The answers to the articulation issue actually don't surprise me much... A ball/socket joint as Hasbro does it is an injection molding process that is more complex than the simple angle-cut articulation, that's without a doubt... The disappointment in their answer is they basically are telling you "F you" by saying they won't strive to make the line as good as it can be. That's how I read it... As it costs more, my sympathies go out, but at the same time we're seeing clearly an issue where Hasbro will cut corners to save themselves at the cost of the line's overall quality. They were honest about that at least, but still that's the answer we're getting and as the consumer of this line, we really have every right in the world to cite their bull**** response as nothing but poor work on their part.
On the issue of the Rebel Fleet Trooper, it's pretty well known that Hasbro loves the smell of their own farts so are any of you surprised? I mean, Cantina Han makes a reappearance how often even after VOTC Han's available. The "Imperial Trooper" from the OTC line was obviously another instance where Hasbro had something better to offer but chose to do the opposite... TIE Pilot pack-in anyone?
Obviously they feel their work is pretty flawless no matter what... I disagree on the Fleet Trooper. Purdy to look at sure, but poseable (the point of that question)? Not even close. Nowhere in the ball park of today's modern line... For them to imply otherwise is just their usual rhetoric, but at least the point's been made to them that not everyone agrees with them. The Fleet Trooper's unposeable arms, barely poseable legs, bent ankles, caved in chest, glued-on helmet, half-assed holster, and other flaws don't make it nearly a high quality figure to me... But Hasbro would say "but it is a nice sculpt". I'd say it's a fair sculpt (nice is giving it too much credit I think), but for poseability they simply aren't even in the ballpark with that one.
As an army builder, I think it deserves some better work from Hasbro.
But believe me, I wasn't surprised.
None of the Q&A's have been a huge surprise actually... I think the biggest was maybe the Galactic Marine announcement, and that was about it. The rest has been fairly routine. At least the implication in the answer is new troops may be on the horizon... They didn't discount the RFT either, and I'm sure deep down they recognize flaws when they see them, they just don't enjoy admitting to it.
