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'''Drop''' refers to downward motion of each [[tetromino]] in ''Tetris'' [[game]]s and other games that use falling pieces.
'''Drop''' is the downward motion of [[tetromino]]s in Tetris games, and other games that use falling pieces. There are three different types of drops in Tetris, gravity drop, soft drop, and instant drops.


== Gravity ==
== Gravity ==
''Gravity'' can be thought of as an automatic drop. It moves a tetromino downward into the [[playfield]] at a regular rate, which may change depending on the difficulty level. Some games move the falling tetromino down the display by a distance of one block every so often; others move it continuously by units smaller than a block. If a tetromino cannot move down further, it locks into place either immediately or, in games that use [[TGM rotation]] or [[SRS]], after [[Lock delay|a short delay]].
Gravity can be thought of as an automatic drop. It moves a tetromino downward into the [[playfield]] at a regular rate, which may change depending on the difficulty level, or progress in the game. Some games move the falling tetromino down the display by a distance of one block every so often; others move it continuously by units smaller than a block. If a tetromino cannot move down any further, it locks into place immediately, or after [[Lock delay|a short delay]].


Older games cannot move the tetromino down more than one cell per [[TGM legend#Frame|frame]] (60 cells per second). Newer games, especially those capable of a [[ghost piece]], can do so; play at such speeds ''requires'' a lock delay. The term [[TGM legend#Gravity|20G]] was coined by the developer of ''[[Tetris The Grand Master]]'' to refer to a speed of 20 cells per frame, which produces the effect of a tetromino instantly falling onto the stack as soon as it appears in the playfield.
Gravity is expressed in unit G, where 1G = 1 cell per [[TGM legend#Frame|frame]], and 0.1G = 1 cell per 10 frames.
Older games cannot move the tetromino down more than one cell per [[TGM legend#Frame|frame]] (60 cells per second). Newer games, especially those capable of a [[ghost piece]], can do so; play at such speeds requires a lock delay. The term 20G was coined by the developer of ''[[Tetris The Grand Master]]'' to refer to a speed of 20 cells per frame, which produces the effect of a tetromino instantly falling onto the stack as soon as it appears in the playfield.


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''Gravity'', especially ''recursive gravity'', can also refer to the downward motion of large groups of blocks on the playfield after a [[line clear]].
Gravity, especially recursive gravity, can also refer to the downward motion of large groups of blocks on the playfield after a [[line clear]].


== Soft drop ==
== Soft drop ==
Many games allow the player to temporarily increase the gravity by holding down a key. A tetromino under ''soft drop'' generally falls at around 20 to 60 blocks per second, as fast as or faster than [[DAS]]. The first few generations of games on consoles had only soft drop, not hard drop. Most games will lock a soft-dropped piece as soon as it lands; others (especially [[SRS]] based) apply the same lock delay used for gravity.
Many games allow the player to temporarily increase the gravity by holding down a key, most often Down on the directional pad or joystick. Soft dropping a tetromino generally makes it falls at around 20 to 60 blocks per second, as fast as or faster than [[DAS]]. Some games will lock a soft-dropped piece as soon as it lands; others, especially [[Tetris Guideline]] based, do not lock instantly.


[[Image:TGM_Legend_Fast_Drop_1.gif|frame|none|A soft drop]]
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|- valign="top"
|[[Image:TGM_Legend_Fast_Drop_1.gif|frame|ARS uses locking soft drop.]]
|[[Image:TGM_Legend_Fast_Drop_2.gif|frame|SRS uses non-locking soft drop.]]
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== Instant dropping ==
There are two types of instant dropping.


== Hard drop ==
'''Hard drop''' is an action that forces the piece land lands and lock instantly. Games that use the Tetris Guideline are required to include hard dropping.
''Hard drop'' refers to forcing the gravity to 20G for one frame so that the piece lands instantly. Quite a few early PC games had only hard drop and no soft drop.


Some people use the term ''hard drop'' or ''sonic lock'' to refer to the more common version of this move that locks instantly, as opposed to ''[[TGM legend#Sonic_Drop|firm drop]]'' or ''[[TGM legend#Sonic_Drop|sonic drop]]'' for the less common version that has a lock delay (as seen in ''[[The New Tetris]]'' and games with [[TGM rotation]] after the original TGM).
'''Sonic drop''' works similarly, but does not lock the piece instantly. Sonic dropping is mainly found in the [[TGM series]], though other games use it as well instead of hard drop. It enables a fast way to fill overhangs using the [[Zangi-move]].


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[[Category:Game Mechanics]]
[[Category:Gameplay]]
[[Category:Gameplay Components]]

Revision as of 02:39, 12 January 2020

Drop is the downward motion of tetrominos in Tetris games, and other games that use falling pieces. There are three different types of drops in Tetris, gravity drop, soft drop, and instant drops.

Gravity

Gravity can be thought of as an automatic drop. It moves a tetromino downward into the playfield at a regular rate, which may change depending on the difficulty level, or progress in the game. Some games move the falling tetromino down the display by a distance of one block every so often; others move it continuously by units smaller than a block. If a tetromino cannot move down any further, it locks into place immediately, or after a short delay.

Gravity is expressed in unit G, where 1G = 1 cell per frame, and 0.1G = 1 cell per 10 frames. Older games cannot move the tetromino down more than one cell per frame (60 cells per second). Newer games, especially those capable of a ghost piece, can do so; play at such speeds requires a lock delay. The term 20G was coined by the developer of Tetris The Grand Master to refer to a speed of 20 cells per frame, which produces the effect of a tetromino instantly falling onto the stack as soon as it appears in the playfield.

1/64 = 0.0156G
1/1 = 1G
5/1 = 5G
20/1 = 20G

Gravity, especially recursive gravity, can also refer to the downward motion of large groups of blocks on the playfield after a line clear.

Soft drop

Many games allow the player to temporarily increase the gravity by holding down a key, most often Down on the directional pad or joystick. Soft dropping a tetromino generally makes it falls at around 20 to 60 blocks per second, as fast as or faster than DAS. Some games will lock a soft-dropped piece as soon as it lands; others, especially Tetris Guideline based, do not lock instantly.

ARS uses locking soft drop.
SRS uses non-locking soft drop.

Instant dropping

There are two types of instant dropping.

Hard drop is an action that forces the piece land lands and lock instantly. Games that use the Tetris Guideline are required to include hard dropping.

Sonic drop works similarly, but does not lock the piece instantly. Sonic dropping is mainly found in the TGM series, though other games use it as well instead of hard drop. It enables a fast way to fill overhangs using the Zangi-move.

A hard drop, or sonic lock
A sonic drop and one of its practical usage