Quoted from Snailman:

Perhaps. But I have greater probability of getting big scores when I do.
I agree that mode scoring can also be nice (relative to Groot), but they're not as big as Orb.
Scoring priorities:
1) Orb MB -- and I don't bother with Rocket 2x scoring.
2) Modes
3) A *distant* third of Groot MB. Each Groot JP base is only 100K. Compare this to each JP base on Orb of 3M -- Orb JP's are worth 30x Groot JP's!!! You can have your 5x value on Groot JP shots that correspond to your completed modes. I'll still take my 3M over your 500K JP's.
Try this sequence:
- Use initial ball-save time to get shots in on Orb standup and Orb locks.
- Use Groot MB and Quill's Quest 2-ball mode to complete yellow standups for 3 Hadron Enforcer hits per completion, but DON'T use them yet.
Also use these MB's to be sure to get 2x shot multiplier on the Broker (Orb) shot.
- Once you have 1-2 completions of HE targets (meaning you have 3-6 smart missile shots), start an Orb MB -- even better if you have a mode stacked in the background. ** THIS IS CRITICAL ** On the full orbit plunge of the 2nd ball to start Orb, take one quick shot at the Orb drop target, and if you miss, IMMEDIATELY use one HE to hit the drop and lock in your Orb JP hurry-up value at 3M. Otherwise, it can quickly degrade to only 1M.
- During Orb MB, shoot the easy shots of the ramps, Groot, and loops for 3M each -- even better if you shoot them in combos, because their value will be doubled. Hopefully, you may have gotten a random bounce into the StarLord scoop, too.
- Now use at least 2 HE to take out Rocket death shot and tough Yandu deadend shots -- even better if you shoot the R ramp first, because the first one will be 6M.
- Next, shoot the L ramp and immediately shoot Orb -- or use another HE -- for a doubled (due to combo) 2x Jackpot for 24M (base of 6M as a 2x JP, doubled due to the 2x shot multiplier, and doubled again due to shooting as a combo).
- Last, shoot the L ramp again and immediately shoot the Orb for a MASSIVE Super Jackpot that is the sum of all your jackpots, but quadrupled (doubled due to the 2x shot multiplier, and doubled again due to shooting as a combo).
- Super Jackpot value: let's assume a very conservative value of only 2 of your Orb JP's were doubled due to either a 2x shot multiplier or shooting as a combo, and the remaining 7 JP are the base value of 3M. And let's assume that you missed your combo shot on the final 2x jackpot, so you only got 12M for it. Your Orb SJP base value = 2*6M + 7*3M + 12M = 45M. Even if you don't combo into your SJP, you'll be getting 90M for it! (because of the 2x shot multiplier) And if you do combo it, it's 180M!!
- Bigger SJP value: let's assume you played Orb a bit better than the above, and you got 5 JP's doubled, 4 JP's at regular value, and you successfully hit the ramp before using an HE for your 24M 2x Jackpot. Here's the math: SJP base value = 5*6M + 4*3M + 24M = 66M. You combo into your SJP that has a 2x shot multiplier, and your Orb SJP is a whopping 264M!!!
Rinse/repeat. Do another Groot to restock your Hadrons, then do another Orb.

Quoted from Snailman:

I believe so, yes. I’m fine with there being some nice scoring in Orb, but Lonnie and team solved the Groot one trick pony in rev0.87 by simply creating another one trick pony — the latter of which is even more overwhelming than the first. Lol.
Possible solutions: lower the beginning/max value of the Orb JP. And/or don’t allow a Hadron to spot the initial Orb release shot. And/or make the Orb SJP a triple JP (base value simply 3x your Orb JP value) and not the aggregate sum of all your collected Orb JP. Or go back to the prior Orb MB Gameplay logic where you had to alternate between any lit shot and the Orb. They made the Orb Gameplay progression to the SJP *easier* in 0.90 — making Orb MB even more overpowering. Smh

Quoted from AUKraut:

That's what I was thinking, I think that would make it more fair and should be easy to implement.........

Quoted from Sinestro:

Seems like both of you are on the Prmeium/LE. You both used "magnets" plural.
I wonder if the Pro is playing differently?
I hope not....the magnet effect on the Pro .85 game at the arcade near me is damn near perfect.

Quoted from Sinestro:

It won't. It's been at my distro since before it dropped. No worries, I'll have the USB stick ready to go!

Quoted from kermit24:

With .90, it really seems that fresh blood is working on the code for this game now. Anyone know if this game has been transferred over to one of the new programmers at Stern, like Tim Sexton?

Quoted from steigerpijp:

Mike V, ( vinacour?)
Yeah he seems very involved in the re-design of the old code into whats now a good and fun 0.90
I feel the main wizard is achievable , been close a couple of times , (and way off a lot of other attempts). Works well because I keep coming back like IM or AFM, not too hard but tough to master.
If some extra timed compulory combo’s could be added in the modes, that would boost it.
And maybe lower the combo champ to 5, that way the screen gets used 15 as a base seems on the high side

Quoted from chuckwurt:

Is the orb magnet on the Pros fixed in the most recent code or is it still just tossing it to the left outlane?