Transformers War for Cybertron: Earthrise Micromasters Found at U.S. Retail

I really hope deluxes hit next. Ironworks is going to be a great addition to the Autobot cities that fans create. Plus, I could definitely see fans with a lot more creativity than me make really impressive build sites using multiple Ironworks figures

I'm just hoping that the last wave of Siege micro/battle masters don't get skipped at retail.

SpikeyTigertron wrote:I'm just hoping that the last wave of Siege micro/battle masters don't get skipped at retail.

I'm concerned about Ratbat and Rumble. I haven't seen them on shelves anywhere. Amazon has had the Battle Squad in and out of stock for weeks, but the Spy Patrol still doesnt even have a listing.

<I'm concerned about Ratbat and Rumble. I haven't seen them on shelves anywhere. Amazon has had the Battle Squad in and out of stock for weeks, but the Spy Patrol still doesnt even have a listing.>

We've had the Ratbat/Rumble set on shelves at both Walmart and Target for a month and a half now here in Arkansas so hoping that doesn't mean your location skipped on them if you haven't seen them yet.

It feels like every year a lot of us are still unable to find late releases from the previous year's line, when the new year's line starts showing up instead. It's really frustrating.

boyatlarge wrote:<I'm concerned about Ratbat and Rumble. I haven't seen them on shelves anywhere. Amazon has had the Battle Squad in and out of stock for weeks, but the Spy Patrol still doesnt even have a listing.>

We've had the Ratbat/Rumble set on shelves at both Walmart and Target for a month and a half now here in Arkansas so hoping that doesn't mean your location skipped on them if you haven't seen them yet.

So... what would it take to get one of those sent to Kentucky?

"So... what would it take to get one of those sent to Kentucky? "

Alas, they are no more. After Christmas, most of the Siege items got wiped out. Now we have bare shelves awaiting whatever the heck it is they have in the back that they keep taking forever to get out onto the shelves.

I haven't even seen the last of the seige items locally yet. I finally broke down and ordered Astrotrain from amazon, but yeah, I'm looking for the ratbat set still as well.

Meanwhile, one of my local Targets stocked up on older figures, the lion's share being Blackjack & Hyperdrive(!). I haven't even seen Powertrain & Highjump, and I want those the most, my first transformers back in the day alongside Mudslinger and Tote

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Meanwhile, one of my local Targets stocked up on older figures, the lion's share being Blackjack & Hyperdrive(!). I haven't even seen Powertrain & Highjump, and I want those the most, my first transformers back in the day alongside Mudslinger and Tote

Pssst.... amazon...

carytheone wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Meanwhile, one of my local Targets stocked up on older figures, the lion's share being Blackjack & Hyperdrive(!). I haven't even seen Powertrain & Highjump, and I want those the most, my first transformers back in the day alongside Mudslinger and Tote

Pssst.... amazon...

Even though I like the thrill of the hunt more, I may have to go there. Walmart doesn't stock anything below Deluxe, so I may have to do my wife some extra favors...

The reL question is not that they have been stocked, but did it check out? someone saidbthey are the same DCPI, hopefully that means they cant be locked down, but we did see that with Megs when TC hit Early


Like the others, i have yet to see Battle Patrol or Soundwave's other two cassettes.

Normally I'd be a little upset since Siege Astrotrain and the last wave of Siege Battlemasters (Rung and Singe) haven't even had a mass release yet, (a few isolated sightings is not a mass release) but since I guess they are slated for re-releases through Earthrise, that will be the way most of us get them.

o.supreme wrote:Normally I'd be a little upset since Siege Astrotrain and the last wave of Siege Battlemasters (Rung and Singe) haven't even had a mass release yet, (a few isolated sightings is not a mass release) but since I guess they are slated for re-releases through Earthrise, that will be the way most of us get them.

Were Singe and Rung slated for re-release? Astrotrain and Smashdown are the only ones I recall.

Not sure about Singe, but I'm fairly certain I read somewhere that Rung was going to be re-released in Earthrise as well.

This site has a pre-order for it....

https://collecticontoys.com/products/tr ... ttlemaster

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

o.supreme wrote:Normally I'd be a little upset since Siege Astrotrain and the last wave of Siege Battlemasters (Rung and Singe) haven't even had a mass release yet, (a few isolated sightings is not a mass release) but since I guess they are slated for re-releases through Earthrise, that will be the way most of us get them.

Were Singe and Rung slated for re-release? Astrotrain and Smashdown are the only ones I recall.

Only Rung.

Neat they are showing up. I'm not expecting to see them for a couple months, and I won't be actively hunting or even buying until April anyway

I thought I was the first to report on this, oh well, it does not matter who is first. What matters most is that the Earthrise Transformers figures are arriving in the U.S.

Does anyone else think that it's extremely ironic or coincidental that the Earthrise Transformers showed up in Portland, Oregon? I mean, seriously! That's kind of crazy and some extremely well thought out marketing for fans if Transformers Earthrise did indeed first show up in Portland, Oregon of all places ... you know, the exact place where Transformers touched down back in 1984.

Seibertron wrote:Does anyone else think that it's extremely ironic or coincidental that the Earthrise Transformers showed up in Portland, Oregon? I mean, seriously! That's kind of crazy and some extremely well thought out marketing for fans if Transformers Earthrise did indeed first show up in Portland, Oregon of all places ... you know, the exact place where Transformers touched down back in 1984.

To quote Sherlock: "The universe is rarely so lazy" That said, I have no idea, but I think it'd be incredibily fun if Hasbro had planned that

Seibertron wrote:Does anyone else think that it's extremely ironic or coincidental that the Earthrise Transformers showed up in Portland, Oregon? I mean, seriously! That's kind of crazy and some extremely well thought out marketing for fans if Transformers Earthrise did indeed first show up in Portland, Oregon of all places ... you know, the exact place where Transformers touched down back in 1984.

Well, to be fair, they only awoke in 1984. They touched down 4 millions years before that.

But yeah, it's a hell of a coincidence, I don't think Hasbro is smart enough (or care enough) to do it on purpose.

o.supreme wrote:Not sure about Singe, but I'm fairly certain I read somewhere that Rung was going to be re-released in Earthrise as well.

This site has a pre-order for it....

https://collecticontoys.com/products/tr ... ttlemaster

I have Rung and Spy Patrol 2 on pre-order with them and they've already taken my money so I'm trying to be patient. I wasn't entirely successful as I got both Singe and Rung from an ebay seller that didn't mark them up all crazy.

o.supreme wrote:Normally I'd be a little upset since Siege Astrotrain and the last wave of Siege Battlemasters (Rung and Singe) haven't even had a mass release yet, (a few isolated sightings is not a mass release) but since I guess they are slated for re-releases through Earthrise, that will be the way most of us get them.

I've seen Rung at multiple Targets, in MO and in TN. I don't think he's had a 'limited release', he just seems to be drowned out by previously hard to find Pteraxadons.

That's a relatively small geographic area however, and yes I'd still call it limited. Kind of like the infamous TR Deluxe Wave 5. I'm not saying its time to panic, and we are back to the distribution woes of *tail enders* yet....besides, Singe could show up in still a later wave of Eathrise. However, I'm still hoping for a wide release of what remains of Siege before we go full swing into Earthrise.

o.supreme wrote:That's a relatively small geographic area however, and yes I'd still call it limited. Kind of like the infamous TR Deluxe Wave 5. I'm not saying its time to panic, and we are back to the distribution woes of *tail enders* yet....besides, Singe could show up in still a later wave of Eathrise. However, I'm still hoping for a wide release of what remains of Siege before we go full swing into Earthrise.

They showed up hit the Chicago area as well, I found both before Christmas and saw them a in at least 3 targets. But they have been scarce since and mainly replaced by wave 1 again.

I have seen all of the Wave 5 stuff show up at local retailers in my area (Twin Cities), except for Astrotrain. I've seen the Deluxes and Apeface a few times each, but the Micromasters and Battle Masters, a bit more often, especially in the weeks leading right up into Xmas. I haven't seen anything interesting after the holidays, though. Just more leftover stock from earlier in 2019.

I've been speculating about Doubledealer's retool/redeco, given Hasbro very rarely leave alone a mold these days. What do you guys think? Selects Cybertron Defense Red Alert and/or the Predator member Stalker (ignore the bird-thing mode which would be a bonus on those)? I doubt Doubledealer will lack his triple-changer feature, after all.

Wolfman Jake wrote:I have seen all of the Wave 5 stuff show up at local retailers in my area (Twin Cities), except for Astrotrain. I've seen the Deluxes and Apeface a few times each, but the Micromasters and Battle Masters, a bit more often, especially in the weeks leading right up into Xmas. I haven't seen anything interesting after the holidays, though. Just more leftover stock from earlier in 2019.

Prior to the holiday I saw Spinister, Crosshairs and Apeface a couple of times. Still no Rung, Singe, or the Micromaster Ratbat/Redguy pack. Others have found them, so like I said, they are in limited release at the moment.

Also I'm pretty sure Astrotrain hasn't been fully released other than a mishap sighting or two in the continental US.

Skritz wrote:I've been speculating about Doubledealer's retool/redeco, given Hasbro very rarely leave alone a mold these days. What do you guys think? Selects Cybertron Defense Red Alert and/or the Predator member Stalker (ignore the bird-thing mode which would be a bonus on those)? I doubt Doubledealer will lack his triple-changer feature, after all.

Stalker and Red Alert make the most sense to me, with a slight edge to Stalker because Red Alert was in Siege. Plus if Hasbro retools the bird parts, they might be able to squeeze a jet mode in and say it's so that he can join his team in aerial combat

Sentinel_Primal wrote:

Skritz wrote:I've been speculating about Doubledealer's retool/redeco, given Hasbro very rarely leave alone a mold these days. What do you guys think? Selects Cybertron Defense Red Alert and/or the Predator member Stalker (ignore the bird-thing mode which would be a bonus on those)? I doubt Doubledealer will lack his triple-changer feature, after all.

Stalker and Red Alert make the most sense to me, with a slight edge to Stalker because Red Alert was in Siege. Plus if Hasbro retools the bird parts, they might be able to squeeze a jet mode in and say it's so that he can join his team in aerial combat

Well, while he bear the name 'Red Alert' I was referring to the Unicron Trilogy version which looks completely different anyway.

Skritz wrote:I've been speculating about Doubledealer's retool/redeco, given Hasbro very rarely leave alone a mold these days. What do you guys think? Selects Cybertron Defense Red Alert and/or the Predator member Stalker (ignore the bird-thing mode which would be a bonus on those)? I doubt Doubledealer will lack his triple-changer feature, after all.

I would love for him to be retooled into Defense Red Alert, I recently discovered that figure, and I would love to see him get updated. Double Dealer does have a similar enough design and build that it would make sense to use it as Red alert.

Skritz wrote:

Sentinel_Primal wrote:

Skritz wrote:I've been speculating about Doubledealer's retool/redeco, given Hasbro very rarely leave alone a mold these days. What do you guys think? Selects Cybertron Defense Red Alert and/or the Predator member Stalker (ignore the bird-thing mode which would be a bonus on those)? I doubt Doubledealer will lack his triple-changer feature, after all.

Stalker and Red Alert make the most sense to me, with a slight edge to Stalker because Red Alert was in Siege. Plus if Hasbro retools the bird parts, they might be able to squeeze a jet mode in and say it's so that he can join his team in aerial combat

Well, while he bear the name 'Red Alert' I was referring to the Unicron Trilogy version which looks completely different anyway.

I was just meaning in the sense that Hasbro tends to shy away from name reuse and prefers to try and stick with a "definitive version"

Sentinel_Primal wrote:

Skritz wrote:

Sentinel_Primal wrote:

Skritz wrote:I've been speculating about Doubledealer's retool/redeco, given Hasbro very rarely leave alone a mold these days. What do you guys think? Selects Cybertron Defense Red Alert and/or the Predator member Stalker (ignore the bird-thing mode which would be a bonus on those)? I doubt Doubledealer will lack his triple-changer feature, after all.

Stalker and Red Alert make the most sense to me, with a slight edge to Stalker because Red Alert was in Siege. Plus if Hasbro retools the bird parts, they might be able to squeeze a jet mode in and say it's so that he can join his team in aerial combat

Well, while he bear the name 'Red Alert' I was referring to the Unicron Trilogy version which looks completely different anyway.

I was just meaning in the sense that Hasbro tends to shy away from name reuse and prefers to try and stick with a "definitive version"

But would this rule apply to the Selects line? Seems not, as Selects is just a hodge podge of whatever cool exclusive they feel using a mold for when its possible but doesn't warrant release at mass retail. I could easily see Cybertron Defense Red Alert showing up in that.

Especially given that we got a smokescreen in Selects last year and now we're getting one again in Earthrise. Plus three years, three Starscreams (that's just Generations to boot)

Though if it was Cybertron R
Defence Red Alert in Selects, it would go well with the Cybertron Defence Hot Shot they released last year.

I'm expecting two, maybe three things for Earthrise Smokescreen: option A is a direct release of the Selects version (for some reason), option B is a slight retool (no need for an entirely new mold for the Datsun anyway) and option C is actually Armada Smokescreen. I think A and C are actually more likely than B, as I don't really see them redoing the Datsun bros mold so soon just to ever so slightly tweak it slightly more to look like the '80 car, which they don't have the license to use anyway. I think the Siege version was as close as they could get. Notice the Siege '84 Autobots, barring Optimus and the Ironhide/Ratchet mold, were already very Earth-like and a lot less 'greebley'.

o.supreme wrote:That's a relatively small geographic area however

St. Louis, MO, and Knoxville, TN? It's a 500 mile drive between them. That's about 1/6th the span of the 48 states.

Dr. Caelus wrote:

o.supreme wrote:That's a relatively small geographic area however

St. Louis, MO, and Knoxville, TN? It's a 500 mile drive between them. That's about 1/6th the span of the 48 states.

That's assuming the majority of stores in between have them. I'm just going by the sightings forum, which has very few reports, and a handful of others who claim to have seen them. I know that the sightings forum is very much underutilized here. However, when less than 10 or so sightings, turns into dozens, that's when you know the item has been sufficiently released.

Skritz wrote:I'm expecting two, maybe three things for Earthrise Smokescreen: option A is a direct release of the Selects version (for some reason), option B is a slight retool (no need for an entirely new mold for the Datsun anyway) and option C is actually Armada Smokescreen. I think A and C are actually more likely than B, as I don't really see them redoing the Datsun bros mold so soon just to ever so slightly tweak it slightly more to look like the '80 car, which they don't have the license to use anyway. I think the Siege version was as close as they could get. Notice the Siege '84 Autobots, barring Optimus and the Ironhide/Ratchet mold, were already very Earth-like and a lot less 'greebley'.

You forgot option D, the worst option - either a new mold or reshell to a full on earth mode. With Starscream happening and a likely flood of seekers to follow, who can really guess what's going happen in Earthrise. I'm still betting on something non-G1 like an Armada or other UT version. Or maybe I'm just hoping that's the case.

o.supreme wrote:

Dr. Caelus wrote:

o.supreme wrote:That's a relatively small geographic area however

St. Louis, MO, and Knoxville, TN? It's a 500 mile drive between them. That's about 1/6th the span of the 48 states.

That's assuming the majority of stores in between have them.

The "majority of stores" is an unrealistically high bar for saying something has received "general release". In the town I live in, Kroger is the only store that stocks any Micromasters or Battlemasters at all.

carytheone wrote:

Skritz wrote:I'm expecting two, maybe three things for Earthrise Smokescreen: option A is a direct release of the Selects version (for some reason), option B is a slight retool (no need for an entirely new mold for the Datsun anyway) and option C is actually Armada Smokescreen. I think A and C are actually more likely than B, as I don't really see them redoing the Datsun bros mold so soon just to ever so slightly tweak it slightly more to look like the '80 car, which they don't have the license to use anyway. I think the Siege version was as close as they could get. Notice the Siege '84 Autobots, barring Optimus and the Ironhide/Ratchet mold, were already very Earth-like and a lot less 'greebley'.

You forgot option D, the worst option - either a new mold or reshell to a full on earth mode. With Starscream happening and a likely flood of seekers to follow, who can really guess what's going happen in Earthrise. I'm still betting on something non-G1 like an Armada or other UT version. Or maybe I'm just hoping that's the case.

Rumours persist that it's option D, a full on G1 Smokescreen... But we'll find out soon enough, and I really hope, personally, for a G2 Smokescreen, though the change in faction there would shoot that one dead instantly I guess.

Dr. Caelus wrote:

o.supreme wrote:That's a relatively small geographic area however

St. Louis, MO, and Knoxville, TN? It's a 500 mile drive between them. That's about 1/6th the span of the 48 states.

I've also found/seen Singe, Rung, and Crosshairs in western Washington around Christmas, that widens that range significantly. I haven't looked here in Idaho since I have everything I want from Siege except Astrotrain, who I'm waiting for a sale on, and Red Wing, who I'll probably never get because he was stupidly locked behind that dumb card.

ZeroWolf wrote:

carytheone wrote:

Skritz wrote:I'm expecting two, maybe three things for Earthrise Smokescreen: option A is a direct release of the Selects version (for some reason), option B is a slight retool (no need for an entirely new mold for the Datsun anyway) and option C is actually Armada Smokescreen. I think A and C are actually more likely than B, as I don't really see them redoing the Datsun bros mold so soon just to ever so slightly tweak it slightly more to look like the '80 car, which they don't have the license to use anyway. I think the Siege version was as close as they could get. Notice the Siege '84 Autobots, barring Optimus and the Ironhide/Ratchet mold, were already very Earth-like and a lot less 'greebley'.

You forgot option D, the worst option - either a new mold or reshell to a full on earth mode. With Starscream happening and a likely flood of seekers to follow, who can really guess what's going happen in Earthrise. I'm still betting on something non-G1 like an Armada or other UT version. Or maybe I'm just hoping that's the case.

Rumours persist that it's option D, a full on G1 Smokescreen... But we'll find out soon enough, and I really hope, personally, for a G2 Smokescreen, though the change in faction there would shoot that one dead instantly I guess.

Yeah, I can't help but be pessimistic about this guy. As much as I want him to be any Smokescreen other than G1, I don't have faith in the current brand team to pick the non-G1 option.

Dr. Caelus wrote:

o.supreme wrote:

Dr. Caelus wrote:

o.supreme wrote:That's a relatively small geographic area however

St. Louis, MO, and Knoxville, TN? It's a 500 mile drive between them. That's about 1/6th the span of the 48 states.

That's assuming the majority of stores in between have them.

The "majority of stores" is an unrealistically high bar for saying something has received "general release". In the town I live in, Kroger is the only store that stocks any Micromasters or Battlemasters at all.

My apologies, I thought it was a foregone conclusion we were talking about Target, since that is the only store according the sightings forum, and other accounts, that Rung has been found at in the continental US. So I'll reiterate, *most* Target stores. I live in a suburb of a top 20 populated city. I've documented my frustration in years past, I can travel to 15 or so Walmarts, and 15 Targets within an hour of where I live (not bragging just stating a fact, because I'd rather not waste my time driving all over), but there's no reason that these items shouldn't reach my general geographical area, given enough time

Wait, or Option D: Smokescreen defects, goes ‘Con, teams up with Dreadwing and adopts a stealth jet alt mode ala the classic G2 Smokescreen. Shout out to William-James for keeping the G2 Smokescreen fire burning

ZeroWolf wrote:

carytheone wrote:

Skritz wrote:I'm expecting two, maybe three things for Earthrise Smokescreen: option A is a direct release of the Selects version (for some reason), option B is a slight retool (no need for an entirely new mold for the Datsun anyway) and option C is actually Armada Smokescreen. I think A and C are actually more likely than B, as I don't really see them redoing the Datsun bros mold so soon just to ever so slightly tweak it slightly more to look like the '80 car, which they don't have the license to use anyway. I think the Siege version was as close as they could get. Notice the Siege '84 Autobots, barring Optimus and the Ironhide/Ratchet mold, were already very Earth-like and a lot less 'greebley'.

You forgot option D, the worst option - either a new mold or reshell to a full on earth mode. With Starscream happening and a likely flood of seekers to follow, who can really guess what's going happen in Earthrise. I'm still betting on something non-G1 like an Armada or other UT version. Or maybe I'm just hoping that's the case.

Rumours persist that it's option D, a full on G1 Smokescreen... But we'll find out soon enough, and I really hope, personally, for a G2 Smokescreen, though the change in faction there would shoot that one dead instantly I guess.

G2 Smokescreen is my hope as well, and I don't think having two unrelated guys with the same name is unreasonable, especially since WFC Smokescreen wasn't in the main line.

But, I suspect Earthrise Smokescreen will be WFC Smokescreen with the Cybertronian "38" replaced with Arabic numerals. It'll satisfy some people unhappy with the previous offering, but not leave many of us in a quandary over whether to get him.

Nemesis Primal wrote: and Red Wing, who I'll probably never get because he was stupidly locked behind that dumb card.

He's still available at both RobotKingdom and Action Robo.

Dr. Caelus wrote:But, I suspect Earthrise Smokescreen will be WFC Smokescreen with the Cybertronian "38" replaced with Arabic numerals. It'll satisfy some people unhappy with the previous offering, but not leave many of us in a quandary over whether to get him.

I'm quite happy with how Smokescreen and especially Bluestreak came out in Siege/Selects/35th Anniversary. However, I'd love to see a repaint of Prowl in some fashion. He doesn't need any remolding. Just a much more premium paint job to make him look a little less boring visually. There's plenty of G1 toy stickers and character model details to choose from. Making the paint under the clear "window" parts light blue instead of silver would really help things "pop" too.

o.supreme wrote:

Dr. Caelus wrote:

o.supreme wrote:

Dr. Caelus wrote:

o.supreme wrote:That's a relatively small geographic area however

St. Louis, MO, and Knoxville, TN? It's a 500 mile drive between them. That's about 1/6th the span of the 48 states.

That's assuming the majority of stores in between have them.

The "majority of stores" is an unrealistically high bar for saying something has received "general release". In the town I live in, Kroger is the only store that stocks any Micromasters or Battlemasters at all.

My apologies, I thought it was a foregone conclusion we were talking about Target, since that is the only store according the sightings forum, and other accounts, that Rung has been found at in the continental US. So I'll reiterate, *most* Target stores. I live in a suburb of a top 20 populated city. I've documented my frustration in years past, I can travel to 15 or so Walmarts, and 15 Targets within an hour of where I live (not bragging just stating a fact, because I'd rather not waste my time driving all over), but there's no reason that these items shouldn't reach my general geographical area, given enough time

I think you might be overlooking the possibility of just bad luck in your particular area. Both Target and Walmart have a number for regional distribution warehouses. I have no idea how many they have or how large of an area they each might cover, but I'd say that any stores within an hour drive of you are likely all served by the same distribution warehouse. If the warehouse for your area experiences lower overall sales for each of the different cases of TF's as compared to other warehouses around the US, then your stores will be slower to get the newer waves in stock. If you have a perfect storm type of timing, say like having the newest wave hitting right before Christmas, and your area warehouse still had enough of the previous waves backed up, then your area may in fact not see a certain wave at the tail end if other area warehouses sell through the stock while yours was backed up.

The biggest question I would love for Hasbro to answer would be whether they make the same number of cases for each wave, or if a tail end wave has fewer made in the first place than the earlier waves. That might answer a lot of questions for collectors on tail end waves and how to plan out whether to pre-order or chance finding them in stores.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:I think you might be overlooking the possibility of just bad luck in your particular area. Both Target and Walmart have a number for regional distribution warehouses. I have no idea how many they have or how large of an area they each might cover, but I'd say that any stores within an hour drive of you are likely all served by the same distribution warehouse. If the warehouse for your area experiences lower overall sales for each of the different cases of TF's as compared to other warehouses around the US, then your stores will be slower to get the newer waves in stock. If you have a perfect storm type of timing, say like having the newest wave hitting right before Christmas, and your area warehouse still had enough of the previous waves backed up, then your area may in fact not see a certain wave at the tail end if other area warehouses sell through the stock while yours was backed up.

The biggest question I would love for Hasbro to answer would be whether they make the same number of cases for each wave, or if a tail end wave has fewer made in the first place than the earlier waves. That might answer a lot of questions for collectors on tail end waves and how to plan out whether to pre-order or chance finding them in stores.

Or just make everything available on HasbroPulse. HTS we understand was more of an *outlet* for overstock items, but Pulse is being branded as a premium online shopping site, pretty much every other Siege offering has been made available, (even latecomers such as Crosshairs, Spinister and Astrotrain). Why the last Micromasters and Battlemasters are not there is puzzling. I notice there are no BM's on HP currently, but they had previously been there.

o.supreme wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:I think you might be overlooking the possibility of just bad luck in your particular area. Both Target and Walmart have a number for regional distribution warehouses. I have no idea how many they have or how large of an area they each might cover, but I'd say that any stores within an hour drive of you are likely all served by the same distribution warehouse. If the warehouse for your area experiences lower overall sales for each of the different cases of TF's as compared to other warehouses around the US, then your stores will be slower to get the newer waves in stock. If you have a perfect storm type of timing, say like having the newest wave hitting right before Christmas, and your area warehouse still had enough of the previous waves backed up, then your area may in fact not see a certain wave at the tail end if other area warehouses sell through the stock while yours was backed up.

The biggest question I would love for Hasbro to answer would be whether they make the same number of cases for each wave, or if a tail end wave has fewer made in the first place than the earlier waves. That might answer a lot of questions for collectors on tail end waves and how to plan out whether to pre-order or chance finding them in stores.

Or just make everything available on HasbroPulse. HTS we understand was more of an *outlet* for overstock items, but Pulse is being branded as a premium online shopping site, pretty much every other Siege offering has been made available, (even latecomers such as Crosshairs, Spinister and Astrotrain). Why the last Micromasters and Battlemasters are not there is puzzling. I notice there are no BM's on HP currently, but they had previously been there.

**** yeah. Hunting for stuff was fun when I was younger, but I've got a child now - I don't have time to run to three different targets in another town looking for something that has long-odds of actually being there. I just preordered everything on Pulse that I knew for certain I would pay full price for anyway. I would have preordered the MM packs and Soundbarrier too, if they'd been there.

Honestly, I end up coming so close to completion on Generations figures each year that, if there was an annual subscription to just get one of each figure in the line with say a 10% discount, I would strongly consider it.

o.supreme wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:I think you might be overlooking the possibility of just bad luck in your particular area. Both Target and Walmart have a number for regional distribution warehouses. I have no idea how many they have or how large of an area they each might cover, but I'd say that any stores within an hour drive of you are likely all served by the same distribution warehouse. If the warehouse for your area experiences lower overall sales for each of the different cases of TF's as compared to other warehouses around the US, then your stores will be slower to get the newer waves in stock. If you have a perfect storm type of timing, say like having the newest wave hitting right before Christmas, and your area warehouse still had enough of the previous waves backed up, then your area may in fact not see a certain wave at the tail end if other area warehouses sell through the stock while yours was backed up.

The biggest question I would love for Hasbro to answer would be whether they make the same number of cases for each wave, or if a tail end wave has fewer made in the first place than the earlier waves. That might answer a lot of questions for collectors on tail end waves and how to plan out whether to pre-order or chance finding them in stores.

Or just make everything available on HasbroPulse. HTS we understand was more of an *outlet* for overstock items, but Pulse is being branded as a premium online shopping site, pretty much every other Siege offering has been made available, (even latecomers such as Crosshairs, Spinister and Astrotrain). Why the last Micromasters and Battlemasters are not there is puzzling. I notice there are no BM's on HP currently, but they had previously been there.

While Hasbro Pulse is being billed as a full fledged online site, keep in mind that are also technically competitors of their regular retail partners and have to walk a fine line.

I also think their share of sales is pretty small compared to the big online and brick and mortar retailers. So if one of their retail partners experience larger sales than anticipated (and I do think that happened with Siege) and need additional product, they are probably going to pull that from stock that was intended for Hasbro Pulse. The only other option is to tell their retail partners, sorry, we're all out and keep them for Hasbro Pulse. If their share of sales from Hasbro Pulse is as small as I suspect, it would not make sense to tell a partner that sells 10/20/30 times as much of Hasbro's product than Pulse they are out while they are trying to sell them directly from their site.

I don't envy them. Pretty much no matter what they try, someone will be disappointed. Overproduce and it cuts into the profits and clogs up the shelves with toys that aren't moving. Underproduce and someone will miss out and be disappointed. If they be upfront about how many they produced to warn fans which ones might be scarce, then the scalpers would jump on that information and the lesser run figures could be even harder to find.