OPINION:  Hasbro Needs To Address HasLab Figure Packs In Some Way

This article started life as something different. I was going to discuss what the options for the next HasLab should be. I know we're all a little burned out on the subject, but we've done something similar in the immediate aftermath of all the previous HasLabs. Plus, I think dreaming aboout the next one is actually the fun part. It's the campaign itself that's not so fun. I went so far to research polling plug-ins for our CMS (note: I hate plug-ins because they frequently make upgrading miserable). One of the poll options was going to be an "action figure dream pack". I abandoned that idea because it would be pointless. "Action figure dream pack" would crush the results. I'm confident of that.

In fact, I even questioned writing this article because it might come off as pandering to our audience. It's like when the band says the name of the host city during a concert. So I feel a little awkward championing something everyone knows we all want. But that's sort of the point. When Hasbro has a platform that is ostensibly meant to bring fans their dream projects, it needs to be somewhat democratic. We just saw the backlash to this with the recent Gunship campaign where a lot of fans said an update to their existing 2002 LAAT's was not their "dream". Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel that fans have been pretty forceful with the message that an action figure dream pack is their #1 HasLab want. Update: Based on recent polling data provided by Tyler, the previous statement is debatable with the Death Star still being the leader in the club house. So let's say that HasLab figure packs are at least a popular request. If Hasbro keeps ignoring that message, it's going to lead to increased cynicism and dissatisfaction with the platform.

If you look at the title of this article, however, I merely said that Hasbro needs to address the concept. There might be very good reasons why they can't do action figure dream packs, and I think the reasonable fans know why that is. Small batch figures are insanely expensive as the significant cost of the steel tooling gets distributed over fewer units. My theory is that the Cantina, with it's three included base figures, was Hasbro's attempt at the spirit of a figure pack, and was done with a playset to obfuscate the discreet cost of the figures. Just my hunch, but I suspect the first $100 of the $400 base set went to the three figures, and the only reason it was that low was because two of them shared some tooling.

If Hasbro is worried about fan backlash over the cost, tell us. Put it out there and see if fans are still clamoring for figure only HasLabs. If it's another reason, let us know that. Otherwise hearing, but ignoring, the calls is just going to lead to frustration and conspiracy theories. If there is nothing blocking them, Hasbro needs to attempt a figure-based HasLab at some point. I feel failing to do so will see support for Vintage Collection HasLabs dwindle as fans only have so much capacity for large scale items. As I've said (and then caved), I'm now to the point that I have to reserve my limited display space for a potential Death Star.

Now here's the wrinkle that will definitely irritate some: if Hasbro wants an action figure dream pack to succeed, it probably needs to be OT-based because that's where I feel the combination of demand and tolerance for small batch figure prices lies. I know there is demand for figures that are not suited to traditional retail across the Saga, but I don't know that it's coupled with acceptance of boutique pricing. There is one exception that I can foresee, and I will list it below. I think tying to past HasLabs might be a good (but not the only) option. The Mandalorian has been covered too well for it to be viable, so I'm going to exclude the Razor Crest. Here's what I think would be could work:

Last 17 Pack: I know many fans are probably going to feel it's an outrage if O96 figures are locked behind an HasLab. But, we need to wake up and realize that it's getting increasingly likely that it's never going to happen. So would you rather be in the right, or would you rather have the figures? I choose the latter. This could be Amanaman, EV-9D9, Sim Aloo, and Barada. Obviously they would need to be on the original POTF cards. Here's the bonus: the draw of those cards alone is big enough that Hasbro could re-release the figures on episodic cards later, and it wouldn't take any shine off the specialness of the HasLab offerings. That's why I think this one is particularly viable.

Cantina Denizen Pack (supports the Cantina): I feel like this is the one thing fans are leaning towards when they say "HasLab figure pack." If this one did come to fruition, I'd want it to include some "boring humans" because it would be the only way to get them. The list of viable figures here is so long, that it would need to be its own article. Oh wait, it already is: Cantina MIAF.

Jabba's Court Denizen Pack (supports the Barge): This one is easy to list out. It would start with Fozec and the Window Weequay. As with the Cantina, we would need to leverage this for some "boring humans" such as Gailid, Unidentified Mercenary Pilot, Unidentified Human Guard, and Unidentified Human Gunner. For weirdos, Gauron Nas Tal and Geezum are musts as they appear in both the palace and barge. I feel Shasa Tiel and Yotts Oren have too much retail viability to be included here.

Rebels Pack (partially supports the Ghost): The only definite is season 1 and 2 Ezra. If you think a main character like Ezra shouldn't be locked behind a HasLab, he already was with the Ghost's included season 4 figure. I would get creative here. Include the Seventh Sister and the Fifth Brother, but do the latter with his Obi-Wan Kenobi likeness to kill two birds with one stone. To round it out, you could do with Old Man Rex or Alliance Kallus.

Mandalorian Pack (supports the Razor Crest): I said above that the Mandalorian was too well covered as a source to support a HasLab dream pack, but Paul Hadley pointed out in the comments that I was wrong. As he wrote: Peli, Frog lady, Migs and the prison break crew, Greef Karga season 1 and just throw in the Client. I feel like we will never get these figures otherwise.

This article got away from me, and it's way longer than I expected, so I'll wrap it up quickly. What do you think will work? But keep in mind that this is within the parameters of my speculation that the Cantina figures average out to over $30/figure.

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