Welcome to the ultimate Elvira’s House of Horrors pinball strategy guide — your roadmap to surviving Stern Pinball’s spooky mansion and racking up massive points. Whether you’re a first-time player just learning how to start Haunts or a seasoned flipper wizard chasing the Director’s Cut, this step-by-step guide breaks down the best beginner, intermediate, and advanced strategies for mastering Elvira’s world. You’ll learn how to stack Haunts with Multiballs, collect Junk in the Trunk for huge multipliers, and safely navigate Deadhead Family Crypt for jackpots that’ll make even Elvira blush. Let’s step inside the House of Horrors and turn those eerie lights into record-breaking scores!
🧛♀️ BEGINNER STRATEGY — “Survive the Night”
Goal: Keep the ball alive, start Haunts, and enjoy the show while learning the shots.
🎯 Focus On:
- Shoot the Left Ramp → House
- Left ramp lights a Haunt; house (center shot) starts it.
- You’ll get to see the campy movie modes and earn consistent points.
- Hit the Trunk (Junk in the Trunk)
- When lit, shoot the right scoop to collect rewards.
- Junk helps future scoring and lights fun features.
- Complete Rollover Lanes (top lanes)
- Use flipper buttons to change lit lanes and finish them for Bonus X.
- Multiball Safety
- Knock down the Crypt targets (middle) to start Deadhead Family Crypt Multiball.
- During multiball, aim for ramps and house — stay alive and enjoy easy jackpots.
- Stay in Control
- Hold the ball on the flipper, take a breath, and plan your next shot.
- Avoid frantic flailing — EHOH rewards controlled play.
💡 Beginner Tip:
If you drain quickly during modes, don’t worry — just starting Haunts and Multiballs scores well. Focus on ball control.
🧟♂️ INTERMEDIATE STRATEGY — “Own the House”
Goal: Stack Haunts with Multiballs and collect Junk for multipliers.
🎯 Focus On:
- Cycle Your Core Loop
- Light Haunt → Start Haunt → Start Multiball → Score Big → Collect Junk → Repeat.
- Stack Smart
- Try to start a Haunt, then quickly start Deadhead Multiball.
- Multiball protects you while finishing Haunt shots and doubles your scoring potential.
- Collect Junk Consistently
- Hit the trunk scoop whenever lit — Junk can grant 2X playfield multipliers and other scoring perks.
- Ramp Rhythm
- Alternate left and right ramps to build shot multipliers and feed back to the flippers safely.
- Use the Garage
- Lock balls for Garage Multiball; it’s safer and easy to reach once you’re comfortable with orbits and ramps.
- Bonus Multipliers
- Keep working the rollover lanes up top — stacking a 4X–6X Bonus can make your end-of-ball huge.
💡 Intermediate Tip:
Avoid dangerous standup targets when not in multiball. Safely backhand the left ramp or control-feed into the house for minimal drain risk.
🧛♂️ ADVANCED STRATEGY — “Director’s Cut”
Goal: Chain Haunts efficiently, maximize multipliers, and reach wizard modes.
🎯 Focus On:
- Plan Your Stacks
- Line up Haunts, Multiballs, and Junk collection to overlap as much as possible.
- Ideal stack: Haunt + Crypt Multiball + Playfield 2X.
- Shot Accuracy
- Master repeatable loops:
- Left Ramp → House
- Right Ramp → Trunk
- Inner Orbit → Backhand Left Ramp
- Flow is key — continuous loops build combo multipliers.
- Master repeatable loops:
- Optimize Junk in the Trunk
- Prioritize items that give scoring multipliers or light Super Jackpots.
- Deadhead Supers
- During Crypt Multiball, shoot house for Super Jackpot, then relight and repeat.
- This is where top players get millions.
- Mini-Wizard & Final Wizard Modes
- Complete multiple Haunts to reach There’s a Party in the House!
- Complete all Haunts and Junk to unlock Director’s Cut Wizard Mode (ultimate scoring).
- Controlled Risk
- Bounce passes, post transfers, and controlled catches let you feed your best shot safely.
- Save your danger shots for Multiball only.
💡 Advanced Tip:
Maximize your Playfield X and Bonus X together — a 2X playfield + 6X bonus with several Haunts completed can turn one ball into a monster score.
🕯️ SUMMARY CHEAT SHEET
| Skill | Focus | Big Points Come From |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Start Haunts, play Multiballs | Just starting modes and surviving |
| Intermediate | Stack Haunts + Multiball | Overlapping scoring and Junk rewards |
| Advanced | Combo + multiplier control | Super Jackpots and wizard modes |