diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/client/DropControllerDelegate.java b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/client/DropControllerDelegate.java
index 3f6e5465..a638c890 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/client/DropControllerDelegate.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/client/DropControllerDelegate.java
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ public abstract class DropControllerDelegate extends PuzzleControllerDelegate
         // create the piece dropper if appropriate
         PieceDropLogic pdl = getPieceDropLogic();
         if (pdl != null) {
-            _dropper = new PieceDropper(pdl);
+            _dropper = getPieceDropper(pdl);
         }
     }
 
@@ -867,7 +867,7 @@ public abstract class DropControllerDelegate extends PuzzleControllerDelegate
     }
 
     /**
-     * Returns the piece dropper used to drop any pieces that need
+     * Returns the piece drop logic used to drop any pieces that need
      * dropping in the board.  Derived classes that intend to make use of
      * {@link #dropPieces} must implement this method and return a
      * reference to their game-specific piece dropper implementation.
@@ -877,6 +877,14 @@ public abstract class DropControllerDelegate extends PuzzleControllerDelegate
         return null;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the piece dropper used to drop any pieces that need dropping in the board.  
+     */
+    protected PieceDropper getPieceDropper (PieceDropLogic logic)
+    {
+        return new PieceDropper(logic);
+    }
+
     // documentation inherited
     public void tick (long tickStamp)
     {
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/server/DropManagerDelegate.java b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/server/DropManagerDelegate.java
index 94a5c210..84a2a857 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/server/DropManagerDelegate.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/server/DropManagerDelegate.java
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ public abstract class DropManagerDelegate extends PuzzleManagerDelegate
         // create the piece dropper if appropriate
         PieceDropLogic pdl = getPieceDropLogic();
         if (pdl != null) {
-            _dropper = new PieceDropper(pdl);
+            _dropper = getPieceDropper(pdl);
         }
     }
 
@@ -132,14 +132,22 @@ public abstract class DropManagerDelegate extends PuzzleManagerDelegate
     }
 
     /**
-     * Returns the piece drop logic used to drop any pieces that need
-     * dropping in the board.
+     * Returns the piece drop logic used to drop any pieces that need dropping in the board.
      */
     protected PieceDropLogic getPieceDropLogic ()
     {
         return null;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the piece dropper used to drop any pieces that need dropping in the board.  
+     */
+    protected PieceDropper getPieceDropper (PieceDropLogic logic)
+    {
+        return new PieceDropper(logic);
+    }
+
+
     /**
      * This method should be called by derived classes whenever the player
      * successfully places a drop block.