The Bad Batch Want List

[Masterfett]

True, which is why we're seeing strides in the right direction.

The biggest reason I don't think we'll see a return to TVC 1.0 is no more TRU.

But I do think 2.0 can greatly outlast 1.0 if Hasbro plays their cards right.

TRU might have been a major factor had it still been in the mid 2000's where traditional retail still played major role in commerce, a lot has change in in the last few years where everything is online now. Just look at places like target and Walmart they barely get anything at all anymore so even if TRU was still in the game who's to say they'd be any better? Sure TRU might have bought more units overall but surely if Hasbro had really wanted they could have sold off that portion to "other" online retailers? Such as Pulse for one, and possibly EE BBTS etc. And the fact that those places tend sell out of TVC before TBS is certainly a hint that not enough is being made and distributed.

It's too early to say right now because they haven't gotten to the uptick in production due to Mando's success yet, once S3 BofBF and the other shows all kick in it might even give another boost in demand for certain characters and line in general overall. If sales can steadily increase we may very well see that movement, but one thing that doesn't help is waiting like forever for the figures. With Collectors yeah we can stich with it and wait it out, but for the average person who buys on impulse they will never put pre-orders in 6 months in advance. I feel Hasbro really is missing out on the new fan just watching new media and just happen to see "Cassian" on the pegs or "new bad guy" from Obi-Wan, or any number of character that ight appeal to them after watching the show. So unless they do run a "show dedicated line" similar to how TCW line was during the actual airing of said show they will always miss out on 90% of the casual buyers.

And for that one reason is why I feel the 3.75" line will never return to those old days, because they don't do anything to market them or care to even make them available to a general audience. You almost have to be a super sleuth to track this stuff down.

 

[Coloring]

I don't agree that Mando changed things as far as toys are concerned. The only TVC I've seen on the pegs in my area are Karga and the occasional Gideon, the only black series I ever see are Karga and Kuill, and usually most of the retro I see are from Mando (I don't buy those, so I don't pay too much attention to what's there). The show has done in two seasons what 5 movies weren't able to do for the fan base as a whole, but that doesn't seem to translate to the toy aisle.

I don't see Hasbro every returning to the levels of 2008 production for a lot of reasons. It seems to me like their focus is spread a lot wider than before. To me, the biggest examples of this are when they use language like "brand expression" when describing TVC or TBS, and usually open their virtual Fan First streams with items like board Games. And yes, I'm sure the difference between brick and mortar retail in 2008 vs the preorder model of 2021 plays a part in that change of focus.

I think the way the line is changing is from going to something as a niche release to an actual full product line. But even with that, it seems like their goal is to reproduce the aesthetic of vintage packaged figures instead of getting out as many characters in 3.75 as they reasonably can. Again, that's just my opinion based their responses/langaugue during virtual events and QnA's and they way they discuss releases/potential releases/accessories and characters they don't release and the reasons they don't release them.

 

[nightdriver]

what would you expect to see in the toy aisle if mando had changed things for it?

 

[Coloring]

what would you expect to see in the toy aisle if mando had changed things for it?

Thats a good question. Personally, just more. Kind of a "rising tides raise all ships" approach. Maybe waves in both scales increase by 2 or 3 figures each? Maybe more stuff branded The Mandalorian instead of Star Wars? Maybe just more figures available on shelves? More of something. Just something to indicate that either Mando stuff sells better than any of the other movies/shows or something to indicate mando raised general interest in SW as a whole. It's a great show and won back some people that were soured by the movies, but I just don't see how it's changed anything as far as figures are concerned.

 

[Masterfett]

what would you expect to see in the toy aisle if mando had changed things for it?

Simple, actually seeing product on pegs/shelves! Especially if it were available there to buy when the show was actually on air, or within a reasonable window after since seasons are only 8 episodes now. Granted it's tough to get something out in the same year if it airs end of October, but sometime in march would have been nice instead of a whole year later.

TBH, they should be airing these show so that Product can be in stores for the following holiday season. That is something that George understood about the power of retail by releasing his Movies in the Summer. Missing out on following Holiday buying season Hasbro is leaving a lot of Money on the table. IMO LFL and Hasbro need to work hand in hand a lot more when it comes to collaborating on projects so that they can take advantage of consumers buying habits. Even if it S1 mech getting to stores during that actual run of S2 at least there's something available while the show is on in fresh in people's minds, not in between and having to resort to online only and 6 month pre-orders at that.

That is not how you build momentum nor a solid consumer base, and it's almost as if they don't want to even try and targeted anyone but Collectors anymore.

 

[Tulgah]

The whole thing still confuses me. Hasbro said that fan channels don’t really “move the needle” when considering overall sales, yet so many of us seem to be buying figures almost exclusively online. The pegs are usually empty (and have been for years). I don’t understand the process at all.

 

[Masterfett]

A lot of what they say don't make sense when you add it all up, it's like they think we're not paying attention to what they say or remembering what they said in each livestream. So they just spout something from top of their head?

I agree though seems like more of a 60/40 in favor of Exclusives anymore, so if the specific retailer is not a factor in the determination then how do they arrive at what is and isn't an Exclusive item? I assumed that they get a budget and go from there trying to appease whoever with a mix and then anything they wanted to cover outside of that wound up going to Walmart Target etc. Due to his comment about them not being possible otherwise.

 

[Coloring]

I feel like the "without the retailer, the exclusive wouldn't exist" makes sense sometimes. For instance, the TVC Din/Grogu 2 pack. I assume basically Wal-Mart told them 'we want an exclusive product' and they said 'youre one ofnour biggedt customers, we'll make it happen'. so they repainted an existing figure (mando), packaged it with an upcoming figure (Grogu). Those figures existed and were/ we're going to be released already, but they weren't going to be released as a set before Wal-Mart asked for a perk. In the case of completists/card-specific collectors, how many people already had a mando figure and were already going to get Grogu that also snagged this set?

But then they do something like the TCW black series wave at target which seemed to involve a lot of new tooling. So that flies in the face of everything I just typed. Sometimes it makes sense, other times....?

 

[08112001]

For the want list I will take 10 SA TK Stormtroopers (Yes I know we sort of received them before) - please.

 

[Masterfett]

The think with that build up pack though seems like we would have seen it either way but likely without Grogu if not for it being an Exclusive. Because how difficult it is to sculpt an alternate head /accessory for a figure as a variant? Not very since the line used to be full of stuff like that. It's also very possibly the Cantomo was meant for a figure pack with the Client but couldn't find any takers and just went with Din and Grogu. The two reuse figures and two new accessories. As we often forget a lot of stuff goes on behind the scenes with several iterations until they find the right product with the right partner. And we all know the age old requirement for Walmart, Heroes/Main characters only so old guy with 5 minutes of screen time would be a pass.

We would likely be amazed and saddened at what could have been if only we got a peek behind the curtain, we've already seen a few times what could have been with old prototypes and canceled figure images. Here I ma still hoping for that Noghri...

 

[Rezikai]

stuff- ..... Here I ma still hoping for that Noghri...

you and me both... the comic packs were some great EU figures.

 

[nightdriver]

Thats a good question. Personally, just more. Kind of a "rising tides raise all ships" approach. Maybe waves in both scales increase by 2 or 3 figures each? Maybe more stuff branded The Mandalorian instead of Star Wars? Maybe just more figures available on shelves? More of something. Just something to indicate that either Mando stuff sells better than any of the other movies/shows or something to indicate mando raised general interest in SW as a whole. It's a great show and won back some people that were soured by the movies, but I just don't see how it's changed anything as far as figures are concerned.

see, that's the exact opposite of the point i'm trying to make. i'm saying mando is the reason we see empty toy aisles. there's way more demand for figures and hasbro doesn't have the product to meet it. when interest gets raised, you see less product available, not more of it.

 

[Coloring]

see, that's the exact opposite of the point i'm trying to make. i'm saying mando is the reason we see empty toy aisles. there's way more demand for figures and hasbro doesn't have the product to meet it. when interest gets raised, you see less product available, not more of it.

In theory that's right, but I feel like it would be more like how Neca's tmnt stuff was selling last year - there would be reports of people finding stuff, but they couldn't keep it stocked, even though it was getting out every other week or so, and the secondary market prices were sky high. From what I've seen in my area, and what other people have been commenting here, other toy sites and collector pages on Instagram, stores are getting shipments in, then nothing new for weeks. But even still, across all scales it's Mando characters (kuill, karga and gideon) that are still sticking around on shelves. And the Mandalorian himself can still be bought online and basically at retail prices.

 

[DorovioBold]

As unlikely as it is, I'm hoping we get an all-new Clone Commando mold since Gregor, Scorch, and a bunch of generic commandos appeared in the show. We're getting new TBS figures of Delta Squad so I suppose it's possible. That old Commando mold just isn't that great.

 

[Tulgah]

You’re right—it’s aging. But whether Hasbro actually gives us another one depends on a lot of things, and I feel those things work against us. We can dream, though!

 

[Masterfett]

If they actually make Hunter, which I'm sure they will or at least should, then we could possibly see some repaints for Delta Squad just like TBS.
Problem for me is that they would be in Gaming Greats subline and cost closer to $20 which I'm just not into paying a "repaint tax" for them so it would be a pass unfortunately.

Meanwhile the older versions will suffice.

 

[darth_sidious]

A complete lack of the BB crew in 3.75 scale has really made me lose interest in anything else from the series - I didn't even open the clone 4-pack. If they don't get around to the core characters, I'm going to trade it off or something. It's hard to believe the Resistance cartoon got better action figure coverage, even though it failed at retail and in the ratings.

 

[Imperial_JD]

A complete lack of the BB crew in 3.75 scale has really made me lose interest in anything else from the series - I didn't even open the clone 4-pack. If they don't get around to the core characters, I'm going to trade it off or something. It's hard to believe the Resistance cartoon got better action figure coverage, even though it failed at retail and in the ratings.

Yeah I really did not like resistance cartoon but I picked up several of the figures on clearance at target for about two bucks apiece

 

[Masterfett]

Totally, I dig Sanara as she has both a neat looking helmet and head sculpt to use as fodder! I also like Yeager but comes across too animated for my tastes. The rest weren't quite as interesting or exciting but the other two can be used for youth customs. At times I feel it was a pity Doza wasn't made as well as a couple of the Alien pilots.

I've about lost what little interest I had in getting CF-99, I mainly only wanted Hunter in hopes or Delta Squad repaints or to customize my own. At this point I can't say it would bother me if we never get them as I have more important characters I'd rather get now that I've refocused my wants for TVC.

 

[Darth_V4der]

The core Bad Batch squad (CF99) and the core Rebels crew sit atop my TVC want list along with Tessek, Sim Aloo and new sculpts for ANH Leia and ANH Luke.

 

[Tulgah]

Add Piett to that and you’ve got my exact list.

 

[Coloring]

The core Bad Batch squad (CF99) and the core Rebels crew sit atop my TVC want list along with Tessek, Sim Aloo and new sculpts for ANH Leia and ANH Luke.

The Rebel crew and the Bad Batch. That's pretty much all I want at all now.

 

[DorovioBold]

I really want a figure of Sid. She's a hoot.

If she doesn't meet Peli Motto at some point I will be very, very disappointed.

 

[Masterfett]

She would certainly be an interesting looking figure, I wonder how different it would loo going the realistic route though. Because TBS Jaxxon looks more lizard like than rabbit.

 

[Coloring]

The Season 2 trailer just revealed my biggest Want from this show - Hes covered in fur and has a lightsaber!

 

[Etain]

Ha, I forgot there was even this thread. Reposting from GD.

Still want the TK troopers & commandos from the first season, but from the trailer we could certainly use Gungi (glad he survived Order 66), Scorch, & Cody.

 

[TogrutaKing]

If we can even just get the main cast, I would be satisfied. But Cyd (spelling?) and Gungi (spelling?) would also be quite welcome.

 

[Tulgah]

I still want Rhea Perlman!

 

[Etain]

I would be absolutely shocked if we don't get a Captain Wilco from TBB S02, E01&02, considering how easy a repack/repaint he would be (new right gauntlet & a black pauldron). Not that I'm clamoring for one, but knowing Hasbro...

Vice Admiral Rampart has also gone up in my want list after that ending, and considering there's already a TBS version I hope he becomes more likely.

 

[darth_sidious]

The Wookie Jedi would be cool to see immortalized in plastic, but since it would require a new sculpt, I doubt Hasbro will bother. I have no desire to see anymore clone repaints though, as this assortment has been bogged down with repaints for too long, and it's pushing me away from collecting TVC.

 

[legacyknight]

After watching the newest episodes of The Bad Batch, I’ve gotta say I have a renewed interest in getting more Clones, haha. Captain Wilco would be super easy to do and I wouldn’t mind seeing him in an exclusive set or something similar.

Here’s hoping Hasbro can get out the rest of the main Bad Batch crew soon. Would also be nice to get Omega, but that one feels more like longshot. At least Rampart seems possible with the new Imperial Officer sculpt coming out.

 

[bac]

Just watched the two-part opener with my teenage son. Great fun as always, and he yet again goes to bed with the theme music stuck in his head.

No interest in Captain Wilco. Rampart, however, needs to happen -- especially with the new Officer mold. Seems like an easy store exclusive that I'd gladly take over yet another clone repaint.

Since Hasbro started with Hunter in his Season 1 look I'd like them to finish the crew out to match. Including Echo. Season 2 would be easy repaints anyway.

The longer Sid hangs around, the more I'd love a figure of her. In reality she'd virtual peg warm, hard.

And I still want a Razor Crest-sized Marauder despite how improbable it is at this point.

 

[Captain_Piet]

Realistically:

Huntah
Wreckah
Tick
Ekko
Omeega
Crosshere
Rampart

 

[Etain]

Still really want TK Troopers & I wouldn't mind a new Cody, but only if he uses the new Clone Trooper mold. Wouldn't really fit with the other skinny clones I know, but still.

 

[Masterfett]

I really hope that when they do make Cody it's his ROTS look first, I don't mind this new look but it is only fifteen minutes old. Then they can repaint him in gray for a 3-pk or something.

Not really digging that new Trooper, I'm fine with just two phases of Clone and then Stormies. I can't say that Hasbro even has the budget to make an all new TK Trooper, would likely have to be a kitbash between the phase 2 Clone legs, arms of a Stormie along with a new torso and helmet.

 

[HothHan]

Deleted

 

[bac]

Just watched the episode. It was a good one. The Clone Wars vibe is strong.

I have a hard time seeing Hasbro passing up the TK Trooper in at least Black Series, possibly TVC as well. He probably got greenlit in TBS shortly after debuting in the Season 1 final arc.

Agree that a Cody repaint is a prime candidate for a multipack. With his glowing knife.

Otherwise there's Rampart again. They could slap him in the same Cody multipack. All he needs is a new head.

I do wonder if those assassin battle droids or whatever they're called will ever appear in live-action.

 

[Masterfett]

TBS for sure, I just don't think the budget is there for it in TVC. I mean I don't mind if they release it but it will come at the cost of another figure some of us might want and frankly I'm a bit trooper'd out with all the recent releases.

I think a 3-pk with gray Cody, Rampart and possibly Vaughn would be a nice rounded set. It would give us a new media officer and check off two Clone variants.

 

[darth_sidious]

The third episode was much better, but I think that's mostly because it leaned into the CW so strongly and didn't have the actual BB crew doing slapstick while running away from crabs. I might start to enjoy the show more if it actually has meaningful storylines, but I don't think that will increase my interest in figures, especially clones or imperial officers, those types of quick retools / repaints just aren't going to capture my interest any longer at $17+ a figure.

 

[Masterfett]

At the end of the day this is a show likely aimed for younger audiences with a few adult centric ones to appease those older fans, so they have to include the silly stuff. It also seems to be in the DNA of Star Wars according to some people.