MA-12 Advance Striker
Initial Release: Late Spring 2004, Starter MA-12 (Black)
Additional Releases: Hasbro's Advance Striker Starter (Black), Random Booster ACT 3 (Dark Blue, Green), SH-07/08 Chinese Exclusive Romance of the Three Kingdoms "Lu Bu/Ma Chao" (Black, Yellow)
Bit Protector - "Small Type"
Should be noted that BP Size Type on initial release is not consistent for every cycle of production or re-release. Being reproduced the following year could mean a different BP Size Type for a given Beyblade.
Attack Ring (AR)
Advance Attacker, ~21g.
The single most underrated AR of the HMS series, period.
Quite closely rivals Circle Upper and Samurai Upper in terms of raw power, and performs well in both spin directions. To call them equals would not be a reach, Attacker is the second inductee to "The Big Three" of Attack ARs.
Good weight, one of the heaviest ARs in the series, tying with Circle and Samurai Upper for second place.
Smash Attack powerhouse that, just like the aforementioned ARs, make a variety of RCs beyond GFC and GFCUV viable due to its strength alone.
Features a gimmick of having a reversible Metal Frame, but you should only concern yourself with Upper Mode as Force Smash Mode is niche in its uses.
Best Possible Combo:
AR: Advance Attacker (Either Spin)
WD: CWD Defense Ring (with Metal CWD found in RBA2)
RC: Grip Flat Core (Ultimate Version)
Game Plan: Knock everything out, you won't have much trouble provided you launch correctly. It should be noted while Defense Ring GFCUV are listed here, this AR can find great success on a variety of WDs and RCs.
Weight Disk (WD)
Circle Heavy
See the Common Weight Disks page.
Running Core (RC)
Metal Flat Core, ~3g.
Easily the most viable non-rubber Attack RC in HMS. MCC is comparable, but this RC is more aggressive, and only slightly taller than GFC and GFCUV.
Despite lacking the same amount of grip or speed as traditional rubber RCs, on the three elite Attack ARs Metal Flat Core should not be scoffed at. A legitimate Attack RC option, even among the great rubber RCs available.
Does not wear down like rubber eventually will, yet provides consistent results for ARs strong enough to carry its shortcomings.
Makes it so Advance Striker is actually fairly good out of the box, a rarity in Beyblade and HMS. To learn more about it and other potential great out of the box combos, head over to the Beginner's Buying Guide page.
Best Possible Combo:
AR: Samurai Upper (Right-Spin)
WD: CWD Defense Ring (with Metal CWD found in RBA2)
RC: Metal Flat Core
Game Plan: Treat it like a rubber-based RC, flower pattern and all, and watch opposing Beyblades fly away. Advance Attacker and Circle Upper work just as well, and Circle Heavy is a fine alternative for Defense Ring if need be. When it comes to ensuring a proper flower pattern, it isn't as easy as with a rubber-based RC, and MFC is much more likely to break pattern quicker as well, but so long as you generate a few good hits early, that is usually enough to get the ball rolling in your favour.