Details
The blaster is able to hold up to three darts at a time in its three triangularly placed barrels; what is unique about this blaster is that it “knows” which barrel is loaded and ready to fire. The blaster does not feature a tactical rail due to its small size. A small set of iron sights is located on top of the blaster.
The Triad features an intelligent air restrictor system like the Rough Cut 2×4 and the Crossfire Bow. The blaster fires a single dart by closing off the hole to the next chamber when a dart is inserted. This way, only the first chamber with a dart in it gets air flowing through it. When all three barrels are loaded, the blaster will fire clockwise starting from the bottom barrel.
Official description
Put some serious blasting power in your pocket with the TRIAD EX-3 blaster! Don’t let this 3-dart blaster’s micro size fool you – it’s small but mighty, with the same long-range power as other N-STRIKE Elite blasters (sold separately). Its smart technology tells it which barrel is loaded so you can fire it with confidence. And its small size lets you conceal the blaster in the palm of your hand or a pocket, then draw fast for the element of surprise! Pull down the cocking handle to ready your shot, then fire when it’s time to take down your target!
History
Though this blaster was originally thought to be a successor to the Jolt EX-1 (as implied by their names), the Triad is almost twice as big. The Triad also surpasses the Jolt with its higher power, better air seal, higher capacity, and intelligent air restrictor system.
It was re-released with Elite XD internals with a white, grey, and black color scheme; this re-release was shown off at the 2014 New York Toy Fair.
Color schemes
The Triad has been released with the following color schemes:
- N-Strike Elite (blue, white, black, gray, and orange)
- Elite XD (white, blue, and orange)
Value packs
There is a special value pack of the Triad, which includes four blasters and twelve Elite Darts.
There is also a two-pack that consists of two blasters and fifteen darts. This version is mostly available in the Netherlands, but also at Intertoys stores (originally a Dutch chain) and later at Rewe supermarkets in Germany.
Reloading and firing
To reload the Triad EX-3, load up to three darts into the three barrels from the front, and pull the bottom handle down to prime the blaster.
Pull the trigger to fire a dart.
This blaster works with all Micro Darts; Streamline Darts will not work with the Triad.
Trivia
- Sometimes loaded darts will pop up when other darts are loaded in.
- Sometimes, due to user error, the third dart may fall out of the Triad when the second is fired.
- In music terminology, a triad is a three-note chord.
