F-14 Tomcat pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
F-14 Tomcat uses the upper orbit and T-O-M-C-A-T targets to qualify locks under the installed setting. Follow the lock and Release lamps, start Multiball, then shoot the right VUK three times for two Landings and the Fighter Jackpot.
The goal
Use the upper orbit and upper flippers to spell T-O-M-C-A-T. Start Each three-shot VUK cycle ends with Fighter Jackpot. Start another cycle while more than one ball remains.. Then cycle the right VUK to Fighter Jackpot.
Use the launch to test the upper-orbit feed. Do not flip at the feed. Try a Time the end of a flipper stroke to meet the incoming ball and cancel its momentum into a cradle. on the lower flipper.
Prefer the upper T-O-M-C-A-T targets. Use the upper orbit and Partially press a two-stage flipper button to hold one flipper—usually the lower one—without activating another flipper on the same side.. Use lower targets only for the last letter.
Check the lock and Release lamps, then complete T-O-M-C-A-T as the installed AD33 setting requires. Lock lit balls at the right VUK and shoot the lit Release shot to start Each three-shot VUK cycle ends with Fighter Jackpot. Start another cycle while more than one ball remains..
- Lock qualification changes with the AD33 MLTIBAL MODE adjustment. Do not assume one universal first-two-lock and third-lock sequence.
- Lock balls at the right VUK. Shoot the lit Release shot after the third lock to start four-ball multiball.: Lock balls at the right VUK. Shoot the lit Release shot after the third lock to start four-ball Each three-shot VUK cycle ends with Fighter Jackpot. Start another cycle while more than one ball remains..
- Physical locks are shared. Depending on the chamber state, a lock can trigger an immediate replacement-ball serve. Stay at the flippers and regain control.
During Each three-shot VUK cycle ends with Fighter Jackpot. Start another cycle while more than one ball remains., shoot the right VUK three times. The first two shots advance Landings. The third shot collects Fighter Jackpot.
- Each three-shot VUK cycle ends with Fighter Jackpot. Start another cycle while more than one ball remains.: Each three-shot VUK cycle ends with Fighter Jackpot. Start another cycle while more than one ball remains.
Use Partially press a two-stage flipper button to hold one flipper—usually the lower one—without activating another flipper on the same side. to reduce side-to-side ball motion. Relight the left kickback at the Rescue target when safe.
Alternative route: Upper-orbit control loop
Use this route when the T-O-M-C-A-T targets or right VUK return badly.
- Shoot the upper orbit. Do not flip with the upper flippers. Catch the ball on a lower flipper.
- Shoot a target on the same side as the active flipper, often from near the flipper base and behind the nearby slingshot. the upper orbit when this copy allows it. Repeat only while the catch remains controlled.
- Clip the edge of the Rescue target to relight the left kickback. Do not shoot its center.
Need to know
- Main route
- Use the upper orbit and upper flippers to spell T-O-M-C-A-T.
- Long goal
- Follow the installed AD33 setting and lock lamps.
- Safer fallback
- Upper-orbit control loop: Use this route when the T-O-M-C-A-T targets or right VUK return badly.