Sowndwave76 wrote:Just a few thoughts:
I know there are probably plans for retools already established, and I think to a point Hastak can give almost anyone the SG treatment...
But it seems like there are a decent number of one-off molds currently and with what's coming out.
Or at least enough to where they will have to shell-out some repaints/retools before we get too many more unique, one-off molds.
I had this same thought as I sunk-down after hearing we're only getting 1 Dinobot this next year.
When you think about figures like the Ark, Grimlock, Slag, and now Sludge, and Motormaster who are all unique and most likely one-off's.
Of course I don't know the "formula", but it does make sense that they're not going to give us Snarl or Swoop (or possibly a Prime Soundwave) until they start releasing some repacks as well as getting some more returns from figures such as the Galvatron variants, BZ, Shattered Glass figures, and retools/variants of SS86 figures.
I think you might be overthinking it on the getting returns aspect, but are close to the likely reason they especially are in SS86 instead of generations WFC/Legacy.
Titans and Commanders have always factored into having low re-use/repaint potential, so I would say they have relatively nothing to do with the who get a leader class figure or the other classes.
Traditionally Generations even going back to Prime Wars has always had at least a second use of a Leader mold. Studio Series on the other hand was more the opposite, rarely was a Leader mold re-used. Studio Series also gets fewer leader slots/waves per year overall as compared to generations.
I think we are looking more at the economics of each line. SS is built around not having to re-use a Leader mold. It wouldn't surprise me if the major reason SS86 exists is just to be able to fit the dinobots into the economics of a line as leaders with limited redeco potential.
As for the wait, well they can't completely take over studio series with SS86. Studio Series only gets 3 leader molds per year and coronation Starscream is taking one of those up along with Sludge. The design team did right by at least giving movie fans the Fallen, pushing back any possibility of the last two dinobots for 2023.