I hate Thanos Attacks and it needs to die in a fire. It's got nothing to do with the progression of the game at all. It was crammed in because Gary Stern whined that players would never see Thanos if he was only the final mode. No, the points aren't worth risking a ball. It's way too many shots. I always select Soul Gem and just trap up and let him have it, then win it back later from Black Order MB or Battle Royale or Hawkeye.

Agree that Space Gem isn't useful enough. I always do it last. Moving the gems around doesn't really do anything, or actually it's usually a net loss, in moving gems to worse locations more often than to better locations (since you put them on good locations in the first place.) You can do cutesy stunts like the 2-flip Soul Gem, but that's way more work to set up than it's worth. It doesn't really work to use Space Gem to recharge Mind; it's not going to land on a powered-up avenger often, and an unpowered Mind isn't very useful.

Thor takes way too many hits after the first one. Seriously, 9 risky rebound shots for a 2-ball multi? I never go for that, unless I accidentally get multiple hits with the Widow inlane helper. Thor always gets completed from Spot Avenger after the first time.

But really, the game's problems aren't code related. Code can't fix an uncooperative Marvel ramp, or that every reject from the Hawkeye loop blasts straight down the left outlane, or that half the rebounds from the disc area go down the right one. What AIQ really needs is an outlane ball resurrect feature, like on Star Wars and Rush and Led Zep and many others. There's no insert on the playfield for it, but it could be indicated by flashing/pulsing the I or N outlane light.

The biggest thing code could fix is how many times you need to spin up the disc to enable the next mode. I drain half my balls just doing that. The game could really use some shortcut to spinning up the disc sometimes, maybe the Sanctum target. Also allow disc spins to count during the Collect Gem / Place Gem steps, it's completely maddening that you have to finish those before spins will count again. Also for Thanos Attacks, just enable it right away like the Assembled modes instead of spinning up the disc yet again, if you're going to screw over the player with this useless mode, at least give him that much.

I would be surprised (pleasantly! ) if AIQ gets another update other than to fix the non-working achievements.
I don’t have any issues with code or physical aspects of the game. I do have a DIY lexan fix on Captain Marvel.
I usually go for Space gem last as well, though moving the gems around can be beneficial and easier to hit a shot with space gem on it than Ant Man.
I almost always try to win Thanos Attacks, but if you want to trap up and let him win a gem, I would recommend doing it with Reality gem since it’s one of the easiest to win and one of the highest scoring.

re: moving gems around, Agree.
At a certain level its probably useful but it isn't fun. It reminds me of the Star Wars multiplier shot manipulation. Such a weird option to add to a game that is supposed to be very flowy, and I think the Space Gem movement is not a very fun addition to this extremely flowy game. I just want to set it and forget it and currently i'm just trying to place it out of the way where i don't want to put another gem.

Having an option for this in the menu would be nice. Especially for new players who get crushed by that left outlane.

The disc is the most dangerous for my games as well.
Agree on Thanos Attacks should be enabled right away like the other modes.

re: Reality gem repeat.
That's a great idea. Until i get better at the black panther shot i might do that.

Well its not a joint effort between you and the coders to make the game easier for you.

The Thanos Attacks change would make it a bit easier, but i thought the change would make a lot of newer players enjoy that mode a lot more and actually want to play it out (and who have vocally complained that the mode isn't fun for them and some of which who bailed on the game).

Sometimes changes aren't about difficulty. If people are always getting Space Gem last and lots of players aren't playing out Thanos Attacks (or even vocally bashing the game because of the mode) it doesn't hurt to take a look and tweak things a bit. shrug

I'm trying to keep the difficulty where it belongs, on the gem quests (and the physical shots which are steep and tough enough already), and not on the secondary faff that only serves to give you more chances to lose a ball.

Thanos Attacks just shouldn't be in the game at all, or at least have a setting to get rid of it. If it has to exist, I agree that making it drain-proof is a bit too much and too similar to Soul Gem. But it needs some help; it just takes too many shots and too much risk for not enough reward. The worst part is how it actually punishes you for having more gems, which is just dumb, you should never be worse off for owning more.

I'd structure it like this: shoot a total of 5 shots on any of the gems you own (so having more always helps), plus the usual spots available from flank attack and mystery, maybe also one more way to get shot credit (say a Hawkeye combo), then end it with a final blow to the gauntlet ramp (once, not once per gem.)

I love zipping the multiplier around on Star Wars. I don't mind the side faff modes there (Lightsaber Battle, Escape from Boba Fett, and the video mode) - I get excited at another chance to use the multiplier. I wish Thanos Attacks could have that same level of excitement. I think the design could get there by making it a showcase for the gems, not a liability - the gem powers should help you beat Thanos, like a Power Gem shot should count double, Space could light an extra shot, and so on. These gem perks were in older code but somehow disappeared when the Thanos modes were reorganized.

I disabled Thanos stealing gems during Thanos Attacks. I'm not good enough to get through it. Still ticked I lose a ball, but would be even more upset if I lost a gem...

I wish there was a setting where Thanos can just show up and give us all the gems becasue he's such a super nice guy!
Personally I like it becasue it's a nice chunk of points for a few shots. But the participation crowd is always complaining aboot something; this is 'Lightsaber Battle' in SW all over again.

But maybe they'll come and make the game easier and add an insert for a left side kick back?Lyman did make
CIU easier on MET; but that might be the only game that's gotten easier.

Flip side of the argument could be that in my recent game where I got through all modes in a single game I successfully defended 3 gems in Thanos attacks. Made a great game that much more satisfying by getting through the Thanos Attacks mode without losing anything.

Just crank it up to 5 balls if you want it easier. Game is already littered with EBs anyway.

I've always enjoyed the thanos attack mode. It's pretty simple as it's always the same 3 shots to save the gem and they are safe shots. It's also got a very generous ball save. This is the first I've heard people complaining about it. Usually I hear people complaining about Soul Gem due to the "stress" of having limited flips. I love that mode too. If anything I wish both modes were harder by changing up shots needed to complete.

I think mixing up the shots would be a great idea.

I love Thanos Attacks. Then again I have Daddy issues……

I’ve only beaten him once but it felt good!!

It’s not as though when you lose the game ends. It’s just a mode. The gems are just flashing lights. You can get them back.

I think it’s a great game that does have its frustrations, balanced by rewards.

I would like to see code change so you could lock 3 ball in the Portal locks ! Or can you do that now and I'm just missing something ?

Nope, only allowed to lock 2, but when you start a quest the third ball goes into the subway and all three are all lined up there and start feeding out.

The easy solution to this is to win just 1 gem quest, collect the soul gem and start Thanks Attacks with just 2 gems to win. Either that or you can purposely fail Soul Gem so the mode doesn’t start at all. If you can consistantly win gem modes the only downside to not having Soul Gem is missing out of Soul Gem Jackpots.

I probably shouldn't have even mentioned Thanos Attacks, really gets the talk about code changes derailed.

Does anyone have any other code wishlist items?

I still want a better Space Gem. Does anyone have any other good ideas for Space Gem to be a little more fun in play?

I wish we also had an additional wizard mode, something for the really good players to aspire to besides the Computer Frenzy. (Of course i don't have the topper which makes me feel like it needs another wizard mode).

And for my personal playstyle i hate that you have to switch gems around all the time. I wish they could be balanced around providing occasional benefits for each mode without having to switch gems all the time.

Anyone know the powder coat color of the LE? I flipped through the thread and didn’t see any reference to it, but its a lot of pages.

I just received my Pro. It looks fantastic and plays great out of the box. I didn’t have any issues. I really like the hammered powder coating on the hinges and lock bar, and what appears to be a thumb drive in the back box. I should have purchased this pin a year ago. Thx Stern, I’m very happy.

BC6A7CF5-1A5C-4BBD-888E-DB79DA407AEC (resized).jpeg

I agree, when Thanos Attacks was added to the code, that's when I decided to buy the game, it just makes the game feel more like a battle or a journey. I also try and bring a Level 1 Mind Gem into the mode so I can get the 1st Gem defended on ball save, use 1 Mind Gem use for Gem 2 and then use 2 Mind Gem uses for Gem 3.

I think it could be cool if Space Gem enabled additional ways to light "Change Gems." Maybe even just make that it's entire perk: shoot the Space shot and then tap the action button while it's lit purple to enable "Change Gems" at the Gauntlet/Ant-Man shot. Uncollected/Collected: Change 1 Gem of your choice, Level 1: Change 2 Gems of your choice, Level 2: Change all Gems. Or something like that.

Another change I think might be nice is a way to reset the drop target bank/selected target without collecting it. I hate when I am trying to set up a certain bingo collect and inadvertently lock the wrong one in that ruins it. Then again, Mind Gem on the drops is an option, but it's just not worth NOT using it for Mind Gem uses.

Oh yeah, one more, it would be nice to have an option to place your Gem after collecting it the same way as Change Gems works rather than having to shoot the shot. Maybe off by default even but the option would definitely help make the Gem placement strategies more accessible to all players.

Trophy Mania is what you are asking for.

I want a coop mode like other machines have been getting recently. This machine begs for it IMO.

To this point that coop stuff seems to be limited to games Dwight Sullivan does. It is a lot of fun and the impossible mode evens out the difficulty for experienced players playing against newer ones. I'd love to see it brought to all games as well.

Coop would be cool. Especially if they added a "Choose your Avenger" that maybe applied different bonuses and handicaps to make it interesting.

We put the game on 6 ball sometimes to emulate a Coop mode, but I would love more options like TMNT.

Ya, that would be sweet

What would be fun for coop is adding a timed mode like half shell challenge on TMNT
-Choose number of players
-Everyone picks an Avenger
-Game directs the first Avenger up to hit certain shots/combos as an objective, timing how long it takes you to complete
-Game has you change players (Avengers) after the first player's achievement is met, directing the next player to shots/combos specific to that Avenger.
-Infinite ball saves like Soul Gem, but just adds 3-5 seconds to your teams time every time you drain up to some maximum.
-Different shot objectives for each Avenger. Some are easier for novice players, others are more challenging and offer a time bonus opportunities.

The objective would be to race as a team for the fastest time.

They just produced a bunch.

Mine was built April 11.

Funny thing. I own both AIQ and turtles. Never thought anyone would reference a game to be more like turtles code wise. I love them both and pretty happy with them (besides crashes of course), but with all the bitchin going on about the code in the turtles thread…….

I used to have Turtles too. Funny thing is I traded it for AIQ.

Coop and half shell were fun aspects to that game that could be explored with other titles in the form of more team centric game modes.

Couple snaps of the last batch of Gauntlet Mods

PXL_20220504_120824817~2 (resized).jpg

PXL_20220518_193159327~2 (resized).jpg

Rules wise, would you guys say it’s similar to SW and GOT? Not the actual Rules per say, but the aspect that the basic rules structure is easy to learn, yet there’s a ton of different ways to tackle it? ie the term Breadth.

I haven't played much SW or GOT so I can't compare them, but yes the rules structure is easy to learn. It has traditional depth with the Soul Gem, Black Order Multiball, Battle Royale, Computer Frenzy, and Trophy Mania mini wizard modes across three separate tracks of game play (gem quests, computer grid, and trophies). It also has depth/breadth of strategy in experimenting with placing & using the gems and using computer awards. I think it's a pretty good mix for owning at home. Won't likely get bored with it too soon.

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has noticed gold 'fakes' in the base of the cabinet? I have over 2,000 plays on the machine and am wondering if this is normal? Thanks

Its kind of "Normal" for Sterns; shitty low grade flipper coil stops are the issue.
You can replace them with Pinballlife coil stops if you wish, and you should
https://www.pinballlife.com/flipper-coil-stop-for-sternsega.html

Doh! I just made a pinball life order and forgot coil stops. Thanks for the reminder…. Wonder if I can catch them in time.

Ok great thanks. When do I need to replace the full coil? or do a a 'flipper rebuild?" Should I replace the flipper stops on all my Sterns?

I did a flipper rebuild on my Stranger things machine after 4k plays. One of the flipper arms broke so I just did both at the same time. I inspect the flipper mechs on all my machines every month or two and clean them as best I can to keep them strong. Once they start feeling weak is when I usually do it. The rebuild generally does not include the coil.

Ok thanks. So youre saying I need the first option https://www.pinballlife.com/new-style-flipper-rebuild-kit-left-and-right-flippers-for-sternsega.html

Not this option? https://www.pinballlife.com/full-left-flipper-assembly-for-modern-stern-machines-from-012001-to-present.html

Whoa whoa whoa....you only need the coil stops. There's nothing here that says you need a flipper rebuild, and there's 0% you need a new coil.
https://www.pinballlife.com/flipper-coil-stop-for-sternsega.html

So I'm getting an AIQ premium after playing the pro in the arcade just now. Should be sometime next week. Anyone with a newer AIQ, is it recommended to get tha captain marvel reject piece, still, or did they clear this up?

I have over 400,000 flips on my Jurassic Park and AIQ so I was thinking about doing a flipper rebuild

Hey, it's your monies But yes the first one you listed.

I would recommend it. I made my own lexan version for $5 I think and have enough lexan left over to make probably 20 more. I really like that you can't even see the DIY lexan one. My capt marvel ramp from last August worked well out of the box but there were a few rejects due to that odd wireform so I just went ahead and made it.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4891746

I didn't see an answer for this question. I'm still having the problem. The machine seems to play as it should, but i keep getting the tech alerts. I have been working with Stern and they have been great, but as of today still no fix.

What does the tech alert say?

My turn for the big brag post, got the 6 gems and to Thanos for the 1 billion score, for a 2.6 billion GC. All factory settings (except for adjusting power for ejects and autoplunge and slingshots.)

Funny part was that as much as I was complaining about Thanos Attacks, it was key in this game. I got there with two gems (having lost one), and finished the first one during the ball saver, so decided I might as well go for it, and pulled off defending the second gem to reclaim the third.

Also made Computer Frenzy for the first time, but fell short of Trophy Mania, at 20 trophies. You really gotta get almost all the Super mode trophies for that, and also several level-2 avengers.

I also discovered what happens if you assemble the avengers again after Battle Royale (so the fourth time total): the wizard modes loop back around to play Soul Gem again. I assume it would keep going to Black Order MB and Battle Royale again as well. Although at that point you'd only ever be collecting them via Spot Avenger; it was up to 13 shots for each of Widow and Panther.

avengers 2600m.jpg

WE KNEW IT!!!
Monster score!