Since JoeCon 2009 I’ve been looking at that AWE Striker w/ Night Fox and have been filled with an overwhelming sense of “meh”… nothing about it really resonated. We’ve gotten a Night Ops AWE Striker, we’ve gotten a desert AWE Striker, so why do we need this bizarre amalgamation of the two of them? I couldn’t really find a reason to be excited about it. Even Night Fox, a new character (which I normally love) seemed like a strange mish mash of parts and pieces that didn’t necessarily flow.
But then both Gyre-Viper and GeneralsJoes contributor cmderinchief dug up some new images from overseas specialist toyssir898. And these new images really struck a nerve with me. In these images, Night Fox is wearing a helmet, not his ill-fitting cap, and for whatever reason, it makes a world of difference. For the first time I noticed the great webgear…I love the fact that he uses Jungle Assault Ripcord’s baggy-sleeved arms. The whole figure looks very, very cool. I’m not sure why the helmet and close up picture suddenly made all of this difference, but it did. I find myself really looking forward to this now, even though I’ll likely discard the AWE Striker and just use Night Fox as a night ops specialist.
Also in the series of images was the Ice Cutter with the original version of the Snow Serpent slated to come with the vehicle originally (before it appeared to be changed to a paint scheme resembling the Toys “R” Us version from last year). I find myself liking that red, especially when looking at the cancelled Elite Ice-Viper and Arctic Destro figures. The red and white paint apps would have all blended very nicely together…
Check out the images mirrored below and let me know what you think.
no images were found
I’m a huge fan of the new Dusty. And I think Nightfox will look cool as hell set up next to Dusty. I now have a slew of questions for Hasbro regarding their approach to this line that really didn’t occur to me until all this stuff started coming through this past month or so.
I think I’d be a lot happier if he was packaged with a repaint of the 25A VAMP reissue instead of “yet another” AWE Striker. I like the AWE as much as the next fan but it’s been reissued to death whereas the new VAMP was only re-released as the STINGER. It would allow Hasbro to recover more of the VAMP tooling $$ and give fans something a bit different.
Of course, it still saddens me a bit that we have to discuss this line in terms of “how many times something has been reissued” and “whose parts a new character is made up of”. It’s definitely a different economic climate these days.
Just my two cents. The figure looks interesting but it’s time for some new wheels!
Yeah, I’d have been happier with him coming with a VAMP mk. II, or even just a desert repaint of the original.
Since I’ve never had an AWE Striker I’m looking forward to this one, especially after these new pics of Night Fox. He’s going to look great next to the new Dusty (as Gyre said) and my LBC Sandstorm (Extra head and vest from POC Zartan on ROC desert ambush Duke body). My desert corps will be growing!
I agree with Fred and would have rather seen the Vamp reissued, but as the “Renegade” painted similar to the above and accompanied by Mercer, Taurus, and Red Dog… I wouldn’t even care if they did it Club style and used the same body with different heads and undershirt paint schemes… well a guy can dream can’t he?
Dammit!! Yet another reason my wallet will be in pain over the next few months.
I never liked the legs on desert ambush Duke, the proportions are all off….I picked up a few on clearance to use for customs and while the forearms and hands are excellent the legs are terrible. I’m sorry to see them pop up again on Nightfox. The top half of him looks very cool, though!
This may be nitpicky, but I wish they had picked a single color for the AWE Striker body panels. Having three different colors makes it look like a Dreadnok vehicle. I wouldn’t mind another AWE Striker repaint as much if the coloration was uniform.
I like the figure and the accessories. Dunno if I’ll buy this one or not.
It occurs to me looking at the photo – can we mount the 50-cal on top of this AWE Striker and do away with the ridiculous “recoiless” missile launcher? That would make me happy. I never picked up a new AWE, so this might be the one.
Yay, the recycling starts already.
The Ice Cutter vehicle looks like it will be a lot of fun. I didn’t realise it had a great big wheel at the back. Very cool.
What’s up from the shore!
Nightfox looks great but I’m pretty ambivalent on owning another AWE Striker. The Ice Cutter looks pretty amazing, on the other hand.
P.S. justin stop being a slouch and review those new alphas you got from Canada, I know you have them damnit and I want to see more photos 🙁
At last! Skidmark gets some respect!
What’s that? … That’s not Skidmark? Well he will be in my universe.
“What’s that? … That’s not Skidmark? Well he will be in my universe.”
I’m thinking of keeping him as Night Fox. Now the new Clutch I may use as someone else. don’t know who though. (Hot Seat? Dodger?, Rumbler? so many drivers, so little time)
I like AWE strikers, I wanted to squad-build the ARAHC version. I got two as is. That would be excellent if the machine gun could mount on top.
I like the rifle on top and the remote firing control on the passenger side. Looking at other dune-buggy style FAVs, I’ve always hoped they would add some extras to the AWE. A third seat frame with a grenade launcher, perhaps a machine gun mounted for the passenger?
Even a spare tire or two for decoration above the rear wheels or on the front area would be nice. Or some steel-cage-like half-doors.
While the larger seat wouldn’t be applicable, I would like to see the Stargate all-terrain cruisers rear-deck platform worked onto a new AWE at some point.
Either way, with those Jurassic AWEs, the Eco-striker, etc, it would be cool to see if someone had a complete AWE striker collection pic.