Skylanders Research: Elite Whirlwind Upgrade Paths & Attack Damage Numbers

Elite Whirlwind Base Upgrades

Elite Whirlwind Ultimate Rainbower Upgrade Path

Elite Whirlwind Tempest Dragon Upgrade Path

Elite Whirlwind Attack Damage Numbers

(Click to Enlarge)

Skylanders Trap Team Unboxing Light Element Expansion Pack SunscraperSpire with Knight Light

What: Light Element Expansion Pack: Sunscraper Spire
Where Did You Get It: Special Delivery
What Does It Cost: $29.99 plus tax
What is Included: Sunscraper Spire Location Piece, Knight Light, Heavenly Hawk Trap, Stat Cards, Sticker Sheets, and Light AND Dark Stickers for Poster and Traps

Unboxing Light Element Expansion Pack

Notes of Interest:

-There are 3 Light Element Traps
--Heavenly Hawk
--Shining Ship
--Beam Scream

-The Sunscraper Spire
--Lights up on the Portal
--Does not function as a Magic Item in the game

-There are Light and Dark Turrets in KAOS Mode

Knight Light: Light Element, Trap Master
Slogan: "See the Light!"

Card Stats
Power: 250/250
Armor: 100/250
Agility: 100/250
Luck: 100/250
Totals: 550/1000

Introduction #34: Knight Light and The Midnight Museum

Game Stats
Max Health: 430
Armor: 12
Speed: 70
Critical Hit: 70
Elemental Power: 25
Total: 607

Skylanders Trap Team Unboxing Cobra Cadabra

What: Cobra Cadabra

Where Did You Get It: Special Delivery

What Does It Cost: $9.99 plus tax

What is Included: Cobra Cadabra, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet

Unboxing Cobra Cadabra

Cobra Cadabra

Magic Element, Newlander

Slogan: “Charmed and Ready!”

Card Stats

 Power: 60/250

Armor: 120/250

Agility: 70/250

Luck: 130/250

Totals: 380/1000

In-Game Stats

 Maximum Health: 290

Speed: 70

Armor: 36

Critical Hit: 40

Elemental Power: 25

Total: 482

Skylanders Trap Team Light and Dark Expansion Packs Revealed!

Skylander Club Link for More Info: http://www.skylanderclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=249

So, you know all those Question Mark Gates you can't open in Trap Team?  And all those Question Marks and Blanks on your Starter Pack Poster and Trap Tray?  Well, you will FINALLY be able to fill those in correctly!

Activision has teased the reveal of the expansion packs, which most hardcore fans have known of for quite some time. There are a few glitches in the game that allow players to access those "off limit" areas beyond the ? Gates that exposed the characters and villains to a greater extent.

Anyway, here is the teaser image from today (12/16):

And here is the final packaging to fully reveal the mystery additions:

Sunscraper Spire: Light Element Expansion Pack
-Location Piece: Sunscraper Spire
-Character: Knight Light, Light Element
-Light Trap
Midnight Museum: Dark Element Expansion Pack
-Location Piece: Midnight Museum
-Character: Knight Mare, Dark Element
-Dark Trap


These are significant for several reasons.  First, these are Expansion Packs.  We are gaining much needed playable content to the game.  Second, we can finally open the ? Gates and Trap the villains.  Third, we are getting new, playable characters.  And lastly, we get 2 NEW ELEMENTS!

This adds an element (no pun intended) of suspense for future releases.  We will now have 10 Elements.  Will Light and Dark remain as Expansion Packs?  Will they fade away into Trap Team only status, but with having paved the path for 2 more New Elements in the next installment?  There are a lot of unknowns that these additions bring to the franchise.

For those of you "completionists" out there, these 2 EPs and the Wave 3 arrival of Blaster Mind will allow you to 100% the game if you are so inclined.  Similarly, the packs apparently include stickers for your Starter Pack Poster and Trap Trays!

For everyone else, these add another option to the table and might make players budget their Skylander funds accordingly.

Speaking of that, the very few folks who have acquired these via US based transactions have all gotten them from TRU for $31.99.  Yep, not making that up.  There is always that TRU markup, but I have no way of knowing if it is the usual $1, or something steeper on these EPs.  I was told someone found the Light EP at Walmart and was told they couldn't buy it, but they person claimed it was shelved with the Mirror of Mystery and didn't have a special tag, or price point for comparison.

I have had a few people tell me they found them today (12/16), but they were register locked.  I have also been told that those finding these in store are reporting solid stock on the Light Expansion Packs and minimal quantities on the Dark Expansion Packs.

These will no doubt be hot commodities for Day 1 players, and a big item of desire for those requesting Trap Team this holiday season (keep in mind, a much larger percentage of the actual target audience doesn't even have the game yet).  My advice, as always, is to buy this when you see it, provided you want it.

One person who told me their finding was register locked was told to come back this Sunday (12/21) and pick it up then.  Assuming that is accurate, I imagine those of us on the TRU mailing list will be getting a Hot Toy Alert e-mail later this week.  I have no confirmation on this, but I would not at all be surprised if this didn't coincide with a few Wave 3 arrivals in their store as well.

I will do my best to acquire these ASAP, but I will not pay more than retail for anything, and I advise you to do the same.  I'm not a huge fan of Sunday releases, so we will see how it plays out.

That said, did you know that December 21st, 2014 is the Winter Solstice?  That is the first day of Winter AND the shortest day of the year, at least in terms of daylight hours.  So, that means that the days will progressively begin getting longer right after that.  Does this play in to the Light an Dark concepts, or is it just a calendar coincidence?  It is likely the later, but if I didn't over analyze things like this, who would?

As always, stay tuned for any updates and be sure to frequent the Skylaner Club Forum for all the latest news: http://www.skylanderclub.com

Skylander Ideas: Skylanders Battles: A Standalone Battle Mode/PvP Game with DLC

Skylanders Ideas Series

Skylanders Battles: A Standalone Battle Mode/PVP Game

So, continuing on in our "Skylanders Ideas" series, this is another idea I pitched at E3.  Basically, since so much Trap Team info was off the table, we got to a point of just talking about the game and I was able to highlight some of my opinions, one of them being Battle Mode.

I never dreamed I would be releasing this video in the wake of news that Trap Team wouldn't have the usual Battle Mode setup, but I suppose it just makes this take on that much more significance.  I truly think this is the way to go with "Battle Mode."  I thought it shortly after Giants, this summer at E3, and still think it is the best option in light of the news...I don't think it was as well received as the "plain jane" variant proposal, but it didn't fall on deaf ears either.  At this point in time, I truly hope something similar is planned as PvP is a huge part of the Skylanders franchise and offers the most replay value imo.

The Original Issue

How to improve Battle Mode/PvP in Skylanders.

The Chatter

Most, or at least the majority of those voicing opinions on this matter have taken the mantra of "Online or Bust."  That is, players REALLY WANT Online PvP so they can play with friends, or just other Portal Masters when they pit Skylander against Skylander.  I am fully aware of that, but I take a slightly different approach, one that I believe has an even greater basis of support, but perhaps from the silent majority.

The New Issue: No PvP in Trap Team

The last month or so, almost every comment and message I have received was built around "What are you most excited for in Trap Team," or "Who do you think will be your favorite Skylander in Trap Team."  I actually began a list when I got the full size Trap Team poster at TRU and plan to actually line item them out.  However,  the last week or so that shifted to, "Holy Greebles!  What are your thoughts on there not being Battle Mode/PvP in Trap Team?"

I was kind of taken back when I saw that...

I've maintained a pretty solid "1P vs CPU" stance on Battle Mode, just like I've kept the same "LightCore Sermon" position (which is the next video in this series, lol).  In fact, one of the ideas I pitched at E3 this year was how to improve Battle Mode.  I want to make clear that I never suggest it be done away with completely, and I also need to stress my opinion could carry VERY little weight with the folks behind the game.  I'd actually err more on that side than thinking it was partially important, but who knows.  At this point in time I am left hoping that something similar to what I pitched actually becomes a reality, and hopefully before Christmas or late Spring.  Before I expand on that, let me address the question, "What are your thoughts about no battle mode in Trap Team?"

No Battle Mode in Trap Team: My Thoughts

In all honesty, I am pretty devastated.  As much as I wanted to see it change, Battle Mode is the #1 way my Nephew and I play Skylanders together.  We battle Kaos and sometimes play a random chapter, but for the most part when he is over and wants to play Skylanders it is always PvP.  Despite all the other options and Arena Challenges that have been added in, his #1 request is simply PvP.

I also know, despite how much the vocal fan base pushed for "online" battles, they never dreamed they'd have nothing in its place.

This is a big loss (assuming it is true...I've not seen anything to substantiate it, but haven't seen anyone rushing out to debunk it...I feel like if this was a rumor and NOT true, PR would be sending out word that people need to relax, Battle Mode is there with the Doom Challenge etc, and will be even better than last year etc).  For many, this was your replay value.  There are not as many "100%ers" as you would think.  For many gamers, just getting to the end and defeating Kaos constitutes completion.  Many don't feel the need to max out their Portal Master Rank, grind thru levels, look for missing items, or obtain 3 Stars for every chapter.  However, what kept them playing, and what was a huge part of the franchise for everyone else was Battle Mode.

Here is a rough timeline of events with my Nephew and I:

SSA: "I'm Terrafin and you are Slam Bam...Let's see who wins!"  Shortly after that, "Dude, let's set up and record a 32 Skylander Tournament!"

Giants: "Are the Giants Newlanders, or SSA Castaways better? Tournament time!"

SWAP Force: "Can anyone beat Star Strike?"  "Let's do a series where 1 Skylander takes on 8-10 others in a row!"

Battle Mode, namely PvP was my Nephew's FAVORITE part of the game.  I loved it too.  I'll recap this with how I opened it...I am pretty sad to see it go and can only hope that the folks behind the game have good reason for this and something that will blow us all away.

What I Pitched at E3: Stand Alone Battle Game with DLC Expanions

So, prior to the pretty tragic news of Trap Team not having Battle Mode, this is what I pitched at E3.

I suggest there be a Stand Alone Game, pricced something like $19.99-$29.99 that had cool arenas, all the characters, DLC expansion for future games, and some key upgrades...

1. Single Player Battle Mode with Adjustable Difficulty

I was totally honest with them...I can only play Battle Mode when my Nephew is here.  My other option is turning on another controller and either doing turn-based PvP where a single battle lasts 15 minutes, or just obliterate a pre-selected character to test out moves, complete quests, etc.

My suggest was to build this stand alone game on the Single Player dynamic.  I honestly think they expected to hear me say, "Online or die" based on their shock, but I truly believe all great games are built first and foremost around the single player experience.

Does anyone know how much content I would have on my channel if I could play 1P vs CPU in Skylanders Battle Mode?  I would literally take each character and run them thru the gauntlet against every other character.  I would record tournaments, I would upload Giant throwdowns, and 16 slot SWAP Force brackets.  It would be EPIC!

The current set up doesn't allow me to do that short of the RPG style battle which I don't think anyone would enjoy.

If you think, "Okay, that is good, but I'd kill the opponent..." Um, no.  Just like the game has Easy-Nightmare, I suggested this have similar difficulty modes ,or ranks like in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.  If you come in and Level 5 Ninjini obliterates you, you can turn down the difficulty, or practice till you beat her.  Once you can take her down, bump her up a level.  It is the fundamental of all fighting games imo...

2. Keep and Expand the Classic Local Player Battles

Just because I want to battle a CPU Skylader doesn't mean I want to forego battling my Nephew.  I suggested that mode be kept in tact, but expanded.

3: Local 4 Player Battles

This is the expansion on the 2P.  I know the argument I would get for pushing 1P vs CPU is, "But this is a family game...it is meant to be enjoyed by friends, or kids and their parents etc."  Boom....Trump Card!  I fully acknowledge that...My Nephew and I are proof of how well that works.  However, what do other fighting games offer?  4 Players able to engage locally.  So now, instead of it being Sibling vs Sibling, the parents can get in on the action.  You can have Father & Daughter vs Mother & Son.

I also stressed how it should allot for 2 friends to be able to come in and battle against 2 CPUs etc.  Whatever the format, 1P vs CPU, 1P vs 2P, 1P & 2P vs 3P & 4P, 1P vs CPU1, CPU2, and CPU 3, it needs to allot for everything from a sole, individual player to 4 congregated players.

I didn't go into this, bu that can be made even better by allowing 1P-2P-3P-4P to battle 4 CPUs.  The options are really limitless and the more immersive, the better.

4. Tournaments/Brackets

This is another no-brainer in a dedicated fighting game.  You need to be able to do more than just a solo battle.  You need to be able to create Tournaments and progress through each round.  This would be HUGE.

5. Other Modes

I didn't mention this, but things like having a King of the Hill, or Gauntlet type modes where you pit your favorite Skylander against the rest would be awesome.

6. In-Game Roster

 This was also not included in what I pitched, but I think the game would be well served to have  an archived record of your collection.  Basically meaning that when you put Terrafin and S3 Mega Ram Spyro on the portal, they are there on a roster for you to select from. Essentially, this would allow you to play as Terrafin and earn XP while going thru your roster of Skylanders to spice up the battles, or practice specific techniques.

I also think this aspect could be expanded to allow for those with a limited collection to battle Skylanders they don't own.  What I mean by this is that you have Mega Ram Spyro and Big Bang Trigger Happy.  We will say you don't have Star Strike.  The game would allow you to select to battle her as a CPU.  This would let you get a feel for old and new characters that might not be in your collection and ultimately encourage you to add them!  It is a win-win imo.

7. DLC

I know I am 95% of the time against DLC, but hear me out.  I want to pay the reasonable price for this stand alone game.  However I, you, and anyone else with any sense doesn't want to spring $30 for a new "Skylanders Battle:: ___ Edition" each year.  How do you rectify that? DLC.

When Skylanders 5 drops they can offer up the new character roster, new arenas, and honestly whatever other expansions they want.  Keep the price right (Say $10) and people will eat it up.  We are already buying the new Skylanders to use in the new game, so this would just add them to the Battle roster etc.

This DLC literally allows your initial purchase to be expanded on annually.  If they are loosing players, DLC can come along with new battle modes, etc.

8. Online

I am not about to poll people for what they want and not take it to heart.  While I would be ecstatic and content with what I have described above, I know an awful lot of you want online battle mode.  I have to admit, it would be cool.  Personally, I would rather have Single Player vs CPU first, but this is a step in the right direction from that foundation.

I honestly believe the biggest concern with "online" is keeping the environment kid friendly.  This is hard to do without nerfing interaction...ie no chat, no text, etc.

I think, for what it is worth, that quest is being made a little too difficult.  Nintendo has managed social gaming and online interactions quite well, and while it hasn't been perfect there are easy ways to make this function and not hold up a stellar addition to the franchise.

Mario Kart Wii didn't have voice chat, it didn't offer up a blank slate and keyboard, it had pre-selected messages like, "Great Race!" "Last One!," "Let's Race Bikes" etc...While it isn't super sleek or modern, it would work while something better could be hashed out.

Conclusion

I pitched this idea because I truly believe in it...I think it is 100% the way to go.  In light of the recent revelations that there won't be a a Battle Mode in Trap Team, I think it is seriously worth considering.  One thing I tried to convey while pitching this is that people would pay for the stand alone game if it was well executed, patched, updated, and included the DLC to update rosters etc.

I have no qualms continuing to pay $75 for the main entry.  You are getting a game, Portal, and 2-3 figures, or in the case of Trap Team 2 Figures and 2 Traps.  That is basically $25-$35 on the figures, and puts the game right in line with others at $49-59.

Make the stand alone battle game priced at $19.99, or $29.99 and then offer the annual $9.99 roster update (as opposed to a new game at $30 again), and offer up some other reasonably priced arenas, or misc. items for cheap and I think it is a no brainer.

The game can feature more content like the Bonus Mission Maps, or longer levels and then the battle mode can be built around a more robust and typical layout for a fighting game.

I think it would be the best course of action for the main game, battle mode, and franchise as a whole.  I am just one guy, but I have spent a lot of time playing Skylanders the last three years, feel I have a good feel for what the community wants, and have the unique vantage point of being an older, regular player while seeing first hand what my Nephew makes of things.  I think this is the way to go, especially with the sad news that the Battle Mode we have come to expect the first three installments has fallen to the wayside.

As always, let me know your thoughts.  Are you in the "Online" or bust camp?  Do you agree with me that the heart of the game should be built around the single player?  Would you purchase a well executed stand-alone, battle mode game for Skylanders?

Skylanders Ideas: The Variant Discussion

Skylander Ideas:

The Variant Discussion

This is an idea I pitched at E3 2014...I have to say that this one was very well received.  Will it be implemented, who knows.  It is just as likely as it is unlikely.  However, I felt it was worth sharing with the Skylander Community as it would help alleviate one of the frustrations dedicated players/collectors face.

The Issue

So, one of the most common comments, or messages I have received over the years centers around variants.  Not necessarily who will be one, how they are selected, or what a good price for them is, but rather something like this, "1ofWiisdom, I have been checking my local stores daily for weeks in hopes of finding _____ Variant and I never found it.  I saw other people find it...I tried this last year for ____ Variant.  What am I doing wrong?  What can I never find any Variants?"

Well, this one is kind of sad to answer.  A lot of people remain totally oblivious to how a retail store works.  It isn't just happy-go-lucky employees who gleefully stock items they have zero interest in for you to purchase.  There are people that work in retail because it is all they can find, they have to (ie high school, college, parents, or someone else who needs the flexible hours a big chain can offer), they want to (ie I am going to start stocking at this store, then work my way up to Assistant Manager, and then eventually open my own chain/franchise), and those who have ulterior motives.  You need to be aware of those with ulterior motives.

Not everyone at Toys'R'Us, Target, Best Buy, GameStop, or Walmart is there due to scheduling, it being close to home, or because they aspire to learn the company from the ground-up.  Some select their place of employment based on "incentives" and I am not talking stock options, insurance benefits, or 401k.  Some people are very well aware of what is collectible, what is hot, what is rare, and what they can sell it for...

Most people with this mind set will do just as you...They come in on weekends, after work, or when they run errands and comb the shelves looking for the rare toy, chase diecast, or in this case, Variant Skylander.  In a perfect situation the person who spends the most time in pursuit, would usually wind up the benefactor.  The variable here is the employee faction.

Whereas Activision, Matel, or whatever company is cranking out something special with a nod towards their "serious collectors" all of that can halt when the product is intercepted BEFORE it gets to the end user.  For a lot of you that report to me how you "try really hard" to find these Variants it has nothing to do with your timing, dedication, or luck...but everything to do with what goes on behind the scenes.

Now, I want to be clear, not all employees do this, and some stores likely have management/ownership in place to prevent this from happening.  Others, however, are part of the problem...

You might know the exact time UPS, FedEx, and the Tuesday/Friday trucks hit your local Toys'R'Us.  You might be the first person in-line for the big Wave 2 release, and you still may NEVER find a variant.  If you haven't already picked up on it, here is what is happening...

We will say Chopper is selected for a Blue Metallic Variant (this is totally theoretical and only for example purposes...plus I find it highly unlikely he'd get a Blue Metallic Variant).  Instead of the employee walking the box/boxes over the display the night before, or morning of and one-by-one pulling the Skylanders from the box and shelving them, someone will notice the difference...They will see 5 Choppers that all look alike and 1 that is Blue Metallic.  This one gets held back, bought by the employee, and probably 99% of the time hocked on ebay where someone pays ridiculous money for what they should have given $9.99 for...

Another, and more likely example, involves an employee monitoring ebay, fan sites, and forums and learning of Blue Metallic Chopper, GITD Funny Bone, or Crimson Head Rush and then specifically checking the boxes for these characters.  Whether they are 1 per Case, 3 per case, or totally at random they will make a point to check EVERYTHING before it hits the shelves.  They also involve other employees to help with this (ie to cover their off day etc).  This means you have a near ZERO Percent chance of ever finding a variant at that store.

I see people online report this, I see employees brag about it, and I see ebay accounts of pirates who pillage quantities of these things to sell for their personal, financial gain.  That is not what the parent company intends, and it is not beneficial to the fan base.

I know, for a fact, this happens locally.  There is a very well known lady who works at Walmart for the sole purpose of nabbing "hot toys/items" and then selling them online.  She is known at Target, GameStop, and Toys'R'Us.  It is people like her that make the "Limit 1 Per Customer" signs a thing of reality.  She will use her kids, grandkids, and I'm sure any other friends to go in and buy up the stock to get around these rules.  Most stores are even aware of her husband and kids.  You should hear the stories I heard about her and the Nintendo Wii at launch back in  2006.  She has been doing this for AT LEAST that long and will continue to do so until people quit paying crazy money for what she pirates.

I was also very disappointed in my local TRU when I was invited to their back room by electronics (apparently that happens when you reserve a Nintendo Wii U and they think they "accidentally" sold it) and saw a shopping kart FULL OF SKYLANDER VARIANTS.  For those of you that got the Stone Zook and Stone Whirlwind on launch and wonder why I didn't...that would be why.  GameStop is known for pulling variants out at their distribution center...They use to randomly ship them, and still might, but they tend to just pack them in some crazy expensive fan bundle.

Basically, what I am getting at is the very stores that should be putting these items out on the shelf, for you and I are holding them back and then pirating them on ebay.  Again, not what is intended by the manufacturer, but it is what is going on...

Potential Solutions

So, how can we combat this?  What can be done to make it more likely variants wind up in the hands of the end users who are intended to land them?  I had two ideas for helping this become the norm...

First, variants could be more subtle.  Instead of a cool, translucent green Rip Tide, why not slightly tweak his armor from gold to silver, or make the sword fish a different color?  This would not stick out as well, but would still likely be learned and abducted by employees.

My second suggestion, and what was very well received goes like this...That Blue Metallic Chopper I described above?  He isn't Blue Metallic anymore...he looks just like the other 5 Choppers in the box. Nothing flashy, fancy, or out of the ordinary...just 6 identical Choppers ready to be shelved.

However, when you get home with that Chopper you just bought, you place it on the portal and Wham-O!  "Special Chopper" appears when you boot up the game!  The employee didn't know, scalpers don't know, people pillaging the shelves for a "different looking" Skylander don't know, and ultimately YOU didn't know until you got home and put him on the portal.  I realize employees could stick them all on the Portal or something, but that is a bit tougher to validate than simply slicing a box open and leaving it in the break room to buy and sell after your shift.

Is it perfect?  No.  Does it take away a cool looking variant form?  Yes.  But they would be just as collectible given the end circumstances.  I know this would open the doors for people online to sell a regular Chopper advertised as a "Special Chopper," but the auction sites help hold people accountable AND as I've said for 3 years now, you have no business paying $100s for something that cost someone $10.  I know it is your money and you can do with it what you want, but no one intends for the variants to turn into someone high dollar thrill ride.  It is supposed to be players running in to look for a certain character and happening to see a varaint.  That planned joy has all but been eliminated by the greed of employees and lack of managerial oversight (or plain and simple corruption).  For those who argue the "value" would be hurt with identical paint jobs, I would suggest making them in lesser runs...The concept was brought about, just as with all toys/collectibles, to be a nod for the diehards..Those who comb the shelves hoping to get lucky, and this would help keep that option open.

In my mind, it is a far better option than simply continuing on and letting corrupt managers, greedy employees, and maniacal ebay pirates the luxury of easily intercepting variants and making ridiculous money off of them.

Your Thoughts

Let me know what you think of this idea, and if you have any of your own.  How many Variants have you found locally, in the store, as intended?  Do you pay big bucks for rare figures on eBay?  Do you know of your local stores "puling" variants before they even hit the shelves?