Web of Webhead - Breaking R2-Q5

While R2-D2 is probably the most recognizable robot of all time, he does have a dark side.

Or, rather, I should say there is a dark version of him, known as R2-Q5. This droid was found on the second Death Star, and has gained notoriety mostly for his resemblance to R2-D2. In Series 3, he has found his way into Attacktix, with his own special effect to bring to the game. But is it strong enough an effect to “break” the game? Let’s take a look…

R2-Q5 has no attack, but he does have the following game effect; “At start of your turn, you may press R2’s top. If green, one of your (T) Troopers may move up to twice its normal distance.” For 10 points, you get what appears to be a 2 out of 3 chance for this effect to go off each turn.

Now, doubling the speed of your average Clone Trooper to 8, or even your run of the mill Super Battle Droid to 12 might sound like fun, but probably not game breaking. After all, for 20 points you can have the Clone Sergeant who moves 10 all of the time. But…let’s take a look at one of the more derided strikers in the game, the Grievous Bodyguard. In Series 1 he was deemed almost unplayable. So, he made a comeback in Series 3 with an impressive 12 speed and the highest Special Power ratio of any 10 point figure with an attack. (Only R2-D2’s is higher.) Now, even with these improved stats and powers, he didn’t exactly set the Attacktix world on fire. Enter R2-Q5.

R2-Q5 can boost the GBGs speed up to 24, a full 10 ‘tix faster than the next closest figure. On a normal size board, few figures are out of range after the first round of movement at that speed. Without a doubt, the GBG maximizes the effect of Q5. Is this combo enough to build a team around? I think so.

Allow me to suggest the following squad. Central to the squad is the GBG/Q5 combo. Now, Q5 is also good enough to have a Rally > (T) Trooper special, so rounding out the team with pure Troopers seems like a given. Taking GBG’s special into account pushes us further into the Droid Army. Luckily, the buffest Trooper in the game is on the Droid Army bench, the mighty Destroyer Droid. I’d also lean towards throwing in a Super Battle Droid, to assure having two shooters available for when GBG’s are out of range.

Squad:

R2-Q5 x 1 10 pts.

Grievous Bodyguard (S2) x 3 30 pts.

Destroyer Droid x 1 40 pts.

Super Battle Droid (S1) x 1 20 pts.

This squad has no Backups, as there are no Recruit powers. However, there are Rescue and Rally powers, so you do have a shot at getting some figures back into play. The plan is to launch GBGs on kamikaze runs into enemy territory. Though their attacks are weak, is all goes well they should be able to base any enemy and take them out. If their special fires on the retaliaton, all the better to get your Destroyer Droid firing both barrels. There is terrific synergy throughout this entire squad, and the deep distance a boosted GBG can go should allow you to pick off your opponents figs in an order that should minimize the effectiveness of their specials. And if all else fails, you still have the Destroyer Droid and Super Battle Droid, 3 missles a turn, to fall back on.

In closing, I believe this combo is one of the strongest in the game, and I hope you try it out for yourself. Even if all it does is focus your opponents attacks on your non-attacking figure, you’ve already done your strategy a great service.

Be sure to check out Web of Webheads' The Blogging

Attacktix Tournament Pictures from MegaCon

Here are some pictures from the Attacktix Tournament at MegaCon in
Orlando, Florida. I'll have some more news and images soon. Until then,
enjoy!




















Photos by: Dolly Jovellanos

Attacktix Tournament at MegaCon Saturday AND Sunday

Attacktix Tactics will have TWO tournaments at MegaCon Saturday and Sunday, in the gaming area. Hasbro has provided FULL prize support, so get a chance to win an all Silver Tournament Yoda, Chewie, Clone Trooper, Shaak Ti or Plo Koon!

You do not need to register on-line or pay any entrance fee! Your admission to the convention is all it takes! Tournaments will be held in the gaming area 2 hours before the close of each day. Look for the Attacktix Tournament banner to sign up during the day to reserve your spot. If you would like to save a spot now email me at jojomanzo[at]yahoo[dot]com. Or look for the guys with the blue and yellow ATTACKTIX shirts.

Depending on the number of participants, we may have more than one grouping per day. Tournaments classes will be 12 and Under and 13 and Up! Parents get your sons and daughters, kids get your mom and dads! A good time will be had by all!

Transformer Attacktix - An Attacktix Testimonial

Transformers Attacktix are coming out in a few months, and after the initial showing at Toy Fair 2006, they have been met with some skepticism by Transformer fans. Attacktix, be it Star Wars or Transformers, are very odd looking. They have big bulky arms, giant hands, and guns that would make Gilda Radner's chair look small. What is the reason for all this deformity? Functionality.

What this means for Transformer fans is that these toys are NOT for fans who only enjoy the thrill of "transforming" that giant robot. There will be no transformations here, aside from a Special Power that pops up from time to time. However, that does not mean these are not toys for Transformers fans. Take it from me, I moderate one of the only Attacktix Forums and author the only Attacktix Blog I am aware of... and when I bought my first pack of Star Wars Attacktix, I kept the receipt.

Attacktix are fun, and they are meant to be played with! So if you not only love Transformers because of the skill required to transform the toys, but you also enjoy watching the cartoon (any of them) then you will like Attacktix. I can still hear the sound of Optimus Prime transforming into his truck form, with a noise that can not be onomatopoeically written. If you used to make this sound while transforming your figures, and then bang two of them together as if they were fighting in your own lap, then Attacktix is for you!

My wife and I have collected toys for as long as we have been together. During the height of the new Star Wars trilogy, we bought some of the new figures and we battled... but it didn't feel right. Attacktix brings that feeling back! You get to shoot and punch the bad guys (or the good guys!) To do all this, Hasbro had to alter the look of the figures a bit. In contrast, Marvel Showdown figures look awesome. They are basically mini-Marvel Legends that can fight each other. But how do they fight each other? Spider-Man shoots a web from an arm mounted web blaster and the Incredible Hulk shoots a green fist from... an arm mounted fist blaster. (You remember that issue right?) These ToyBiz toys look great, but nobody bought them for the game, in fact I am not sure who is playing the game.

People are playing Attacktix. Adults, children, families, everyone is playing with Attacktix because that is these figures' purpose. It is fine if you are a die-hard Transformers fan, and these toys are too childish to pick up. But do not dismiss them because they are Transformers that do not transform, like Action Masters. These are not made for transforming, they are made for battle. Scoffing at a bust of Optimus Prime because he can not transform would be ridiculous. The same goes for Attacktix, buy a Starter Set and let one missile fly. I guarantee you will be hooked!

Jedi Knight #1-2 Tips and Tricks

Jedi Knight #1-2
Reviewer: Stephen


ATTACKTIX CLASS: Warrior
STAR WARS CLASS: Jedi
POINT VALUE: 10
SPEED: 10
SPECIAL POWER: Attackback (Jedi)
SPECIAL POWER RATIO: 4/26 (15%)
ATTACK TYPE: Striker (Lightsaber)


If only a swarm of Jedi Knights had been available in numbers comparable to the Clones or Droid Army, the Republic would have stood for all time. At least, so says this lover of these cheap but relatively powerful strikers. You'll be hard-pressed to find a 10-point figure that strikes as well as this Agen Kolar retool, and their special powers benefit other Jedi immensely.

Though they can fall rather easily to just about any attack when left alone, they can withstand hearty onslaughts when bunched together in a tight attack formation. Thus, beware when a number of Jedi Knights advance toward you! Can you tell this is my favorite figure for single-figure-type team play?

Tip for attacking with Jedi Knight:
Though the Jedi Knight doesn't have the most powerful strike in the game, such power shouldn't be expected from a 10-point figure. Nevertheless, if you compare the power of a Jedi Knight's strike with that of other 10-point strikers (e.g., Grievous Bodyguard), you'll find that Jedi Knights are quite an offensive bargain. For best results, make the Jedi Knight start his strike by holding the saber with both hands. Hold the tip of the lightsaber between your right thumb and index finger, keeping the length of the saber parallel to the part of your opponent's figure that you want to strike as you twist with your left hand the base of the Jedi Knight as far around as you can go. The Jedi Knight's free hand may leave the saber at this point, but that's all right. Then, while holding the Jedi Knight's base, release the tip of the Jedi Knight's saber. The resulting strike should be powerful enough to be able to use a 10 or 20 point figure to knock down another of your opponent's figures a good 10-15 Tix away.

As long as you've got a Jedi standing, the Jedi Knight's special power will be a boon to your team. Because the Jedi Knight grants an Attackback when he falls, even your strikers can take advantage of a Jedi Knight's demise. Though the Jedi Knight's special power has a low probability of coming up (certainly, it's much less probable than Grievous Bodyguard's special power from either Series 1 or 2), it's still on the high end of probability for a lowly common figure. Perhaps his biggest drawback is that he's a Warrior, which doesn't allow him to support figures with Trooper-based special powers (e.g., Starter 2 Kenobi).

Tips for attacking Jedi Knight:
The base of a lone Jedi Knight is vulnerable to even a small missile blast from 25 Tix away. Thus, aim low when trying to pick off Jedi Knights on the starting line or other times that they might stand by themselves. However, when in formation, Jedi Knights support each others' bases well, making it necessary to aim for head or high chest shots to have much of a chance of knocking them down when they're grouped together tightly.

The biggest problem with facing a team of Jedi Knights is that they are essentially interchangeable with each other. Your figure's special power lets you remove a Jedi of your choice? The only real option is to take out the one closest to your figures, as that's the only sort of “killer” figure that would be on such a team. Or maybe you can remove the figure that attacked you with your special power? Big deal! It's only a 10 point loss! The lack of fear of losing any particular figure that an opponent with a team full of Jedi Knights makes that opponent even more deadly.

Alternative Strategies
Jedi Knights can make fabulous supporting strikers for a team built around a couple of high-point shooters. You can advance the strikers in formation on your opponent's figures, forcing your opponent to break his or her figures out of formation to respect the possible strike, thereby leaving them vulnerable to large missile or Force blast attacks.

You may also choose to use Jedi Knights as cannon fodder to protect higher-point strikers as they advance on your opponent. Put Jedi Knights in front of your more valuable strikers to protect them from incoming projectiles, then peel the more valuable strikers out from behind the Jedi Knights when they're in striking range. Or advance the more valuable strikers together if they're faster than the Jedi Knights, especially if those valuable strikers have special powers that would benefit the Jedi Knights that are left trailing.

Finally, if you're good with saber strikers (particularly if you can get multiple knockdowns with a single strike by knocking one figure into another figure), and you can get a lot of these marvelous figures, you might consider building a team entirely of Jedi Knights. Break them into two or three squads to avoid having a single strike take down all of your figures and flank your opponents. When the time comes, advance a Jedi Knight or two out of formation to test your opponent. Either s/he will have to take out the advancing Jedi Knights to prevent his or her own figures from getting decimated (thus advancing those figures into striking range of the other Jedi Knights), or s/he will ignore the Jedi Knights to his or her peril when your next turn comes.

Toy Fair 2006 Attacktix Photo Tour

Thanks to Sir Steve's Guide, ASM ,Galactic Hunter, Rebelscum and TFW2005, I have found a wealth of Attacktix info and pictures. I have chopped up all the pictures and labeled the new figures.

You can see the complete Transformers' gallery here.
And you can see the complete Star Wars gallery here.

At the conclusion of Toy Fair 2006, I should have a working list of the current Transformers Attacktix, detailing Special Powers and new Weapons. So be sure to check back.

New features: FLIGHT! Boba Fett can FLY! Looking closely at the gap between his legs and you can see a black string. A tethered system, like the gunship, will keep Boba secured to his base, while he flies up in the air. This is EXCELLENT news for those of us hoping for a Marvel Attacktix line!

New powers: TRANSFORM. Transformers can "Transform" and call in their transformed versions when defeated. It plays out like a limited Recruit power.

To discuss Star Wars Attacktix Series 4, click here.

To discuss Transformers Attacktix Series 1 and see ALL 30 FIGURES, click here.

Attacktix News at Toy Fair 2006

ATTACKTIX Battle Figure Game Returns in 2006 With Intergalactic Showdowns

The highly successful ATTACKTIX Battle Figure Game from Hasbro returns in 2006 with an intergalactic line-up that takes this exciting and challenging game to a bigger playing level.

Hasbro will expand the ATTACKTIX playing universe to include more characters from the entire STAR WARS saga, as well as introduce the TRANSFORMERS property to the battle with figures that are “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE”. And for the first time ever, the ATTACKTIX line will offer an incredible “Battle” pack, pitting the key icons of the STAR WARS and TRANSFORMERS sagas against one another in the STAR WARS vs. Transformers Intergalactic Showdown Pack.

Highlights of Hasbro’s ATTACKTIX line include:

ATTACKTIX Starter sets
(Approximate Retail Price: $9.99, Recommended Age: 6 & up; Available: August 2006)
Building on the success of the launch of ATTACKTIX in 2005, two all new ATTACKTIX Starter Sets will be released in 2006. The STAR WARS Starter Set, which features some of the most popular characters from the epic saga, and the TRANSFORMERS Starter Set, which features everyone’s favorite robots in disguise, provide the basic figures needed for game play. Each set contains four figures, each with unique powers. Two of the figures are exclusive to the pack and will not be available in the booster packs. For those new to ATTACKTIX, the Starter Set provides a great launching point for building a squad.

ATTACKTIX Booster Packs
(Approximate Retail Price: $4.99; Recommended Age: 6 & up; Available: August 2006)
Players can increase the power and strength of their ATTACKTIX battle figure forces, with the addition of figures found in ATTACKTIX Booster Packs. Both STAR WARS and TRANSFORMERS booster packs will include two figures, one rare and one super rare figure. Each pack is blind, making the discovery of which figures are in the pack part of the excitement. There are 18 STAR WARS and 18 TRANSFORMERS figures, each with unique powers and features. Collect them all to build the ultimate squad or to trade with friends.

ATTACKTIX Star Wars vs. Transformers InterGalactic Showdown Pack
(Approximate Retail Price $19.99; Recommended Age: 6 & up; Available: August 2006)
Who would win in battle – Darth Vader or Optimus Prime? Now you can answer the question with the ATTACKTIX STAR WARS vs. Transformers Intergalactic Showdown Pack. Iconic figures from the STAR WARS universe collide with the world of TRANSFORMERS where lightsaber-wielding Jedi Knights compete against the masterful robots with incredible powers. Each pack comes with six battle figures including Darth Vader and Opitmus Prime, as well as the larger battle master figures with more fire power.

ATTACKTIX BATTLE MASTER ASSORTMENT
(Approximate Retail Price: $12.99; Recommended Age: 6 & up; Available: August 2006)
ATTACKTIX Battle Master Figures are twice as large as the average ATTACKTIX battle figure and bring more action to battles with bigger attacks, increased power, and stronger defenses, making them more difficult to defeat. For example, the AT-RT launches four missiles! Each Battle Master comes with a battle figure so that players can stage a battle right out of the box. In Fall 2006, fans can add the TRANSFORMERS Omega Supreme figure with battle throwing action and accompanying Crumplezone battle figure to their battle line-up. Also set to be released this Fall is the new Republic Gunship with flying action and clone pilot.

BACKGROUND: Hasbro’s ATTACKTIX Battle Figure Game is a revolutionary game in which opponents compete with one simple goal: to be the last one standing! Played without a board or dice, ATTACKTIX figures feature attack action such as firing blasters or lightsaber slashing, and the figure base includes all of the information you need to play the game, including special powers. Easy to start but difficult to master, the ATTACKTIX battle figure game provides action, strategy and fantasy all in one game.

See our Sir Steve's Toy Fair Star Wars ATTACKTIX coverage here.

Attacktix Speculation: Toy Fair 2006

Reported by: Jay Jovellanos

As noted on About.com, Hasbro now has the Marvel license.

Hasbro and the Marvel License

Hasbro and Marvel have recently announced that Hasbro has the license to produce Marvel action figures and games beginning in 2007, but aside from that basic fact, no other details have been released. Collectors are eager to learn more, and hopefully a few more details will be announced at Toy Fair.

However, after listening to almost two and a half hours of the Hasbro Investor Meeting at Toy Fair the only news of interest to Attacktix is Marvel products may be out as early as LATE 2006 (or "the back half of 2006" as stated in the Q4 Conference Call). Doesn't necessarily mean Marvel Attacktix will be here by Christams, but I will still keep my fingers crossed!

Attacktix Series 3 Figure Guide

I am missing figures Force Blast Vader (#23), Wedge (#27) and R2-Q5 (#30).
All other statistics are below. Click here for the Complete Guide.

	Name	Point Value	Base	Speed	Attack Type	Special Power	SP Ratio	Star Wars Class	Attacktix Class
1	Stormtrooper	10	4cm	4	Shooter Small Missile	Attackback (Empire)	4/26 15%	Empire	Trooper
2	TIE Pilot	10	4cm	4	Shooter Small Missile	Attackback (Specialist)	4/26 15%	Empire	Trooper
3	Tusken Raider	10	4cm	8	Striker Gaffi Stick	Attackback (Tusken)	4/26 15%	Tusken	Trooper
4	Rebel Trooper	10	4cm	4	Shooter Small Missile	Attackback (Rebel)	4/26 15%	Rebel	Trooper
5	X-Wing Pilot	10	4cm	4	Shooter Small Missile	Shootback (Trooper)	4/26 15%	Rebel	Trooper
6	Sandtrooper	30	5cm	6	Shooter Large Missile	Charge (2 X Empire)	8/26 31%	Empire	Specialist
7	Bossk	30	4.5cm	6	Shooter Large Missile	Shootback (3 X Bounty Hunter)	6/26 23%	Bounty Hunter	Specialist
8	Death Star Gunner	30	4.5cm	6	Shooter Large Missile	Evade (Trooper)	6/26 23%	Empire	Specialist
9	Imperial Officer	10	4cm	6	Shooter Small Missile	Rally (2 X Trooper)	4/26 15%	Empire	Captain
10	Jawa	10	4cm	4	Shooter Small Missile	Recruit (Jawa)	4/26 15%	Jawa	Trooper
11	Greedo	20	4.5cm	8	Shooter Large Missile	Capture Rebel (Any)	8/26 31%	Bounty Hunter	Specialist
12	Captain Antilles	20	4.5cm	6	Shooter Small Missile	Charge (3 X Rebel)	8/26 31%	Rebel	Captain
13	Tusken Sniper	10	4cm	4	Shooter Small Missile	Rally (Tusken)	4/26 15%	Tusken	Specialist
14	Princess Leia	20	4.5cm	6	Shooter Small Missile	Rescue (Rebel)	12/26 46%	Rebel	Leader
15	Chewbacca	20	4.5cm	12	Striker Hand	Rally(Han or Leia)	12/26 46%	Rebel	Warrior
16	Hammerhead	40	5cm	4	Shooter Net	Battle Cry	14/26 54%	Bounty Hunter	Specialist
17	Heavy Stormtrooper	30	4.5cm	6	Shooter Large Missile	Sacrifice (Stormtrooper)	10/26 38%	Empire	Warrior
18	Boba Fett	30	4.5cm	6	Shooter Large Missile	Vengeance (Rebel)	16/26 62%	Bounty Hunter	Specialist
19	Tusken Warlord	30	5cm	10	Prodder Gaffi Stick	Recover (Tusken)	8/26 31%	Tusken	Leader
20	Obi-Wan Kenobi	30	5cm	12	Striker Lightsaber	Force Push 6 Tix (Opponent)	22/26 84%	Rebel	Leader
21	Luke Skywalker	30	5cm	12	Striker Lightsaber	Recover (Rebel)	16/26 62%	Rebel	Warrior
22	Han Solo	20	4.5cm	6	Shooter Large Missile	Recruit (Chewbacca)	10/26 38%	Rebel	Captain
23	Darth Vader	40	5cm	6	Shooter Force Blast	Vengeance (Attacker)	12/26 46%	Empire	Captain
24	Jawa Warlord	30	4.5cm	4	Shooter Large Missile	Sacrifice (Jawa)	14/26 54%	Jawa	Leader
25	C-3PO	20	4cm	10	Striker Arm Flail	Evade (Rebel)	10/26 38%	Rebel	Specialist
26	Biggs Darklighter	30	4.5cm	6	Shooter Large Missile	Attackback (2 X Rebel)	12/26 46%	Rebel	Captain
27	Wedge	30	4.5cm	6	Shooter Small Missile			Rebel	Specialist
28	Luke as Stormtrooper	20	4.5cm	6	Shooter Small Missile	Recruit (Luke Skywalker)	10/26 38%	Rebel	Warrior
29	Han Solo as Stormtrooper	20	4.5cm	6	Shooter Small Missile	Recruit (Han Solo)	8/26 31%	Rebel	Warrior
30	R2-Q5	30	4cm	6	Chance (Double Speed)	Rally (Trooper)	4/26 15%	Empire	Specialist
31	Luke Skywalker	40	5cm	4	Shooter Force Blast	Rescue (Rebel)	14/26 54%	Rebel	Warrior
32	Darth Vader	30	5cm	12	Striker Lightsaber	Sacrifice (Trooper)	12/26 46%	Empire	Warrior
33	Captain Antilles	20	4.5cm	6	Shooter Small Missile	Rally (Trooper)	12/26 46%	Rebel	Captain
34	Imperial Officer	20	4.5cm	6	Shooter Small Missile	Charge (2 X Trooper)	20/26 77%	Empire	Captain
35	Jabba the Hutt (with Salacious Crumb)	70	7cm	6	Shooter 4 X Balls	Recruit (Bounty Hunter)	6/26 23%	Mega

Pimp My Attacktix Contest! Win a Jabba the Hutt Mega

Enter the PIMP MY ATTACKTIX Contest and win your own Jabba the Hutt Mega! Click on the picture above for more details!

Pimp your Attacktix and win a Jabba. How much more fun can you have?

ENTRIES DUE BY FEB. 17!

Attacktix Personality Quiz

The Attacktix Personality Quiz (V.1) is here!

See which figure from Series 1 closest matches your personality!

I am:

Attacktix Custom Durge on eBay!

Custom Durge on eBay



The Durge I made is now up for auction on eBay. Be sure to check out all my customs. And be on the look out for my Aayla Secura custom.

Attacktix Tournament at MegaCon in Orlando, FL

Some early exciting news!

There will be an Attacktix Tournament at MegaCon, complete with Attacktix Prizes!

If you wish to be put on the list early, email me at jojomanzo@yahoo.com. Please label the subject as your e-mail ATTACKTIX TOURNAMENT so I don't miss it. Bring a 100-point team, with 50 points (maximum) in back-ups. I will also have some blind 100-point teams for use, with no back-up.

Details are still up in the air, but most likely signups will be by the WotC table, or near the gaming section. Entry will be free and there will be PRIZES for the winners! Depending on number of signups, we will have 2 groups, young and not young. But we will still need to limit it to 16 per group, like Hasbro.

More details to follow!
KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR MORE INFO!

MegaCon
February 24th - 26th, 2006 In Orlando, Florida

Show Hours
Friday 1pm - 7pm (advance ticket purchasers get in at 12pm)
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Attacktix Series 3 Starters Now in Target

SERIES 3 STARTER SIGHTINGS:

Target:
Madison, WI
Tampa, FL
Schaumburg, IL
Pasadena, CA
Rockford, IL
Grafton, WI
Toledo, OH
Houston, TX

Attacktix Series 3 Starters on eBay!

Series 3 is starting to show up in stores! Please leave a comment if you find some near you!

Series 3 Starter on Ebay

Rebelscum.com Speculates on Marvel Attacktix

This question was covered in Question Mark #202

Q: How well is the Attacktix line doing? Rumors have had it doing really well (Series 3 and beyond), and on the brink of disaster (canceling products like a new Battle Case), obviously it can't be both. Any news on this? -Brett "webhead817"

A: It was a while ago, but the Hasbro team was quite enthusiastic and pleased with how well the Attacktix line was doing. I noticed the second series sold pretty well during the holidays; pegs went from full to empty in decent time. At this point things seem a little slow (pegs are full again, not a whole lot of movement), but that's natural for this time of year. The third series in coming up, a new Jabba the Hutt Battle Masters figure, there's talk of additional lines for both Transformers and G.I. Joe. A very good chance we'll see a line generated for the Marvel Universe given the latest news. There's really nothing out there right now that leads me to believe the line is moving anywhere other than forward. Hopefully we'll get a chance to speak with the team about the line at Toy Fair next month, but for now it seems things are looking good.

As for a 'new' Battle Case being cancelled, it's kinda inconsequential. The original Battle Case was a latecomer to most stores, but has since shown up en masse at Target. It doesn't appear to be a huge part of the game, if Hasbro is still working on selling that first edition, it doesn't make sense to rush a second case into production. We'll ask about that too though...

Pre-Order Series 3 at Entertainment Earth

Pre-order Series 3, and get them as SOON as they come out. Pre-release date says "MARCH" but EE.com sent out Battle Cases early, so hopefully these follow suit.

Jabba Mega

Booster CASE

Single Booster $9.99

Other online stores list the release date in "FEBRUARY". My guess is that January is still the release date. Large suppliers will get them first (retails like Wal*Mart and Target) and smaller online stores may not get them until end of January or earlier February. So, March may be a "Promise Late, Delivery Early" strategy.

All I know for sure is that once they are in stores, you will find out here!

Series 3 Matrix Revealed. New Powers Disclosed!

Series 3 release is getting closer and closer. Please leave a comment here if you have found some boosters already!

The (almost) complete Series 3 Matrix is here! Scroll to the bottom for the latest figures!
I'll get the percentages up once we have them in hand (or feel free to write in).

New Powers in Series 3 include:

EVADE. Your opponent may not attack any of your (CLASS) figures on their next turn.
CHARGE. Free move for up to (NUMBER) of your (CLASS).

Hasbro Explains Re-use of Tools and Re-molds

Reported by: Jay Jovellanos

Along with the release of the Series 3 Attacktix Checklist, was talk of re-issued figures. Why does Hasbro need to release the exact same mold, over and over, when the game is meant to be collectible, and released in limited series?

I managed to get a hold of a Hasbro Public Relations member, who was happy to discuss the reasons why they do what they do:

Tooling, the process of providing a factory with machinery (mold) in preparation for production, is required for every figure. There are two main reasons why Hasbro may have to re-use their tooling.

The first reason is the ever looming issue of cost. Tools are expensive, really expensive. Again, remember, the term "tools" refers to the cast of each figure, not the equipment in your tool box. As volumes increase and the brand gets stronger you will see less and less tools being re-used as capacities are increased. The re-used tools help defer the costs of doing new characters and designs. Remember, there are costs at every stage of design, from paper to product.

Second, there is always a demand for the core characters. Although there are many collectors out there acquiring a complete set of every series, there are always new comers to the game. Every new kid getting into the game in a later series, will still want the desirable core characters. To quote a phrase used in the television industry, "It is only a repeat if you have already seen it. If not its new to you."

In time, these characters will be made better and with new attacks, but as we concentrate on adding newer characters we will put in some core characters to be able to maximize our line. We will always try to make the figure that is re-issued identical in sculpt only. So every re-issued figure will have a new power and improved stats based on game play and feedback. Depending on the figure, a new look or paint job may be appropriate as well.

Attacktix had a great inaugural year and broke ALL expectations. This means more money, more commercials and more awareness in 2006. This also means LESS re-using of molds, and more unique characters to fill your battlefield!

Attacktix Series 3 Checklist is HERE!

Finally, after nearly two months of being teased with broken links, we now have a working PDF!

COMMON
1. Stormtrooper
2. TIE Pilot
3. Tusken Raider
4. Rebel Trooper
5. X-wing Pilot

RARE
6. Sandtrooper
7. Bossk (Same Mold)
8. Death Star Gunner
9. Imperial Officer
10. Jawa
11. Greedo
12. Captain Antilles
13. Tusken Sniper
14. Princess Leia (Same Mold)
15. Chewbacca

SUPER RARE
16. Hammerhead
17. Heavy Stormtrooper
18. Boba Fett (Same Mold)
19. Tusken Warlord
20. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Old Ben)
21. Luke Skywalker (Same Mold)
22. Han Solo (Same Mold)
23. Darth Vader
24. Jawa Warlord
25. C-3P0
26. Biggs Darklighter
27. Wedge
28. Luke as Stormtrooper
29. Han Solo as Stromtrooper
30. R2-Q5 (R2-D2 Repaint)

STARTER SET
31. Luke Skywalker
32. Darth Vader
33. Captain Antilles
34. Imperial Officer

BATTLE MASTER
35. Jabba the Hutt

New Effects for Series 3

R2-Q5. When you begin any turn, you can press the button on R2-Q5. The wheel will spin and stop on green or red. If it lands on green, you can move any ONE of your TROOPERS up to twice its distance!

Han Solo & Luke as Stormtrooper. These heroes are powerful in disguise! Whenever Princess Leia is in play, you may attack with on of these figures - without using up any of your attack actions!