- This article is about Hasbro's SlingShock Layer. For the Pro Series and Takara Tomy Layer, see Energy Layer - Cho-Z Achilles.
Turbo Achilles A4 is an Energy Layer released by Hasbro as part of the Burst System as well as the SlingShock System. It debuted in western countries with the release of the SlingShock Starter Pack Turbo Achilles A4 00 Dimension-S.
Description
Hasbro's Turbo Achilles A4 is a Balance Type Layer, featuring a shield and an armored face facing forward in the center, meant to represent the Layer's namesake, the Greek hero Achilles. The perimeter consists of four large blades as the primary points of contact, two of which are molded in the shape of swords, granting the Layer high Knock-Out and Burst Attack potential. Unlike its Takara Tomy and Pro Series counterpart, Cho-Z Achilles, Turbo Achilles A4 lacks the metal in the sword blades. In addition, it does not have the tall teeth of its counterparts, instead having weak slopes and thus average Burst Resistance. However, Turbo Achilles A4 still retains the anti-Bursting gimmick called the "Turbo Awakening".
At high spin velocity, the centrifugal force activates a mechanism, revealing sub wings called the "Turbo Wings" and in turn extending "Burst Stopper" tabs in the grooves meant to fit the prongs of the Forge Disc. These Burst Stoppers then obstruct the Forge Disc, preventing the Combination from Bursting. Unlike its Takara Tomy and Pro Series System counterparts, these Burst Stoppers use much weaker springs and are thus easier to activate but also push in, rendering the gimmick useless. Due to the bistable nature of the gimmick, the wings and tabs must be manually pushed in after every match to allow the gimmick to work as intended. Only two of Turbo Achilles A4's "Turbo Wings" will move the tabs.
Turbo Achilles A4's size makes it heavier than most other Hasbro Layers, granting it high Attack Potential. Due to the small size of the "Turbo Wings", Turbo Achilles A4 has identical Attack Potential whether or not the gimmick is activated.
Unlike previous SlingShock System Layers and like other Layers with the "Turbo" prefix, Turbo Achilles A4 is incompatible with a Level Chip.
Overall
Turbo Achilles A4 is a purely weaker version of its Takara Tomy and Pro Series System counterparts, with a lower weight, weaker Burst Resistance, and less Attack Potential. As such Turbo Achilles A4 finds the most use in formats where its counterparts and stronger Layers are restricted, such as the WBO's Burst Limited format or a Hasbro-Only format.
As such, Hasbro's Turbo Achilles A4 is a welcome addition if the Blader plans to compete in the aforementioned formats, but is otherwise recommended for collection purposes only.
Products
Hasbro
Gallery
Hasbro
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