Up until this past weekend, I've kept my Attack from Mars set relatively default. It's gotten too easy, and I've been meaning to make some adjustments to make ruling the universe a once-in-a-while thing again. Here's what I did:

* Replaced flipper rubber with Superbands (not necessarily harder, but it's taking a while to adjust my aim)
* Opened outlanes all the way
* Turned off all extra balls
* Made it harder to open the ship (no neighborhood shots)
* Made it harder to start the first multiball (6 shots instead of 4)

I definitely succeeded in my goal, because I have yet to rule the universe on these settings. On the plus side, now I can play a game or two when taking a break from work.

Thanks for the tip/reminder. I haven't Novus 2'd my (nicely clearcoated) AFM playfield in a while. I just did it, and it's already making a huge difference.

Still haven't ruled the universe since turning off EBs and opening the outlanes, but I've gotten pretty close and I think I've seen some improvement in my playing. This speed increase is probably going to be a bit of a setback toward the RTU.

[Not sure the best place to put this, so here it is.]

Since I opened the outlanes, toughened the software (no EBs, hard MB start, etc.), Novus'd the PF, and added Superbands, I've been playing the snot out of my Attack from Mars.

3 or 4 times before today, I got 5 out of 6 RTU goals done.

Well, today, I had everything done except Attack Mars at the end of ball 1. I started ball 2 with the shield down and at the start of the last country before Mars. I had Martian Attack lit, 1 lock complete, and only 2/12 of my TA progress. So I went straight for Martian Attack to try to get a quick 2-ball and ball save to defend the last country. I got 3 out of 4 jumping martians and ran out of time, but didn't drain. Because the ball was cradled on the left flipper, I worked on the right ramp and orbit. I had 2 of each and never got control back for a lock shot and drained. On to ball 3. Even worse than ball 2. I didn't even save the last country. Fun?

Keep in mind that before I nastified the game, I've RTU'd twice in the same game, and maybe even three times. Not that impressive, because of the extra balls it gives out by default (Video Mode, 10 lower lane completions, 50 lower lane completions, 2 countries, Strobe Multiball, even on Stroke of Luck occasionally).

I know that I'll be able to do it at some point with my game set up the way it currently is. Anybody want to tell me all about how they RTU'd on 1 ball on a tough-to-brutal AFM and give me some encouragement? This thing is killing me!

For anyone keeping track, I finally RTU'd on my AFM today for the first time since I set it up tough. Funnily enough, I did it on ball 2 -- so I actually had a decent chance at RTUing again on ball 3 (but came up short). I generally suck at getting dirty pool, but I got one on this game that helped me take down the 4th ship on ball 1. I ended up getting 1/3 of the way through the 5th ship on ball one, which really helps. As we all know by now, the only real risky shot in this game is opening the saucer, because everything else either returns to a flipper or can be done during a multiball. I guess the orbits can be tough, but my scoop feeds the left flipper as it should anyhow. I didn't pay too much attention, but I think the score was in the 30 billion range. For just 3 balls, and the way the game is playing, I'm happy with this result. Even if it took me a month to get there.