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From: kuan@agames.com (Frank Kuan)
Subject: Dracula Optimal Strategy
Message-ID: <1995May9.074456.4025@dms.agames.com>
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Date: Tue, 9 May 1995 07:44:56 GMT
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Prerequisite:
	If you haven't mastered bounce passes, stop shots (dead catches),
	don't bother playing Dracula. You'll just get incredibly
	frustrated.

Here's what I believe is the optimal strategy for Dracula.
0. NEVER attempt to hit the castle lock targets unless it's
	during the time you start a multiball and the ball saver is on.
1. Hit the right ramp 5 times to ligh coffin lock, and then pass the
	ball to the right flipper.Do not start locking balls, because
	it's risky. anytime the ball is sent into the pop bumpers,
	it's like Russian Roulette. The reason we LIght the lock
	first is so that 12 Left Ramps will award a castle lock lit
	instead of advancing Coffin by one measly ramp! This little
	trick is a MAJOR factor in getting castle locks safely!
2. Start hitting the Left ramp. This is the bread and butter shot
	of the game. Ultimate Glory awaits those who can hit this
	shot anytime. At 3 ramps, it will start Bats. DO NOT
	even bother trying to hit switches to maximize Bats. Just
	Keep hitting the left ramp.
3. At 5 left ramps, mist is lit. If your castle lock targets are
	close to being lit (i.e. one center hit away to light castle
	lock), then hit the left ramp to light caslte
	lock from the award at 6, and then once more to collect the
	lock. Now start mist multiball. While the ball saver is
	on, hit the center target to light another castle lock!
4. During Mist, collect 1 or 2 coffin locks if the oppurtunity
	presents itself. I prefer to trap one ball on the left fliper,
	and loop the left ramp with the other. The idea is to get
	all three multiballs going.
5. Ok, now you're in the state where just about every multiball is
	ready to get started. You should go for Mist first if
	possible, since if you start mist during another multi, the
	balls flying around keep you from getting a clean shot.
	Second priority is Castle multi, because you can lock
	up to two balls in the left ramp to get them off the
	playfield for about 20 seconds. Keeping the playfield
	clear will allow you to make unobstructed shots. So in
	our preferred order, we start mist, get the third castle
	lock from the targets during ball saver, start castle
	multi, then go for a coffin shot or the sinkhole to collect
	the jackpot, which ever is a safer shot. Never get greedy
	and try to start the coffin right away. Collect a couple of
	castle jackpots a couple of times if you don't get a good
	clean collected shot at the coffin. Don't force up a bad
	shot. Dracula is the most unforgiving game every made.
	you can't afford to take a risky shot on the fly. Only
	take controlled shots off a dead catch or a bounce pass.
6. All three multis are started: Go for Coffin or Castle?
	Preferably Castle, since you can lock two balls up there
	and clear the playfield for a clean shot at the jackpot.
	But again, don't force a shot. If you have a clean shot
	on the left flipper, take a shot at the coffin. But if you
	are given the choice, Let the ball bounce pass to the
	right flipper or do a dead catch from the right flipper
	to take a shot at the left ramp or sink hole.