Nerf Alpha Trooper CS-18 War Review

Name: Alpha Trooper CS-18
Capacity Used: 18 + spare
Range: 15-18m
ROF: 2-3dps, up to 5dps with slam fire
Mods: AR removal, spring replacement, plunger reinforcement
Point of View: User

Scenario: Outdoor, 2v4 TDM, 2v2v2 TDM
Other blasters: AT (same mods), AT*2 (stock), Recon (stock), Deploy (AR removal)
Outdoors, the AT simply dominated. It's superior range to all other blasters used, coupled with a superior ROF (if necessary, otherwise ROF matched other blasters) led to it outclassing all other blasters (except the like AT). I was able to keep opponents at bay with my superior range, without fear of retaliation, and my potential ROF kept me safe in the case of a rush. The only problem with the AT is that slam firing is a lot harder than a stock AT because of the upgraded spring. Apart from that, the AT has no flaws when compared to the other blasters.

Overall the AT was incredibly effective outdoors with the only flaw being lack of accuracy (although this was balanced by everybody being plagued with the same issue).

Scenario: Indoor, FFA
Other blasters: Lumitron (stock), Stampede (extra voltage), Raider (AR removal, plunger reinforcement), Recon (stock)
Indoors the AT was just as good as outdoors, but due to the space involved its superior range was less apparent. I was still able to strike fear into my opponents with its high firepower, but the key difference was that I was still vulnerable to retaliation, and in the case of the Stampede-wielder, they could retaliate without fear of being hit because of the Stampede's full auto nature. Indoors the Stampede was a more fearsome weapon due to the ease at which someone could spew out a shower of darts, but the AT was still held in high regard.

Overall a stock AT would have likely done roughly the same job due to the small area, but the AT was still highly effective.

Nerf Whiteout Longstrike CS-6 War Review

New type of post. In these I summarise how the blaster fared against other blasters. Game type and scenario will be stated.

Name: Longstrike CS-6 (Whiteout)
Capacity Used: 18+6+6 + spares
Range: 15-20m
ROF: 1-2dps (most stable at 1)
Mods: AR removal, plunger reinforcement, spring replacement (OMW 5+kg)
Point of View: Users


Scenario: Outdoor, 2v2v2 TDM
Other blasters: AT*2 (stock), Recon (stock), Raider (AR removal, plunger reinforcement), Deploy (AR removal)
Outdoors, the Longstrike's superior power really showed. I was able to outrange all my opponents, allowing me to threaten them without fear of retaliation. The lack of ROF was not particularly evident due to said superiority, although in the occasions where opponents were close I did have difficulty tagging them when they were moving at high speed.
I was also vulnerable to rushes, because I'm quite a coward. As you could see from the videos if someone rushes I was unable to effectively counter them if I missed with the first shot, due to my lack of ROF. Luckily rushes were rare because of the threat of my blaster's power.

Overall, I think the Longstrike was highly effective outdoors, with the only flaw being vulnerability to CQC and rushes.

Scenario: Indoor, FFA
Other blasters: As above
Indoors the Longstrike's power was not so evident, and its size and design were hindrances. Its lack of ROF reduced my ability to retaliate when I was fired upon, and the design led to me exposing more of myself than I would have liked. Nevertheless, the power of the Longstrike aided as an intimidation factor, helping dissuade attack.
Rushes did not occur in this scenario because of the lack of maneuvering space, thus reducing dodge capability (a key factor of rushes). There was also the threat of ammo theivery.

Overall, I think an AT or even Recon would have been more effective in the situation because of their increased maneuverability and ROF.

Epic Value Stampedes

Epic deal I found at Kmart. Not sure how long it lasts, so go get yours now.
$20 for the Stampede super value pack - extra 18 clip (mag), 6 clip (mag), 40 darts more and 2 straps - one bandolier and one normal.

Such a great deal it deserves mention.
I think this is the cheapest price for a Stampede anywhere in the world in a retail store. It's one fifth of the RRP here in Aus. (RRP is about $100)

War Videos 1/7/12

Some war vids of my friends and I at a local school playground.
I tested my Longstrike in combat and it held up pretty well, letting me outrange my friends. Unfortunately that meant the inability to rapid fire when necessary, but I'm more of a stand-off or long-ranger anyway.
Round 1:

Round 2:

Nerf Longshot vs Longstrike

This is a comparison of Nerf's two sniper rifles - the Longshot and Longstrike.

Funny Experience with Whiteout Longstrike

So those of you who read my Longstrike review (below) know that it sucks.
Naturally, I opened it up to mod it.
So I open it up and take out all the main bits - the breech and plunger with related parts.
I remove the terrible Longstrike spring and prepare an OMW spring in its place.
Of course, I go to remove the ARs. Normally in a CS blaster I have to saw or drill the AR out, causing a mess and much stress.
Once I isolate the breech, I notice it seems loose. So I tug on the back of it (the part with the o-ring) and it simply comes off, dropping out the AR and exposing the peg. It turns out that unlike most CS blasters, this Longstrike's breech wasn't glued together, meaning much less pain and stress for me. Happy days!

Of course this is a very rare occurence, but on my part it was extremely fortunate because it means I save about half an hour in modding time (it only took me half an hour, normally takes about an hour). I've heard of it happening to old NFs and once on Oznerf from a Sonic Nitefinder, but never for a CS blaster.

I believe the loose breech is the cause of the abysmal ranges - other people's Whiteout Longstrikes have been achieving 45ft - 13m ranges.

Nerf Longstrike CS-6 (Whiteout) Review

Today I'm reviewing a much hated blaster - the Longstrike CS-6.

Some quick history about it's hate club:
The Longstrike CS-6 was introduced as Longshot CS-6s were becoming more rare. The Longstrike was meant to replace the Longshot as the sniper rifle of N-Strike. Unfortunately for Nerf and the Longstrike, Nerf fitted it with a reverse plunger, and the barrel is ridiculously long, resulting in poor ranges. That coupled with the Longstrike replacing the Longshot in stores made people rage around the world.

General Dart/Disc Usage Tips Part 2

More of a tactics post than a general usage post.

Strafing: The act of moving past or around another object at reasonably high speed with given intent. Differes between contexts, but in this context refers to the way one may run past another while firing, in an attempt to hit their opponents while not being hit themselves.