The Hobbit pinball rules and strategy
The Strategy
The Hobbit uses character shots to qualify Book Modes, the left ramp to select one, and the right ramp to start it. Shoot the left ramp before any other qualifier so The Resurgence of Sauron is the only lit mode, spell L-O-C-K, then shoot a green orbit to store a Mode Ball. At the right ramp, press the Ring button to postpone the Smaug lock and start Resurgence with the stored ball.
The goal
Store a A green-orbit lock stores a ball for the next selected mode. Later Mode Ball locks can require separate L-O-C-K completions. before starting Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award., or spell L-O-C-K and use the right ramp for Three right-ramp locks start the multiball. Lit major shots score Jackpots. The ARKENSTONE shot collects the Super Jackpot. Later levels add harder Jackpot and Smaug-damage stages..
How to start a mode
Shoot the left ramp before another mode qualifier so Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award. is the only lit mode. Spell L-O-C-K, then shoot either green orbit to store a A green-orbit lock stores a ball for the next selected mode. Later Mode Ball locks can require separate L-O-C-K completions.. At the right ramp, press the Press the Ring button at a lit lock to postpone the lock and take the other available award. to postpone the Smaug lock and start Resurgence with the stored ball.
Recommended mode: The Resurgence of Sauron
Its switch value and left-ramp collects can be built while the stored ball remains in play.
How to play it
Make switch hits to build the value, then shoot the left ramp to raise and collect it while adding time. Keep at least two balls in play until the mode times out to begin It is the Book Mode victory phase. Each red shot scores a percentage of the completed mode value. It ends when one ball remains..
Start Smaug Multiball
On the first Multiball at default settings, spell L-O-C-K once to light all three locks. Shoot the right ramp three times; the third lock starts Three right-ramp locks start the multiball. Lit major shots score Jackpots. The ARKENSTONE shot collects the Super Jackpot. Later levels add harder Jackpot and Smaug-damage stages..
Alternative route: Beast Frenzy
Use this to learn the first Beast Frenzy qualification.
- Roll through each return lane to light its Beast hurry-up, then hit the raised Beast before the hurry-up ends. Defeating Warg, Orc, Goblin, and Spider starts Beast Frenzy.
Need to know
- Main route
- Shoot the left ramp to qualify only Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award..
- Long goal
- Complete one Book mode, start Three right-ramp locks start the multiball. Lit major shots score Jackpots. The ARKENSTONE shot collects the Super Jackpot. Later levels add harder Jackpot and Smaug-damage stages., complete Super Spinners, start Beast Frenzy, and start Collected Dwarves build a switch-frenzy value. The feature runs with other rules when qualified. to earn the five Arkenstone runes.
The Hobbit can turn a Book Mode into multiball by storing a Mode Ball at a green orbit. Shoot the left ramp first so The Resurgence of Sauron is the only lit mode, spell L-O-C-K, store the Mode Ball, then press the Ring button at the right ramp to postpone the Smaug lock and start Resurgence. During the timed frenzy, switches build its value; the left ramp raises and collects it while adding time. Keep two balls in play until time expires to begin Treasure Hunt, then shoot each red arrow once.
The goal
Shoot the left ramp to qualify Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award., then store a A green-orbit lock stores a ball for the next selected mode. Later Mode Ball locks can require separate L-O-C-K completions. in a green orbit.Use Press the Ring button at a lit lock to postpone the lock and take the other available award. to postpone Smaug lock, then start Resurgence at the right ramp.Build and collect its value at left ramp; keep two balls alive for It is the Book Mode victory phase. Each red shot scores a percentage of the completed mode value. It ends when one ball remains..
- Shoot the left ramp first. Do not complete another mode qualifier. Keep Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award. as the only lit mode.
Mode qualification details
- The left ramp, right ramp, right VUK, and ELF, DWARF, and MAN features qualify modes. The left ramp selects a qualified mode. The right ramp starts it.: The left ramp, right ramp, right VUK, and ELF, DWARF, and MAN features qualify modes. The left ramp selects a qualified mode. The right ramp starts it.
- Spell LOCK at the four center rollovers. Do not collect a lit Smaug lock on the right ramp yet.
L-O-C-K and Ring button rules
- L-O-C-K: A completion lights the right ramp for Smaug progress and a green orbit for a A green-orbit lock stores a ball for the next selected mode. Later Mode Ball locks can require separate L-O-C-K completions.. The number of L-O-C-K completions and virtual locks depends on the difficulty setting.
- Press the Ring button at a lit lock to postpone the lock and take the other available award.: Press the Press the Ring button at a lit lock to postpone the lock and take the other available award. at a lit lock to postpone the lock and take the other available award.
- Shoot either green orbit to store a A green-orbit lock stores a ball for the next selected mode. Later Mode Ball locks can require separate L-O-C-K completions.. At the right ramp, press the Press the Ring button at a lit lock to postpone the lock and take the other available award. to postpone the Smaug lock, then start Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award. with the stored ball.
Mode Ball setup details
- A green-orbit lock stores a ball for the next selected mode. Later Mode Ball locks can require separate L-O-C-K completions.: A green-orbit lock stores a ball for the next selected mode. Later A green-orbit lock stores a ball for the next selected mode. Later Mode Ball locks can require separate L-O-C-K completions. locks can require separate L-O-C-K completions.
- During Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award., make switch hits to build the current value. Shoot the left ramp to raise and collect that value while adding time.
The Resurgence of Sauron scoring and timing
- Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award.: Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award.
- For the first Three right-ramp locks start the multiball. Lit major shots score Jackpots. The ARKENSTONE shot collects the Super Jackpot. Later levels add harder Jackpot and Smaug-damage stages. at default settings, one L-O-C-K completion lights all three locks. Shoot the right ramp three times; the third lock starts Three right-ramp locks start the multiball. Lit major shots score Jackpots. The ARKENSTONE shot collects the Super Jackpot. Later levels add harder Jackpot and Smaug-damage stages.. Use the extra balls to keep building the Resurgence value.
Smaug Multiball and Stack rule rules
- Three right-ramp locks start the multiball. Lit major shots score Jackpots. The ARKENSTONE shot collects the Super Jackpot. Later levels add harder Jackpot and Smaug-damage stages.: Three right-ramp locks start the multiball. Lit major shots score Jackpots. The ARKENSTONE shot collects the Super Jackpot. Later levels add harder Jackpot and Smaug-damage stages.
- The mode timer pauses during lock and multiball-start animations. It resumes after the presentation.: The mode timer pauses during lock and multiball-start animations. It resumes after the presentation.
- Keep at least two balls in play until Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award. times out. During It is the Book Mode victory phase. Each red shot scores a percentage of the completed mode value. It ends when one ball remains., shoot each red arrow once. Complete the set to relight it, and continue until one ball remains.
Treasure Hunt scoring details
- It is the Book Mode victory phase. Each red shot scores a percentage of the completed mode value. It ends when one ball remains.: It is the Book Mode victory phase. Each red shot scores a percentage of the completed mode value. It ends when one ball remains.
- For the first Beast Frenzy, roll through each return lane to light its Beast hurry-up, then hit the raised Beast. Defeating Warg, Orc, Goblin, and Spider starts the wave-based Multiball.
For the first Beast Frenzy, roll through each return lane…
- Beast Frenzy uses waves of lit Beast Jackpots. Complete the displayed wave. The captive ball collects the Super Jackpot when it lights.
- Beast Frenzy and Smaug can overlap unless PREVENT MULTIBALL OVERLAP is enabled.
- Collect all 13 Dwarves: three behind each character bank, one at each spinner, one at the left VUK, and one at the captive ball. The thirteenth starts Collected Dwarves build a switch-frenzy value. The feature runs with other rules when qualified..
Feast Frenzy scoring details
- Collected Dwarves build a switch-frenzy value. The feature runs with other rules when qualified.: Collected Dwarves build a switch-frenzy value. The feature runs with other rules when qualified.
- Shoot either spinner to advance the map to Spinner progress qualifies Super Spinners. The captive ball cashes out the built spinner value. and start Super Spinners.
Erebor setup and scoring
- Spinner progress qualifies Super Spinners. The captive ball cashes out the built spinner value.: Spinner progress qualifies Super Spinners. The captive ball cashes out the built spinner value.
- Use the Arkenstone progress from Switches build the current value. A left-ramp collect scores it and adds the displayed time. Making mode progress relights the larger time award., Smaug, Beast Frenzy, Collected Dwarves build a switch-frenzy value. The feature runs with other rules when qualified., and Super Spinners to start Into the Fire. The completed Resurgence route increases its value.
Builds toward: Arkenstone mini-wizards and There and Back Again
- Complete one Book mode, start Three right-ramp locks start the multiball. Lit major shots score Jackpots. The ARKENSTONE shot collects the Super Jackpot. Later levels add harder Jackpot and Smaug-damage stages., complete Super Spinners, start Beast Frenzy, and start Collected Dwarves build a switch-frenzy value. The feature runs with other rules when qualified. to earn the five Arkenstone runes.
- Start Into the Fire, Barrel Escape, and Battle of Five Armies at the lit VUK shots as their requirements complete.
- Complete each character target group, select each Book Mode, and play all of them to light There and Back Again.
- Start There and Back Again. Complete its displayed mode sequence. Its final required shot cannot time out and uses a ball save.