I'm actually amazed at how lackluster the belt buckles are for Tomax and Xomat. For all of the great detailing Hasbro doesn in this line, the belts look so cheap.

BBTS has also received the Viper 3 pack. I just received the payment notification from PayPal and confirmed the figures are in my Pile of Loot.

Welp, managed to accidentally order a second Stalker in the "everything's available now" scramble. If anyone needs him, LMK.

In other news, got the Viper 3 pack for $76+tax shipped from a site called moviesunlimited (it's out of stock now, or I'd link it.) Great set, love the blast effects, and the fact that all of the Vipers are different is great for a non-army builder like myself.

For me, it's exactly the other way around. There's something odd and subtly off-putting about the "Alpha Commandos" headsculpt and the Retro version is a vast improvement.

I know it's the same basic figure as the Snake Eyes from the Timber set with a new head and different webgear and holsters, but I've really enjoyed messing around with Stalker since getting him earlier today. It's just a cool figure and I like him more than I expected. I guess maybe I'm getting bored with Snake Eyes and it's fun getting a character with a face and more personality.

EDITED TO ADD: I was way wrong here, Stalker seems to use Beachheads legs, and looks like mostly new parts above the waist. All his knees and elbows are pinless which should of been my first clue. But I think Stalker is a cool figure and that's what matters.

I absolutely agree! From the belt down, the figures look pretty cheap, especially the high boot/ knee guard things.

Got another "your order is delayed and needs approvial" email from Target about Outback. New date is October 21.

After looking at pics of both side by side... damn it... I have to agree... the Retro commando head does look better... less airsoft masky... gonna have to try and get him now. I haven't even opened my Classified Commando SE either. *sigh* So irritating when I picked a bad time to finally pick up that SE and Timber set and overpaid for it when I didn't even need to pick it up at all it looks like. At least I never got the first visor version and can just wait for a Retro Classified version of SE v2.

I got another email from Target about approving a delay for TF Outback, new date is Oct 28.

I approved delay they still canceled few hours later. well as of now target has now canceled all preorders ive done in the past year including the ones they've been pinging my card for a year also. I wont be giving Target another chance .what a waste of time.

I just got an email from Amazon saying that they are are going to ship me a brown pants Snake Eyes and Timber set that I forgot I ordered. I should have it on Wednesday.

Well this made no sense. I preordered the Viper 3 pack on Amazon months ago and they said it wouldn't arrive until March 3rd. Today, I'm on there and it says if I ordered right away it would be delivered today. And they did:

https://i.imgur.com/FdIPKWt.jpg

Meanwhile, my preorder STILL says March 3rd. WHAT THE HELL????

Anyway, they're really cool. I love the effects and I was surprised to learn that they painted the Viper skins differently, which is awesome. I almost feel compelled to get another set, but I'll wait until they are on sale.

I received the new Snake Eyes/Timber set from Amazon yesterday, earlier than Wednesday like they had previously told me. I kind of like the set for what it is. I liked the look of the first Timber better, the all white look of the new one does look like it could pass as a different animal, so I guess that is nice. The renders of the SE figure looked to me like it had brown pants, but the actual figure has more of an olive drab paint on them, which with the brown on the scabbard and the gray web gear gives him a different enough look. The new hands are a nice addition, but they were kind of difficult to swap out and I thought I might be breaking the pegs trying to remove them. My only real complaint is that the reused scarf that came with Stalker does not fit on SE at all, and probably should of been left out of the set. It hovers over him with the bandolier on, and with the bandolier removed it puffs out too much in the front.

I’ve seen people with those those vipers that have mismatched skin tones. Even the Caucasian ones skin colors don’t even match. Crossing my fingers it’s a rare QC issue

Match up with what?

I am guessing that it means the left arm and right arm skin tones do not match.

Almost Completed.
Custom Storm Shadow unmade 6" Classified Conception by Hasbro.
By: Mint Condition Customs
https://i.imgur.com/GJ9fJpy.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PB8Uo8X.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/gyE5owk.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ia5Xarq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/GAqjYTT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QhXkvQy.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/h1DXstI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/AQKCfOZ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qUXzAAv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QnN32sY.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/IQVXtla.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/iLexDIz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6bLFBTo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/GJ9fJpy.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/pcKRzDC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WHyLhj2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bs5rNb4.jpg

Or I could completely forget I never canceled my order on Pulse and get charged for it.

Well, guess I have more Vipers on the way.

Everyone got their Vipers pack from Amazon, I never got mine. I even reordered and still nothing shipped. Hasbro came through and shipped mine this time.

It could happen. Driver's tan.

You did get Timber with the set, so whenever a more RAH-accurate v2 Snake Eyes is released you should he all set on that front.

As for the "Alpha Commandos" Snake Eyes figure itself, maybe look into getting the Gridiron Studios' "Ninja Commando" gear? It's a little pricey (as boutique third-party toys and accessories tend to be) but it really transforms the figure, in my opinion.

I've been meaning to ask this, at least, I don't think I already did, but what exactly is the purpose of the backpacks some of the Joes and Cobra soldiers come with? Is that something soldiers would carry around with them? I mean, I find it odd they would lug somthing around that would not only slow them down, but be bulky enough to make it harder for them to blend in. I could understand maybe a solider or two havine a backpack for the entire team if they are going on some long reconnaissance mission that may take weeks to complete, but if they are going in to battle right away, would they have them?

Soldiers may need to carry a bunch of items that can't just be strapped to their person. More ammo, computers, foods.
Maybe Snake Eyes is going on a longer mission in your narrative. Otherwise you can remove the item or give it to someone else.

Soldiers often pack their backpacks depending on how long they're expected to be in the field. Food, water, ammo, comm equipment, night visions, etc. However, when the fighting begins, they obviously wouldn't wear their backpacks during the fight, it's customary to drop their packs and fight and then come back for it after. It's just a nice touch of details for GIJoe. Like Falcon, he's a Green Beret, people that often operate far away and on their own, so his backpack has an antenna indicating a longer range radio inside. Outback has a bigger backpack, while Vipers have a much smaller pack. Nice touch.

The trend continues. I just received a 10/25 estimated delivery notification for Kamakura.

The Viper Is Coming:

https://i.imgur.com/f8uDxEx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vams88q.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XDliWMH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JjNvXdQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7N70kLj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/A9iGMLl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vq8pMDk.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9Wcdakm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wfqgWgO.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dMRhyS1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MQ3wKWV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9u57kdN.jpg