The Nerf Rival series is renowned for its enhanced blasting experience designed to appeal to more mature audiences. With greater speed, improved functionality, and team-oriented weaponry, it is easy to see why Nerf Rivalry blasters best some of our favorite dart-based guns.
With that in mind, there is a wide variety of blaster types within the Nerf Rival series itself, offering users the ability to find a product that is best suited for their battling style and needs.
Trying to find the right weapon can be difficult at times given this variety, especially when you are looking at blasters that seem to offer a very similar experience.
One excellent example of this can be found in both the Nerf Rival Phantom Corps Helios XVIII-700 blaster and the Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 blaster. I choose the Helios as it's price is slightly better for a comparable blaster.
- Includes: 7 high-impact rounds
- FPS: Fires at a velocity of 100 fps (30 mps)
- Operation: Bolt-action blaster
- Includes: 7 high-impact rounds
- FPS: Fires at a velocity of 100 fps (30 mps)
- Operation: Pump Action
Nerf Rival Helios Vs. Apollo - Comparison
Nerf enthusiasts who may be looking into these weapons as their next potential picks may not know how to successfully choose which one will be perfect for their needs.
Are you stuck trying to choose between the Nerf Rival Phantom Corps Helios XVIII-700 and the Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700?
If so, let’s break down the similarities and differences between the two to help you make a more educated buying decision when you are ready to take home a new blaster!
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The Nerf Rival Helios Vs. the Nerf Rival Apollo
Style and Design
The style and design of a Nerf blaster is rarely the deciding feature in a purchase (in comparison to more important features like ammo capacity or functionality). However, in this case, it just may be the one factor that helps you decide between the two.
This is due to the fact that Nerf Rival blasters are designed to automatically separate you and other players into teams. As such, the Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 comes in two different colors: blue and red. Both of these options will provide you with a sleek, sharp-looking design that truly embodies the ruggedness of the Nerf Rival series.
On the other hand, we have the Nerf Rival Phantom Corps Helios XVIII-700.
Whereas the Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 will require you to pick a team when you purchase a blaster (or purchase two to allow you to switch teams), the Nerf Rival Phantom Corps Helios XVIII-700 is neutral by nature, offering a rather tame black and white design instead of sporting the traditional red or blue colors.
To pick a team, you will instead use one of the colored banners that come with your gun to decide your team. Like the Apollo, the Helios is sleek and compact, providing you with a gun that will be easy to carry across the battlefield.
Put simply, you will want to think about whether you want a blaster that decides which team you’re on (which can be good for people who already have set teams they play with) or a blaster that lets you choose which team you want to be on when teams are organized.
Ammo Capacity
The ammo capacity on both blasters is another area where the Apollo and the Helios are the same. Both weapons feature a magazine that is capable of holding up to seven, high-impact foam dart rounds.
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- Blaster has easy-load magazine that holds 7 rounds
- Blaster has a trigger lock and tactical rail
- Mask has breathable design and adjustable elastic band
If you’re looking for an easy-to-load primary or secondary weapon, both of these blasters will do the job.
Firing Style and Range
As you can expect from all of the blasters within the Nerf Rival series, these guns shoot their high-impact foam rounds at a velocity of 100 feet-per-second. However, they do vary when it comes to the priming mechanism found within each one.
The Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 uses a pull-back priming mechanism at the top of the weapon. Simply pull back on the small latch and fire at will. Meanwhile, the Nerf Rival Phantom Corps Helios XVIII-700 uses a bolt-action priming mechanism featured on the side of the weapon.
- Experience the intensity of nerf rival battles with this bolt-action blaster
- Fires rounds at a velocity of 100 feet per second (30 meters per second)
- Comes with an easy-load 7-round magazine and 7 high-impact rounds
As it is with the Apollo, simply pull back on the bolt and fire when you’re ready. Both of these priming mechanisms are relatively similar, which means the ultimate decision will boil down to which one you like the most.
Additional Features
Both the Helios and the Apollo are relatively basic weapons in comparison to the other blasters in the Rival series.
However, they do share some common features, these being the trigger lock on the sides of the weapon that prevents you from accidentally misfiring rounds and the tactical rail featured on the body that gives you the ability to hold an extra magazine for easier use.
The only additional feature that is unique to the Nerf Rival Phantom Corps Helios XVIII-700 is the color banners that allow you to pick and choose teams as you like.
The Similarities Between the Helios and Apollo
Same Ammo Capacity: The Nerf Rival Phantom Corps Helios XVIII-700 and the Nerf Rival Apollo XVII-700 provide their users with seven high-impact foam rounds (both of which fire at a velocity of 100 FPS).
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Shared Body Shape: The Helios and the Apollo are both built relatively similar, with a sleek body that features the handle at the front and an elongated backside.
Trigger-Lock and Tactical Rails: Both weapons feature a trigger lock to prevent you from accidentally firing off rounds and a tactical rail as a means to store additional ammo supplies.
Defining Features
Different Loading Mechanisms: The Apollo features a curved handle at the top of its body that you have to pull back if you want to prime your blaster. The Helios uses bolt-action firing instead.
Pre-Determined or Flexible Team Options: Users of the Apollo must choose which team they would prefer to be on when they purchase a blaster, whereas Helios users can choose their team by attaching colored banners to the bottom of their weapon during the team selection phase of the battle.
Nerf Rival Helios Vs. Apollo: Verdict
Ultimately, the Helios and the Apollo are very similar weapons. The only distinction that will make a major difference is the fact that the Nerf Rival Apollo XVII-700 offers two different colored bodies while the Nerf Rival Phantom Corps Helios XVIII-700 gives you the flexibility to choose your team.
No matter which one you decide to purchase, both are excellent weapons that are sure to give you a powerful introduction to the Nerf Rival series.
