Could use some tips on outlane saves

[smbhax]

Nudging inward, outward, or upward (I'm on PS3)--whatever I do to try to save the ball from going down the outlanes just seems to make things worse. I don't think I've ever really made a clean, intentional outlane save. So...how do you do it?

Which direction do you nudge? Inward, outward, upward...or does it just depend?

When do you nudge? When the ball is on top of the slingshot? On the outlane post? Contacting the outlane wall? Or...some other time?

Any tips you can provide on saving the ball once it is headed toward outlane danger will be greatly appreciated!

 

[inspector42]

Depends on the table, really, and the speed and angle of the ball. However, as a rule of thumb if the ball is headed toward the outlane it might already be too late. I use nudging much more to keep the ball off the slingshots (preventing many outlane drains) and into a cleaner trap on the flippers.

 

[superballs]

An upward nudge when the ball is hitting the slings will keep it out of the out lanes. If you aren't sire and the ball is near the sides then nudge it toward the center

 

[inspector42]

Ah yes. Can't do the upwards nudge on ios.

 

[Palmer Eldritch]

nudge and pray to your God.

 

[smbhax]

Thanks 'balls, I'll try those directions. And you're right inspector, I do need to do more little nudging around the table in general; I'm a little heavy on the analog stick by default so I've been shying away of doing a lot of nudging--at least in non-immediate-death situations--for fear of tilts; gotta work on a softer touch.

 

[TomL]

My advice is to work on getting better at flipper catches and aiming better. Pinball tables are designed so that near misses on high value targets will deflect towards the outlanes or center drain. In fact, some targets may not even be worth the risk of a ball draining deflection.

Not to be too harsh, but pinball is *designed* to separate the player from their cash as frequently and as quickly as profitable. Any entertainment value for us is just a side benefit.

 

[DrainoBraino]

I work on the cause-effect theory in pinball: What caused the ball to get over in the outlane in the first place? Usually it's the slingshot, so nudge up when it hits the center of them, or preemptive nudge to keep it from hitting the center of the slings. Whatever causes the ball to go over that way, try to avoid that scenario. In other words, don't keep making the same mistake that causes the drain to happen.

Once the ball gets over to the in/outlane area it's mostly luck if you can save it. I tend to use reverse psychology and attempt to nudge the ball into the outlane. Seems I get luckier that way in that the ball will go past the outlane and back, either into the inlane or back over the slings.

 

[smbhax]

Usually it's the slingshot, so nudge up when it hits the center of them, or preemptive nudge to keep it from hitting the center of the slings.

Ooh I like the sound of this, will definitely give this a go. Thanks!

I tend to use reverse psychology and attempt to nudge the ball into the outlane. Seems I get luckier that way in that the ball will go past the outlane and back, either into the inlane or back over the slings.

You know, the way it usually goes for me with outlanes, this reverse psychology thing should work perfectly! : D

 

[smbhax]

Well I have to give a big thanks to the guys who replied on this thread, as I've managed to start seeing positive results already after trying to put their advice into practice. It was funny because at first it seemed to make things worse: I would nudge upward as the ball went for the sling, with the result that the sling would slap itself into the ball and send it whizzing at impressive speed around the table--which I eventually gathered wasn't necessarily the result I was supposed to be achieving every time. But eventually something clicked and I got the timing of the nudge down so that instead of smacking into the ball, it's almost like performing a live catch with the slingshot, moving it away--I guess? not sure but whatever, it works--just before contact so the ball's momentum is deadened and it drops neatly down to the flippers. Man! This is super-exciting! And I actually managed what I can honestly say was a real intentional get-out-of-there-you-darn-ball outlane shake-save! : oooo Holy moly it's like a whole new game now, wheee~~

Ooh although I'm getting way more drains down the middle because I'm concentrating so much on nudging, hah. ; ) I suppose once I get used to it more it won't take so much brain power and I'll remember the flippers are there too.

EDIT: Raised my Big Shot high score by 70K, woohoo : D

 

[Jeff Strong]

EDIT: Raised my Big Shot high score by 70K, woohoo : D

Woot!

Seriously though, great to hear that the advice is working.

 

[Clawhammer]

Depends on the table, really, and the speed and angle of the ball. However, as a rule of thumb if the ball is headed toward the outlane it might already be too late. I use nudging much more to keep the ball off the slingshots (preventing many outlane drains) and into a cleaner trap on the flippers.

Couldn't agree more. I nudge often to get a clean dead bounce to get the ball to a trap. Some games (like CV on iOS) nudging once its near the inlane/outlane area is almost useless if not detrimental. Nudge away from those slings! Here's hoping for upward nudging on iOS someday.

 

[Mark W**a]

Nudging inward, outward, or upward (I'm on PS3)--whatever I do to try to save the ball from going down the outlanes just seems to make things worse. I don't think I've ever really made a clean, intentional outlane save. So...how do you do it?

Which direction do you nudge? Inward, outward, upward...or does it just depend?

When do you nudge? When the ball is on top of the slingshot? On the outlane post? Contacting the outlane wall? Or...some other time?

Any tips you can provide on saving the ball once it is headed toward outlane danger will be greatly appreciated!

Pre-emptive nudging.

On Pinball Arcade console version... the secret to rediculous high scoring is to keep the ball from the outlanes completely.

Literally I used to completely control the ball due to constant nudging. When you get that left to right ball motion, the trick is to nudge the table down or up depending on where it's headed. Something that you can't do on the mobile version (hence why I have dramatically lower scores on that platform).

So if you see the ball sailing left towards the outlane: try to nudge the table "down". This will send the ball higher to hit hopefully a post or something so it doesn't even enter the outlane at all. Same with nudging "up" if the ball is closer to say, hitting a slingshot then press up to bring the ball "down". Remember: it's inverted because the direction you move the table means the ball will go the opposite, kind of like flying a plane.

Hope this helps.

 

[smbhax]

Whoa you can nudge *down*? I didn't even think of that! Will definitely have to give that a shot, thanks : D