Help! I can't get 5000 on Stick Graveyard

[Licking Post]

In challenge mode, I can't seem to get enough points in Stick Graveyard. I can only get about 4000 out of 5000. How do I get the other 1000?

[Roland]

Well, consider all the factors that change your score:

Challenge Crystals
Time
Avoid bullets
Hit accurately so it takes less time to kill the Sticks

Think about them as you play the level, and there were probably more there, but I haven't KM'ed in a while.

[Licking Post]

I have an Idea. How does Cheapy Fairy, Insane Rage, and Armageddon sound? I'll have to try that, but my brother needs to use the computer right now.

[Licking Post]

That did the trick! Thanx, Roland. Time was my problem. As soon as you mentioned time I thought of the most time-efficient method. Raging through the level with Armageddon!

[Coolguy]

I thought Armaggedon uses up a bunch of points. :p

Cheapy Fairy + Armaggedon is very useful in Puzzling Caverns.

[Licking Post]

Armageddon doesn't use up so many points that you can't get 5000 points. The trick is to not start using Armageddon until you flip the switch, then you immediately grab the manna potions in the switch room and use Insane Rage to run around the level to make sure Armageddon kills as many sticks as possible. The trick is to make sure you see the sticks die before running away, otherwise you could miss a lot of sticks. You'll have to Armageddon twice to kill all (or at least enough) of the sticks.

[Jamul]

I believe combos are the key, if I recall that game right... and of course, pouring armageddon down gets you a whole lot of combos.

[Licking Post]

BTW, how exactly does the scoring work for combos? I'm guessing each enemy gives more points than the previous one, but how is it calculated?

[Jamul]

I don't know, but I would suspect that guys are worth 1 (or 10 or 100?) times the current combo (of course, a single badguy is a combo of 1, so there's still points to be had).