Just picked up a NIB pro today. Before I set it up and play the first ball, is there a something like checklist of things to look for and adjust in this particular model? Are there any areas of the playfield that should be protected with mylar or some other form of protection?

I emailed Stern. Took a long while to get a reply

I don’t know if there’s a formal list anywhere, but I’ll borrow a quote from @wolfmarsh: “play the sh!t out of it”

Seriously, here are some things I did (not necessarily in this order, but hindsight is 20/20):
Replaced the stock balls with some from ball baron (cleaning then first of course)
Checked the playfield for defects
Checked the connectors in the upper boards
Booted it up
Ran the various tests via the system menu (switch, lights, etc...)
Turned down the ball ejector strength from 255 to low enough to just get the ball out of the trough into the shooter lane
Check the dr. Strange spinner for level and adjusted it
Played the sh!t out of it
You may want to update the code to .94 but I would play first then update to make sure all mechanicals are good before upgrading.

I’m sure others will have a better list/ideas.

Not an expert on Mylar, but they already have a number of Mylar inserts placed all over. You should be fine to play for a while in any case.

2 more items I thought of later:
1. Look at your Antman and Thor guides and see if there's any pooling. Many of use are using #22 washers to raise the guide off the playfield to avoid digging into it (or damaging it more as in my case)
2. Make sure the playing angle is to your liking. Use the bubble if you must, but I used the "PinGuy" phone app to measure angle up and down, left and right. Think I'm at 6.7 degrees, but I get the feeling it's a personal choice.

Anyone have the rules for the Pro?

Check the link in the topic index at the top of the page. It links to a rules writeup and also to Stern's rulesheet.

Installed the Pinmonk Sanctum bracket tonight. A little hard to get at the support nut with adult sized hands but still a pretty easy install. I can finally see what is lit at the sanctum without ducking. I prefer this mod tonthe full santum sculpt for a few reeasons. The major one for me is this one still uses the flasher over the portal. I like that look.

Sorry i forgot to take pics while the glass was off.

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Stern sent me a new subway - in my case I needed the plastic and the mech - and it’s working much better so far. I’m still getting the occasional two-balls-in-one-section but my other issues are hopefully fixed. I was getting lots of trapped balls - sometimes on a divider and sometimes at the edge of the plastic.

For what it’s worth, the redesigned plastic is all most folks should need (if you have the original design) unless your dividers are messed up. Mine stuck up when they were in the down position.

Looks great, glad you like it! Getting the little brace that keeps the sign from sagging on is the hardest part about the install - but necessary, since without it, there's no adequate support for the sign in Stern's design and it sags forward.

Happened to my buddies. Used magnet to get the screw from subway, and re-assembled. Used lock tight although not sure if it matters / works as that top bolt is nylon on the inside.

Hulk was very angry!

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Amazing! How did you set that up?

On a side note anyone using ball baron ninjas in AIQ? I know it has the tower magnet but since the balls get a good smack on this game I was considering using them as I’ve had no magnetism issues using them in BM66LE or Star Trek LE due to the limit magnet action.

I would add to put washers under the ant man and Thor ball guides to get them off the playfield.

Thanks! Hulk was Level 2 and I placed the Reality Gem on that shot. Gamma Ray started and I was able to get a good rip and then a smaller shot through the spinner before it timed out. Only ended up with a 575 million game and didn't get on my high score board other than the Gamma Ray record...

I use the Ninja balls and haven't noticed any magnetism issues. I also use them in my other games including Twilight Zone and have seen no issues there either. I do change them out around every 500 games as they are fairly scuffed at that point.

Dammit - I knew I forgot something. Thanks @lermods.

Attaching a picture of what happened to mine out of the box. Apparently this is a pretty bad example. Stern sent me a hard coat kit, and I'll be getting a new unpopulated playfield.

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Damn! Sorry to see that. Is that the Ant-Man guide or another?

I've been using Ninja as well without issue, however, I'm perplexed on how scuffed they got in very short period of time (about 150 plays on one set, 300 on another). I wasn't sure if a NIB game would have rough edges on wire forms or what.

I've been doing a bit of a research experiment now. I just put in a set of their Polaris balls (carbon), which I have in the machine right now (just a handful of games). It's really a huge difference in the shine, but that's clearly listed on their site. (Plus they are 1 g heavier...) I didn't realize that the Polaris isn't as hard as the Ninjas, so I expect to see them messed up even faster.

Ant Man. But I also put washers around Thor.

As my first NIB, I wasn't impressed, but strangely enough, I came away happy with a new playfield that I can keep in my back pocket. The key in my mind is to address the issue (with hard coat), then replace with washer. Should give me many years of play without affecting performance of the game, and when I'm ready to sell, if it's a deal breaker, I can offer up the PF. Trying to decide if I should hang on the wall in the meantime...

Finally beat my previous flips high score!

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Avengers works totally fine with Ninjas. Don't sell yourself short by using the Polaris balls which are nowhere near as shiny and degrade much quicker. Ninja balls magnetize on games that rapidly move the ball back and forth over the magnet (eg. LOTR, Dialed In, Metallica, among others). Avengers simply holds it, so very little magnetism is transferred.

Received the topper. Love the artwork and it reacts well to the game. Hard to keep my eyes off of it.

I would suggest purchasing the topper, it seams to be made well, and a great addition to the game.

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$18 at FedEx print: color bound rule book.

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I paid $3.88 cdn at Staples

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Just had my Pro delivered today (Build Date, Dec. 5). Everything seems good, except for an area under the ball guide on the Black Panther shot (circled in red below). Appears to be metal jutting out with some thread like material on it. I assume this isn't normal? Anyone else's Black Panther area look like this? Most BP shots seem fine, but the occasional one seems to rattle due to this piece.

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Not at home to look at mine (Premium), but that looks to be the bracket to the right's termination point. Also looks to be too low for a ball to hit it, but maybe I'm wrong due to the angle of the picture?

That's the overlap from the shooter lane ramp, it sits under the rail guide. Looks like there still may be some protective plastic covering on it.

Where is the file to print? I should probably read it...lol

What’s the consensus on Pro vs Premium these days? The captain marvel shot on the pro looks unsatisfying, but I haven’t tried it myself to say for certain.

Any pro owners regretting not opting up?

This is cool but scary at the same time!

Not sure why I never noticed it before but should the gems on thanks glove pulse/flicker during game play ?

Joined the Pro club today. I feel like the following was already covered but I couldn't find it; sorry. My spinning disk is a bit crooked: one side is flush with playfield but other sticks up a bit. Is it possible to adjust the tilt of the disk to make it level? Thanks.

They flicker if you haven't fought for it.
They are solid if Thanos has it.
They are unlit if you have it

Quick answer is that won't be any consensus.

As pro owner and my wife being the coolest wife ever giving me a quick green light on my birthday, I couldn't justify $1700 for the Marvel Ramp, which the main difference in my mind. I played the Prem on location a handful of times before buying my pro. I'm very happy with my purchase, no regrets. If I was more flush, (or single), I would have probably sprung for the Prem and have been just as happy. CM shot is very satisfying.

I will say that Prem/LE must be harder to play with the CM loop. Personally, I don't get anything from the subway or elevated spinner, so simply making the ramp shot works for me.

At the top of every club thread are key posts... this one of them. Look to the top of any page in the thread. There are 11 on this club thread.

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Thanks. I did look at those. What is covered there about the disk is not my issue as far as I can tell. That post appears to be about the outer ring for the disk (the one with 4 screws in it), rather than the disk itself. My outer ring is fine. The disk itself is crooked. Am I missing something? Thanks.

https://sternpinball.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/AIQ-Rule-Sheet.pdf

How is this game? I am considering getting a Premium. My kids have been asking me to get one. Is this game a keeper? Thank you for the feedback in advance.

Did you click on that photo in the post you're talking about? It's a PDF. Step 1 IS just the outer ring, but step 2 covers leveling the disc to the playfield.

That was my mistake; I didn't realize it was multiple pages. I will try step 2 tomorrow, though I remain concerned if that step is capable only of raising/lowering. I definitely need some lateral adjustment to fix the fact that the plane of the disk is not quite the same as the playfield. I will try tomorrow and report back. Thanks.

This game is an absolute keeper imo. Miles better than just about everything out there and if I only had a collection of one, this would be it. I like it better than my Jurassic Park, which is good too. With such a deep rule set, this will be fun for years to come.

Also, with the upcoming internet connectivity, my strong hunch is the AIQ trophy system is going to be a big part of online Stern play, which is already built into the game. This title is going to be one of the Stern’s internet launch titles, is my guess. You’ll love the game play; so much to shoot, with plenty of exciting pinball moments.

Yep that's a known issue. I have it on mine also where the plane of the disc isn't parallel to the playfield, so it causes a lip on one side of the disc while it's level & flush with the playfield on the other side. I sent an e-mail with pictures to my distributor and they passed it on to Stern support. I'd suggest going that route if you can.

Stern just started mailing the kits to fix the issue. I just got mine yesterday but haven't had time to install it yet. Here's a post where someone posted the instruction sheet that was sent out in advance of receiving the kit.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/official-avengers-infinity-quest-owners-thread-pinsiders-assemble/page/61#post-5969186

What you're describing is a different issue than what those instructions cover. Those instructions are to just raise or lower the height of the disc to make it flush with the playfield, but that will only solve the issue if the plane of the disc is parallel with the playfield. In a case like yours (and mine) where the disc isn't parallel to the playfield the new fix kit should be the way to go.

My 3 year old has played my other games, but this one he claims is his game. Not only that, he won’t let me play it. Selfish little guy.

The pro is the way to go. Great game all the way around.

My 3 year old is the same, my lad often plays my games but not often does he finish a 3 ball game, with AIQ he will play for a good 10-15mins and it’s the game he always goes to and switches on himself randomly through the day.

I actually like the subway and the marvel ramp is amazing, my little boy loves hitting the disc and the ball magically appearing out the VUK. The pro is amazing though but the Prem/LE is my personal fav for this release.

Thanks so much for this, sounds to be exactly my issue. I'll work with my distributor to get one of those kits.

I have played both and bought the Premium.
The Captain Marvel ramp is such a fantastic shot!
Also the raising disc, subway and VUK really make it a lot more "magical".

The artwork on the Premium is also cooler imo.

But hey, it's just my opinion.

Not heard anything back officially about any of my issues (UK)

I've had a look through the thread and index, but for subway problems, is the only solution to get new mech/plastic moulding from Stern? Sometimes the balls don't make it through (though it's a lot better since 0.94) but they still often get stuck when dropping down the Antman VUK - they lodge at the end of the subway, having entered from the wrong side.

I also have problems where the ball gets stuck in the pop bumpers between bumper and ramp - is the only solution to fit the plastic cones to stop them - nothing official?

Shooter lane launches don't make it around correctly and sometimes lodge under the gauntlet - whilst the plastic cones may stop them lodging, it doesn't fix the issue that they are smashing into the plastics because they don't exit the shooter lane correctly, which also messes up skill shots if it happens on manual plunge - is there anything official to do for that? Slowmo video shows that the ball is heading left before exiting the shooter lane and I cannot figure out why as it happens on both a manual and auto plunge.

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I would like to ask a follow-up question; I appreciate your help and patience. What is supposed to happen when the machine is in switch test mode and the disk gets spun? I would have expected that would trigger some switches. But nothing happens. I looked under the playfield and the connectors to the sensor immediately below the disk shaft are apparently all connected. Am I wrong that spinning the disk in switch test mode should do anything? Thanks.

For balls hanging up after going in Antman there's a DIY option that should fix it if you don't want to wait for the replacement plastic part. It's worked on mine. Here's a post I made about it:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/official-avengers-infinity-quest-owners-thread-pinsiders-assemble/page/72#post-6009443

If you're having issues with other ball hangups in the subway due to the mech sticking, you can try to realign the mech:

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/official-avengers-infinity-quest-owners-thread-pinsiders-assemble/page/67#post-5990515