonus X and base bonus, then lets either vari-target collect part of that bonus. Complete A-B-C-D for 5x, build the base to 19,000, and make a deep vari-target shot before rebuilding through the top.

The goal

Plunge A, keep feeding the top until A-B-C-D gives 5x and base bonus reaches 19,000, then use a full-depth vari-target collect at maximum bonus, rebuild, and repeat a lit spinner when its return is safe.

  1. Plunge the A lane when its position is reachable.

  2. From the right flipper, shoot the right orbit back to the top.

  3. Use the top lanes and the lit right-side star rollover to collect missing A-B-C-D letters.

  4. Continue upper-playfield feeds until Bonus X reaches 5x and base bonus reaches 19,000.

  5. At 19,000, shoot the safer vari-target deeply enough to collect 3,000 and light the spinner.

  6. Rebuild the reduced base bonus through upper play.

  7. Repeat the lit spinner only after one observed return shows that its feed is controlled.

Alternative route: Safe-side upper feeds

Use this plan when the right-side star-rollover route or vari-target rebounds are unreliable.

  1. Use the upper-left feed or the right orbit, whichever returns safely on this copy.
  2. Let top-lane action collect A-B-C-D and build base bonus.
  3. Avoid direct vari-target shots until 5x and 19,000 are ready.
  4. Continue upper feeds instead of forcing a dangerous collect.
Need to know
A-B-C-D lanes
The four top letters advance Bonus X: the first letter earns 2x, then later letters advance through 3x, 4x, and 5x.
Star-rollover letter
The right-side star rollovers award the lit A-B-C-D letter, while spinner hits move which letter is lit.
Base bonus
Base bonus builds to 19,000, and the safest early goal is to combine that maximum with 5x.

Machine setup

  • Confirm the 1978 solid-state Dragon; the electro-mechanical edition has different scoring and must use its installed instruction card.
  • Confirm ball count, replay, Extra Ball and Special handling, tilt, bonus carry, and whether vari-target depths register reliably.
  • Test upper feeds, star rollovers, spinner strength, both vari-target returns, and the center posts beside them before choosing a collect route.
Sources and references3 source links and outbound references.
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Playbooks

Dragon playfield

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