Fathom pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
Fathom uses a lit spinner and one green lock to create repeatable two-ball 2x scoring. Hit the standup left of the green inline targets to light the spinner, finish the inline bank, release the locked ball, then cradle one ball and rip the spinner for 10,000 per spin.
The goal
On original Fathom or Revisited Classic, lock at the easier green saucer, light the spinner, start two-ball play, Hold a raised flipper so a slow ball settles against it, giving you time to plan your next move. one ball, rip the spinner for 10,000 per spin, and avoid relocking.
Lock the first controlled ball in the right green saucer. Use the blue lock only when the shot is safe.
- A saucer holds the ball and serves a new ball to the shooter lane. The right green lock is usually easier than the left blue lock.: A saucer holds the ball and serves a new ball to the shooter lane. The right green lock is usually easier than the left blue lock.
Hit the standup left of the green in-line targets to light the spinner before you release the locked ball.
- Lit spinner: The spinner scores 5,000 per spin in single-ball play. It scores 10,000 per spin during two-ball play.
Complete the green in-line drop targets. A full green set in the left six-target bank can spot the next green in-line target after a ball is locked.
Knock down the last green in-line target to release the ball and start Releasing one locked ball starts double scoring. Play continues until one ball remains.. All scoring is doubled.
- Releasing one locked ball starts double scoring. Play continues until one ball remains.: Releasing one locked ball starts double scoring. Play continues until one ball remains.
Hold a raised flipper so a slow ball settles against it, giving you time to plan your next move. one ball. Shoot the lit spinner with the other ball. Use the flipper that gives the strongest rip on this machine.
Avoid both saucers during multiball. Relocking a ball ends two-ball play and returns scoring to 1x.
After multiball, relock on the green side and repeat. Leave the blue side ready for the next two-ball start when possible.
Alternative route: Lit spinner
Use this plan when the green lock or in-line targets reject the ball.
- Hit the standup left of the green in-line targets to light the spinner.
- Shoot the spinner repeatedly for 5,000 per spin.
- In match play, stay on the spinner when its return is safer than the multiball shots.
Need to know
- Main route
- Use the easier right green lock.
- Long goal
- For classic three-ball play, lock both saucers and release both balls.
- Safer fallback
- Lit spinner: Use this plan when the green lock or in-line targets reject the ball.
Sources and references12 references12 source links and outbound references.
- PinballCards
- Bob's Guide
- Original playfield image
- Kineticist Fathom tournament strategy
- PAPA Fathom tutorial with Bowen Kerins
- Pinball Rulesheets — Rulesheet master list
- Escher Lefkoff at IFPA 17 World Pinball Championship — Quarterfinals
- Backhand technique reference
- Upper-flipper backflip technique reference
- Post pass technique reference
- Physical caution reference
- Physical caution reference