Skylanders Trap Team Research: Fling Kong Upgrades and Attack Damage

Fling Kong Base Upgrades

Fling Kong Disc Jockey Upgrade Path

Fling Kong Carpet Captain Upgrade Path

Fling Kong Attack Damage Numbers

Unboxing Microsoft Xbox One

Blog post coming soon!

Skylanders Giants: Unboxing Hot Head

Unboxing Hot Head

What?  Hot Head, Fire Element Giant

Where Did You Get It?  Local Store, Not Sold Online

What Did It Cost?  $14.99 plus tax

What is Included?  Hot Head, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet with Web Code

What Lights Up?  The flame plume on his head...sadly that is it.

What Was Stock Like?  Incredibly hard to find, at least as of me writing this 11/15/12...I got the only one in the store.

Quick Character Info

Slogan: "Hey!  I'm on fire!"

Stats:  

Power/Strength: 150/150

Defense/Armor: 120/150

Agility/Speed: 60/150

Luck: 80/150

Totals:  410/600

Conclusion

Hot Head is currently the hardest Skylander to come by...The last 2-3 weeks I have seen plenty of Sprocket and Flashwing and that even includes their respective Triple Packs.  Tonight was the first time I have ever seen Hot Head in person.

I am looking forward to playing Hot Head and seeing how he stacks up...That said, while he isn't too bad aesthetically the light up display garners him no additional points.  While Drobot was disappointing, Hot Head's light up effect is extremely disappointing.  With Hot Head hailing from the FIRE ELEMENT and his hands serving for what looks like 2 eternal torches it blows my mind that they do not illuminate.  His head fire (not sure how to describe it still) casts a nice, red glow (in person it really is red...not an amber color like we saw with Drobot) but it seems lost in the massive expanse that is his hands-up pose.  Lighting up both the hands AND his head would have been great, but if I had to pick either/or I'd have gone with the hands, "hands down."  Not only would that spread the light up effect, it would have put out a lot more, and I believe served to radiate some to his face anyway.

I want to stress that the light up effect has no impact on the actual game play, but there was once again a lot of potential that was missed here.  And no, I'm not bashing him...I haven't played Hot Head and I am genuinely excited to have found him...it is just a true disappointment things weren't better executed...that said if he conveys that short fuse and infinite supply of fuel and fire in the game I might just reserve a warm place in my portal master heart for him.

The main thing I want to stress with Hot Head (aside from the lackluster lighting) is that you do not need to go overboard and spring $35-$100 for him.  Just be patient and snag him for retail, or better yet...catch him in stock during a sale!  

I am hopeful that stock will hit before Black Friday and if not then, hopefully a nice stock prior to Christmas...That said, here are some useful links (my way of thanking you for reading the blog!)...

Bonus Content for Blog Readers!

Amazon: I'm kind of getting tired of their lackluster shipping efforts, but they have honestly been the best best for finding Hot Head for the last 2 weeks or so.  When they do get stock it tends to go very fast...I would order it immediately.  And just a tip, to get free shipping you can have a few other items (another Skylander perhaps?), or a CD, DS game, etc to push you over the $25 threshold.  That said, if you want it fast it might be smart to pay for shipping.  I've waited 6 days for my Hot Head to leave their warehouse and it has yet to happen...not impressed:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/188-9399385-2628929?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hot+head

Best Buy:  I am not a fan of this store at all.  That said, I've had several people tell me their local stores have been getting in 3-6 Hot Heads...Might try your luck there or keep refreshing the link:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Skylanders%3A+Giants+Character+Pack+(Hot+Head)+-+Xbox+360%2C+PlayStation+3%2C+Nintendo+Wii%2C+Nintendo+3DS/6925153.p?id=1218814317341&skuId=6925153

GameStop: First off, check with your local store...if they don't have a big demand the associates may very well offer to hold one for you, or put you on a list!  They are almost always the most in-tune to Skylanders and more willing to work with you.  

http://www.gamestop.com/toys/skylanders-giants-hot-head-individual-character-pack/106001

Target: I've yet to see Hot Head there and the person who works in electronics has told me she has yet to see him, and she does seem to keep up with who they've had etc.

http://www.target.com/p/skylander-giants-character-pack-hot-head/-/A-14261779#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=hot head skylander

Toys'R'Us: You might ask associates here too.  If you are nice and they know you are looking many will alert you to shipments, hold one, or try their best to help you out.  If you've got someone really good they will be on par with GameStop employees.  Their website just had a nice stock of Hot Head (which is now gone), BUT they tend to sell out and then restock as I've seen it since SSA and as recently as Sprocket and Flaswhing...just keep checking their website:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=15854546

Walmart: I have never seen Hot Head here either, but they have actually had the best continual stock of new Skylanders, Giants, and the harder to come by Sprocket and Flashwing, particularly the Triple Packs.  

Black Friday 2012 Skylanders: Green Gill Grunt, Gnarly Tree Rex, and GITD Sonic Boom

Well, not sure that should be the title, but it applies to some of the post and it is 4 AM so we are going to run with it for now.

Long story short I wrapped up a few recordings tonight and got back to my e-mail...

I found this from Walmart:

Umm yeah...

So what we first see is a 4GB Xbox with Skylanders Spyro's Adventure that includes an exclusive character...

Yep...

GREEN GILL GRUNT has finally surfaced!

Why it took over a year and what they are doing trying to move a base console and last year's version of the game remains to be seen, but if you want the "Microsoft Exclusive Green Gill Grunt" this is your chance...

Now more importantly for the rest of us (and those not interested in buying a console just to get an exclusive figure (although I admit it is a good deal if you don't have an XBOX and don't have Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure), we have this little gem:

We finally have a solid shot of the anticipated GITD Sonic Boom.  At least this is a Series 2 figure and not some rehash from late 2011.  That said, the box art depicts the Walmart Exclusive logo so I would have to guess we will see as many of these as we did TRDS (Translucent Red Drill Sergeant).

And lastly, we have Toys'R'Us finally advertising the Blue Wii with Skylanders Giants and the highly sought after Gnarly Tree Rex!

I have to say this one is tempting...and here is why.  The Blue Wii looks good, but when you factor in Giants costing roughly $75 that means you are getting the Wii for roughly $75, and it includes the Motion Plus Remote (roughly $40).

I don't need a Wii, but it might be nice to have a spare...I do like Blue...and Gnarly Tree Rex looks pretty cool.  That said, since I'm about to spring over some hard earned cash for the brand new Wii U, this one probably won't come to fruition for me...Now if this had been an exclusive pre-order that included a Blue Wii U and Gnarly Tree Rex with the Giants Starter Pack I'd have jumped on it...

Oh, and lastly you might have caught that Walmart is selling their GITD Exclusive Starter Pack for $38.96.  That is a heck of a deal!  Good enough for me to go out and stand outside a store with a bunch of nuts...no, but a good deal nonetheless.  If you are on a budget, or just really thrifty, this is a hot ticket.

Well it is now after 4 AM and I had better get to bed...

I caught Hot Head on Amazon tonight, had him in my cart and the total (saved another item) was $24.01...I needed $0.99 more for the Free Shipping.  Well, by the time I found another CD and added it in the item was gone...maybe I'll get lucky tonight and find him.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Skylanders Giants Unboxing Swarm

Unboxing Swarm

What?  Swarm, Air Element Giant

Where Did You Get It?  GameStop.com

What Did It Cost?  $14.99 plus tax

What Is Included?  Swarm, Stat Card, Sticker, and Web Code

What Lights Up?  Eyes and Blade/Stinger on upward Fist

What Was the Stock Like?  So far I have yet to run into a store that did not have Swarm.  I'd still be leary of post-Black Friday, but as of now nothing too alarming.  Interesting note is that GameStop.com where I sourced him on release day has been out of stock for awhile...but brick and mortar stores have plenty.

Quick Character Info:

Swarm, Air Element Giant

Slogan: "Bring the Sting!"

Card Stats:

Strength: 110/150
Defense: 150/150
Agility: 80/150
Luck: 50/150

Conclusion

Swarm is a nice addition to the air element.  I had kind of wanted to see a wasp/hornet/bee added to the line-up, but thought it would be as a regular Skylander.  Nonetheless, Swarm fits the bill with his back story and his upgrades look like they could really deliver.  His Heroic Challenge is kind of a pain, but it isn't something a few tries won't take care of...Stay tuned to see Swarm progress in the blind playthrough.

Skylanders Giants Playthrough

Skylanders Giants Blind Playthrough

Video Playlist Below

Direct Link to YouTube Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWU7DXRZFRMvaM5ShyAkX0D5vlJaUcRgs

*Please Note, Due to Load Times on 100+ Videos, it is easier to just take the above link.*

Well here it is on Halloween.  10 days ago at this time I was trying to piece a strategy together to pick up Skylanders and land the characters I was hoping for (Granite Crusher, Legendary Bouncer etc).  I've been really busy, but have managed to get a few unboxings uploaded.

That said, I have already started recording the Giants Playthrough.  As of typing this, I have Part 11 editing and am about to start uploading all the other parts (just edited Parts 3-10 this evening/tonight).

I warned early on that the playthrough's first few videos could be somewhat meandering...as fate would have it that is exactly what happened.  Right after the opening cut scene we were thrust into Chapter 1...After wrapping up Ch. 1 we found ourselves in Chapter 2.  This made things a bit more complicated than I had intended and kind of altered my plans.

With that under my belt, I have kind of found a point of equilibrium here.  After the chaos that was the initial recordings, I spent the next few videos just trying to address what characters work, how they show up in the game, what their stats are compared to their counterparts, Wow Pow, LightCore, etc.

Luckily, in Part 6 we kind of got the ball rolling and I think the meandering and rambling will kind of stay in the past.

The plan right now is to take things just like we did in Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, which is just how they come.  If I go in tonight and record Chapter 3 and 4 and then run to the store and find Sprocket, Flashwing, and Hot Head I will introduce them all, take on their heroic challenges, and then proceed to Chapter 5.  It isn't the way I'd like to do it, but it is the only way to really keep a continuous story line in my opinion.

For people following the playthrough, I want you to see a new character (Sprocket) etc get introduced.  I don't want you to have to watch the next Chapter and wonder why you didn't know I had gotten Sprocket or Hot Head etc.

This keeps things on par with a true blind playthrough.  I don't know what is coming next and neither do you...it makes things more interesting.  I'll probably complete all the levels and then go back to pick up missed items, but this strategy may vary...

Similarly, if anyone is directly opposed to "taking things as they come," fear not!  My ultimate plan is to beat the game and then record a walkthrough in Nightmare Mode.  Since you have to defeat Kaos to unlock Nightmare Mode, I figured the best thing to do was make this one fun and free-styled and kind of stick to business on the other...Hopefully everyone will like it.

Nonetheless, enough rambling...Let's get started with the playthrough!

 I will basically embed the vids here on the blog (they will almost all link to this post), and I will have a bit more detail here than in the description.

Stay tuned as I will post the videos here...I'll also put a priority on answering questions posted here on the blog over YouTube, Twitter, Google +, and Facebook.

Skylanders Giants: Part 1

Skylanders Giants: Part 2

Skylanders Giants: Part 3

Skylanders Giants: Part 4

Skylanders Giants: Part 5

Skylanders Giants: Part 6

Skylanders Giants: Part 7

Skylanders Giants: Part 8 

Skylanders Giants: Part 9

Skylanders Giants: Part 10

Skylanders Giants: Part 11

Skylanders Giants: Part 12

Skylanders Giants: Part 13

Skylanders Giants: Part 14

Skylanders Giants: Part 15

Skylanders Giants: Part 16

Skylanders Giants: Part 17

Skylanders Giants: Part 18

Skylanders Giants: Part 19

Skylanders Giants: Part 20

Skylanders Giants: Part 21

Skylanders Giants: Part 22

Skylanders Giants: Part 23

Skylanders Giants: Part 24

Skylanders Giants Part 25

Skylanders Giants Part 26: Stump Smash Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Stump Smash

Life Element, Series 2 Repose

Slogan: “Drop the Hammer!”

In-Game Stats:

-Max Health 340

-Speed 43

-Armor 30

-Critical Hit 20

-Elemental Power 25

Heroic Challenge “Mission Achomplished”

+3 Armor

Skylanders Giants Part 27: Gill Grunt Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Gill Grunt

Water Element, Series 2 Repose

Slogan: “Fin for the win!”

In-Game Stats:

-Max Health 270

-Speed 35

-Armor 6

-Critical Hit 50

-Elemental Power 25

Heroic Challenge “Jailbreak!”

+3 Armor

Skylanders Giants Part 28: Flashwing Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Flashwing

Earth Element, New Skylander

Slogan: “Blinded by the Light!”

In-Game Stats:

-Max Health 260

-Speed 43

-Armor 24

-Critical Hit 10

-Elemental Power 25

Heroic Challenge:  “Flame Pirates on Ice”

+5 Elemental Power

Part 29 Double Trouble Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Magic Element, Series 2 Repose

Slogan “Boom-Shakalaka!”

In-Game Stats:

-Max Health 250

-Speed 35

-Armor 18

-Critical Hit 50

-Elemental Power 25

Heroic Challenge “You Break It, You Buy It”

+5 Critical Hit

WARNING This is Tough.

Part 30 LightCore Jet-Vac Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Air Element, New Skylander, LC

Slogan “Hawk and Awe!”

In-Game Stats:

-Max Health 240

-Speed 50

-Armor 12

-Critical Hit 20

-Elemental Power 25

Heroic Challenge “Nort’s Winter Classic”

+3 Armor

Part 31 What We Missed in Chapters 1-4

What We Missed in Chapters 1-4

Part 32 Chapter 5 Glacier Gully, Part 1 of 3

Part 33 Chapter 5 Glacier Gully, Part 2 of 3

Part 34 Chapter 5 Glacier Gully, Part 3 of 3

Part 35 Trigger Happy's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 36 Whirlwind's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 37 LightCore Drobot's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 38 LightCore Eruptor's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 39 Slam Bam's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 40 Terrafin's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 41 Hot Head's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 42 Chapter 6 The Secret Vault of Secrets, Part 1 of 3

Part 43 Chapter 6 The Secret Vault of Secrets, Part 2 of 3

Part 44 Chapter 6 The Secret Vault of Secrets, Part 3 of 3

Part 45 Chapter 7 Wilikin Village, Part 1 of 3

Part 46 Chapter 7 Wilikin Village, Part 2 of 3

Part 47 Chapter 7 Wilikin Village, Part 3 of 3

Part 48 Chapter 8 Troll Home Security, Part 1 of 2

Part 49 Troll Home Security, Part 2 of 2

Part 50 What We Missed in Chapters 5-8

Part 51 Chapter 9 Kaos' Castle, Part 1 of 3

Part 52 Chapter 9 Kaos' Castle, Part 2 of 3

Part 53 Chapter 9 Kaos' Castle, Part 3 of 3

Part 54 Chapter 10: Aerial Attack!, Part 1 of 2

Part 55 Chapter 10: Aerial Attack!, Part 2 of 2

Part 56 Chapter 11: Drill-X's Big Rig, Part 1 of 3

Part 57 Chapter 11: Drill-X's Big Rig, Part 2 of 3

Part 58 Chapter 11: Drill-X's Big Rig, Part 3 of 3

Drill-X's Big Rig Boss Fight Song

It's the End of the Track Skylander!

This drill-bot is on the scene!

I'll knock you forward and back

with a robo attack

'cause you're messing with the wrong machine!

Hold on, time out, Skylander.

There's something up with my drill!

But you better watch out,

you'll be down for the count

when I show you my smashing skills!

What did you do, Skylander!?

You've just won the final round!

I can't keep the beat

and I'm feeling defeat,

and my systems are all shutting down...

Part 59 Chapter 12: Molekin Mountain, Part 1 of 2

Part 60 Chapter 12: Molekin Mountain, Part 2 of 2

Part 61 What We Missed in Chapters 9-12

Part 62 Legendary Stealth Elf's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 63 Drill Sergeant's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 64 Bash's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 65 Hex's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 66 Chapter 13 The Oracle, Part 1 of 5

Part 67 Chapter 13 The Oracle, Part 2 of 5

Part 68 Chapter 13 The Oracle, Part 3 of 5

Part 69 Chapter 13 The Oracle, Part 4 of 5

Part 70 Chapter 13 The Oracle, Part 5 of 5

Part 71 Chapter 14 Autogyro Adventure, Part 1 of 3

Part 72 Chapter 14 Autogyro Adventure, Part 2 of 3

Part 73 Chapter 14 Autogyro Adventure, Part 3 of 3

Part 74 Chapter 15 The Lost City of Arkus, Part 1 of 3

Part 75 Chapter 15 The Lost City of Arkus, Part 2 of 3

Part 76 Chapter 15 The Lost City of Arkus, Part 3 of 3

Part 77 What We Missed in Chapter 15: The Lost City of Arkus

Part 78 Flameslinger's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 79 Zap's Introduction and Heroic Challenge Plus Scorpion Striker Unlocks

Part 80 Hot Dog's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 81 Cynder's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 82 Stealth Elf's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 83 Eruptor's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 84 Prism Break's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 85 Lightning Rod's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 86 LightCore Shroomboom's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 87 Thumpback's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 88 Eye-Brawl's Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 89 Chapter 16 Bringing Order to Kaos, Part 1 of 3

Part 90 Chapter 16 Bringing Order to Kaos, Part 2 of 3

Part 91 Chapter 16 Bringing Order to Kaos, Part 3 of 3

Part 92 Hatterson and Other Misc. Stuff

Part 93 Chapter 16 Bringing Order to Kaos, Part 1 of 2 (Giants Only)

Part 94 Chapter 16 Bringing Order to Kaos, Part 2 of 2 (Giants Only)

Part 95 Chapter 17 Empire of Ice

Part 96 Chapter 18 Pirate Seas

Part 97 Chapter 19 Darklight Crypt, Part 1 of 2

Part 98 Chapter 19 Darklight Crypt, Part 2 of 2

Part 99 Chapter 20 Dragon's Peak, Part 1 of 2

Part 100 Chapter 20 Dragon's Peak, Part 2 of 2

Part 101 S2 Wrecking Ball Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 102 S2 Spyro Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 103 Ninjini Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 104 Legendary LightCore Chill Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 105 Walmart Exclusive Molten Hot Dog Introduction and Heroic Challenge

Part 106 Target Exclusive Jade Flashwing Introduction and Heroic Challenge