2024 Last Figure Standing Poll

[Jeff]

The Last Figure Standing poll is back again this year...

https://yakfaceforums.com/main/2024/09/14/the-return-of-last-figure-standing/

[Dave]

Next round is up.

Pick six out of the final ten:
- Wrecker
- Anakin Skywalker (E3)
- Baze Malbus
- C-3PO (ANH)
- Luthen Rael
- Crosshair
- Snowtrooper
- Qimir / Stranger
- Arleil Schous (ANH)
- Asajj Ventress
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (E3)
- Tech

I don't frequent other sites so I really don't understand what people are looking for in Anakin, Kenobi, C-3PO, Snowtrooper, etc. on figures we've already got bunches of.  I voted for the never been done figures, which conveniently is six.

[Rob]

I still can't believe that the most wanted figure has the potential to be a figure that we have a bunch of already.  Anakin, Threepio, Snowtrooper... Obi-Wan. 

I'd pick Luthen out of this list.

[Jeff]

I agree with you guys.  Sure I'd buy a new TVC quality Snowtrooper since it's been many many years since the last release, but no way in hell I'm wasting "fan choice" poll votes on them.

I can't believe that we need a poll to tell Hasbro to make main characters like Luthen, Tech, Wrecker, Stranger; but here we are I guess. 

[Rob]

Totally.  I wish there was a poll like this but ONLY with obscure rando's that don't have a good chance of getting made.  Show Hasbro which goofball background character we want the most.

[Scott]

As we’ve talking about in the March Madness brackets these votes skew newer/younger collector…sure I’d buy an upgraded Snowtrooper and probably a 5000th C-3PO but it’s dumb that’s where we are at.

Complete the 96, world build recent media and give old guys a crumb

Damn I feel like Morgbug/Colman

[Diddly]

It's 2024, it boggles my mind that they can't do some sort of online exclusive 12-figure case wave of the most wanted TVC figures. Make it some sort of Haslab or even a Pulse/Fan Channel exclusive.

[Rob]

Agreed.  A Haslab thing that was waves of figures at whatever amount Hasbro needed to make it happen would almost definitely reach funding goals if it was unique and interesting figures. 

[Jeff]

Agreed.  A Haslab thing that was waves of figures at whatever amount Hasbro needed to make it happen would almost definitely reach funding goals if it was unique and interesting figures. 

I cannot imagine the level of bitching we'd see on social media over a $300 HasLab 12-carded figure set...  that'd be something to watch for sure.  They'd have to get the mix just right I think.

[Rob]

It's true.  But counterpoint, they make so few interesting characters that there's no shortage of highly sought after figures these days...

[Ryan]

Honestly, I'd buy a 12-pack of the last figure standing finalists... but a 6-pack or 12-Pack feels like a perfect fit for things like the "Return to Tatooine" theme. It'd be a great way to get out movie/show/planet-themed releases out in a group together so that we don't run into situations like we have with Hunter, where we have had a figure of only a single main characters from a show in figure for nearly two years.

If they were to time the 6/12-Packs to match with the playset releases for the year, that'd help get a mix of figures that people want and would make it easier for new collectors to complete a scene. Throw in 1-2 army builders/repaints with alternate cardbacks per set to help to cost it all out.

[Nicklab]

I've been following the poll pretty closely.  And I was pleased to see that the guys running it are also collecting some demographic data in order to get a sense of who is voting.  There seem to be 3 sizable cohorts:

Age 55 - 64 = 4.1% of the submissions
Age 45 - 54 = 35.7%
Age 35 - 44 = 21.3%
Age 25 - 34 = 24.7%
Age 18 - 24 = 12.5%

I was surprised to see that the age range of 18 - 44 accounts for some 58% of the participants.  And perhaps that's why the source material skewed more towards the PT and onward.  But it's also interesting to see how the ages correlate to a degree with the characters that made the top 12.

I think everyone went into the nomination process with their own criteria in mind.  For me?  Hasbro has thoroughly mined the OT for characters over the past 30 years in a big way.  And it's increasingly become a struggle to come up with characters from the OT that haven't been made before.  So in some cases attention gets shifted towards the characters that might have been made before, but the figures might be dated or are lacking in terms of quality compared to modern figures.

I understand the inclusion of the ROTS versions of Anakin and Obi-Wan in the Top 12.  And while it seems like Hasbro has gone there before, it's been well over a decade.  The TVC ROTS Obi-Wan is actually based on a 2005 figure.  And the TVC Anakin from ROTS just looks kind of bad.  That existing version of Anakin, and the way that the Clone Wars really made him into a much more fully developed character?  That's why Anakin was on my list of submissions, and why I voted for him in my Top 6.

I totally get the push for the Bad Batch.  And if I had more room on my list I would vote for them.  But I didn't because I saw needs in other parts of the saga.  So my top six is:
-Anakin
-Asajj Ventress
-Baze Malbus
-Luthen Rael
-Arleil Schous
-Qimir / The Stranger

I wanted to keep it new and complete some groups of characters.  Plus I was disappointed that Arleil Schous didn't get backed with the Cantina.


As for a figure dream pack for a Haslab?  The topic has been a point of discussion for a while.  And I think it's potentially feasible - but it's got to check some boxes.
-It's got to be characters that would generally not stand a chance of getting made otherwise.  Main characters don't seem like a solid fit here.
-There should be a central theme linking them all
-The price per figure should not go above $25.  So 8 figures would cost a maximum of $200, 10 would be $250, 12 for $300, etc.

[Scott]

Wouldn’t you think  12 pack of Cantina Monsters or Jabba Goons get insta funded?  I sure think it would even at $300

[Nicklab]

Theoretically?  I think it probably does.  But when you get into the specifics of that kind of offering, how much new ground is getting covered?  How many are absolute "Must Haves" that have never been made before?  How many would be an exercise in "Checking A Box" by releasing a character that's been previously made, but just may not be in TVC?  And how many figures from previous lines are not close to being up to spec?

If I were to specifically come up with 12 Cantina characters for a theoretical Haslab figure dream pack, I think we might start getting into some questionable territory because of some basic criteria.
-Should any of the original Kenner 20 back Cantina aliens be included?  I'm leaning towards no.  IMHO those should be mainline figures, and include: Ponda Baba (Walrusman), Momaw Nadon (Hammerhead), Greedo, and Zutmore (Snaggletooth).
-How many all-new characters should comprise the 12?
-How many comparable costumes would be acceptable?  Looking specifically at the characters in flight / space suits like BoShek, Danz Borin & Cantina Dude

My 12 would include:
-Ellors Madak
-Baniss Keeg
-Djas Puhr
-Takeel
-Morlimor Snugg (Blue Snaggletooth)
-Lak Sivrak
-Melas
-Dannik Jerriko
-Lirin Car'n
-Ownellco
-Danz Borin
-Tzizvvt

Would 6 re-sculpts and 6 new characters satisfy most people?  Or would you want to see more all-new characters?

[Dave]

Next round is up for voting.  Vote for three.  The last six are:
- Luthen Rael
- Wrecker
- Crosshair
- Asajj Ventress
- Qimir / Stranger
- Aleil Schous

Glad to see most of the already released figures got eliminated.  Asajj is the only redo left.  The other five are all new.