Quoted from Snailman:bmlors
Wow. Really impressive! I had no idea about the mode multiplier aspect of Arkenstone mini-wizard modes. It makes me want to have a go at playing some Hobbit just to experience the nuanced rules, even though I'm not a big fan of how the game physically shoots.
To help me understand:
1) The "*" calculation of Arkenstone scoring... confirm some math examples, if you would...
A) if I play one single * mode and one quintuple ***** mode, then my next Arkenstone scoring is at 1x? (1/4x times 4x = 1x)
B) if I play one single * mode and one double ** mode, then my next Arkenstone scoring is at a paltry 1/8x? (1/4x times 1/2x = 1/8x)
2) Do all the modes played (from the beginning of the game) prior to an Arkenstone wizard mode factor into the * multiplier? Or is it just the modes that are played between Arkenstone modes?
3) During the Treasure Hunt phase of a Mode multiball:
- Is the Treasure Hunt value = the total points scored in the Mode?
- Does your eventual Mode Total (that factors into your EOB bonus from Feeders/Map) get increased by the amount of points collected during Treasure Hunt?
4) Is there a good YouTube or Twitch video of someone going deep in the game on latest code?
Thanks again.
#1 -- already answered, but just to confirm that whatever the highest value mode you complete before starting multi-ball is what counts. So your A example would be 4x...your B example would be 1/2x. And just to make sure it's clear -- it's not just playing the mode...you have to finish the mode.
#2 -- just the modes played between Arkenstone multi-balls count toward starting the next one. If you're ever curious about where you're at during the game, just hold down a flipper (catching a ball) and you can scroll through on the screen to see what you have active going into the multi-ball.
#3 -- frankly not sure. 
kjlors might know.
#4 -- I haven't seen one that's current, so sounds like the other posts about one this week would be your best shot. We did link a short video of There and Back Again into the rulesheet, but that's just a tiny snippet of what it took to get to that point.
Bonus -- I'd second the comments about making sure the machine is setup well before judging the game play too harshly. For me, it was the first JJP/widebody that I'd played. I was very used to my LOTR LE, which plays fast and rewards precise shots. Hobbit initially felt slow/soft to me, but then we increased the pitch a bit and bumped the flipper strength. That, combined with learning the depth of the rules, makes a huge difference in enjoying the game. Despite both being from Middle Earth (ha!), they are very different games but equally enjoyable once you get good at them.
Norwalk, IA
