EPIC LION / SACRED DEER
HOW THE ADVANTAGE WORKS
WHEN TO PLAY
Important: If there is a reel that is full height (eight symbols tall), it will shrink back down to the shortest height (four symbols tall) on the next spin unless the chevron (the shape above the gold pyramid above the reel) is filled with gold. So if the chevron is empty, count it as a reel that is only four symbols tall. The ways to win number on the bottom of the middle reel will not reflect this, so it can be a bit misleading.
- Epic Lion and its companion Sacred Deer feature reels that grow in height. As the reels get taller, the ways to win increases. When a reel reaches full height (eight symbols tall), it will stay around for an additional spin and give the player a chance at getting an alternate reelset that features more of the premium symbol (in that reel only). It will then reset back to four symbols tall.
WHEN TO PLAY
Important: If there is a reel that is full height (eight symbols tall), it will shrink back down to the shortest height (four symbols tall) on the next spin unless the chevron (the shape above the gold pyramid above the reel) is filled with gold. So if the chevron is empty, count it as a reel that is only four symbols tall. The ways to win number on the bottom of the middle reel will not reflect this, so it can be a bit misleading.
- 10,000+ ways. Make sure you understand the caveat above. Even if it shows over 10,000 ways, it probably won’t be on the next spin if one of the reels is full height without the chevron filled in above the reel.
- Any of the first three reels are full height (eight symbols tall) and the chevron is filled with gold.
- The first three reels are all seven symbols tall.
Additional notes
- If you saw the expanding reels and thought this game would be as epic as Hexbreak3r, then you are going to be sorely disappointed. This game simply does not compare. It only pays left-to-right, as opposed to Hex, which also pays right-to-left. The reel heights change quickly, so you usually won’t play it in a +EV state for more than a handful of spins. And no prizes are awarded when a reel reaches the top of the board—you only get a chance at landing a spin with more premium symbols. So this game only offers a marginal advantage at best.
- The real advantage in this game is landing the free games bonus when the reels are already tall, particularly the first three reels. In the bonus, the reels don’t shrink back down once they reach the top—they stay locked for the duration of the bonus and use the alternate reelset that features more of the premium symbol. This can lead to absolutely gigantic wins. Handpays, even on smaller bet levels, are possible.
- The free games bonus triggers fairly frequently—you won’t win much unless you have tall reels or get lots of retriggers in the bonus.
- After the free games bonus ends, the reels reset back to the same height they were before the bonus was triggered.
- You only need to land two of the premium symbols (the lion in Epic Lion and the deer in Sacred Deer) for a line hit.
- The ways arrow symbol that increases the reel height lands very frequently (every few spins).
- If a reel is full height, it will stay full height if another ways arrow symbol lands in that reel.
- You will get a suspense spin when the reel is full height and you have a chance at getting the alternate reelset that includes more of the premium symbols.
- The border around the ways to win number (below the middle reel) will get flashing sparks when the number reaches 3,000, a flashing outline at 5,000 and a thick flashing outline at 10,000. Unlike Hexbreak3r, it won’t show the ways to win for the next game after the reel height resets.
** The ways to win indicator gets a thick flashing line when it reaches 10,000. **
