I see your Hasbro pessimism is still firing on all cyliders, DP. 

Would you expect anything less? 

In all seriousness, though, the last 2 years have, at least when it comes to Hasbro's action figure line, not been very fun at all for me. I just don't have the time or energy for the hunt anymore, and with prices going nowhere but up and space at a minimum, I think I've reached my relative end. I'll probably still pick up some of the 3.75" Black Series if I can find them, but my days of morning toy runs are over.

It's probably not the best basis for this, but when I think of the future of the 6" line, I can't help but look at Hasbro's distribution of Marvel Legends as an example. To this day, I have only seen about 1/3 of the figures Hasbro has done in that line (which, granted, may be partially due to me not showing up at 8 AM at Target).  Given how horrible it has been to find a SW figure past the TPM wave this past 14 months, I don't see a 6" collector line is going to get better market penetration.

Anyway, that's neither here nor there and I'm sorry for derailing the thread, but I've just been frustrated with everything Hasbro's done lately and it has felt more like a chore for me to collect. I'm not having fun, so it follows that I should just stop putting myself through the irritation, especially when, in the end scheme of things, they are just toys.

My hope is that with Hasbro apparently going with the "budget" approach as it relates to Movie Heroes (5 POA), they'll finally admit that the Vintage/Black Series/whatever line is a collector-focused line and offer a figure assortment that respects that fact. I'm talking super-articulation as the bare minimum with no corners being cut on deco and no sacrifice of film authenticity for stupid pack-ins and gimmicks.

We already know we aren't getting BAD pieces so I'm hoping they realize anything other than a stand (and we all have all we need of those at this point) as a pack-in is a waste. Use whatever budget for those on including lightsaber hilts that attach to belts, or for a frigging leg strap for the holster. Lack of holster aside, the Vintage RFT is a perfect example of great accessories packed in to add value, so more of that where they can do it would be great.

And if they're going for a true collector-focused line, and with the main characters being well-represented in the budget line for kids, don't sacrifice spaces in the Black Series to repack Obi-Wan and Anakin and X-Wing Luke for the millionth time. If you do a main character in the Black Series, make it a version that isn't identical, costume-wise to another figure (like 3 identical Obi-Wans in 3 different assortments). Do a ROTJ-deco Boba Fett using the Evolutions body with mods as necessary, or do a cloth-lower coat Hoth Han with the hood up.

My other main hope is that they not overdo things in terms of the number of figures released. Part of the problem these last few years is there have been too many figures split across too many "waves" and 90% of them didn't show up to retail or, if they did show up, were victims of horrible case packs and only showed up once. They could cut the line to 24 totally new figures for the entire year (4 waves of 6 figures) and release an assortment every 3 months, with the first release being a case of 12 figures (2 of each new figure) and, in the off months, release a revision case with the more popular figures as a fill-in assortment. No short packs, no chase figures (which is my biggest fear with the 6" line), and for God's sake, no Phantom Menace figures for a long time.

Like I said, each wave would have 6 brand new figures which would encompass five of the six films and, as available, realistic versions of CW characters. I won't go into personal wish lists but I think we could (mostly) all agree that realistic versions of animated Jedi who appeared in the films (Mace, Fisto, Koon) with forearm armor isn't going to be interesting. Do stuff like Bo-Katan, Pong Krell, Hondo Ohnaka, Duchess Satine, Savage Opress, or even Rex and Wolffe instead of just blowing a spot on "Saesee Tiin in Leg Armor".

My biggest hope is that, whatever they do, people are able to actually find it. If Hasbro doesn't get their **** together this fall, especially after the complete cluster**** of the last 3 years, a lot of the people who have been sitting on the fence and giving the big H another chance are going to jump ship completely.

Count me among those who have yet to receive their Jocasta, although to be quite honest, I hadn't really been paying attention lately and had pretty much forgotten about her.  I don't know if that's more due to just a general apathy toward Hasbro stuff recently, or because there hadn't been any movement from BT, but I did order one, so hopefully they'll actually send it to me, sooner or later.   

I'm aiming for Moria and Orc Forge soon I think.

I highly recommend the Orc Forge set. It was one of the most fun sets to build and has great display and play qualities. You'll probably want to get it from Lego's site as it's a Target exclusive otherwise and I haven't seen one in Targets since well before the holidays.  Moria isn't bad, but it is WAY overpriced. Most of that is probably due to the Cave Troll being a new piece but it still is the least "value" of the LOTR sets IMO.

Also, TRU has, in general, gotten ridiculous with their prices, Lego or otherwise, in the last year or so. I won't buy Lego from TRU at all unless there is a sale of some sort and never buy their exclusives anywhere but Lego SAH, which is always actual retail and you get VIP points, semi-frequent free shipping and free polybags over a certain amount.

Local TRU got another case of the Value Packs and, once again, no Mando Transport.  Ugh.   

My general OCD when it comes to outfitting my vehicle collection (i.e. realistic figures in realistic based vehicles; animated figures in animated vehicles) has finally reared its ugly head again and, as a result, I have a whole pile of loose/mint/complete animated Clone Troopers of various styles and flavors that no longer have a place in my collection.  All items are in fresh out of package condition and have been either stored in Plano tackle boxes or inside vehicles (such as the Turbo Tank or AT-TE) since I got them.  At this point, I only ship in the continental United States, and accept payment in US currency only (I also don't have PayPal, so it will probably need to be a US Postal Money Order unless you want to work something else out).  Shipping is extra, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  So, on to the list!

LOOSE/MINT/COMPLETE CLONE WARS ANIMATED ACTION FIGURES: $4.00 each

-2008 Clone Trooper (First Release with Battle Damage Wash) with blaster and rocket launcher (12 available)

-2008 Clone Pilot Odd Ball with blaster and rocket launcher (1 available)

-2008 212th Attack Battalion Clone Trooper (orange markings from Target 5 pack) with blaster (3 available)

-2008 Coruscant Guard Clone Trooper (red Senate markings from Target 5 pack) with blaster (3 available)

-2008 AT-TE Assault Squad Clone Trooper (gray markings from Battle Pack) with blaster, blaster rifle, and rocket launcher (8 available)

-2008 AT-TE Assault Squad AT-TE Gunner (gray markings from Battle Pack) with blaster and 2 blaster rifles (2 available)

-2009 41st Elite Corps Clone Trooper (green markings) with blaster and rotary cannon (9 available)

-2009 Clone Commander Gree with blaster rifle, pistol, and rocket launcher (1 available)

-2009 Commando Droid (from Rishi Outpost Assault Battle Pack) with blaster (1 available)

-2009 AT-TE Tank Gunner (basic release) with blaster and rotary cannon (2 available; 1 has green triangle on front of helmet, 1 does not)

-2010 ARF Trooper (Teth Jungle Camo) with blaster, rotary cannon, display stand, trading card, and die (3 available)

-2010 Hailfire Droid Attack Squad Clone Trooper (green markings from Battle Pack) with blaster, display stand, and trading card (1 available)

-2011 Aqua Droid with arm cannon, display stand, trading card, and die (1 available)


LOOSE/MINT/COMPLETE NON-ANIMATED STAR WARS ACTION FIGURES: $4.00 each (unless noted)

-2008 Mygeeto Super Battle Droid (silver/black from Battle Pack) (1 available)

-2008 Shadow Clone Commander and Clone Trooper (Order 66 style Convention two pack) with 2 blasters, antenna, 2 pistols, and 2 Biker Scout pistols (1 available): $8.00 for set

-2009 Droid Factory Cortosis Battle Droid (SBD from WM 2 pack with cannons where hands should be) (1 available)

-2010 Legacy Collection HK-50 (Build-A-Droid from ESB wave) with blaster rifle

-2010 Vintage Collection Endor Rebel Commando (Bald White Guy with Goatee) with backpack, rifle, and helmet

-2004 Saga Deluxe/Ultra Jabba the Hutt with removable tongue, hooka pipe, bowl, frog, and railing: $6.00


Also available:

-2008 Animated Clone Wars Battle of Christophsis Target Exclusive Ultimate Battle Pack remnants:  includes Loose/Mint/Complete AT-AP (red markings), 2 x AT-AP Clone Troopers (white with red logos on shoulder pads with 1 blaster and 1 blaster rifle), CIS AAT (blue/gray markings) and 2 x AAT Battle Droids (lighter tan than regular release with 2 x blasters and 2 x rocket launcher blasters).  Basically, you get everything from the Battle Pack L/M/C EXCEPT the Anakin and SBD repacks which, again, ARE NOT INCLUDED.  Total cost for AT-AP, AAT, and 4 figures listed above: $28.00

Thanks for looking!

My TRU got one case of these last week, and sadly, it was the case without the Mando Transport/Anakin JSF in it.  Oh well, hopefully they'll get a second shipment soon. 

Doc P, I'll be in touch with you.  I get paid this week, and I'll try to pick you up three.

Thanks, Jesse; I do appreciate it.