Another great year: 1986.
Figures from Special Mission Brazil are not in.
Let everyone know what figure you like best (and please explain why)!

http://www.yojoe.com/action/86/

Tim 121RVC

I know this should be a win for either of the two great army builders, BAT and Viper. And rightfully so. Both have one of the best sculpts in the entire line, with great colors and simple, but great gear. Fantastic army builders. The viper has incredible sculpt detail in it's favour, and the BAT has that fantastic chest emblem. No kid in their right mind would be unaffected.
Also worth mentioning: Dr.Mindbender, The two pilots AVAC and Strato Viper, and of course Serpentor.

Yet I voted for Monkeywrench. Ridiculous sculpt, crappy gear. But it just kicked with me. I have worn out several of that figure.

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Toss up between B.A.T. and Motor Viper

I like Motor Viper due to Mike T's profile and I bought of bunch of large, cheap lots not too long ago because of it

But I had to go with B.A.T. eventhough they're much more expensive to army build

Who did I vote for?

check out the avatar

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I like all the Dreadnoks, but I always thought Monkeywrench was sort of the brains. I felt he was a bit more intelligent than the rest and could be found with Thrasher in the garage putting new Thunder Machines together.

As for his figure, I think I've managed to acquire about 30+ over the last few years to customize. I have taken the legs from the first three 'Noks (Torch, Ripper, and Buzzer) and made different combos using the Monkeywrench legs.

-Torch uppers and Monkey lowers
-Ripper uppers and Monkey lowers

Basically any combo I can do using the legs and waists has been done.

I think the arms can be used for a multitude of uses. They are thin enough to be a buff female, yet they are muscled enough to be a scrawny 'Nok. They look awesome on a Wild Card or Gung-Ho v1 torso.

The torso can be redone as a flak jacket (OD green), cut-down bomber jacket, or various other jackets. The grenades can be sanded down or modded to any type of equipment (knives, molotov cocktails, etc). Just need to trim the collar and it hides the orginal a little.

Plus the back section is smooth enough for various patches or decals.

Monkeywrench v1 is a staple of my Dreadnok Army of customs.

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It would have been very, very easy for me to have gone with the Viper on this poll. The Viper is the perfect Cobra Infantry soldier, vastly superior in my opinion to the Cobra Trooper or Cobra Officer.

However, I went with the A.V.A.C. I really liked the design and the red and silver uniform color scheme.

Also liked the B.A.T. and the Strato-Viper on the year.

Okay, I guess I have to be the guy that went for the obvious one - the Viper.

Most people are voting for the BAT for nostalgia reasons, but I never had any for it because it was a dumb idea for a pure robot - I still don't understand why disposable robots need clothes.

But the Viper has no downside at all, anywhere. Great design, great execution of that great design, great accessories. And great repaints and great repros (once they got rid of the BAT boots, at least).

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The BAT has to be the best looking and sculpted figure out of this line-up. As much as I love the characters of Mindbender and Zarana, I just can't forgive the Rocky Horror reject version of Mindbender, and that diabolical sculpting on Zarana's face and hair.

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I went with AVAC.

In 86, I never got a BAT or a Viper. I don't think I ever got either unitl 97 when I got a viper, and later in 98 or 99 when I got a beat up BAT on ebay.

I don't remember having many figs out of the 86 lineup. especailly the vehicle operators, but in 88 I got a mail away firebat, and it was simply awesome. today it remains my favorite cobra aircraft: Small compact, lethal, based out of a kicking silo in a fortress. Awesome.

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I went with Dr. Brainwave...err...Mindbender.

What's not to like? Shirtless, suspenders, cape, monocle, purple pants....Perfect recipe for villainy!

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and singing Y.M.C.A. !

i couldnt decide,.. I pretty much bought the entire line back in 86 because of the movie. so I loved them all....

...althoug the B.A.T. was the coolest of the cobra troopers.

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1. B.A.T. Infantry robot with changable forearms / weapons, one of the best figures and army builders of the line!
2. Viper. Like others already have said.
3. Zandar. Just like his filecard says he's often overlooked by others and tries to be unnoticed. I suspect not many collectors give the figure and his characture much attention too.

Tim 121RVC

Strato-Viper because he flew the greatest GI Joe/Cobra vehicle ever.

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I voted for Zandar.
With his bandanna I thought he looked really cool as a kid.

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I went with strato viper on this one. I think viper and bats are over rated army builders, and I really didnt like and of the named charaters this year. Avac would be a close second except for the head sculpt. I also love the special missions comic when the mechanics remove the brakeout tool from the cockpit of the arrogant strato viper.

As a kid I never owned a BAT, so while this would be my number one pick as an adult collector I'm voting on what I had: Dr. Mindbender.

What a fantastic toy! I think he was my favourite Cobra as a figure, he was so different. Sure we now get the "Blue Oyster Bar" references etc. but back in 1986 the thought never occurred to me. I was drawn to those uniquely coloured purple/pink pants. He was my first bald head figure (didn't have Roadblock either) and that handlebar moustache...oh my!

The cape was pretty darn cool too with the Cobra symbol and the heck I knew what to do with his stick weapon (didn't follow the comics so wasn't sure). He debuted on the Arise Serpentor Arise cartoon mini-series and I was hooked - Dr. Mindbender was awesome!

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