This is the Nerf Modulus "Strike and Defend" kit. It comes with a flip-up shield that can attach to an N-Strike Tactical Rail and a Pistol (includes two darts) that can attach to a N-Strike Stock Adapter and act as a sturdy stock. It's an interesting accessory in that this is Nerf's first stock that can be used as a blaster.
My initial impressions were quite good to begin with. As a blaster, this pistol packs more of a punch than I was expecting. There are a few comfort issues being used solely as a pistol but it is actually a very nice sturdy stock on my blasters. It can even still shoot a dart while it is attached as a stock (which I wasn't expecting it to do). The "Defend" side of this kit is rather lame. The Shield seems more like an afterthought while the clear star of this kit is the "Strike" side of things.
For details on size and features of this kit, go see the photos on Tactical Tag's Facebook Page. This includes comparisons with other N-Strike stock sizes and pictures with it on other blasters.
Click the link below for the full video review of this kit!
In spring of 2014, the name "Rhino Fire" was spotted as a new Nerf blaster, but no pictures accompanied this information (unless you count my April Fools joke). Later that summer it was revealed to be a double-barreled drum-fed tripod-mounted behemoth, mimicking the look of an Anti-Aircraft Gun. When it was released in the fall, it came with a hefty pricetag and not-so-encouraging reviews on the 'net. Frequent jamming and quality issues plagued this D-Cell Battery powered monster and, as a result of the price and the issues, I easily crossed this one off my list and skipped it.
Fast forward to the Summer of 2015. A stagnant Nerf enthusiast is waiting impatiently for the new Doomlands blasters to start showing up when, lo and behold, a friend of his finds a Rhino Fire for stupid-cheap and buys it for him. Great! The issues from the initial release must have been rectified since last fall, right? WRONG!
I'm not sure about the rest of the US (or the rest of the world for that matter) but weather forecasts are expecting a string of 90-100 degree temperatures with humid muggy conditions for the entire week in the Midwest. We are smack-dab in the middle of my Omaha-based Laser Tag group's summer season... but instead of melting this Friday evening for our weekly game... we'll be staying cool. For the first time ever, we'll be trading our electronics for some H²O! Sure it's not what we usually do, but I'd rather have people come out and have fun than have 5 people show that will collapse of heat-exhaustion a half-hour into the game.
This week we're gonna cool off with some Super Soakers in an epic Water War in the same park we would normally be playing Nerf or Laser Tag. While I don't have an arsenal of Water Guns to loan out like I usually do, I do have a back yard that conveniently shares a border with the park we play in, so getting refills on water for our blasters will be easy. It should be a fun change of pace. I'm not sure how we'll actually run the games... or if it'll just be mindless soakage, but I know it'll be fun and I know people will have a good time!
This year I've been getting a little bent-out-of-shape on my hobbies. I quickly realized that, instead of getting worked up about numbers and turnout and the like... that it should be about having fun regardless of whether it's 5 people or 35 people. This Water War is just an easy way to switch things up and help us focus on what's really important: having a good time. When plans don't go your way, switch things up and just focus on enjoying the time with whoever shows up. There's no point in getting down on statistics or technicalities if people are having fun.
On July 3rd, most people were impatiently waiting for their Independence Day celebrations. Cookouts, Fireworks, and get-togethers were planned for this big American weekend. While the rest of the country was waiting, we were busy getting a leg up on celebrating the only way we know how: Laser Tag!
We kicked off the 10th Annual "Independence Eve Blast" with our usual pot-luck cookout. I think this is the first time we've ever had dogs and babies at the game, though... so we all had a lot of fun!
We also enjoyed record turn-out for the event. We had 32 in the picture but picked up another 5 through the rest of the event, so I was pretty stoked about the support we got. I've been complaining recently of low turnout numbers but this event made me realize that these events are more about the games, it's about getting together with everyone. Whether there's 5 or 35 players, it's still a good time. In the same way that Nerf and Laser Tag enthusiasts tend to get too caught up or serious about their hobbies, I tend to get too worked up on the details of these games and forge to enjoy it.
One thing that made it easier to to enjoy was the return of some well-missed veterans. Many good friends who have been with us from the start made it out to this event to celebrate with us. Some of them don't even live in town anymore, so it was a real treat to reconnect with them and play alongside (and against) them in this awesome scenario that is simply known as the "Independence Eve Blast". Many of them were THERE for the first one we held back in 2006, so it was great to have them here again!
For those who don't know, this event is my FAVORITE one in the entire schedule. Not only is there great food and lots of fun games to be had, but the event carries with it a unique atmosphere not easily recreated. As the evening of Laser Tag goes on into the night, local fireworks explode overhead giving a sort of battlefield environment as players battle through flashes of light, the booms of shells igniting overhead, and the thick smell of smoke and gunpowder. Its awesome to play under these conditions to make for an unforgettable evening.
2015 marks our 10th year doing this. Here's a video I made from last years event in case you missed it!
Hope all my US readers had a Happy 4th of July! And I guess all the readers in other countries will want to host games on nights when there are fireworks in the forecast. It's a grand ol' time!
For details on size and features of this kit, go see the photos on Tactical Tag's Facebook Page. This includes comparisons with other N-Strike stock sizes and pictures with it on other blasters.
