Defender Wishlists 2023: Tournament of Champions

[P-Siddy]

As we wind down our 2023 Defender Wishlists, we have come to the Tournament of Champions.  Out of 140 finalists, which 25 figures would you like to see in The Vintage Collection?

Here are the winners from the previous rounds:

The Original Trilogy
Sim Aloo (Return of the Jedi)
Brea Tonnika (A New Hope)
Luke Skywalker (A New Hope)
Senni Tonnika (A New Hope)
Bannis Keeg (A New Hope)
Fozec (Return of the Jedi)
Han Solo (A New Hope)
Owen Lars (A New Hope)
Rebel Commando (Endor, Jumpsuit) (Return of the Jedi)
Shasa Tiel (Return of the Jedi)
Tzizvvt (A New Hope)
Beru Lars (A New Hope)
EV-9D9 (Return of the Jedi)
Grand Moff Tarkin (A New Hope)
Obi-Wan (Ben) Kenobi (A New Hope)
Sate Pestage (Return of the Jedi)
Solomahal (A New Hope)
Wuher (A New Hope)
Defenestrated Weequay (Return of the Jedi)
Han Solo (Yavin Ceremony)

The Prequel Trilogy
Boba Fett (Attack of the Clones)
Senator Padmé Amidala (Declaration of the Empire) (Revenge of the Sith)
Cliegg Lars (Attack of the Clones)
Darth Sidious/Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Office Duel) (Revenge of the Sith)
Ki-Adi-Mundi
Anakin Skywalker (The Phantom Menace)
Padmé Amidala (Naboo Lake Villa Retreat) (Attack of the Clones)
Padmé Amidala (Naboo Picnic) (Attack of the Clones)
Plo Koon
P-series Droideka (The Phantom Menace)
Queen Amidala (Battle of Naboo) (The Phantom Menace)
Qui-Gon Jinn (The Phantom Menace)
Sebulba (The Phantom Menace)
Obi-Wan Kenobi (The Phantom Menace)
Padmé Amidala (Packing Gown) (Attack of the Clones)
Padmé Amidala (Peacock Gown) (Revenge of the Sith)
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Revenge of the Sith)
Tey How (The Phantom Menace)
Darth Vader (Post-Mustafar Duel) with medcapsule (Revenge of the Sith)
Elan Mak (The Phantom Menace)

The Sequel Trilogy
Cardo (Knight of Ren)
Kuruk (Knight of Ren)
Trudgen (Knight of Ren)
General Leia Organa (The Force Awakens)
Han Solo (Erevana) (The Force Awakens)
Lor San Tekka (The Force Awakens)
Ushar (Knight of Ren)
Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (The Last Jedi)
Vicrul (Knight of Ren)
Jannah (The Rise of Skywalker)
Lando Calrissian (The Rise of Skywalker)
Poe Dameron (Pasaana Adventure) (The Rise of Skywalker)
Ahch-To Caretaker (The Last Jedi)
Babu Frik and C-3PO (The Rise of Skywalker)
Emperor Palpatine (Zombie/Clone) (The Rise of Skywalker)
Finn (Pasaana Adventure) (The Rise of Skywalker)
Elite Praetorian Guard (Helmet 2 w/Vibro-Arbir Blades) (The Last Jedi)
Emperor Palpatine (Rejuvenated) (The Rise of Skywalker)
Grummgar (The Force Awakens)
Maz Kanata (The Force Awakens)

The Anthology Movies: Rogue One / Solo
Baze Malbus (Rogue One)
Bodhi Rook (Rogue One)
Dryden Vos (Solo)
Tobias Beckett (Solo)
Val (Solo)
Saw Gerrera (Rogue One)
Admiral Raddus (Rogue One)
L3-37 (Solo)
Rio Durant (Solo)
Sgt. Ruescott Melshi (Rogue One)
Chewbacca (Solo)
Imperial Patrol Trooper (Solo)
Qi'ra (Solo)
Benthic Two Tubes (Rogue One)
Bistan (Rogue One)
Cassian Andor (Jedha) (Rogue One)
Galen Erso (Rogue One)
Jyn Erso (Lah'mu) (Rogue One)
Pyke Guards (Solo)
Therm Scissorpunch (Solo)

Live Action Series
Fifth Brother (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Imperial Riot Trooper (Ferrix) (Andor)
Bix Caleen (Andor)
Cobb Vanth (The Mandalorian)
Dedra Meero (Andor)
Greef Karga (Season 1) (The Mandalorian)
Luthen Rael (Ferrix) (Andor)
Mon Mothma (Andor)
Princess Leia Organa (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
The Client (The Mandalorian)
Fourth Sister (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Frog Lady (w/ Egg Jar) (The Mandalorian)
Maarva Andor (Andor)
Migs Mayfeld (Season 1) (The Mandalorian)
Peli Motto (The Mandalorian)
Q9-0 (The Mandalorian)
Tala Durith (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Brasso (Funeral) (Andor)
Darth Vader (Bacta Tank) (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Cinta Kaz (Andor)

Animation
Garazeb "Zeb" Orellios (Rebels)
Kanan Jarrus (Rebels)
Sabine Wren (Rebels)
Echo (The Bad Batch)
Tech (The Bad Batch)
Wrecker (The Bad Batch)
Agent Kallus (Rebels)
Asajj Ventress
Crosshair (Imperial) (The Bad Batch)
Omega (The Bad Batch)
Pong Krell (The Clone Wars)
Cham Sydulla (The Clone Wars)
Mother Talzin (The Clone Wars)
Rako Hardeen (The Clone Wars)
Tarr Seirr (Clone Wars)
Yaddle (Tales of the Jedi)
AP-5 (Rebels)
Sha'a Gi (Clone Wars)
Umbaran Soldier (The Clone Wars)
Tig Fromm (Droids)

Expanded Universe
Mara Jade
Anakin Solo (New Jedi Order)
Darth Malak (Knights of the Old Republic)
Darth Sion (Knights of the Old Republic 2)
Mirax Terrik (Dark Horse Rogue Squadron)
Montross (Bounty Hunter video game)
Noghri (Thrawn Trilogy)
Concept 4-LOM
Concept Lando
Corran Horn - X-Wing Pilot (X-Wing Series)
Das Jennir (Dark Horse comics Dark Times)
Jaster Mereel (Dark Horse comics Jango Fett - Open Seasons)
Jolli (Classic Marcel Star Wars)
Joruus C'baoth (Thrawn Trilogy)
Kenner Vintage Deco Walrusman
Luke Skywalker (Splinter of a Mind's Eye)
Malla (Holiday Special)
Ooryl Qrygg - X-Wing Pilot (X-Wing Series)
Satele Shan (The Old Republic)
Warlord Zsinj (X-Wing Series)

[P-Siddy]

Well, this was quite difficult to whittle down to 25 picks, especially since Hasbro should have released many of these by now.  Anyway, here are my "champions"

• Beru Lars (A New Hope)
• Brea Tonnika (A New Hope)
• Owen Lars (A New Hope)
• Senni Tonnika (A New Hope)
• Wuher (A New Hope)
• Defenestrated Weequay (Return of the Jedi)
• EV-9D9 (Return of the Jedi)
• Fozec (Return of the Jedi)
• Sim Aloo (Return of the Jedi)
• Anakin Skywalker (The Phantom Menace)
• Tey How (The Phantom Menace)
• Cliegg Lars (Attack of the Clones)
• Padmé Amidala (Naboo Lake Villa Retreat) (Attack of the Clones)
• Padmé Amidala (Naboo Picnic) (Attack of the Clones)
• Darth Sidious/Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Office Duel) (Revenge of the Sith)
• Darth Vader (Post-Mustafar Duel) with medcapsule (Revenge of the Sith)
• Han Solo (Erevana) (The Force Awakens)
• Emperor Palpatine (Zombie/Clone) (The Rise of Skywalker)
• Finn (Pasaana Adventure) (The Rise of Skywalker)
• Poe Dameron (Pasaana Adventure) (The Rise of Skywalker)
• Baze Malbus (Rogue One)
• Bodhi Rook (Rogue One)
• Imperial Patrol Trooper (Solo)
• Cobb Vanth (The Mandalorian)
• Luthen Rael (Ferrix) (Andor)

[Dave]

Lots of good stuff to choose from.

1.   Brea Tonnika (ANH)
2.   Senni Tonnika (ANH)
3.   Sim Aloo (ANH)
4.   Bodhi Rook (Rogue One)
5.   Dryden Vos (Solo)
6.   Therm Scissorpunch (Solo)
7.   Imperial Riot Trooper (Ferrix) (Andor)
8.   Bix Caleen (Andor)
9.   Dedra Meero (Andor)
10.   Greef Karga (Season 1) (The Mandalorian)
11.   Luthen Rael (Ferrix) (Andor)
12.   Mon Mothma (Andor)
13.   The Client (The Mandalorian)
14.   Frog Lady (w/ Egg Jar) (The Mandalorian)
15.   Maarva Andor (Andor)
16.   Migs Mayfeld (Season 1) (The Mandalorian)
17.   Brasso (Funeral) (Andor)
18.   Cinta Kaz (Andor)
19.   Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (The Last Jedi)
20.   Jannah (The Rise of Skywalker)
21.   Lando Calrissian (The Rise of Skywalker)
22.   Babu Frik and C-3PO (The Rise of Skywalker)
23.   Grummgar (The Force Awakens)
24.   Bistan (Rogue One)
25.   Sgt. Ruescott Melshi (Rogue One)

[Nicklab]

The wishlist process has been something of a labor of love. Because if you know collectors, then you know they all love making wishlists!  It's been difficult to distill this down to 25, but here I go:

1 - Palpatine - office duel (Revenge Of The Sith)
2 - Luke Skywalker - Tatooine (A New Hope)
3 - Baze Malbus (Rogue One)
4 - Bodhi Rook (Rogue One)
5 - Queen Amidala - Battle of Theed (The Phantom Menace)
6 - Admiral Raddus (Rogue One)
7 - Cobb Vanth (The Mandalorian)
8 - Tobias Beckett (Solo)
9 - Dryden Vos (Solo)
10 - Finn - Pasaana (The Rise of Skywalker)
11 - Poe Dameron - Pasaana (The Rise of Skywalker)
12 - Senator Amidala - Declaration of the Empire (Revenge Of The Sith)
13 - Baniss Keeg (A New Hope)
14 - Shasa Tiel (Return Of The Jedi)
15 - Sim Aloo (Return Of The Jedi)
16 - Qui-Gon Jinn (The Phantom Menace)
17 - Luthen Rael (Andor)
18 - Dedra Meero (Andor)
19 - Han Solo (The Force Awakens)
20 - Chewbacca (Solo)
21 - Darth Malak (Knights of the Old Republic)
22 - Lando Calrissian (The Rise of Skywalker)
23 - Satele Shan (The Old Republic)
24 - Rebel Commando (Endor, Jumpsuit) (Return of the Jedi)
25 - Fifth Brother Inquisitor (Obi-Wan Kenobi)


****EDITED - Chopper and ANH Leia removed.  New selections at #24 & 25

[Ryan]

It was so hard to narrow it down to only 25... I originally had the mains on my list but decided to drop them. There is no way we aren't going to get them in the line again and I wanted to give their slots to some less likely figures. I also dropped most of the Rebels figures from my list given The Ghost is coming out. Hasbro knows that we want figures to fill out the ship and Rebels is getting a lot of love. I think those will come out at some point soon, too. I tried picking some figures that Hasbro could reuse parts from to make other new figures. In the end, most of my choices are from the OT era. If I put this off much longer I think my list could completely change. Realistically, I'd happily take any of the 175 choices we had here.

• Shasa Tiel (Return of the Jedi)
• Mother Talzin (The Clone Wars)
• Galen Erso (Rogue One)
• Darth Malak (Knights of the Old Republic)
• Sim Aloo (Return of the Jedi)
• Fozec (Return of the Jedi)
• Rebel Commando (Endor, Jumpsuit) (Return of the Jedi)
• Baze Malbus (Rogue One)
• Bodhi Rook (Rogue One)
• Saw Gerrera (Rogue One)
• Admiral Raddus (Rogue One)
• Benthic Two Tubes (Rogue One)
• Pyke Guards (Solo)
• Sgt. Ruescott Melshi (Rogue One)
• Bix Caleen (Andor)
• Bistan (Rogue One)
• Luthen Rael (Ferrix) (Andor)
• Brasso (Funeral) (Andor)
• Echo (The Bad Batch)
• Tech (The Bad Batch)
• Wrecker (The Bad Batch)
• Omega (The Bad Batch)
• Crosshair [Imperial] (The Bad Batch)
• Peli Motto (The Mandalorian)
• Cobb Vanth (The Mandalorian)

[P-Siddy]

6 - Princess Leia Organa (A New Hope)
10 - C1-10P "Chopper" (Rebels)

Nick, you can swap these out since they've been pipelined.

[Jeff]

Luthen Rael (Andor)
Mon Mothma (Andor)
Fifth Brother (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Fourth Sister (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Cobb Vanth (The Mandalorian)
Frog Lady (w/ Egg Jar) (The Mandalorian)
Greef Karga (Season 1) (The Mandalorian)
Peli Motto (The Mandalorian)
The Client (The Mandalorian)
Han Solo - Smuggler (A New Hope)
Luke Skywalker - Farmboy (A New Hope)
Tzizvvt (A New Hope)
Defenestrated Weequay (Return of the Jedi)
Fozec (Return of the Jedi)
Sim Aloo (Return of the Jedi)
Cliegg Lars (Attack of the Clones)
Baze Malbus (Rogue One)
Bodhi Rook (Rogue One)
Chewbacca (Solo)
Dryden Vos (Solo)
Qi'ra (Solo)
Rio Durant (Solo)
Tobias Beckett (Solo)
Val (Solo)
Babu Frik and C-3PO (The Rise of Skywalker)

[Nicklab]

6 - Princess Leia Organa (A New Hope)
10 - C1-10P "Chopper" (Rebels)

Nick, you can swap these out since they've been pipelined.

DAMN!

That's not because I'm upset that they're being made.  But DAMN because of the effort of cross-referencing everything from my lists in order to keep my choices that made the cut on my ToC list!

[P-Siddy]

I still need to tally these votes... been a busy weekend.

Chewie texted me his list since he couldn't log in.

[P-Siddy]

And here are your champions!

01. Bodhi Rook (Rogue One)
02. Baze Malbus (Rogue One)
02. Cobb Vanth (The Mandalorian)
02. Sim Aloo (Return of the Jedi)
05. Luthen Rael (Ferrix) (Andor)
06. Dedra Meero (Andor)
06. Dryden Vos (Solo)
06. Finn (Pasaana Adventure) (The Rise of Skywalker)
06. Fozec (Return of the Jedi)
06. Greef Karga (Season 1) (The Mandalorian)
06. Han Solo (Erevana) (The Force Awakens)
06. Lando Calrissian (The Rise of Skywalker)
06. Peli Motto (The Mandalorian)
06. Poe Dameron (Pasaana Adventure) (The Rise of Skywalker)
06. Sgt. Ruescott Melshi (Rogue One)
06. The Client (The Mandalorian)
17. Cliegg Lars (Attack of the Clones)
17. Rebel Commando (Endor, Jumpsuit) (Return of the Jedi)
17. Fifth Brother Inquisitor (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
17. Darth Sidious/Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Office Duel) (Revenge of the Sith)
17. Migs Mayfeld (Season 1) (The Mandalorian)
17. Frog Lady (The Mandalorian)
17. Bix Caleen (Andor)
17. Saw Gerrera (Rogue One)
17. Mon Mothma (Andor)

Didn't make the cut off:
2 votes:
17. Admiral Raddus (Rogue One)
Babu Frik and C-3PO (The Rise of Skywalker)
Benthic Two Tubes (Rogue One)
Beru Lars (A New Hope)
Bistan (Rogue One)
Brasso (Funeral) (Andor)
Brea Tonnika (A New Hope)
Chewbacca (Solo)
Darth Malak (Knights of the Old Republic)
Defenestrated Weequay (Return of the Jedi)
Emperor Palpatine (Zombie/Clone) (The Rise of Skywalker)
Galen Erso (Rogue One)
Imperial Patrol Trooper (Solo)
Jannah (The Rise of Skywalker)
Luke Skwalker (Tatooine) (A New Hope)
Luthen Rael (Andor)
Senni Tonnika (A New Hope)
Shasa Tiel (Return of the Jedi)
Tobias Beckett (Solo)
Wuher (A New Hope)

1 vote:
46. Anakin Skywalker (The Phantom Menace)
Baniss Keeg (A New Hope)
Cassian Andor (Jedha) (Rogue One)
Cinta Kaz (Andor)
Crosshair [Imperial] (The Bad Batch)
Darth Vader (Post-Mustafar Duel) with medcapsule (Revenge of the Sith)
Echo (The Bad Batch)
Emperor Palpatine (Rejuvenated) (The Rise of Skywalker)
EV-9D9 (Return of the Jedi)
Fourth Sister (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
General Leia Organa (The Force Awakens)
Grummgar (The Force Awakens)
Han Solo - Smuggler (A New Hope)
Imperial Riot Trooper (Andor)
Maarva Andor (Andor)
Mother Talzin (The Clone Wars)
Omega (The Bad Batch)
Owen Lars (A New Hope)
Padmé Amidala (Naboo Lake Villa Retreat) (Attack of the Clones)
Padmé Amidala (Naboo Picnic) (Attack of the Clones)
Pyke Guards (Solo)
Qi'ra (Solo)
Queen Amidala (Battle of Theed) (The Phantom Menace)
Qui-Gon Jinn (The Phantom Menace)
Rio Durant (Solo)
Satele Shan (The Old Republic)
Senator Padme Amidala (Declaration of the Empire) (Revenge of the Sith)
Tech (The Bad Batch)
Tey How (The Phantom Menace)
Therm Scissorpunch (Solo)
Tzizvvt (A New Hope)
Val (Solo)
Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (The Last Jedi)
Wrecker (The Bad Batch)

[P-Siddy]

Some stats: 

79 unique votes for 140 candidates: 56.4%

% by source material for the 140 candidates:

22.7% Anthology
21.5% Live Action
19.0% Original Trilogy
13.9% Sequel Trilogy
12.7% Prequel Trilogy
07.6% Animation
02.5% Expanded Universe

[Jeff]

That top 16 is solid.  I can't honestly say I'm all that excited about spending $17 on TROS Finn/Poe/Lando, but I would happily plunk down my $17 for any of the other 13 in that top 16.

- TVC Bodhi and Baze are badly needed to finish out that crew
- TVC Peli, Cobb, and Client were all in multiple episodes and very deserving at this point (I'd even pay the $28 to get a DLX with Peli and her pit droids)
- TVC Sim and Fozec would be welcome additions to the ROTJ shelves.
- glad to see TVC TFA Han Erevana make the cut - him and TFA General Leia are painfully missing from the TVC/SA TFA offerings

Too bad we didn't get more participation as I would have liked to see a bit more separation after the top 16.  So many things tied at 17 with only two votes. 

[P-Siddy]

Agreed, Jeff.

So many of these should have been made by now, especially the mains.

[Nicklab]

Interesting results!  Especially seeing how only 3 OT characters and 2 PT characters made the cut.  That's a lot of love for new media!

[Dave]

Interesting results!  Especially seeing how only 3 OT characters and 2 PT characters made the cut.  That's a lot of love for new media!

A love for the new media.
A lack of anything in the new media.
OT and PT have been mined pretty thoroughly over the years when Hasbro had their "A" game.