Normal Mode Strategy

[apple]

Anyone want to start posting tips/tricks/strategies? I'm new, so I can use all the help I can get. High score in Hardcore mode is just at about 247,000+. I need all the tips I can get!!

[marbles10]

Here is my current strategy which tries to maximize big chains and isn't too tricky to pilot:

Rule 1) Always break 1's immediately. They are just too dangerous.

Rule 2) Avoid breaking almost anything else. When you are given a disc, look for a place to put it that won't cause any breaks. If this isn't possible, look for a place that will cause as few breaks as possible.

Rule 3) On the last drop of a level, cause a break. This way, that break will occur and then the next row of grays will immediately push up from the bottom, causing a bunch of breaks around your packed board (which you have because you haven't been breaking things) which will each be worth at least 39 points because they are counted as the 2nd in a chain.

Rule 4) Repeat every level. At some point survival becomes a big issue and you might have to give this up, but it works well for the first several levels for sure.

[greenguitar28]

Does anyone else have a strategy that works well?

[JulietteKlonk]

I don`t have but i think about it.

[Rube1972]

I actually try to keep the board as clean as possible during the early rounds in the hopes of clearing the board (+70,000). Otherwise I try to position discs in their numerical columns. This increases the likelihood of larger (and accidental) chains. I.e. a '6' will go in the sixth column, be it second from the left or second from the right. Hopefully that makes sense. Mind you, my high scores are around 250,000 (in all 3 game types) so I'm no expert.

[TommyJr]

Big numbers in the middle, little numbers on the sides.

[jozaf4]

sounds good to me

[globalist]

Originally Posted by Rube1972

I actually try to keep the board as clean as possible during the early rounds in the hopes of clearing the board (+70,000). Otherwise I try to position discs in their numerical columns. This increases the likelihood of larger (and accidental) chains. I.e. a '6' will go in the sixth column, be it second from the left or second from the right. Hopefully that makes sense. Mind you, my high scores are around 250,000 (in all 3 game types) so I'm no expert.

I've about maxed out this strategy and it doesn't get me anywhere near past the 250.000 mark. I see some high scorers people getting around 600k so I'm wondering how on earth they managed that.

I mean at later levels there are ALWAYS the 1s and 2s appearing out of the bottom grey blocks for everyone, right? Or is it just me?

[LuckyTommy]

Thanks for creating this thread. I've been thinking about drop7 strategies too and looking for a place to compare notes so to speak =)

I think the key to scoring high is getting very long chains. A single break is worth 7 vs. a long chain which is +3000 points so my goal is to set up the longest chain I can.

A strategy that has worked for me is to try to create the following pattern when I play:

-- TOP --


7
7 6
7 6 5
7 6 5
7 6 5
7 6 5 [gap] x x x
-- BOTTOM --

Note, the x represents greys and all other numbers.

When I've finished the pattern, I fill in the gap and that sets off the chain. The 7s will break one at a time since the bottom row is filled with 7 across. Once the 7s are gone, the 6s will start to break followed by the 5s. If this chain completes uninterrupted, the chain is 15x which yields a lot of points.

After the chain is done, I clear the board and repeat. I usually score between 300k to 350k doing this.

Anyways, hope this helps someone. If you've got some input or an even better strategy, would love to hear it!

[Addicted]

I only play normal mode (so this may not apply to other modes) and the optimal strategy is to clear the board. At the beginning I try to get rid of as many dots as possible. If I can get the board clear, then I try to place the new dots so that they DON'T explode until it might clear the board again. For example, if the board were clear and the next numbers were 5 then 2, I would not put the 2 next to the five, as it would disappear. I generally try to put the 7's on an outside, 6's on the opposite side and smaller numbers in between, though placement often has to be adapted based on what numbers appear from behind the gray cover. My best is 748,611.
Drop7 is by far my favorite iPhone game. It is insanely addictive.