Nerf Rival Series

The Rival Series is Nerf’s attempt to foray into the world of more competitive play and tactical games along the lines of paintball and Airsoft. For too long Nerf has been criticized for catering only to pre-teen kids, leaving out the adolescent and the mature. But this series is out to change this perspective entirely. With considerably better ammo velocities, range, and target accuracy, the blasters in this line have a learning curve. This is bound to keep the players engaged trying to master shooting accurately. As a result, gun games become more skill-based and don’t simply hand out lucky kills.

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What’s in a Rival blaster?

Blasters in this lineup are geared toward teens and young adults. It features spherical foam ammo and appealing mature paint jobs in comparison with other Nerf series. The blasters in this series are recommended for teens above 14 years. The blasters are considerably more powerful than even the Elite series, hence the higher age requirement. They shoot what Nerf calls ‘High impact rounds’. This ammo is basically foam balls that have dimples all over their surface just like a golf ball.

The series has both Spring Action blasters and flywheel blasters both delivering a great performance with muzzle speeds reaching up to 100 fps! At close quarters these guns are a beast. But the actual total range is pretty close to that of Elite darts, because of the air resistance acting on the less streamlined foam ball. Accuracy is high, with very close grouping, meaning each foam ball deviates very less from the ideal path and you can actually aim long distance.

In a bold move, Nerf has named the blasters in this series after the Greek gods themselves, showing off their confidence in this line-up. In late 2015, Nerf released Apollo (a spring action blaster) and Zeus (a Flywheel blaster). Both have had a warm reception in the Nerf community. Encouraged, Nerf has made Rival one of its main lineups for foam blasters.

Is Nerf Rival better?

Yes, absolutely. This series appeals to teens and adults with mature design choices, powerful performance, precision accuracy, and unique ammo. The Rival guns are geared towards a more competitive side of Nerf with color choices for two teams Blue and Red. Also, there is a third alternate theme ‘Phantom Corps’, with a simple white and black theme.

Rival blasters are OP than other Nerf blasters in many different ways. Firstly the firepower. Muzzle velocities reach 90 to 100 feet per second and this lets players easily acquire targets. The ammo, ‘High Impact Rounds’, don’t waver much from their trajectory, further increasing accuracy. Furthermore, Nerf Rival has the highest ammo capacity blasters in all of Nerf. The Nemesis MXVII-10K has a 100-round capacity with easy fast reloading using the ammo hopper. The Prometheus MXVIII-20K followed with an even crazier 200 round capacity hopper!!

So for ages 13 or above, a Rival blaster would be the go-to choice when it comes to Nerfing.

Do Nerf Rival Guns hurt?

Rival blasters use ‘High Impact Rounds’ and that sounds quite intimidating. But in any case, they are still created using proprietary Nerf foam. It doesn’t cause serious injury but you can definitely feel it when fired directly on the skin. It’s highly advisable to have sensitive areas like the eyes and face to be covered during a Rival Nerf war. It’s important to wear safety accessories that have been released as part of the nerf series. These addons include safety goggles, masks, bandana, and also tactical body vests. Scroll below to find all the gear you may need to have safe playtime.

You can find information on all Nerf Accessories here – https://nerfauthority.com/top-nerf-gun-accessories

Is Nerf Rival illegal in Australia?

Well, technically yes. Distribution of Nerf Rival Guns has not been allowed in Australia due to certain safety standards. These blasters shoot faster and further than every other Nerf series and could not pass the requirements for toys that can be sold to children in Australia. But, there is good news yet. Certain Rival models are listed in Australia’s Amazon as US imports and can be purchased at considerably higher prices compared to their US counterparts.

Phantom Corps Series

Rival Nerfers could split into two teams, the Red team and the Blue team when they have competitive matches. Later on, Nerf is introduced a whole new sub-series of Nerf Rival – the Phantom Corps series.

The Phantom Corps series has blasters with specs similar to those of Rival. The same high impact rounds, range, firing speeds and accuracy as found on Rival weapons. This series differs primarily in its paint job. White theme with black graffiti fonts. A spartan helmet in black and white shades forms the logo of this series.

We assume Nerf has released this new series as a rebel team that could go against the red and blue teams or maybe collab even with them. It’s up to your creativity on how you use this new series of blasters. The new white paint jobs with black highlights and the stylish logo give these blasters a premium aesthetic. This sub-series also has exclusives that are not available in the regular Rival line-up. The Hades XVIII-6000 and the Prometheus MXV20k are available only as part of the Phantom Corps.

Nerf Edge and Camo Series

Apart from the original Rival and the Phantom Corps series, Hasbro also introduced a ‘Camo’ and ‘Edge’ lineups. Camo has a few Rival blasters reskinned with white/grey camouflage design. The Edge series meanwhile was released to be a target practice series. Meaning each blaster in this lineup comes packaged with a target set. Apart from the color theme, presentation, and packaging the blasters are pretty much redesigned Nerf gun Rivals. They fire the same ammo, carry similar internals, and sport close to the same performance. Many of these series blasters appear to be Walmart exclusives and not available on Amazon.

What is the best Nerf rival gun?

The primary characteristics we look for while rating a blaster are muzzle velocity and range, ammo capacity, semi/full auto capabilities, and whether they carry great design aesthetics, rate of fire, ease of reloading, and battery considerations. Note, price is not taken into account.

The Prometheus MXVIII-20K shines in every single one of the above aspects. It’s simply too good. Starting with the design. The Prometheus is akin to a mini-gun but without the rotating barrels. It is a single barrel full-auto machine gun meant to be fired from the hip. The ammo is stored in a hopper similar to the Rival Nemesis, but only here it twice the capacity. 200 rounds of high impact ammo. Since it is a hopper styled loading with no magazines, reloading is a breeze. You can simply collect the littered rival ammo balls that you fired off the ground and shove them in the hopper and continue decimating your enemies. The blaster also has a high rate of fire, around eight rounds per second in full auto mode. The muzzle velocities reach speeds of over 90 feet per second with excellent accuracy due to this being a Rival blaster. The package includes a proprietary rechargeable battery pack that works only with the Prometheus. This further makes it a truly premium product from Hasbro. Another particular to be noted here is that the Prometheus was released as a Phantom Corps exclusive and did not feature the classic blue/red color themes.

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A close second spot is filled by the Nemesis MXVII-10K. It first introduced the hopper concept which could hold a hundred round capacity. The performance was on par with the Rival line with a slightly lesser rate of fire compared to the Prometheus. It was designed like a familiar full auto rifle that can be shouldered and became the primary weapon of choice for many Nerfers around the world.

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Nerf Rival Pistol

The Nerf Rival Kronos XVIII-500 is a smaller Rival handgun. An outstanding product that will stand the test of time. Designed like a sci-fi pistol with a thick muzzle, five-round capacity, and works by manually priming each shot. The best part is that this blaster is available in multiple variants, namely – the standard blue and red variants, the Phantom Corps variant, a super cool Deadpool alternative, and even an X-Force Deadpool adaptation. Needless to say, each of these variations looks stunning, but we have a special inclining towards the Deadpool versions of course. They are quite highly coveted blasters and may quickly run out of stock. So check them out before they vanish.

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The Nerf Rival Knockout XX-100 is at present the smallest and the cutest Rival blaster. It is a small handgun that is quite similar to the Elite Jolt. But only that it packs excellent Rival performance in such a tiny frame. It even sports two slots to hold two high-impact ammo rounds.

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Both the Kronos and the Knockout are perfect options for a sidearm in your Nerf wars, to fire off quick shots when your primary weapon runs out of ammo.

Nerf Rival Shotgun

The word ‘Shotgun’ is quite vague as a lot of blaster variants can fall under this blanket term. A shotgun could be a manual, semi, or even fully automatic. Breech-loaded or magazine fed. Can be shot either from the shoulder or the hip. Can fire multiple pellets or a single slug. So yeah, the category is broad. But simply stated a Shotgun is a short-range weapon that fires from shell cartridges.

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As far as Nerf Rival is concerned there is only one blaster that fires more than one round at once. And that is the Atlas XVI-1200, released way back in 2016. It has a pump action priming handle and a single barrel from which two shots are fired at once. Other than the Atlas, few other rival guns also fall into this category. The Rival Artemis XVII-3000 and the Phantom Corps Hades XVIII-6000 are two unique pump action variants from this series. The Artemis and Hades have similar engineering design. There is a turret with four barrels at the front that revolve with each prime and fires a single shot from the bottom barrel. The pump mechanism has a handle for easier loading action. Both the Artemis and the Hades shotguns have integrated magazines with 30 and 60 ammo capacity respectively.

A more recent addition to the Rival Shotgun family is the Takedown XX-800. This new rival Nerf gun is a pretty close rendition of a sawed-off shotgun with an oversized grip and a capacity of 8 rounds. This is a manual pump-action shotgun that fires one round at a time.

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Pathfinder XXII-1200 (2022)

Released in 2022, the RIVAL series’ Pathfinder XXII-1200 is an impressive Nerf blaster that packs a powerful punch. This remarkable pump-action blaster, the Pathfinder XXII-1200, boasts adjustable sights and an integrated shoulder stock, ensuring that each shot is fired with precision and accuracy. Located in front of the grip and above the trigger, respectively, lies the magazine release lever and the safety switch. For further convenience, a priming indicator is situated behind the grip, and a sling point can be found in the stock. The blaster boasts an awesome design and unparalleled accuracy from the advanced spring-powered precision system. Not only does it look great when firing rounds, but it also delivers unbeatable precision for hours of Nerf battle fun!

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Charger Mxx-1200 (2020)

The NERF Rival Charger Mxx-1200 Motorized Blaster is the perfect toy for fun, exciting day of action. With the power to fire 12 rounds in seconds, this blaster brings an entirely new level of intensity to your playtime. Released on New Year’s Day, 2020, this state-of-the-art blaster, powered by flywheels, is designed in a bullpup style and has a twelve-round internal magazine. For added versatility, it is equipped with a single tactical rail right above the jam door. For those who prefer the classic style of combat, the Charger is the perfect weapon – its simplistic design is ideal for indoor skirmishes and reloading with loose ammo.

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Takedown XX-800 (2020)

Released on January 1, 2020, the Takedown XX-800 RIVAL blaster revolutionized the Nerf universe with its unmatched power! The blaster is a thrilling addition to the Rival series; a simple pump-action single-fire blaster with oodles of power that’s not to be underestimated. In addition, this pump-action blaster comes fully loaded with an internal magazine, boasting the capacity to store up to eight intense High-Impact Rounds!

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Roundhouse (2020)

The NERF Rival Roundhouse XX-1500 that made its debut in March 2020 is a popular blaster widely used in tactical games. This slide-action single-fire blaster has a massive capacity of 15 rounds and five integrated magazines, complete with a rotating turret. Above the firing trigger lies a safety switch, which can be toggled to prevent the blaster from being fired. It also comes with two tactical rails – one at the front and one on the priming handle on the back – to give you a tactical edge in battle. The spring-action mechanism, trigger lock, and two tactical rails of the Nerf Rival provide added security and the ability to customize with accessories (not included) for an unforgettable experience!

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Finisher (2020)

The awesome Nerf RIVAL series Finisher XX-700, launched in the fall of 2020, is the perfect addition to your arsenal of weaponry! Fully equipped with a seven-round magazine, seven High-Impact Rounds, and instructions, you’ll be ready to take on any foe in no time. With its slide-action magazine-fed mechanism, the Finisher is a unique blaster that can be easily reloaded even while it’s still inserted. Moreover, Finisher consistently exceeded the 90fps claim on the box, averaging 91fps with Nerf Rival ammo over 80 shots! In addition, you can fire at a lightning-fast speed of two shots per second.

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Hypnos (2019)

The Nerf Rival Hypnos is quite a good looking Rival blaster released in early 2019. The blaster is a hundred percent pump action mechanical blaster that operates with no batteries. It comes with two 12-round magazines, 24 rival rounds, clips to hold the additional magazine to the side of the blaster, and a tactical rail to add Rival attachments. Moreover, the Nerf Rival Hypnos  supports reloadable 12-round magazines. This allows players to carry the additional fully loaded mag on the side and very quickly reload once the first clip is empty.

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Perses MXIX-5000(2019)

The Perses MXIX-5000 is a state-of-the-art SMG style blaster released in the second half of 2019. With a fully automatic firing system and a capacity of 50 high-impact Nerf rounds, it’s the perfect blaster for those who like to play fast and furious. It’s lightweight and easy to load, plus its super-fast rate of fire and velocity will help you escape any sticky situation. And, it comes with a rechargeable NiMH battery and wall charger, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of power.

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Knockout XX-100 (2019)

The Knockout XX-100 is an exciting addition to the Nerf RIVAL series that made its debut on October 1, 2019. This slide-action blaster can be swiftly and efficiently loaded through the convenient breech. The blaster is readied for battle with a priming rod, reminiscent of the same external mechanism seen on the Jolt EX-1. Even though the Rival Knockout is not your usual blaster, it’s an ideal sidearm or backup weapon that packs a punch – perfect for any skirmish!

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Prometheus (2018)

TheNERF Rival Prometheus MXVIII-20K , a Nerf blaster launched in autumn 2018 as part of the Phantom Corps sub-series, is a fully motorized blaster that can hold up to 200 official NERF Rival foam rounds. This blaster is an epic battle toy that delivers endless fun with its semi-automatic acceleration button and trigger lock system. Boasting a fully-automatic flywheel and a massive removable hopper capable of holding an incredible 240 rounds – even though it’s marketed as containing 200 – the blaster is truly a sight to behold!

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Hades (2018)

In 2018, the Hades XVIII-6000 was unveiled – a 28″ long blaster from the Phantom Corps sub-series of the much-loved Rival range. Boasting a powerful spring-powered system, it can be used in single-mode and slam-mode firing. Bearing a similar size, shape, and design to the Rival Artemis, the Hades is a medium-to-large weapon with a built-in magazine capable of holding 60 rounds. This blaster is an absolute delight to use, surpassing all expectations of pump-action Nerf blasters! From priming the handle and pressing the trigger to unleashing rapid-fire action in either single or slam-fire mode, this blaster offers a smooth, reliable experience.

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Helios (2018)

The Nerf Rival Helios is a simple and effective spring action blaster from Nerf. Released in 2018, it can be considered a direct upgrade to the Rival Apollo. Nerf has identified all the issues with the Apollo and worked to remove them in order to create a much better version, which we see as the Helios. The blaster is truly ambidextrous, allowing both left and right-handed players to reload, prime, and fire the blaster with equal ease. The priming handle can be detached and attached back on either side of the blaster. Both sides of the blaster feature a safety switch. In addition, this amazing blaster shoots off every high-impact round well over 90 feet per second.

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Kronos (2018)

The Nerf Rival Kronos is a perfect choice for Nerfers looking for a secondary Rival weapon in their arsenal for their Nerf battles. It derives its name from Cronus, the youngest of the Greek Titans, and their leader. A parallel could be drawn to Kronos in the sense that it is the smallest and the cheapest Rival model and yet can prove lethal in a Nerf war. This amazing blaster has been released in two different variants. One belongs to the Phantom Corps line, and the other a Deadpool variant, which is more of a collector’s item. The Nerf Rival Kronos is the only sidearm and the cheapest in the Rival series. It has good performance, with smooth firing mechanism. The blaster also looks stunning, especially the Deadpool variant and make it a must-own for a Rival enthusiast.

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Nemesis (2017)

If you’re seeking a powerful, lightweight blaster with impressive ammo capacity and long-range firing capability, the Nerf Rival Nemesis is the automatic blaster for you! Its rechargeable battery ensures you won’t run out of power during your nerf wars, so you can play for hours on end. It addresses a huge problem faced by all Nerfers. Bad reloading times. The shooting part is fun, but patiently loading back the darts in the magazine clips and reloading takes a long time. No kid or adult is a fan of that. The Nemesis makes reloading a breeze and you can spend more time firing your new blaster rather than stuffing ammo in the magazines.

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Artemis (2017)

The Rival Artemis, situated at the very heart of NERF’s Rival range, is an excellent choice for foam-popping pros who are in their teenage years or beyond. This spring-powered, pump-action blaster can store up to 30 of those Rival rounds, and provides great value for money – perfect for those just starting out on the journey of blaster battles!

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Atlas (2016)

The Rival Atlas is a pure shotgun mimic and one of the very few Nerf blasters that can shoot more than one dart simultaneously. The design and functioning of the Atlas is pretty straightforward. It is a pump-action blaster capable of firing two high-impact rounds at a time. So no batteries are required to operate this blaster which is quite a plus. In older Elite Shotgun blasters like the RoughCut, the darts were discharged from two different barrels. But in the case of Atlas both the rounds are fired from a single barrel. This highly minimizes the dispersion and allows more focused fire on the target.

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Khaos (2016)

If you’re only familiar with the ultra-popular dart-firing NERF blasters, then the gigantic Khaos will take you by surprise! This fully automated behemoth belongs to the Rival range and it’s designed for teenagers and adults who want to experience maximum foam-popping fun. A closer look at the Nerf Rival Khaos MXVI-4000 blaster shows a promising future for this line up and sure to take nerfing to new heights. This is the first fully automatic High-Impact ammo firing blaster with insane speeds and accuracy. It comes packaged with a 40 round magazine that’s sure to have you abusing the trigger as long as you want.

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Zues (2015)

The NERF Rival Zeus is an intriguing, semi-automatic blaster that is the first of its kind in the Rival line. Boasting a bullpup design, the Rival Zeus has some unique loading mechanics. Fitted with three tactical rails and the ability to be loaded from either side, the Rival blaster can fire foam rounds with the help of magazines. In addition, you can easily attach scopes and other accessories to the two rails found on either side of the blaster or the single one on top.

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Apollo (2015)

The Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700, released in 2015, has since become an instant classic among Nerf warriors worldwide. Hailing the name from Apollo, the great God of the Sun , this Nerf gun certainly lives up to its expectations. The spring-action, and impressive 100 FPS velocity, make this blaster a formidable foe. The Apollo comes with seven High Impact Rounds, a magazine that holds seven rounds, and an instruction sheet. These new foam balls are firm yet won’t cause your opponent any harm – just like golf balls, their dimples reduce drag. You’ll be sure to send shockwaves of fear through your opponents with its High-Impact Rival Rounds! And with its range of designs, colors, and models, it’s an unbeatable way to dominate any Nerf battle.

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Jupiter XIX-1000 (2019)

The Jupiter XIX-1000 is a powerful Nerf blaster that was launched in the spring of 2019 as part of the Edge Series. This sub-series of the Nerf RIVAL blasters features a collection of sniper-inspired blasters, as well as some re-released models. The Jupiter XIX-1000 is a bolt-action blaster that is capable of firing up to ten rounds from its internal magazine. he blaster’s construction is robust and durable, and its ergonomic design provides excellent comfort during use. Additionally, Jupiter features several well-designed elements and features, making it a worthwhile investment for Nerf enthusiasts.

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Pilot XXIII-100

The Pilot XXIII-100 is a powerful and accurate Nerf blaster that is perfect for close-range battles. Its compact size makes it easy to handle and maneuver, while its single-fire mechanism allows for precise shots with minimal effort. The blaster’s ball chamber can hold up to one RIVAL ball at a time, ensuring that each shot packs a punch. The safety switch on the trigger guard adds an extra layer of protection, making it safe for kids and adults alike to use. The single sling attachment point allows for easy transport and accessibility, making the Pilot XXIII-100 a must-have addition to any Nerf arsenal. In addition, it arrives complete with two Accu-Rounds and a guidebook to ensure success.

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