1/6 Hot Toys - TMS 023 - The Clone Wars: 501st Battalion Clone Trooper (DELUXE VERSION)

[Chainedstream]

With all the figures that came out at once and likely a high number produced, these were in stock for longer than they probably wanted. They don’t really gain anything from holding back now. They’ll be happy to see them sold out.

I could see some kind of cap if it were a bigger discount, but 10% off is well within their margins and at this price point, it ends up being about the same amount they’re normally comfortable discounting with the $20 codes.

It flew under the radar a bit but this is also not the first time these were available at 10% off for any quantity within the household limit. They qualified for the Black Friday coupon last year for example.

True. Not sure if they truly overproduced these clones, they (HT+SS) knew these figures would be a cash cow. It's been in-stock approximately eleven months, not bad. Wonder how many they produced, 50'?

One overproduced thing would be the Mandalorian DX and single release. Don't understand why SS/HT would up the new chrome Mando before the current has sold out. Next thing to go wait-list is probably the shock trooper. Fomo will drive people to buy anything clone wise.

Yeah the 10% discount is nothing, they keep the margins good. Best selling figure of all time probably for HT. Can't see many other figures selling in multiples like this one. But, I wonder, will this trend continue or become a financial trap with HT overproducing new clone variants? How many multiples of the same character will people be interested in buying, before they feel they have enough? I'm probably wrong person to say this since most of my collection is made out of stormtrooper variants and clones.

 

[Ramatuelle]

Move along soldiers, 212th and Wolffepack incoming.


...right? Make it happen.

 

[RandomHero]

That’s what I’m hoping. They did a real nice run on 501st. I’d still like to see Fives, Echo, Kix and Hardcase, even Hevy, before they move on. But it’d be great for them to get 212th guys moving so Kenobi can have a display too.

 

[RandomHero]

BBTS has the regular for now for anyone feeling FOMO.

How are these on pre-order there? That doesn’t make sense. They’ve been out for forever, unless they’re the ones who bought up Sideshow’s stock and they need to wait a week for them to come in lol

 

[MyenShi]

True. Not sure if they truly overproduced these clones, they (HT+SS) knew these figures would be a cash cow. It's been in-stock approximately eleven months, not bad. Wonder how many they produced, 50'?

One overproduced thing would be the Mandalorian DX and single release. Don't understand why SS/HT would up the new chrome Mando before the current has sold out. Next thing to go wait-list is probably the shock trooper. Fomo will drive people to buy anything clone wise.

Yeah the 10% discount is nothing, they keep the margins good. Best selling figure of all time probably for HT. Can't see many other figures selling in multiples like this one. But, I wonder, will this trend continue or become a financial trap with HT overproducing new clone variants? How many multiples of the same character will people be interested in buying, before they feel they have enough? I'm probably wrong person to say this since most of my collection is made out of stormtrooper variants and clones.

I also have a trooper focused collection and will continue to support troopers in any form, but these past several months have shown there is a bit of an upper limit in the market.

They oversaturated the line with too many troopers at once and that was a bit of a mistake. Fatigue can sets in for those of us who buy a lot of troopers, and others have only so much space or budget so choices have to be made between having multiple troopers or more characters. Troopers are not a priority for everyone.

I bought almost all the Sideshow Clones as they came out, though I’ve long since reduced that to 15. Even the most diehard trooper collector at the time can remember a level of fatigue that set in. They’re fun to collect but when it’s mostly repaints after another, they start losing their appeal without something actually new and fresh.

We were begging Sideshow for more Imperial troopers or even different variations of Clones like the Scout or Marine by the time the Bomb Squad Clone came out.

Move along soldiers, 212th and Wolffepack incoming.


...right? Make it happen.

212th eventually, probably after a bit to put more space between them and the AOTC Clones. Hopefully with the 212th Airborne. Still have my couple of Sideshow 212th but the Hot Toys versions are long overdue.

104th/Wolfpack seems less likely. They only have room for so many Clones. Hopefully they’ll do something different than Sideshow and do Clone Scouts or Galactic Marines to alleviate potential fatigue.

How are these on pre-order there? That doesn’t make sense. They’ve been out for forever, unless they’re the ones who bought up Sideshow’s stock and they need to wait a week for them to come in lol

Without saying too much, yes they did come from where you’re thinking but I believe that deal was inked well before the current situation.

Which I think furthers what I said in my previous post.

 

[DarkChocobi]

I might change my display tactic to not using any 332nd helmets at all, stick predominantly to 501st blue insignia. This way it works well with upcoming Jesse, Appo and Heavy and I could come up with the rational excuse not buying Vaughn

 

[MyenShi]

I might change my display tactic to not using any 332nd helmets at all, stick predominantly to 501st blue insignia. This way it works well with upcoming Jesse, Appo and Heavy and I could come up with the rational excuse not buying Vaughn

Buy a 501st helmet and stick it on Vaughn.

We don’t do rational excuses in this thread.

 

[Chainedstream]

Buy a 501st helmet and stick it on Vaughn.

We don’t do rational excuses in this thread.

Stick it on him and call it Appo.

 

[DarkChocobi]

Buy a 501st helmet and stick it on Vaughn.

We don’t do rational excuses in this thread.

helmet shape is different for Vaughn unless you buy spare Cody's helmet and repaint it. Plus he has a badge and antenna. Oh *** it I'm going to buy him anyway

 

[MyenShi]

helmet shape is different for Vaughn unless you buy spare Cody's helmet and repaint it. Plus he has a badge and antenna. Oh *** it I'm going to buy him anyway
View attachment 580747

Yes I know it is, but I also know you were going to buy it anyway.

It was a mostly joke suggestion to help justify buying Vaughn even if you wanted to keep the display all 501st by throwing a 501st helmet on him since they’re still inexpensive for now.

You could pretend it’s pre-Siege of Mandalore Vaughn or a generic 501st officer. Not that it’s really necessary; I didn’t think you could really skip him either way.

 

[jaztermareal]

I wish Vaughn included a non-332nd helmet. I really just want Cody in 501st blue but that orange spoils it.

 

[RandomHero]

Honestly I wanted Vaughn in his 501st armor, not 332nd. I’ll be doing a big 501st display so I won’t be using those helmets. It’s a shame they didn’t think to include a 501st helmet for Vaughn, they’re definitely losing sales by not doing so.

 

[Ramatuelle]

104th/Wolfpack seems less likely. They only have room for so many Clones. Hopefully they’ll do something different than Sideshow and do Clone Scouts or Galactic Marines to alleviate potential fatigue.

I think they have room for an infinite number of clones and if anything, they've oversaturated with *501st.* We all love this bunch but we got a lot of them. After Vaughn, the only other 501st I want to potentially see are Echo and Fives. Its time for some fresh blood and the 104th has pretty armor. Plus their boss is a most distinctive-looking clone. Make it happen, HT.

 

[Ramatuelle]

helmet shape is different for Vaughn unless you buy spare Cody's helmet and repaint it. Plus he has a badge and antenna. Oh *** it I'm going to buy him anyway
View attachment 580747

...and why wouldnt you, he's very distinctive-looking. And I say that as someone not super fond of that Ahsoka-themed paintjob. It looks great on Vaughn though and will set him apart. This is the Way.

 

[RandomHero]

I think they have room for an infinite number of 200,000 clones and if anything, they've oversaturated with *501st.* a million more after that. We all love this bunch but we got a lot of them. After Vaughn, the only other 501st I want to potentially see are Echo and Fives. Its time for some fresh blood and the 104th has pretty armor. Plus their boss is a most distinctive-looking clone. Make it happen, HT.

Fixed that for you.

 

[TurdFurgusonsHat]

Honestly I wanted Vaughn in his 501st armor, not 332nd. I’ll be doing a big 501st display so I won’t be using those helmets. It’s a shame they didn’t think to include a 501st helmet for Vaughn, they’re definitely losing sales by not doing so.

They have likely lost me for this reason. I would have bought him if he came with the 501st helmet. As it is I don't think he will fit in with how I have my clones displayed most of the time.

 

[MyenShi]

I think they have room for an infinite number of clones and if anything, they've oversaturated with *501st.* We all love this bunch but we got a lot of them. After Vaughn, the only other 501st I want to potentially see are Echo and Fives. Its time for some fresh blood and the 104th has pretty armor. Plus their boss is a most distinctive-looking clone. Make it happen, HT.

You would think so, but there is definitely a limit. The Hot Toys Clone line is still young, but even the most diehard of us felt Clone fatigue during the Sideshow era where they steadily pumped out about 3 dozen Clone repaints with only minor retooling over a few years without doing anything truly different with them.

That line died for a reason, and Hot Toys has been careful to avoid the same mistakes with variety, a slower pace, making use of their exceptional head sculpt production, and sticking to newer media. But they’re cutting it a little close with a bit of an over reliance on 501st, I agree.

We’ll see what happens. I want everyone to get what they want, though I do hope they’re smart enough to offer more variety than just legion colors. It would be a good time for the ROTS Commanders, Scouts, and Marines.

 

[Turtle882]

Honestly I wanted Vaughn in his 501st armor, not 332nd. I’ll be doing a big 501st display so I won’t be using those helmets. It’s a shame they didn’t think to include a 501st helmet for Vaughn, they’re definitely losing sales by not doing so.

I on the other hand only want Vaughn in his 332nd armor. They definitely should have included a 501st helmet for him, though. While I plan to have a little group of clones displayed with Ahsoka, I see why folks would prefer to have traditional 501st colors in their display.

 

[RandomHero]

I on the other hand only want Vaughn in his 332nd armor. They definitely should have included a 501st helmet for him, though. While I plan to have a little group of clones displayed with Ahsoka, I see why folks would prefer to have traditional 501st colors in their display.

Yeah I absolutely have no issue with him wearing the 332nd helmet. I just think Hot Toys probably lost a hundred orders at the very minimum by not including a very simple accessory. The same thing they're already making but just painted differently. Bad job by them.

 

[Turtle882]

Especially with all of the other 501st stuff coming Vaughn is the only 332nd-exclusive clone.