Despite being a little late to the party, I am now the proud owner of a Smaug edition. My 10 year old son and I always loved the movie, but I had resisted buying one due to some play some time ago on one that was setup too shallow and with early code. We jacked up the back and it is an absolute blast. This is, in my opinion, a machine that sets a bar for theme integration and is a perfect way to demonstrate how far this industry has come to the uninitiated pinball guest.

I know some people aren't crazy about mods, and I usually lean towards less is more as well. However, given my son and I's love of the theme, it has sort of become something that he and I brainstorm and work on things to do together and we have had a blast doing it. His idea was some sort of black arrow. It was a little tough to replicate as closely as I would have liked, but he, and a couple of other pinheads have given some great feedback. It sits right above the shooter lane, and is on an anti vibration mount that we fabricated. In addition, we have added a bunch of other stuff including side blade art, color filter, a bilbo/gollum display, topper, external sub, gold ring button and plaque, etc.

Anyway, I have rambled enough. Here are a few photos. Glad to join all of you.
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Thank you! I did. The fletching is hand made from synthetics and the shaft is an actual custom graphite shaft with a real broadhead that was grinded down to be safe and then painted and clearcoated.

Looks like I timed my pickup well... For once. Haha

Great code. Been giving it some time already.

Question/request...

Can someone who is running near 7 degrees and having good luck with the kickback placing the ball where it should be, tell me what they have their kickback settings at?

My kickback is all over the place. It makes it tough when the lance shot is not able to be completed. It is sometimes short, sometimes long. I have fiddled with different settings and it is driving me mad.