I'm REALLY close to pulling the trigger on a premium but had a few questions...

1. How deep is the game compared to other "deep" games (my metrics are WoZ and LOTR for deep and something like WCS94 for simple)?

2. How friendly is it to new players/casuals? I remember one thing I didn't love about Star Trek was that the mode start shot was borderline impossible for my wife and other friends who never play pinball. Combos, loops, "big toy" targets are fine...But if you can't make any meaningful progress without incredibly accurate shots, it sort of ruins the excitement for lesser skilled players.

3. I've been reading this thread pretty thoroughly and see a good number of issues (some super small and simple to others quite in depth)...I'm assuming it's a crap shoot re: how good bad it is? What about the clear coat?

I believe there's a pro somewhat near me in Indy, but I don't know of any premiums nearby (there may be about an hour away after some additional research). I'm gonna do my best to get some games on one first, but I figured I'd get some input from y'all who currently own and have put a good number of games on one!

So it looks like you own LOTR and WOZ, yes? Most people have never "finished" LOTR or WOZ, but seems as though a decent number of folks are taking down Thanos. I'm curious about how you've come up with your comment regarding the depth of this. It's not meant as disrespect as much as genuine curiosity!

And everyone is talking about how hungry the outlanes on this game are...Is that just geometry being geometry? I'm assuming this is with posts as tight as they can be, too?

I'm actually renting a Pro from a local guy (thanks PinSwap). I kind of love it, and I'm not sure I can see the extras on the Prem/LE being worth that cost. Might consider looking for a pro at some point and save the money to put towards another game.

The one I've got at the house right now has a shaker. I was skeptical and thought it would be too much, but the guy must have it set just right...Because it's PERFECT and an absolutely wonderful addition to the experience!

I know the comprehensive rule sheet exists, but is there a "strategy guide" for how to approach all the gem quests, where placement makes sense, when to stack multiballs, etc?

This is the thing that took me FOREVER to get over, and I still struggle with it sometimes (not just in pinball). The purist in me says, "Modern pinball is a 3-ball game!" or "This <insert video game> is supposed to be played on hard!" or "No takebacks!"

It should be about fun, and whatever it takes to make it fun should absolutely be done.

Of course, like you alluded to, if you plan to play competitive pinball or shoot for high scores or whatever, than yeah - adjust the game and settings to match. But otherwise? Nah - have fun.

One of the best things I've ever done with any game I've owned is to set the tilt bob extra loose to encourage me to nudge more. It makes the entire experience more physical and raw, and I love it.

I always go for the gem that let's you collect shots with the action button first. And stack in Thor multiball so that I stand a better chance at completing it!

On that, if I use the action button to collect a shot, how do I recharge the action button use?

I've only played the Pro. But from what I'm reading and what I've watched, this isn't a game where going Pro or Premium will leave you feeling like you're really "missing out" on features like other Stern games. I'm incredibly impressed with how jam packed the Pro is.

I just read the Tilt rules and it says:

Action Button will spot shots (one use for each threshold of Avenger qualification for the Avenger with the Mind Gem), with similarities to the BOOM button in Deadpool. After all uses are depleted, the gem must be replaced or the Avenger leveled up in order to use it again.

* If Mind Gem is on an uncollected / collected Avenger, action button will only work on THAT shot for all modes running. Uncollected = 1 use. Collected = 2 uses

* If placed on level 1 Avenger, action button will spot the best shot anywhere on the playfield (what the game thinks is the “best” shot) – 3 uses.

* If placed on level 2 Avenger, action button will act like a Big Boom and spot all shots in all running modes, left to right, in order. This can be very helpful during Hulk Rampage! Unlike the other Mind Booms, this only works once and then the Mind gem must be re-placed.

* If placed on the drop targets, the action button can be used to stop the cycling lit square and allow you to gain computer grid awards easier. Must be re-placed after three grid collections through this method. If the computer cannot be advanced because you are in a wizard mode, mind gem on drops will act as hitting all the drops down. This allows you to use it in Soul Gem if mind gem is on drops.

* If placed on Captain Marvel, scores 1 ramp / 10 spins worth of progress towards a count up award and spots whatever shot is currently lit there. Must be re-placed after three uses.

So if I understand correctly, I'll use Black Widow as an example...

I have not collected Black Widow and I place the Mind Gem on her.

* Because she is not collected, I can use the Mind Gem to collect 1 shot on Black Widow.
* I can collect her while the Mind Gem is there and am now able to use it twice on the Black Widow shot.
* If I use the Mind Gem while she's uncollected, does collecting her recharge it?
* Once I've used a level 2 Mind Gem boom, I must MOVE the Mind Gem to use it again. Can it be moved to Hulk and then moved back to Black Widow for another level 2 boom?

It's WAY deeper than I expected, ha.

As I said earlier, I don't think you're getting less game with a pro on this title. I can't see how you'd go wrong with either. But it is worth mentioning the need to service and tweak the subway, CM ramp, and rising stage. Some folks seem to have zero issues, other are in a constant uphill battle!

Unrelated, I keep forgetting that some gem mode shots are on the drop targets. This morning, I was doing one of the modes and could not figure out what shot to hit. After the ball eventually drained, I noticed the grid flashing and moving up and down. Oops.