Category: Uncategorized

Happy 4th of July!

(thanks Snake of TTAGS for letting me pose his Retaliator with red Recon stock)

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Hectic – Internet, Drama, etc.

There’s been a lot going around about Hasbro’s alleged use of strongarm lawyers on Urban Taggers… here’s their statement off the Nerf Facebook page –

“We appreciate the opportunity to provide the following statement concerning Hasbro’s investigation into “leaked” IP information regarding its NERF brand products. As with anything, there are two sides to every story. While we cannot comment on the details of any ongoing investigation, Hasbro takes all circumstances of its stolen and leaked IP very seriously and will continue to investigate sources of unauthorized information and products as it relates to its brands.  We would like to clarify one of the inaccuracies that has been reported. While a local Hasbro Australia marketing team did reach out to the Urban Taggers website to engage in promotional activity for which it required its address, it was completely unrelated to the confidential global investigation being conducted on Hasbro’s behalf by independent investigators looking into sources of leaked IP information. Hasbro greatly values and appreciates its fan communities and is very proud of its strong relationships with many bloggers and sites that cover our brands and products.”

That is all I’m going to post on the matter.  Comments are closed, and this is not another forum for people to air grievances.  I’m still a fan of theirs, and will continue to cover their products on this blog.  Hell, it’s how I even got started from writing about blastfires to eventually making it to Toy Fair.

Well hey, free stuff! Here’s a giveaway! Courtesy of Zing Toys

Recently,  I did a review on Zing toys products (scroll down to see it).  Did you like what you saw?  Did you see the potential in the Zing line?  Well, how would you like a chance to win one of those items (or two)… for FREE?   At approx $25 USD, Zing Toys is willing to give away a prize pack! 

Here’s what you do – on Facebook, “Like” their page https://www.facebook.com/ZingToys – and find the announcement for this contest from Foam From Above.  Make sure to check around, including hitting the settings to see comments from EVERYONE.  Comment WITHIN THAT POST, and on April 30, I’ll randomly pick a winner from those posts.

Happy hunting!

A treatise on: Melee weapons – Nerf N-Force (mostly)

Nerf Klaw Hatchet and Thor mini-Hammer

Alright, so over the past few years Nerf has tried to reintroduce an element of roleplay with their N-Force line.  Swords (Thunder/Fury, Marauder, Dagger), an axe, a mace, hatchets, hammers, etc.  Now these pieces tell you to not use on people or animals, but partially it’s probably with a wink and a nod.  Some of my earliest memories of sweeping the floor involve stabbing and swinging the broom like a lance or a staff.

Integrating these into Nerf games and events has always been a tricky proposition.  I’ve been known to go with a “Snake Eyes” loadout (____Splat pistol + Nerf sword) or just run around like a Distraction with two melee weapons.  At the time, the most you were going up against was a speedloader, and if you got your weapon positioned just right and dodged the first shot, you were good to charge.  With nowadays tech, that just wouldn’t work.  Even with stock ammo, chances are you’re running into an N-strike or clipped something else that will get you on the 4th or 5th shot. 

But even past that, I was almost always in the minority at wars choosing to be “That Guy” running headfirst with swords into a phalanx of plusbows firing homemade ammo.  Smartest idea?  No, not at all.  But it bought my team a few extra seconds to get into position because everyone sighted on me, or it was a dart for me and not in the core.  I got stung and welted, sure, but I knew what I was getting into and willing to take the hits I did.

However, now and again I’d run into other people who liked melee, and that’s when the issue got really sticky.  I’ve taken martial arts, sparred, and the key phrase was always “control, control, control.”

On more than one occasion, someone didn’t get this speech.  I’d run into guys pretty much looking to chalk up their next mark in gladiatorial combat, and they’d swing for the fences at people.  I’d see them rear back and treat their N-Force weapons (or in some cases homemade boffers) like baseball bats more than anything.  When I’d go all-melee I might try to position the sword to function as a shield but I always tried to “tag” more than swing at somebody.  Once in awhile, I swung a bit too hard, and therein was the crux of the matter.  If I was doing it, then I noticed everyone else moreso.

The other thing besides the control issue, is it started to feel like it was taking away from the foam shooting aspect I showed up for and felt more “LARP” than anything.  Guys would run at me with swords and shields, I’d shoot them.  Large ammo.  Whatever.  I put the swords down finally and haven’t really picked them up on a regular basis, maybe once in good long while when I find a war that allows melee.  And even then, I bring it along just to make sure if that person swings, I’m not trying to block with my blaster. 

The main point I’m trying to say here is, you never drew a sword unless you intended to use it.  If you’re going to use melee at a game, make sure you’re familiar with what you’re using, and be aware of the safety of others.  Just because you think you’re a ninja doesn’t mean you attack everyone else like they are too.

Safety first!