Lord of the Rings pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
In The Lord of the Rings, three Elf rings start a Ring mode, while spelling K-E-E-P and taking three Sword-ramp locks starts Two Towers Multiball. Start the Ring mode before the third lock when both are ready so the mode continues during Multiball.
The goal
Prepare Consecutive Jackpots raise the assault count. More balls in play increase the Jackpot multiplier. and a useful Only one Ring mode can run. A mode cannot start during a movie multiball, so begin it before the final lock., start the mode before the third lock, and add Gollum Multiball or 2x Scoring only when safely ready.
Use flipper lane change to spell KEEP, and make safe right-ramp shots to prepare the three Sword locks.
Collect three Elf rings. Select Alternate the lit left and right shot groups. or Shoot Orthanc six times. The shots also help Return of the King soul progress. when its required shots are reliable.
- Only one Ring mode can run. A mode cannot start during a movie multiball, so begin it before the final lock.: Only one Only one Ring mode can run. A mode cannot start during a movie multiball, so begin it before the final lock. can run. A mode cannot start during a movie multiball, so begin it before the final lock.
- Alternate the lit left and right shot groups.: Alternate the lit left and right shot groups.
- Shoot Orthanc six times. The shots also help Return of the King soul progress.: Shoot Orthanc six times. The shots also help Return of the King soul progress.
Start the Only one Ring mode can run. A mode cannot start during a movie multiball, so begin it before the final lock., then make the third Sword lock to start Consecutive Jackpots raise the assault count. More balls in play increase the Jackpot multiplier..
During Consecutive Jackpots raise the assault count. More balls in play increase the Jackpot multiplier., make consecutive lit Jackpots quickly. Advance the assault from one through seven Jackpots.
- Consecutive Jackpots raise the assault count. More balls in play increase the Jackpot multiplier.: Consecutive Jackpots raise the assault count. More balls in play increase the Jackpot multiplier.
- Complete the assault, then collect the Ring Super Jackpot and the paired VUK, ramp, and orbit Super Jackpots.: Complete the assault, then collect the Ring Super Jackpot and the paired VUK, ramp, and orbit Super Jackpots.
Collect the first Super Jackpot to complete the multiball objective and light an Elf Gift.
When nine Rings of Men or Gift 2x Scoring are already close, start them before the stack. Do not risk the main start solely to force them.
Alternative route: Persistent Fellowship route
Use this when the center Ring, Palantir, or final Sword lock has a dangerous return.
- Collect Fellowship members from their lit shots.
- Start Fellowship Multiball at Barad-Dur after all nine members are collected.
- Alternate Balrog hits with the lit ramps. Progress survives between starts.
- Return to Two Towers only when its qualification shots are under control.
Need to know
- Two Towers Multiball
- Spell KEEP, lock three balls on the Sword ramp, then build a seven-Jackpot assault and collect Super Jackpots.
- Ring modes
- Collect three Elf rings, select a mode at the center Ring, and start it before a movie multiball.
- Gollum Multiball
- Collect nine Rings of Men and start at Gollum's Cave, where Smeagol phases double scoring and Gollum phases halve it.