If you guys haven't figured out by now, I don't use much in the way of Hasbro weapons if I can help it. Yes, back in the day, the weapons a figure came with sometimes signified a character. Flint and his shotgun. Flash and his 'laser' gun. Bazooka and his handheld rocket launcher. SnowJob and his 'laser' rifle (that became a norm, yes???)

Now... I understand that Joe and Cobra characters have their signature weapons, but based on my latest fotos, you can see they don't CARRY their normal stuff. Consider that an error on my part? Or maybe, just maybe, I'm trying to figure out a weapon that can work for the good guys and good guys. It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the Marauder Inc stuff. My VvV Vipers, DTC Troopers and Spy Troops NeoVipers ALL carry NCMs (pulse rifles based on Aliens thru MJ). But the Joes, I'm still working on it. I have some ideas and have bought packs of various weapons for them, but haven't found a good consistent weapon.

I know that a lot of you tend to standardize the weapons for your army builders. AKs tend to be a fave for a lot of fans for the bad guys, but those are just too old for me. I want something cool looking and we ALL know what the pulse rifles can do! (as per the ALIENS movie).

So I'm just saying, if you see me cycling thru different weapons for the Joes, there's a reason. The HK something-or-other that Beach Head was using in the Archives storyline, that's what I'm leaning towards. But I also like what Crankcase/Lady Jaye were using in HUNT FOR SONNEILON. Just too many options, yes???




What's your take? Do your Joe characters get specialized weapons or do they get a standard? Do some of the characters carry a regular weapon then use their special weapon when the time comes (think Blaine from Predator who uses something that resembles a sub-machine gun then turns to 'Old Painful")? Do the different Cobra divisions get different weapons or did Cobra go mass production on 1 rifle that caters to ALL classes???

Standardized weapons are the way to go, especially for Cobra's forces, realistically it makes the business of supply much easier. For the Joes, I'm a little more lenient. I don't use many Hasbro weapons either, especially the outlandish or stupidly coloured ones (Recoil's baby blue rifle, anyone?).
Thank goodness for Marauder!

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"The future's uncertain and the end is always near." - The Doors "Roadhouse Blues".

Uh, what exactly was the question? Oh well. In my opinion, you need standardized weapons in Cobra (at least for the Army Builders), as for special characters and the Joes, make them Mission oriented!

For example, Cobra BlueShirts carry standard ak-47s. for My Viper Pit Vipers, I went with the XM-8 (it's new, stylish and yet not too unbelievable) for my Neo Vipers, I used NCM rifles (newer, more powerful and bolder design commensurate with their status as the "new hi-tech bad boys on the block"). The Weapons need to fit the troops. You don't want jungle Vipers carrying sniper rifles! (due to the close range at which jungle firefights occur!)

As for GI Joe, I still try to keep some weapons Standard, like Sniper Rifles for my snipers and flame throwers for my flame thrower troops, but I see no issue with Bazooka carrying an MP-5 and having is rocket launcher on his back. Or Salvo Carrying an M4 through the jungle! Guys who carry "flying Artillery" (that is light artillery weapons such as Mortars and Rocket Launchers) need a fallback weapon! What are they to do if the enemy gets too close to use a SMAW or 60mm mortar? As for using 100% hasbro weapons, screw that! My Snipers typically Carry a Barrett Light .50. My Squad Leaders Carry m4's. Trackers and Scouts carry M4 with shotguns. Most of these Supplied by Marauder John. I will admit, my snipers backup rifles are Sniper Rifles like either Cross Hair or Barrel Roll V1 came with, but the crap that the DTC Snipers came with (lowLight and BarrelRoll) are crap!

I'm thinking of outfitting my DTC Range Vipers with MGL's from Marauder John! Can't wait for that!

I agree with this one - As well as most of your post. I try to keep my cobra's with "mass manufactured weapons" - and joes with more mission spesific weapons. But I do tend to give characters their original weapon as well - but maybe an extra or backup or just mix it up every once in a while.

Since Gijoe is American I tend to give them M4's and M16's, as well as what you would see in the American military - but of course they are special forces and get some new cool guns as well (again THANKS Marauder inc!)

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I've always thought GI Joe was at it's best when it leaned more towards reality and Marauder Inc. weapons really help with that. (Got my first order on the way.) But I'm a bit of purest too. I like to use the guns that the figures come with. They're part of the characters identity as everyone is a specialist of some sort.

There's exceptions, some figures it's almost required to use different weapons for obvious reasons. Some are outdated, like Scarlett's crossbow. Some are plain stupid, like Lady Jay's rocket javelin thing? The Night-Viper's rifle can't be held in any kind of shooting position. Tunnel Rat's heavy machine gun with the scope is inappropriate, that's the last weapon you would want clearing tunnels. I really, really, really hate lasers, never use them unless it's for a laser trooper like Sci-Fi.

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Well I have to agree with most of you... standard weapons are the way to go...
E.g I use AK47's with my Cobra blueshirts (basic weapon for basic troopers or "rookies") Marauder Johns NVR rifles goes wonderfully with my "basic" vipers as a more specialized and "better" version... SAW-Vipers naturally use Marauders SAW-assault rifles and so on.

I use some troops with their original weapon which came with them (eg. Alley viper V1's are just too cool with their assaul rifle thingy)

Maybe the only exeption is my Range-vipers as in my Joeverse they have to supply themselves (like ancient Spartans) so they pretty much use whatever they get their hands on (basically what I have left=) so they are't standardized in any way...

As for the good gyus, I pretty much try to use a weapon that suits the character (e.g Flint does have a shotgun...but its from marauder...same thing with Falcon, and Hit n' Run has his M14 carbine, again from Marauder and so on...)

But again some who dont have "normal" weapons, I have equipped them with one (e.g Salvo and Downtown with "backup" or close combat weapons, as they have to be able to defend themselves)

Eagle out...

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"Only Idiots Quote Themselves!" - Me

Wow, I'm not so crazy then!

I do believe in giving the Joes their own unique weapons (well, for the most part, the ones that helped distinguish them). BUT as Frank pointed out, it makes far more sense for Bazooka to carry a smaller weapon and pull out the big boy when he needs. I didn't come upon this concept until watching Predator one day. Blaine, on the way to the bad guys' lair, is carrying a small weapon while the gatler is on his back. Poncho was the same with his grenade launcher.

I played with that a tiny bit in Transformations where Stalker has his peashooter then switches to the grenade launcher to clear the hallways.

Thanks for the input.