The "Xtra Long Range" Disks of the Vortex Line have been at the center of all 4 of the blasters that debuted this line. However, Bluefire on Urban Tagger's Facebook page brought up an idea that I've been pondering for some time now. Take a read:
While reading your latest post, I had a thought... Vortex's ammo is called XLR discs. Not just discs. And N-Strike's most widely used ammunition is called Streamline darts. Not just darts. So... could the presence of a specific title for the disks possibly signify other sizes and types of discs to come in the future? After all, N-Strike currently has 6 functional types of darts (not including cosmetic differences): Streamline, Whistler/Sonic, Suction/Micro, Firefly Tech Streamline, Firefly Tech Suction, and the Titan AS-V.1 MegaMissile. So, being N-Strike's intended counterpart, shouldn't Vortex eventually grow to have different types of discs as well, besides the XLR Glow Discs from the Lumitron? What do you think?
It's an excellent point that has had me thinking quite a bit. The dead-ends I keep running into is whether anything other than a disk with the shape of an XLR disk would be able to be fired by Nerf's current lineup of Vortex Blasters. Of course, N-Strike also has different blasters that fire specific ammo. You'll recall when the Longshot first came out, it was the only blaster that could use Streamline Darts until other Clip-System blasters started seeing production. Could the XLR Disk be the "Sonic" Dart equivalent of the Vortex Line? Might there be more variations to the Vortex line for blasters that shoot different kinds of disks? Or is there a way to engineer different disks that would still function in the existing Vortex Blasters (aside from a recolor or the Glow Disks coming in the Lumitron). The floor is open for your comments and ideas about this subject! I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on the matter!
that's a tough one. I honestly don't know how they would be able to make anything else that would work, but you never know. They spent quite a while designing the whole mechanism behind the new line just so it would put the right spin on the darts so they could go the distance. There was a ton of engineering that went to make the gun and the disc work together perfectly. It makes it hard to think that anything else could work with it, unless they had designed other ammo along with it from the start that we haven't seen. I would expect no more than the XLR Discs, and the Glow Discs for the moment, but I'd love to be surprised.
ReplyDeleteSo glad this topic has come up. I was actually thinking of doing a "Disc Tag" mod to my newly acquired discs. Just supergluing the Velcro from the dart heads to the sides of the discs, nothing too fancy. Some whistler discs sound do-able also. This sounds like it has a good chance of becoming a reality. Can't wait to see what Nerf has for us this year!
ReplyDeleteC-dog (8-D
It would be a good idea if nerf made different disk types, kinda like how nerf made different darts for different blasters. One possibility is a center-less disk, designed for accuracy, but may limit the range, or a heavier made disk, made for outdoor/ windy conditions. It would be really cool if nerf showed their imagination and come up with different types of vortex disks :)
ReplyDeleteI really don't see any other discs appearing. It just doesn't make much sense to me, especially the whole "Vortex's ammo is called XLR discs. Not just discs. And N-Strike's most widely used ammunition is called Streamline darts.Not just darts." thing. Extra Long Range doesn't smell like a replaceable title. What other kinds would there be? "Short Range" discs? No. "Super Long Range" discs. Doesn't make sense. "Obscenely Giant Rotational Rocket" disks? While an amusing concept (And yes, intentionally ridiculous title), I really don't see it happening. Nerf doesn't seem the type to make something that wide.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the discs are already functioning as two different comparative darts--Sonic and Streamline. I wouldn't be surprised to see even more magazine fed Vortex, and pleased to see more single shots (The Proton is so satisfying to load), but I would be very surprised if they had other flavors of the disc. After all, darts can have tips. Tips can server different functions (I.E. suction, whistle, velcro), but discs... You can't make them suction. You could, theoretically make a disc whistle... But not with how these are constructed/launched. Pretty much the only thing they could do is put velcro on them. And that'd add more weight, which isn't good for a disc's range.
Finally, I don't really see a need for another flavor of disc. These function well. They can chill in magazines, they can chill in a single shot's bolt-type-thing. The versatility they already have surpasses darts. Just seems silly to mess with even more kinds of ammunition.
Here's two cents from a former toy engineers POV. The Nerf Marketing dept gets to decide what to call the discs, not the Engineers. So if the engineers figure out a way to get a different enough variation on the XLR discs, Marketing will exploit it by calling it something different. The Engineers(and Designers) probably have a few things they have tried as to other types of discs (I.E, velcro or whistling) that Marketing will keep in their back pocket until they feel it is necessary, such as when the line has been out a few years and sales begin to slide.
ReplyDeleteI can see whistler disc happening.
ReplyDeletehmm. interesting, but I think it's more just the marketing dept. following their old trend and keeping things open ended, in case some othe form of disc is created. But I don't think we'll see any more any time soon. I would like to see more clip fed vortex blasters released with a bit more customization, and like triangle said perhaps another single shot, but I can't see that happening for another 6 months yet
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