Is there a setting to turn off beasts on hobbit pinball? My beasts are not popping up. All 4 of them. The light still shows up as if the shot is there

I must have had one of the oldest codes of any current Hobbit owner (0.81). After a couple plays and then several tries to update, I am running 3.10. What a difference! Great job on this pin, it will be my favorite when I get it 100%
I'm having a few issues I couldn't find solutions for:
1. The Smaug magnet for ball locks gets stuck. A solid smack on the side releases it. The magnet is recessed just a bit. Is it supposed to be flush? (see pic)

2. The lights on the A-R-F are switched with the lights for barrel bumpers, bag end, and mystery shot respectively. The actual shots are correct. For ex/ if I hit the mystery when F (Bombur) is lit it gives me the mystery. In Smaug multi when super jackpot is lit (it lights at mystery, bag end and pop bumpers) if I hit A-R-F then it rewards the super. Under the playfield, the light chips/boards all say J100. I can't see the ones under the targets. Really not sure how to remedy this. It looks like the D of dwarf is possibly wrong as well.

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Thanks, I'll see if I can raise it somehow.

Is this screw supposed to be under the magnet? I felt underneath and I could feel a hole. I'll refer to the manual when I get a chance. Appreciate the help!

According to C48 of the manual. There is only the two nuts to the right of the magnet by smaug.
I can't see how those can raise it. I'll take those off and get a closer look.

Oh, I see. I'm referring to the single magnet above the playfield on the ramp that locks for Smaug multiball. I loosened the two nuts for the assembly and was able to force it to sit flush with the ramp. Thanks LTG and punkin!

I still am unsure how the change the lights from mystery to bombur and two others. Can I unplug the wires going to each rgb led board or do I need to unscrew the board and put them in the correct place?

@trumpanche. That did it! It was tough to tell which board was A. I messed up the arkenstone lights on board C and then guessed correctly the second time. Thank you all so much. I love this game and the community!

I had a lot of trouble updating. I couldn't get ubootin to work. I tried https://rufus.ie/ and followed these instructions http://marketing.jerseyjackpinball.com/general/install-full/

I made sure my memory stick was formatted FAT32 and had nothing else on it. I powered machine off. Plugged in USB and powered on. The update started automatically. If you haven't, I would give that process a try. The new code is amazing depending what code you are running.

15 or 20 captive ball (Thorin) will light an extra ball. I think if you collect all dwarves in feast frenzy will light extra ball. Maybe 5 or so barrel knock overs will light it. These are adjustable in the settings. I'm not 100% sure about these. I have similar games where extra balls are everywhere.

Ok, I have the elite topper, bag end gate, arkenstone start button with pulse, arkenstone in Smaug's gold, clear shooter ring (and red shooter ring for LOTR), barrel legs, and book frame. I don't have bag end mod because of previous owner glued figures there (I might remove them and add the bag end sculpt. Can you guys stop making amazing mods? I think we are good now right? Just kidding, this community is awesome. I think this pin is undervalued even at $8k.

Are you using unetbootin? You might want to try Rufus. I was only able to get it updated with Rufus using JJP install instructions. There are posts in this thread talking about changing a setting to boot from stick. Maybe that's your issue.

I agree. I've messed around with Smaug's mouth but I've come to the realization and accepted that my Smaug's jaw looks and moves like Beavis and Butthead.

I like black arrow, I own a gold Smaug edition. It's up to you on art and what is available. Playfields are the same. Some argue the black arrow being late production has improved beast mech designs. I can't confirm that. I'd take anyone, it's all about the game play

Sometimes I think I am qualifying the roaming blue but it doesn't do it. I am on 3.10 but maybe, like myself, are not 100% in understanding when it is qualified. I know you need to qualify all of the modes by hitting the shots you said but there must be other stipulations.

Are any of these mods available?

By no means 15 minutes but IE Pinball has a couple videos exploring modes that build on each other. When I was trying to learn more rules I enjoyed the Buffalo Pinball with JJP video where they have small challenges (

). If you have any questions, I understand most of the rules at this point or someone else here can answer. Do you know how to qualify 'Into the Fire'? That would be the first step I think. Collect all beast hurry ups, start Smaug MB, rip the spinner to get to Erebor, beat a mode, and collect all dwarves. Each mode has a difficultly marked by stars, the more stars the harder the mode and the more points you'll earn during 'Into the Fire'. Rinse, repeat for 'Barrel Escape' and 'Battle of Five Armies'.

I am so jealous of where you are in discovering this pin. I'll do my best to clarify a few things. (see image of the display screen below). I might get some details slightly off.

There are 5 areas on the display that need to be 'qualified' in order to start the first wizard mode; Into the Fire. You'll do the same thing for the second and third wizard modes. The 4 corners and top center are the 5 areas. I have circled them in different colors. When you 'qualify' an area you will see a triangular shaped stone appear in the pink circle. Look closely at the top middle area circled in green and then a smaller pink circle. The stone is there signifying that area is qualified. None of the other 4 areas pink circle have the triangle stone so they're not qualified.
Now, what are the 5 areas and how do you qualify them? You already know the upper left. The upper left area circled in yellow is for Smaug multiball. Locking 3 balls will start Smaug multiball and is what is required to qualify that area. You now have the stone for the yellow area.
The bottom left area circled in red represents the beasts that pop up. As you roll over in lane switches that are lit, the corresponding beast will pop up and you have a limited amount of time to hit that beast. If you hit all 4 beasts, you will earn your triangle stone (qualifying the lower left red area) and start beast multiball.
The bottom right area circled in blue represents the dwarves. There are shots around the playfield that will collect each dwarf. When you collect a dwarf their picture will be in color on the display screen. You'll want to collect them all to earn your stone for that area. Hint: the purple shots are dwarves you haven't collected yet.
The upper right area in orange represents the distance you must travel to get to Erebor. Either orbit spinner will progress you to Erebor. Once there you will have your needed stone.
The top middle area in green are your modes. There are 31 modes of varying difficulty. You start a mode by hitting the Bilbo right ramp when lit red. You can scroll through the modes available while the ball returns from a left ramp shot. Let me say that again.. If you want to change the mode you are about to start, you can hit the Gandalf left ramp. While the ball is traveling back to your right flipper, you can toggle through modes using your flipper buttons. There is much to learn with modes but if you beat a mode, you'll earn your qualification.
That's all 5 areas qualified. Now hit one of the holes (Balin or Radaghast) to start your first wizard mode.
I'm sure I messed something up but hopefully that helps. There is many more things other than this to discover so I don't think this is a spoiler.

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I'm curious about the LCD screen mod at the apron. To those who have installed the small screen near the flippers that split off from the book video, do you find it to be a worthwhile mod? I'm assuming it makes it easier to see your next shot in modes you aren't familiar with but is it distracting? Does it take away from the immersion?

Is this from experience on The Hobbit or playing on other games with the apron screen? I also wonder about mode selection. Since you have to press the action button, maybe a screen there would be nice to select a mode.

Oh, brain fart. You are right, you don't press the action button to shuffle modes (it's the flippers). Yeah, I don't mind looking at the book for my next shot if I need the info. The game does a pretty good job of lighting the shot needed for modes.

I just wonder if the apron screen is a nice upgrade. If anyone finds it useful and likes the addition. I've only had less than 5 plays on the JJP Pirates that had one and I don't recall ever looking at it.

I don't think you can start a mode a second time. Maybe if you get through all 31 modes and after 'there and back again' you might be able to do a mode again.

Has anyone received the beast mold mods from lermods? I'm wondering how they turned out. I haven't seen any talk or pictures so I assume they're still in production phase.

Honestly, you should email JJP support. Let them know that typically Lloyd would answer these questions but since they let him go I guess it's their job... Other option, search this forum. LTG used to answer beast question every other month or so for the past few years.

https://www.ministryofpinball.com/en/spareparts/mirror-blades-for-jersey-jack-pinball-the-hobbit-spiegelblech.html
These are sweet. Mirrored with Hobbit cut. Let me know if you want to see a Pic.

Rules question: I was close to starting battle of five armies. I only needed to start beast MB. I needed one orc hurry up. I was shooting the right ramp so that the ball would roll over the inlane to light the orc. Only problem is it never lit the orc. I couldn't get the orc to pop up. It would light white when I rolled over and then turn off. Goblin was lit green and ready and one of the right side beasts was lit green and ready. I'm curious if anyone knows how you'd go about getting a certain beast to pop up if you only need that to progress? Thanks

How do you hook up a TV?

I accidentally bought two Hobbit fan kits. Would I be able to use one in Wonka or Dialed In?

There are two screws to the right of the Smaug magnet. Loosen and adjust the magnet up a bit so it sits flush.

PM me, I think I have an extra book cover. I don't think I have the post going up but I do have a frame.

I like these mirror blades with 'Hobbit' lettering cut out.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/hobbit-owners-thread/page/226#post-6871530

I wonder if your little black plastic ledge is broke? It holds up the drop target. If you manually lift the target, does it stay up? Mine broke off so I turned off the coil for that particular letter. But you would notice the coil firing several times.

They were in the game when I got it

If it sounds like Smaug himself is under the playfield lighting off firecrackers, then it's probably normal.

Do you know how to start the first wizard mode; Into the Fire? If not, I'd say that learning the rules is your first step to enjoying this pin.

ok I let my battery die.. what do I need to do? Replace battery and .... full install?