R2 D2 was my first Star Wars figure back in '78. I owned him before I ever saw the movie.

I had that one, who was quickly replaced by the Droid Factory version (with 3rd leg!) as my favorite. Later I moved onto the ESB sensorscope version (had two of that one since the sticker peeled due to heavy play). Even had the POTF Lightsaber popping one from '85, even though he got played with very little.

Then came the POTF2 version 10 years later, and WOW what a difference. For what it was, with the sculpted body panels, retractable 3rd leg, and light-up eye, he was a real fantastic improvement. Loved the POTF2 electronic version when it first came out...the mini-diorama it came with is one of my favorite environmental pieces.When the POTF2 sensorscope version came out, I ate that one up too (actually due to the clearances of figures in '98 a wound up with a lot of those that I practiced customizing on.) I bought a Flashback / lightsaber launching version even though it was mostly a dud.

Bought the Episode I version for the cut scene rockets.

Spent two years tracking down an affordable commtech version, and really really liked that one (and the gummi Leia). I got the Saga electronic R2 update and had fun with the new sound chip. Got a green paint splattered version with the Saga X-Wing, and was disappointed...but not as much as when I got the "flying" Saga version, one of the worst Star Wars figures of all time bar none. I mean, really really bad. Bootleg-quality bad. Then came BaR2, and I thought we had reached the pinacle.

By the time we got to 2004, my R2 thirst was largely sated. I skipped the OTC Dagobah version, as well as the VOTC version. ROTS figures barely existed to me. Then I skipped the Saga2 version, and by the time the 30AC version rolled out, passing up R2 had become the standard for me.

I did wind up with a ROTS Early Bird R2 when I found the set at a great price. I basically got him as a bonus.

I did buy the WM '08 Droid Factory version, even if he came with a rehashed Luke Pilot...that battle-damaged version is now my favorite alternate.

I passed up the Legacy / Jawa Attack version (didn't everyone already make that when we got the accessory with the AOTC Preview droid?) but only after careful scrutiny.

And, of course, I've passed on all the Battle Pack versions, though the Endor Raid version was intriguing, and the Resurgence version is the "new" pinnacle. I haven't bit on that set yet in the hopes that the two figures I want from there will find other ways out.

But I still have such fond memories of that original vintage R2, who got my collecting ball rolling.

Great to get more info on this item, even if we need some clarification.

This is an item I have been waiting patiently to get more details on. I have the '99 Jabba Glob version but skimped out on the '04 revamp of that mold. Jabba's Palace is the only shelf display I haven't made yet, waiting for the good Jabba Hasbro has been talking about getting out there for what must be years now.

As for the dais, I really hope they are including it (as I said, I need that piece for my shelf and either I have to scratch build one or make the rest of the shelf around the dimensions Hasbro settles upon) but if this is now for sure a standard battle pack I find it unlikely. The Clone Wars Jabba was an all-new sculpt with a completely rehashed figure and a completely rehashed accessory. For sure we are getting a brand-new Jabba and a brand-new figure (unless they can somehow rehash parts from the Slave Leia?) I don't see how they could put in a dais that is anything substantial...maybe it will wind up being a flimsy piece of packaging plastic a la the Lars Homestead base or Sarlaac Pit extension? That would stink, but I'd take it over nothing at all.

I thought they had talked about putting out a Jabba with Dais pack as an exclusive if they found the right place for it...my gut says if this is a standard Battle Pack then the dais has been costed out of the equation.

Nice Scott. Fascinating to see your list encompassing both trilogies and a little Clone Wars too.

As for everybody else...it's not that hard, is it? I mean, I've played the same game picking the top 12 from each movie, too (Y'know, because of the classic Vintage 12). Would it be easier for you to go that route because it's a more managable list, or harder because it eliminates so many characters?

Here's my dozen from ANH:

1-R2 D2
2-C 3PO
3-Luke Skywalker
4-Han Solo
5-Chewbacca
6-Princess Leia
7-Obi-Wan Kenobi
8-Darth Vader
9-Stormtrooper
10-Grand Moff Tarkin
11-Jawa
12-Tusken Raider

Lines up pretty identical to the first Kenner line except for the Tarkin/Death Squad Commando switch...so either they got it pretty much right or that early exposure warped my priorities (like Greedo is just edged out by the Sand People, and I could really go either way.)

And I was thinking Gammorean.

Honestly haven't been all that impressed with Season Two, and this after really really enjoying Season One. Just seems to be floundering without much overall direction. I felt Cad Bane was horribly misused after a promising introduction, and there haven't been many highlights. The Clone farmer episode, maybe, and the inital reinvasion of Geonosis. Mandalore was lame and didn't at all match what I wanted out of them.

This is promising, though. Here's hoping Season Three can rebound.

All I know about the 2011 (!) ANH wave, is that if Hasbro is wise to collectors' desires and is aware of nostalgia as a something that will get poeple to spend, they will put a Grand Moff Tarkin, Rebel Fleet Trooper, and Sandtrooper in that wave on great new/retro cards.  As a child who collected from 1978 to 1985, those were the three figures that we desired more than any others.

Second that, my good man! The only other figures that came close for me were Biggs and Wedge.

I really hope the ANH wave is a big honkin' wave like the ESB wave previewed. And I hope the prequel waves are limited to 3-4 "key" figures that make sense on Vintage cards. Figures wth "ties" to the OT, if you will, like Anakin and Obi-Wan. Though I'm sure everyone is tired of those guys on the shelves.

I imagine they're including Boba Fett, 4-LOM, & the "fixed" Vader as Greatest Hits so far, and we're not getting an ANH wave this year, so that limits it to seven figures from AOTC, ROTS, and ROTJ.

It would be a cop out for them to repack one of the "new" Ewoks. But I can totally see them rereleasing the new Slave Leia. Can't really see them using any more of the Legacy ROTJ figures, though. Maybe somebody kinda old like J'Quille or Tanus Spijek. Heck, my dream ROTJ repack would be Bubo (even without a Jawa handler, though they should both fit in a vintage bubble).

When they get around to some ANH figures, I wouldn't be surprised to see them trot out Captain Antilles again. Didn't they recently say how good the sculpt holds up on him specifically? I'd like to see a few out of date repacks there too, like the big R1 droid and the Yavin Honor Guard.

Of course, they can always wedge Wedge in to any of the OT waves.

Picked up a Thi-Sen at Wal*Mart today. Not a Clone Wars collector (only have a handful of impulse figures so far) but what can I say? I couldn't resist a good Talz figure, and that "Trespass" episode was the best one so far IMHAHO.

Also saw the Anakin and Desert Skiff set and felt a real twinge of POTF2 nostalgia. If only Buff Luke could've had those cool goggles.

Thanks, CHEWIE.

Far from being unhappy with the recent offerings from Habro, I have actually really enjoyed seeing the stuff, especially since I have divorced myself from the theory that liking it means I ought to take it home. If everyone took that philosophy, the line would surely die, but as it is I get to enjoy the new stuff for the novelty.

As far as what I'm looking for, it's just odds and ends to fill the gaps in the OT stuff...guys like Bom Vimdin and Grizz Frix. Serious upgrades I'm looking for are sparse, Nien Nunb and Uncle Owen pop to mind immediately. And then there are my pet EU wants, chief among them Heir to the empire characters and Splinter of the Mind's Eye figures.

To address your hypothetical directly I have the ROTS Tarkin repaint from the Imperial Briefing set and I am satisfied with that. I just can't justify buying these incremental upgrades anymore. I was happy to see new Ugnaughts and a good articualted Death Star Escape Han Solo, but I don't feel the need to replace the ones I've got at this point. Upgrades are really a case by case situation for me then. I've taken the upgrade ride for way too many years to get all that excited about them anymore, especially since I broke out of the Collector mindset.

And, on a tangential note, one of the figures I have on my list is Medical Frigate Luke...yet when I saw what Habro offered in that regard last spring I deemed it a subpar attempt (blame the too puffy soft goods, I guess) and passed it up, preferring to not replace the custom version I made years ago.

I certainly don't expect Hasbro to limit what they make to what I want to fill out my collection. I scratch my head at some of the decisions (The B-Wing Nien Nunb and upgraded Malkili, for example) but on the whole I am very happy with where my collecting has left me.