Sooo... just some random thought on the AT-ST... I recently got a few more of the "older" releases of the new style AT-ST, and they actually made me appreciate the new K-Mart release more despite the soft/weak plastic. One of the TLC Endor walkers I opened had TWO cracked leg joints right out of the box, and one of those joints was cracked in two separate places which prevented the toy from standing. While the other three AT-STs I opened don't have any broken joints, the joints are all very stiff and I am fearful of moving the legs and having parts crack. Both of the K-Mart walkers I have had no problems out of the box and I am not worried at all about the joints cracking, so it would appear that the soft plastic fixed the breaking problem while creating other issues.
The various problems plaguing all three releases got me thinking about how Hasbro could improve the mold for the inevitable fourth release. The ideal solution seems to be using a plastic with quality somewhere in-between the types that have been used; plastic soft enough to reduce brittle joints yet strong enough to keep from toppling over or folding up. If changing the plastic quality isn't a viable alternative, I actually wouldn't mind seeing a reduction in leg articulation. I barely attempted to make full use of the current articulation when I first got an AT-ST back in 2009; when I tried to achieve more dynamic poses, I found it nearly impossible to balance the toy. I think having only two joints instead of five would result in a sturdier toy all around and still allow for some decent pose-ability.
How do you guys feel about the current AT-ST sculpt? Has anybody had the same problems with joints breaking as I have, or am I just picking all the winners? What solutions would you suggest for Hasbro to improve the toy, or are you happy just modifying (using methods like Jesse's) or gluing if needed?