Attacktix Storage Solutions

If you're a collector/player of Attacktix you may have a major problem: storing them. As more series came out, with new licenses, I found that Attacktix were slowly taking over my home. I have tried several forms of storage to get them in some sort of order. In this article I'm going to discuss various methods of organizing, transporting, and storing your attacktix. Each method has pros/cons that I will delve into at length. I have referenced ways other people have stored their Attacktix, as discussed on the JoeAttacktix Message board. Feel free to comment on your own storage solutions and I can revisit the issue in the future, as there is no 100 percent perfect system to store these figures yet.

Method #1: The Ziploc Bag -
stuff as many as you can into bags and label with a sharpie!

Pros: Cheap. Clear plastic and easy labeling makes it easy to organize your figures and find them. They're small, stretchable, and easy to stack into a larger container.

Cons: Ziploc bags will break down plastic figures over time. You will recognize this by a greasy film on your figures.
Evidence: I emailed Ziploc asking them if this was true. Their response: Items can be stored in ZIPLOC(r) Bags for one to two years; but for longer storage or storage of collectibles, we recommend to use a storage case meant for this purpose.

Conclusion: For short term storage Ziploc is a good option but you can't keep your figures in them forever. Bags made of Mylar (i.e. comic bags) can be used but they aren't resealable. I did an extensive Google search to find large, sealable, Mylar bags with little success.


Method #2: The Duffel/Gym/Tote Bag

Pros: Convenient for travel, usually have handles. Cloth, won't break down figures. No one will know what you got in the bag if you're a bit shy about your addiction to the game.

Cons: Figures get jumbled up in the bag (especially at the bottom or corners). It probably will feel like you're going fishing when you try to find that figure you really want. Organization is out the door unless you have multiple bags INSIDE the duffel.

Conclusion: This method is best for smaller army transport or if you have a smaller amount of figures. Best used in combination with another method (plastic bag or mesh bag).

Method #3: The Star Wars Battle Case by Hasbro -
holds 12 figures, retails for $15-$20.

Pros: The battle case is sturdy, stacks well with other cases, and is great for display. The inner compartment that holds the figures pulls out like drawers. Can be easily organized.

Cons: Each case only holds 12 figures. Who really only has 12 figures? At $15+ each, that can get expensive to hold all your armies. Certain figures, especially Transformers, don't fit very well and the drawers won't close without some manipulation. While the battle case is still available at many retailers it is no longer in production and no plans for future battle cases for other series is planned.

Conclusion: A good way to store smaller groups of figures. I use the battle cases to hold my favorite, most frequently used Attacktix. Others use them for display purposes.

Method #4: Trash Bag/ Smaller Grocery Store Bag - take all your Attacktix and throw them in a giant bag! Or use smaller plastic bags you get from buying groceries. I am ashamed to say my husband used this method quite a bit in his early Attacktix collecting days.

Pros: Cheap (free if you use small grocery bags)! Easy to carry.

Cons: No organization whatsoever and it will be hard to find the figures you want. You look ridiculous carrying a trash bag over your friends' house. Someone may throw out your Attacktix by accident. Plastic can puncture and Attacktix may fall out.

Conclusion: A temporary solution to a house overrun by Attacktix. Not recommended for long-term use. I began cringing when I heard all the figures grinding together in the bag and worried some were going to get broken.

Method #5: Small, Homemade Cloth Bags -
this was suggested and done by Malform & Yodabreaker on the Attacktix message board. Easy to make with fabric glue, yards of fabric, and a drawstring.

Pros: Customizable and great for organization. Your figures will experience no breakdown, as fabric is breathable. Look very cool and are extremely unique.

Cons: Requires a time commitment to make. Some home economics skills are going to be needed. Since the bags aren't transparent you will have to "dig" to find the figure you want or have to empty out the bag completely.

Conclusion: If you are good at crafts and don't mind buying some materials, this is a great method to store your Attacktix. Still, if you have every Attacktix ever made you're going to need a lot of them and that adds up to a bigger commitment than I was willing to give.

Method #6: The Mini-Mesh Laundry "Delicates"Bag. This is my current extra Attacktix storage method.

Pros: Bags are small and great for organizing different factions and armies. You can see through them so you can find the figures you want quickly. Won't break down figures. Very inexpensive at approximately $1/bag. Don't have the ugly stigma of a grocery plastic bag, plus they have a zipper for closure.

Cons: They are hard to travel with if you bring more than 1 or 2. Plus, everyone will know what you got in the bag if you're shy. They don't have any sort of handle on them so you will have to put them in another bag (method #2). Depending on the mesh, light sabers or other parts may protrude out the holes.

Conclusion: If you're lazy and don't want to make your own bags this is an excellent cheap method of organizing your Attacktix. Great if you travel a lot with your armies and want to just throw them in a duffel and go.

Method #7: A Tackle Box or Plastic Container -
any kind of box actually, be it a cardboard one, a plastic one with a lid, or the kind with the drawers that come out.

Pros: Great organization depending on the container. Tackle boxes are great for travel but you will need to customize the inside to keep figures organized.

Cons: Finding the perfect container can be a pain. It can't be too deep or the Attacktix on the bottom will be neglected. The plastic containers with drawers are great but are moderately expensive and not the easiest to travel with long distances (you may have to tape up the drawers). Stackable drawer types change frequently so when you go back to buy another you may not be able to find it.

Conclusion: This is a great way to store Attacktix in your home. If you primarily play in your own house, drawers may be the storage solution for you. If you prefer to travel, tackle boxes are great but you will have to do some work to keep things organized.

Method #8: Display Them All!
Put all your Attacktix on shelves.

Pros: Great organization, snazzy presentation.

Cons: Expensive, takes up a lot of space, no way to travel with your displayed collection (all battles will have to be at your house). You will frequently have to dust and clean your Attacktix, which is quite a lot of work.

Conclusion: If you're primarily a collector and you have a maid, this is the storage solution for you.

Figures from the collections of Yodabreaker, Yaggleberry Finn, hbking, and Joe Manzo