Checking Out Toys'R'Us Exclusive Special Edition Gill Grunt 

Fishy Emerald, or whatever you want to call it, actually fits Gill Grunt and this pose very, very well in my opinion.  I believe he will follow standard "chase" variant format where he will show up as a standard S2 Gill Grunt in the game, but likely at Level 5 with 2,000 or so Coins in the bank...I will verify this and you can see it in the SWAP Force Introduction videos.

I have heard of a few folks having trouble getting their claim heard by TRU, but they are honestly not that bad to work with...Keep trying, stay calm, and be polite...it will get you much farther than being irate.  If you truly qualified there should be no issue, eventually getting your SEGG.

That said, if you are a collector, operate on the "Keep one sealed and open another" methodology, or just need 2 for kids etc., TRU claims you can find them in stores and you can order them online.

For what it is worth, I have yet to see SE Gill Grunt in stores and no employees report seeing him, or being aware of his arrival.

I mention that first, because I have had numerous people get their SE Gillman just fine, but found that he arrived in poor shape thanks to the bubble mailer/padded envelope and delivery service, mostly the latter.  Mine came in relatively good condition aside from a slightly folded upper area...which I will take over dented plastic, or a loose figure.

Obviously, if SE GG hits store shelves, you can take your pick and get one in mint condition.  However, if that does not happen and you have to, or choose to order one in, my advice is to get several figures or triple packs.  Here is why: First off, when you spend $49 or more you get free freight.  Second, the additional figures, or Triple Pack, Adventure Pack, Battle Pack etc. will force your order to ship in a box.  I will caution that boxes are not fool proof, especially the cheap, thin ones, but they are more substantial than an individual padded envelope.

If you elect to order in a 2nd, or get your first SE Gill Grunt, here is the link:

TRU Special Edition Gill Grunt

Good luck landing your Fishy Emerald Gill Grunt!

Checking out PowerA's Skylanders Giants Stackable Tackle Box

I stressed this earlier in the year when I picked up the SWAP Force (Green) Stackable Tackle Box...Veterans of the game are over run with Skylanders and it is going to be an issue by the end of SWAP Force.  In fact, even if you just get started with SWAP Force, by the time you land that last character, you have likely overwhelmed any areas near and around your TV/console of choice.  At this point in time a smart and efficient solution is needed.

January 17th, 2014 Channel Update

Unboxing Sheep Wreck Island

The actual Sheep Wreck Island piece not only opens up the additional chapter of gameplay, but unlocks several arenas: Vortex Banquet, Cyclops Makeover, Sheep Mage Rage, and Chunky Chompies.

The Groove Machine will follow your Skylander playing a groovy tune that makes enemies boogie down and stop attacking you.

The Platinum Sheep cloaks your Skylander in a wooly disguise that prevents enemies from attacking you...since they think you are a sheep.  The biggest perk is that while disguised you can recover health to reappear and defeat the "baaaad" guys (sorry, had to do it).

And of course, we have Wind-Up, the last of the SWAP Force Tech Skylanders, at least for me.

Wind-Up
Tech Element, SWAP Force Newlander
Slogan: "All Wound Up!"

Card Stats
Power: 90/200
Armor: 130/200
Agility: 70/200
Luck: 40/200
Totals: 330/800

Unboxing the Arkeyan Crossbow Battle Pack

In terms of gameplay, past the obvious additions, what does the Arkeyan Crossbow do?  Well, when used in gameplay it will appear as the figure and hit enemies with a lob launching the bolt.  In addition to direct hit damage, it will create a watery wave that dishes out damage to surrounding enemies.

As for Arenas, here is a breakdown on what the Arkeyan Crossbow unlocks:
-Battle Arena (1): Treacherous Beach
Survival Arenas (4): Sand Castle, Beach Breach, Troll Beach Attack, and Chompy Tsunami

Now, let's take a look at the characters!

Grim Creeper, Undead Element, SWAP Force Newlander
Slogan: "Your Time is Up!"

Card Stats

Power: 90/200
Armor: 90/200
Agility: 90/200
Luck: 60/200
Totals: 330/800

Camo, Life Element, SWAP Force Series 2
Slogan: "Fruit Punch!"

Card Stats
Power: 80/200
Armor: 100/200
Agility: 50/200
Luck: 100/200
Totals: 330/800

Unboxing LightCore Wham-Shell

Slogan: "Brace for the Mace!"

Card Stats
Power: 100/200
Armor: 120/200
Agility: 25/200
Luck: 100/200
Totals: 345/800

Unboxing LightCore Countdown

Slogan: "I'm the Bomb!"

Card Stats
Power: 150/200
Armor: 105/200
Agility: 60/200
Luck: 45/200
Totals: 360/800

What? Spy Rise, Tech Element, SWAP Force Skylander, Climbing Ability

Where Did You Get It? Toys'R'Us

What Did It Cost? $16.99 plus tax

What Was Stock Like? I'd say 6 or so were in the store

What is Included? Spy Rise, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet

Unboxing Spy Rise

Spy Rise

Tech Element, SWAP Force, Climbing

Slogan: "It's Classified!"

Card Stats

Power: 120/200

Armor: 120/200

Agility: 120/200

Luck: 130/200

Totals: 490/800

Click Here for the Link to BestBuy.com

Unboxing Rubble Rouser

Slogan: "Brace for Impact!"

Card Stats
Power: 170/200
Armor: 200/200
Agility: 65/200
Luck: 55/200
Totals: 490/800

After entering Target and beelining to the Skylanders section, I wasn't shocked to see empty pegs and the lowest SWAP Force stock I've seen to date at the store.  I went in Sunday (the day of the ad 12/29) and then twice during the week...Each time there were no Swappers, and decreasing stock.  I asked employees each time I was in (as I always do when trying to find something new) and the response was and remained that there had been no new shipments since before Christmas and that they had nothing in the back...everything available was on the floor.

Well, the store was desolate (my favorite setting for shopping) and as I was leaving I saw an employee in electronics.  She was super nice and upon scanning a tag offered to check the back even though it said there weren't any.  She came out a few minutes later with an arm full of 4 Skylanders: Hoot Loop, Stink Bomb, and 2 Rubble Rousers.  I was kind of surprised there were no Spy Rise figures, but it is hard to argue with getting 2 of the 3.  I checked out with Stink Bomb and Rubble Rouser (although I now realize that the sale didn't ring up).  What I learned, and what may help you, is that my store had these in the back in a locked case.  This isn't like the case for games and high end electronics, this is literally in the back where you'd never have access to look.  When I got up front I figured it was odd I had a bag with stuff in it and told the story to the checker.  She said they had been having a lot of theft and it was a precaution.  I don't know if this is just a local solution, or something nationwide etc, but it is a new revolution to me...

There were no notes to ask for any characters you don't see and if not for the overly diligent and helpful employee I would have once again walked out with nothing, while the figures apparently sat trapped in a locked case.  The funny thing is a Target Exclusive Nitro Magna Charge and Free Ranger Double Pack were on the pegs...as well as a few Giants and some stray Sprockets and 1-2 Scorp figures.

I have to wonder if all of the W3 Swappers were in this case when I went in Sunday, and the other two days prior?!  I know most stores had these well in advance of the 12/29 ad because folks were buying them last Thursday and Friday.  It could just be a case of employees legitimately not knowing the characters were locked up, or just simply not caring to check as I assume this case also houses things like iPod, iPads, and extra stock on cameras etc.

That said, you now know the story behind how I got Stink Bomb and Rubble Rouser and for those of you still willing to deal with Target (I've had a ton of people tell me they were blowing them off due to not having stock etc), you might ask an employee to check the locked cases in the back.  Will it work?  It comes in at 50/50 odds, so I'd say go for it...

I have to say, if the figures were really there when I went in last Sunday it is pretty ridiculous and I likely could have landed Spy Rise as well.  This could also be great timing and maybe they showed up earlier today and made their way to the case.  Once more though, no signs to ask an associate, check with management, etc...just empty pegs.  My advice is give it a shot and if you still get the runaround, check back when you can or just hold out for a broader release.

All of that aside, I am stoked to finally have one of the Earth Element Swappers!  I'm kind of leaning towards Doom Stone based solely on character art, but I think Rubble Rouser is well done, has a good back story, and should be a nice asset to the game.  Plus, his card stats are really high.

Good luck landing Rubble Rouser!