So, we all know that the Retaliation line is full of suck and nobody looks like their on-screen counterpart (except Snake Eyes), yadda-yadda-yadda. That being said however, there are some figures in the line that don't totally suck. So I'm curious who you guys intend to actually use in your Joe collection and who you're going to use them as.

-Zartan: I'm going to replace his lower legs though when I can get one with Storm Shadow's legs. That was he's got some ankles. I will not, however, be using it as Zartan. I can't help but feel that the design is a missed opportunity to make a nice, high-tech Night Creeper. I was planning on swapping out his head with a Storm Shadow one until I saw it actually comes with one, so Hasbro already covered that for me.

- Armored Snake Eyes: Dammit I like this design. But, I already have way too many Snake Eyes figures as it is. I don't care, I'm making this figure a generic Arashikage ninja. It's the 21st century, there's no real excuse for ninjas to dress up in feudal attire.

-Alley Viper: He'll need a vest (probably take Flint's if he comes with it or a Joe Trooper's) and some Marauder weapons. The only problem is that I'll have to figure out how to fit in a red Alley Viper.

-Joe Trooper: I don't think I need to explain this one

-Night Viper: Same.

So how about you guys?

Hey now. The Crock looks about right. As for the rest of the figures, mostly fodder for customs.

Probably just get the females as often as I can, and a Bruce Willis head. None of them will be used as GI joe characters as they have no o rings.

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I plan on grabbing quite a variety, but not going for all of them. Alot will be used as fodder, and only bought on sale. But as far as giving them shelf space:
Great topic of conversation!

Roadblock: I'll look for a version without camo and the weird hands. He'll be the Rock.
Snake Eyes: I like the design, so add another Snake Eyes to the display shelf.
Night Viper: Night Viper
Jinx: jinx
Firefly: Someone different, though I think I will have to come up with a name. He doesn't remind me of anyone. I'll get two, and probably slap some differnt webgear and a SDS Darklon head, add some paint to some different legs, and have a Darklon.
Colton: not sure yet. maybe a self custom.
Greenshirt guy: after figurin I'm going with a Dodger type character. Probably just repurpose him as Dodger.

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I am not going to use any of them as-is, but I might get a few for parts:

Cobra Commander - only want the staff, will trade for it.

Duke - only want the rifle, will trade for it.

Jinx - might get it just to have another female base body, but most likely will pass unless she comes with the unmasked head as well.

Lady Jaye - might get, I like the Renegades Scarlett body and the headsculpt is nice.

Cobra Trooper - only want the larger rifle, will trade for it.

Bravo Vehicles - pass all around, but I do like the SE from the AWE Striker repaint, will try to trade for one.

Delta Vehicles - pass all around, but I do like the Duke from the Ghost Hawk II and Cobra Commander from the HISS, will try to trade for them.

SDCC Shockwave HISS - really only want the mini Soundwave w/cassettes. Would love to trade for them but know I have no chance of getting them

SDCC Jinx 2pk - really only want the unmasked head here, hopefully it'll turn up with the single carded figure as a running change variant after SDCC is over. Or someone casts it.

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Any and all figures have their place to me. They just are not necessarily the character that they were packaged to be. The Rock will probably be The Rock. Snake Eyes gets to stay the same as well as others. If by some miracle Hasbro makes the female figures able to get, Jinx stays the same but Lady Jaye won't. Just like movie Cover Girl became an office worker under a different name.

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Everyone without hindered articulation, really. The line rocks.

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Joe Trooper -Blast Off (Mega Marines)
Rock-Block - The Rock
Colton - Dectective John McClain
Jinx - Jinx (Her LBC will become Ophelia)
Duke - BF2K - Blaster
Red Ninja - Sei -Tin
Zartan - Mortal
Flint - AF Breaker (Circuit in My Joe team)
Jungle Rock-Block - With a Colton head - Salvo
Lady Jaye - Touch Tone (Dial Tone II)
Battle Luge Fire-Guy - PP Lighting (relampego sp?)
Cyber Ninja - Wraith (Never got him the first go round
Dragon Ninja - Ninja -Ku/ Black Dragon troopert (up in the air)
Blind Master - Dark Ninja Master (Sigma - 6), Head for fodder
Clutch - reinvisoned Capt. Claymore
Ninja Combat Cruiser Driver - AF Stalker (Night Stalker for my Joes)
Kamkura - Kamakura, Tiger paw or Nunchuck (Paint will be needed)
Dojo Battle Beachhead: w/flint head - Lt Gorky
Showdown Red Ninja - Slice

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I like a lot of these ideas. I'll probably use some of it!

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I'll be getting Blind Master, no doubt. The others? ...

Snake and Storm Shadow, for sure. SE's getting the visored head, and probably some of the gear from my V54 SE. He'll be my defacto Snake Eyes.

Storm Shadow will most likely become my default SS, even though that's what 30th anny SS was supposed to be. I'll have plenty of gear, for him.

Planning to get Dusty, as well, but just for kitbash fodder. Sci Fi and Airtight were two 30th figures I was really looking forward to. Since they never actually appeared in stores, I'll make my own. Dusty looks like a good base, for Airtight. Duke is looking like he'd be a good base for Sci-Fi, but he has no ankles. Sure, I can add my own, but I really don't want to justify those kinds of asinine design decisions.

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I will do the same.
The troopers will be used as other factions.
Joe troops = Latverian military
Cobra troops = Shadow Loo forces
Black Dragon ninja = Mandarin's guards or perhaps League of Shadows ninjas.

The Alley Vipers I may skip. One could use these vests though http://www.marauderinc.com/servlet/Detail?no=219

Snake Eyes will remain SE. The one from the second wave looks awesome.
Storm Shadow will become some other character. Maybe a ninja super hero who fights monsters or something.
Single carded Red Ninja will join my 25th red ninja clan.
Red ninja from the boxset will either become Slice or simply the Red ninja leader.
Black Dragon Ninja will lose the dragon on his vest and become Sho Kosugi. If they won't make the movie, than at least Return of the Ninja will get played on my desk.

As for the others I'll find them a role as get get them.

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