This rulesheet is based off of the work of Adam Kiesler and others. Permission was received to post it here for editing.
Quick Links:
- Game Information
- Rules Overview
- Layout
- Skill Shots
- Crank It Up
- Multiballs
- Side Modes
- Other Scoring
- End of the Line (Wizard Mode)
Game Information:
- Lead Designer: John Borg
- Code/Rules: Lyman F. Sheats Jr. (RIP), Lonnie D. Ropp, Mike Kyzivat
- Artwork: âDirty Donnieâ Gillies
- Dots/Animation: Mark Galvez, Tom Kyzivat, Jack Liddon, Kelly Mazurowski, Rory OâDonnell, Scott Melchionda
- Music and Sound:
- Release Date: April 2013 (November 16, 2018)
- Wiki Rulesheet based on Code Rev: 1.80
- Edit the Code revision, if applicable, when you make changes
âMetal up your ass!â Metallica was one of the first Stern releases to revitalize interest in physical pinball back in 2013 and received continuous improvement from code champion Lyman Sheats in the following years. The game is highly regarded for âCrank It Upâ and the risk / reward decision making involved that shaped many more recent releases, the wide variety of multiball and mode stacking opportunities, and of course, the music & callouts courtesy of the band themselves. Learn how to rock this game here!
Rules Overview
- Shoot the main features (Grave Markers, Electric Chair, Coffin Captive Ball, and Snake) enough times to begin multiball modes and make progress towards Crank It Up modes.
- During Crank It Up, shoot the flashing shots to build the jackpot value. Making all four main features again during Crank It Up lights the scoop to either cash out the jackpot or continue the mode.
- Multiballs have an add-a-ball by completing pick targets and then locking a ball at the Snake.
- There are a number of additional Side Modes that will typically start as soon as they are qualified and can be brought into any active feature. Keep them running by making shots as often as you can!
- Shoot the captive ball to light Extra Ball at the scoop.
- Play all 4 Crank It Up modes to qualify The End of the Line, worth potential billions of points if you played your modes out well.
Layout
Premium/LE: |
Pro: |
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Skill Shots
Plunge for the flashing rollover to score a skill shot value of 200k. The skill shot value increases by 50,000 for each skill shot made, and plunging for the right rollover awards 2x the skill shot value.
Super Skill Shot
Holding the left flipper disables the orbit up-post and activates the super skill shot which can be collected by shooting any major shot (including the scoop, the captive ball, the Snake, and Sparky). This typically awards 2x the value of the standard skill shot & increases their value by 100k, but there are bonus awards for making certain lanes as super skill shots:
- Dead End Target: Immediately qualifies 2x Playfield.
- Scoop: Awards Mystery.
- Randomly lit shot: Qualifies that shot for a Coffin Hurry-Up & adds 200k to the next skill shot. In competition mode this will always be the left orbit.
- Rollover lanes: 2x the value of a standard skill shot (4x if you plunge to the right lane!)
Crank It Up
These are the gameâs main single-ball modes, which have the potential for huge scores if players are willing to put up with the risk of keeping the ball alive. Crank It Up lights at the scoop after collecting 12 of each item +1 per Crank It Up played during the same game. A fifth Crank It Up mode awaits players who make it through all four.
Collecting Items
To light the scoop for Crank It Up, 12 (+1 per subsequent mode) of the four items must be collected:
There are two ways to collect the former three items - either by making direct shots to their corresponding feature on the playfield, or by shooting the corresponding insert at any of the five major shots. The inserts light by shooting their respective features, and the red spider arrow determines which shot the insert will be placed on. If all three inserts are on a single shot, the next shot made there will start a Coffin Hurry-Up. Coffins, however, can only be collected by making direct shots to the captive ball. The left inlanes light the captive ball for 2 hits for a limited time.
Crank It Up lights at the scoop as soon as the required items have been collected and the player has returned to single-ball play, indicated by a unique sound and the 4 item inserts above the flippers pulsing.
Shoot the scoop, and then choose from any of the four Crank It Up modes (that havenât been played yet) using the flipper buttons - or a relatively low value of points (5M + 1M per subsequent mode) instead of starting it.
Mode Information
The goal of each Crank It Up mode is to score as many points as possible by shooting flashing shots, then cashing them out at the scoop. These are long modes (averaging around 6 minutes each!), so take your time - but remember that ball save is only active for the first few seconds of the mode. A âcompletion bonusâ is scored after making enough shots during the mode, collected right away instead of being added to the jackpot and enabling victory laps for the rest of the mode.
During any Crank It Up mode, making a direct shot to each of the four main features described above will light the scoop to either collect the current jackpot value (L flipper), or continue the mode (R flipper). If the jackpot has been cashed out, the player can re-collect 25% of the jackpot value by making all five spider arrow shots, followed by the scoop to cash it out. This feature remains active until the ball drains or the next Crank It Up mode is lit by collecting enough items.
Scoring Mystery during any Crank It Up mode always awards âCrank It Up Bonusâ, regardless of level. This collects the next lit shot you need for the mode and any increments that might have been awarded otherwise.
All side modes can be brought into and / or activated during Crank It Up.
The Crank It Up modes, from left to right, are as follows:
- For Whom the Bell Tolls: The five major shotsâ item inserts are lit for jackpots. Make three shots to all five to score increasing jackpot values and light their inserts. Completing âcolumnsâ or ârowsâ of inserts scores even higher jackpot values. Lighting all 15 inserts scores the Completion Bonus.
- Fade to Black: Switch hits add to the jackpot value, which is collected at a random flashing shot or by collecting enough switch hits. Solidly lit shots score a portion of the jackpot value. Fill the vertical progress bar on the screen through any combination of jackpots and switch hits to score the Completion Bonus.
- Battery: Shoot Sparky over and over to score increasing amounts of points and light the electric chair inserts at other shots for jackpots. Each jackpot, either at Sparky or at other shots, increases the value of the next. Make 12 shots to Sparky to score the Completion Bonus.
- Enter Sandman: Three randomly selected inserts on each of the five major shots will be flashing, which alternate shots with every switch hit. Making any shot with a solidly lit insert scores a jackpot, which can be doubled or tripled if more than one lit insert is on that shot. Light all 15 of the inserts solid to score the Completion Bonus.
Multiballs
Multiball modes are a quick way to rack up points and collect items on Metallica. There are four different multiball modes, three of which are mutually exclusive; one additional multiball mode can be started during Casket Multiball.
During any multiball mode, completing the four pick targets lights the Snake for a timed lock + 2x playfield for 20 seconds. Scoring the timed lock also adds a ball into play the first time it has been scored during any multiball, and activates a ball saver for about 10 seconds. Playfield scoring resets to 1x once the timer expires.
All side modes can be started or brought into Multiball modes and are vital to high scoring.
Electric Chair Multiball
Song: Creeping Death
Starting Multiball
Shoot Sparky 10 times to light electric chair inserts at the major shots and start Electric Chair Multiball. Shots to either side of Sparky score 1 hit, while shots to the target in between them score 2 hits instead. When one shot is remaining, Sparky will taunt you and all three inserts will strobe. Shoot Sparky once more to start multiball and check out the great introduction animation & light show. Starting Electric Chair Multiball also automatically gives credit for the electric chair requirement for Crank It Up.
Subsequent Electric Chair Multiball attempts require two more Sparky hits than the last.
During Multiball
Fill Sparkyâs power meter by hitting lit jackpot shots. The jackpot shots are the flashing electric chair inserts on the left and right orbits, and the Sparky shot. The base jackpot value starts at 275k (need info on increments). Once the power meter is completely full, shoot Sparky for a 1.5M Super Jackpot that increases by 100k per Super Jackpot collected.
Each Super Jackpot collected electrocutes one of seven Sparky characters seen on the progress bar at the bottom of the DMD display. There is a progress bar for each Sparky character. As soon as the seventh Sparky has been electrocuted, the orbits, ramps, and Sparky are all lit for super jackpots valued at a max of 2M for the remainder of the current multiball, and for every subsequent Electric Chair Multiball during the game.
Grave Marker Multiball
Song: Master of Puppets
Starting Multiball
Each shot to the inline drop targets increases your bonus multiplier and lights a grave marker insert at a random shot. Once all 3 drop targets have been knocked down, shoot the grave marker target behind them to start multiball.
Subsequent Grave Marker Multiball attempts require one more grave marker target hit than the last.
During Multiball
All five major shots are lit for jackpots that start at 216k and increase with every lit grave marker shot. Shooting the grave marker target itself spots a jackpot that hasnât been collected yet (from left to right) if one isnât available there. Each jackpot also collects a grave marker.
Once you have made all five jackpots, the grave marker will strobe for double jackpot. Scoring the double jackpot will cause the magnet to hold the ball for 20 seconds. Each jackpot collected while the ball is held on the magnet adds to the value of the Super Jackpot that can be scored by knocking the ball off the magnet, which starts at 1M. After the Super Jackpot has been collected, the number of jackpots required to qualify subsequent double jackpots increases by 1 for the rest of the multiball.
Snake Multiball
Song: Sad but True
Starting Multiball
Shoot the Snake when lit to spot letters in SNAKE. The Snake unlights once a letter has been collected, and can be relit by shooting any shot with a lit Snake insert - three of these inserts light each time you shoot the Snake. Once SNAKE has been completed, the next shot to the Snake will start 2-ball multiball.
The Snake must be lit once per letter for subsequent Snake Multiball attempts.
During Multiball
Jackpots are lit at all major shots and the Snake itself. Each jackpot collected adds its value to the super jackpot, and adds a +1x multiplier to the âSnake Comboâ, which is required to score the super jackpot. The Snake Combo value maxes at 3x.
The âSnake Comboâ is collected by shooting either the left ramp or right orbit, followed by quickly shooting the Snake. Making any other shot before the Snake cancels this combo out and will require the combo to be started again. Once the Snake Combo has been collected, the multiplier will reset to 1x.
Casket Multiball
Song: For Whom the Bell Tolls
Starting Multiball
Every shot to the captive ball collects coffins and counts down towards locking a ball - virtually on the Pro, physically (via the magnet) on Prem / LE. 5 captive ball hits are required to light the first lock, and 10 hits are required to light each subsequent lock. Casket Multiball locks can not be collected while in multiball on default settings, though progress can be made towards qualifying each lock regardless. As soon as the third ball is locked, Casket Multiball begins.
During Multiball
Casket Multiball is unique among the multiball modes in Metallica as it primarily serves as a vehicle for bringing in one additional multiball mode and as many side modes as you can. The only jackpots available during this multiball are scored by alternating between the flashing red arrows and the captive ball. Collecting 5 captive ball jackpots scores a Super Jackpot in place of the normal jackpot value, worth the total of the prior collected jackpots.
Experiment with figuring out which modes and multiballs to start during Casket Multiball. Seek & Destroy is a very good contender for stacking as the mode uses the same shot pattern as Casket Multiball.
Side Modes
Side modes can be started at any time, even while other features like Crank It Up or multiball modes are running. Many side modes have ways to extend their timers, allowing them to potentially last for much longer than their initial 45 second timers.
FUEL
Shoot the FUEL targets four times to add to the FUEL gauge, displayed in the center of the playfield, and light the dead end target behind them for 2x Playfield. Once the FUEL gauge is completely full (after three completions of FUEL for the first attempt), the next shot to any of the targets will start the FUEL frenzy.
This frenzy mode allows the player to rack up points that can be cashed out potentially endlessly. Every switch hit scores 10k and adds to the jackpot value, while direct shots to the FUEL targets add more time to the mode and light the jackpot at the dead end target (which caps at 500k). The frenzy ends when the playerâs FUEL gauge runs out, though there is a lengthy grace period to keep it running.
Further FUEL frenzies during the same game require one additional completion of the FUEL targets to qualify.
Lady Justice
Every shot to the left and right ramps scores a letter in METALLICA. Once the word has been completed with 9 shots, shoot either ramp again to begin Lady Justice. METALLICA letters can also be scored from random mystery awards.
The goal of Lady Justice is to attempt to âbalance the scalesâ by alternating shots between the left and right sides of the playfield. The value for the next shot on either side of the playfield is displayed on the DMD, starting at 500k and increases by 25k for each shot made there - which seems small, but as the mode can go on for a while, this can become very lucrative. Alternating shots between both sides of the playfield scores 2x the currently displayed value and increases both values by 50k instead of 25k. The orbit up-post is disabled during this mode.
Making any shot if the timer is under 15 seconds resets the timer to that value.
Seek & Destroy
Seek & Destroy starts as soon as all five Coffin Hurry-Ups have been collected at the captive ball. These are started by lighting all three items at any of the five major shots, then shooting the shot with the strobing inserts. They can also be automatically qualified through one of the super skill shots. Hurry-ups start at 1.5M and increase if multiple hurry-ups are active at once.
Seek & Destroy is a potentially lucrative mode that can last a long time if you keep making the required shots. One randomly determined shot is lit to âseekâ and score a jackpot, while the remaining shots are solidly lit to score mini jackpots worth 50% of the jackpot value. Once the required shot has been made, shoot the captive ball to âdestroyâ and score a super jackpot worth double the jackpot value. Rinse and repeat until the timer runs out (making required shots resets the timer to 15 seconds if needed).
Blackened
This mode is started by collecting all 4 band members by hitting the 4 pick targets. Each activation of the snake add-a-ball during any multiball mode counts as a completion of the pick targets, and one additional pick target completion is required for each member. This means 10 pick target completions for your first Blackened, then 14 for your second, etc.
During Blackened, the pick targets must be completed to light the shots for points starting at 1M; each target shot scores 250K + some small increment for each target hit, and adds itself to the shot value. If either multiplier is running (snake add-a-ball or 2x Playfield), the multiplied target value will be added to the shot value. Each collected shot resets the timer to 15 seconds if needed.
Other Scoring:
2x Playfield
Every completion of the FUEL targets lights the dead end target for 2x playfield for 20 seconds. This multiplier is additive with the 2x playfield from the snake add-a-ball, meaning 4x scoring is possible during all multiball modes with both playfield multipliers active.
Dead End Lane and Blown Pistons
The dead end target typically awards 250k + a small bonus for any lit circles at the lane in front of the target. These circle inserts are lit by completing enough pop bumpers.
Ending a combo at the dead end target will award one Blown Piston for each circle lit via the pop bumpers. Each Blown Piston is worth double the normal bonus for shooting the target, and collecting 10 Blown Pistons will light an extra ball.
Combos
Shooting shots that flow into each other consecutively without missing will award combos. Extra Ball is lit after shooting 15, then 50 combos. Combos can also be ended at the dead end target to award Blown Pistons.
Mystery
Complete all 5 rollover lanes (3 inlanes, 2 above pop bumpers), which alternate with the flippers, to light Mystery at the scoop. Complete them multiple times for better awards, up to level 4. Shoot scoop when Mystery is lit to collect a random award (from the following set: small points, light 1 or 2 items, SNAKE letters, METALLICA letter, bonus X). The mystery animation can be skipped by pressing both flippers.
During Crank It Up modes, Mystery always awards âCrank It Up Bonusâ, worth the value of the next required shot and any associated bonuses. The mystery level does not effect this award.
Extra Balls & Special
Extra Balls can be lit to collect at the scoop by:- Shooting the captive ball 10, then 40, 70, etc. times ((+/- depending on settings)
- 15, then 50 Combos
- 10 Blown Pistons
If the extra ball cap has been reached, each extra ball scores 2.5M.
Special can be lit at either outlane, alternating with slingshot hits, by collecting three band members. Special is worth a replay on default settings but can score other operator-adjustable awards.
End-of-Ball Bonus
Bonus is determined by calculating the number of items the player has collected over the course of the game, multiplied by the bonus X (which increases with shots to the inline drop targets). Bonus can be fairly large during a long game.
End of the Line (Wizard Mode)
Once all 4 Crank It Up modes have been played (they donât need to be completed or cashed out), collect enough items to light the 5th Crank It Up mode and shoot the scoop to start End of the Line. This nearly 8 minute long track has the potential to turn your good game into an outstanding game, as long as youâve done well during your Crank It Up modes and play the wizard mode out well.
At the start of End of the Line, you receive a hefty bonus for all the items youâve collected in the game. This seems to be 200k per # of items collected throughout your game.
(SPOILER ALERT)
This wizard mode starts with 2 balls in play and 1 random shot lit for a jackpot. Collect the jackpot to light a roving Super Jackpot (from left to right, and then back). Once you collect the Super Jackpot, an add-a-ball plus ball-save is awarded and you return to the jackpot phase, but with one additional shot required to qualify your next Super Jackpot. You can repeat this cycle until you complete it, with all 6 shots lit for jackpots. After the final Super Jackpot, all shots award jackpots and no additional Super Jackpots are possible.
The Super Jackpot value is determined by the cumulative total of the Crank It Up modes you played, awarded in the same order that you played the modes in (ie. if you played For Whom the Bell Tolls first, and Fade to Black second, then your 2nd End of the Line Super Jackpot = both of those mode totals. The 5th and 6th Super Jackpots âwrap aroundâ your CIU mode totals in the Super Jackpot formula, so youâll get 2x your 1st mode and 2x your 2nd mode total added in, respectively. Both Fuel 2x Playfield and Snake 2x Playfield are in play during this multiball, so you can 2x or even 4x these Super Jackpot values!
If you drain down to single-ball play during End of the Line, the scoop can be lit for the final collect the same way that it can during the other Crank It Up modes (and it can also be qualified by completing the four features during the multiball). The final collect, with all 6 Super Jackpots collected, is often worth over 1B (!!!) points on its own, and - of course - can be doubled via Fuel 2x Playfield. Scoring the final collect ends the mode and returns to normal play.
After playing End of the Line, play returns to normal and no further Crank It Up modes can be played for the remainder of the game - qualifying subsequent Crank It Up modes simply locks the player into scoring 10M. However, until the player qualifies Crank It Up again, they can continue to cash out 25% of the final collect for the remainder of the ball.
