Wiisdom: Swap Force Starter Pack

Friday, June 7th, 2013 was a good day for Skylanders fans...

While most folks were busy scavenging pics and making posts, I was at work...It is 4:25 AM now and I am able to make this post...If you scroll ALL the way down you'll find links to my previous Swap Force posts with General Info and a Character List.

Here is what you need to know from today's annoucement:

1. Skylanders Swap Force Starer Packs are now up for pre-order

2. You will probably want to pre-order as the bonus is LightCore Hex

3. The Starter Packs start at $74.99 plus tax

4. The Release Date is Sunday, October 13th, 2013

5. Swap Force Characters will be priced like Giants at $14.99

6. Core Characters (ie SSA, S2 etc) will be priced at $9.99

7. The 3DS Starter Pack will once again consist of "different" characters

8. No, we do not know if LC Hex will be available outside of this pre-order bonus

9. Console Starter Packs have Wash Buckler, Blast Zone, and Ninja Stealth Elf

10. 3DS Starter Packs have: SF, SF, and Volcanic Eruptor

That pretty much covers the basics and for those of you who don't like to read much etc, you can stop now. However, if you want to know as much as possible...read on my friends!

Regional Release Dates

The release date of Sunday, October 13th, 2013 listed above is for the US.
Australia will see the game hit on Wednesday, October 16th, 2013.
Europe will see the game drop on Friday, October 18th, 2013.

Starter Pack Contents and Characters

All Starter Packs will include: Portal of Power, Two Swap Force Skylanders, a Returning Skylander, Collector Cards, Magic Sticker Sheet, and Character Poster. Please note that there are now "Portal Owner's Packs" etc. The SF Characters will require the new portal, so it is a Stater Pack only approach this time...As I've mentioned, I feel that is a better value.

Now let's elaborate on that:

Console (Wii, Wii U, PS, and Xbox): Wash Buckler, Blast Zone, and Ninja Stealth Elf

3DS: Unknown SF, Unknown SF, Volcanic Eruptor

Developer Information

Vicarious Visions: Wii U, 360, PS3, PS4, Xbox One
Beenox: Wii
n-Space: 3DS

Pre-Order Bonus: LightCore Hex

This is both a pleasant surprise and a bit worrisome. If you Pre-Order Swap Force you will get LightCore Hex. Most places I have checked will have her on hand at pick up, or give you a code etc to get her shipped (Amazon).

While some may place the pre-order and call it good with a weight lifted off their shoulders, other fans have a different reaction.

Does this mean that the ONLY way to get LC Hex is via pre-order of Swap Force? Will she come out at all prior to SF? If not, will she come out after SF for regular purchase? Is she really going to be limited and rare?

The underlying and less thought of issue comes from folks like myself. Sure I will pre-order the game soon and secure her, BUT what about Giants? Remember last year when a few days prior to launch Walmart dropped the bomb shell of having the GITD Starter Pack? Similarly, some stores might have a "Free Adventure Pack" or "Free Swap Force" character promotion going...If you lock in now to presumably land LC Hex will you be screwing yourself out of a better deal? It is the UNKNOWN that is killer for hardcore fans.

Swap Force Roster Breakdown:

-16 Swap Force Characters
-16 New Skylanders
-16 Returning Skylanders
-8 LightCore Skylanders

Conclusion

This was expected information (ie the pre-order), BUT I didn't anticipate it until AFTER E3. This reveals 2 new Swap Force Characters (currently don't know their names) and the structure that our "returning" S3 Skylanders will be given adjectives ahead of their names (ie Volcanic Eruptor, Ninja Stealth Elf etc).

I have to say, the 3DS Starter Pack Swap Force Characters look VERY COOL!!

As a bonus, here are some pictures:

3DS Starter Pack:

The Snake Looks Killer!

Wii Starter Pack