Star Wars Mystery Minis Odds

[HawkLord]

I would recommend everyone hold on buying from the secondary market till after Force Friday. Rumors all point to that being the time Walmart will drop their cases and more stores holding on to these for the Force Friday rush will put them out. I wouldn't be surprised if Funko has a second shipment of these arriving to stores soon, as well. After Force Friday, I seriously think we'll see a drop in prices on the secondary across all these figures.

[kappait]

I'm down to needing 2 HT and 3 WM ones, have everything else.

I'm thinking I'll try my luck on 1 Walmart case online (buy 12 usually gets a case, loose though) and go to eBay for the rest. I totally struck out at the 5 Hot Topics I checked, all were down to very few left so I didn't risk it.

Are most people turning to eBay to complete their sets? This one seems worse than the other minis I've collected (Fallout, Fallout 4, HoTS, X-Men, Spider-man Classic) but I'm not sure if its just early, more demand, or just weird due to the ratios.

With the amount of money you have spent to get that close to finishing the sets what do you recommend? Would it be more cost effective to just go to eBay and put this set together? I'm just curious. I have 2 figures already and am really skeptical to get more because I think I may just waste a bunch of money getting doubles. Which strategy would you use if you could start over?

If I could start over I'd just go the ebay route. Trying to sell/trade duplicates is brutal too, if they're not an exclusive.

Thanks for the help. That's what I think I'll do. I just don't want to end up with 10 Chewies. Haha

[hailmary25]

With the wonky ratios (Which looks like it will hit HP too) I think the time spent looking, doubles fustration and trying to get rid of doubles it will be more more cost effective just going ebay.

I know not as exciting as buying that box and pulling the one you want but atleast you complete the set without headache.

[KnightsOfRey]

Thanks for the help. That's what I think I'll do. I just don't want to end up with 10 Chewies. Haha

That's quite unlikely. Chewie is heavier than all the other figures by a big enough margin that you can pretty effectively identify him just by feel.

I've been thinking about this since I saw your original question. I still think the answer is the cheapest possible way to collect these, assuming you aren't using a scale, would be to buy a single full case from Walmart or Gamestop, and then get everything else on ebay.

Both with GameStop cases and Hot Topic cases, and almost certainly with Walmart cases when they come out, you will end up spending less on average purchasing the case and selling the 1-2 dupes in the case (you can get back like $1-2 on Leia and $2-3 on a Chewie) than you would buying the same figures as singles on ebay. You would average saving $8 at HT and ~$12.50 at GameStop, but with GameStop you come out ahead on 5/6 of the case configurations [the ones with an exclusive] versus coming out ahead on 3/6 configurations with Hot Topic [the ones with TIE Pilot or Vader].

If you can buy figures in lots on ebay, that will make it a lot closer. It costs ~$3.35 to ship a single mini (USPS first class including packing materials), but each additional mini doesn't cost much extra. So if you can get 4-5 minis in a lot and save on shipping, all of a sudden ebay might be a better deal.

The exclusives are going to be expensive no matter what, but unless you are willing to use dark side tactics (scales and the like), ebay would likely be the cheapest route to collect them all.

[kappait]

Thanks for the help. That's what I think I'll do. I just don't want to end up with 10 Chewies. Haha

That's quite unlikely. Chewie is heavier than all the other figures by a big enough margin that you can pretty effectively identify him just by feel.

I've been thinking about this since I saw your original question. I still think the answer is the cheapest possible way to collect these, assuming you aren't using a scale, would be to buy a single full case from Walmart or Gamestop, and then get everything else on ebay.

Both with GameStop cases and Hot Topic cases, and almost certainly with Walmart cases when they come out, you will end up spending less on average purchasing the case and selling the 1-2 dupes in the case (you can get back like $1-2 on Leia and $2-3 on a Chewie) than you would buying the same figures as singles on ebay. You would average saving $8 at HT and ~$12.50 at GameStop, but with GameStop you come out ahead on 5/6 of the case configurations [the ones with an exclusive] versus coming out ahead on 3/6 configurations with Hot Topic [the ones with TIE Pilot or Vader].

If you can buy figures in lots on ebay, that will make it a lot closer. It costs ~$3.35 to ship a single mini (USPS first class including packing materials), but each additional mini doesn't cost much extra. So if you can get 4-5 minis in a lot and save on shipping, all of a sudden ebay might be a better deal.

The exclusives are going to be expensive no matter what, but unless you are willing to use dark side tactics (scales and the like), ebay would likely be the cheapest route to collect them all.

That's an awesome post and thanks for the insight. When you say case is that one single box of minis? Or is it multiple boxes? How much does it cost for a case. Because I'm leaning towards what you stated. Just buy one case. And who knows you might get lucky and get one of the vader exclusives. Saves a little bit in the long run.

[kappait]

I would recommend everyone hold on buying from the secondary market till after Force Friday. Rumors all point to that being the time Walmart will drop their cases and more stores holding on to these for the Force Friday rush will put them out. I wouldn't be surprised if Funko has a second shipment of these arriving to stores soon, as well. After Force Friday, I seriously think we'll see a drop in prices on the secondary across all these figures.

Awesome insight! I'll hold off for a couple weeks.

[KnightsOfRey]

That's an awesome post and thanks for the insight. When you say case is that one single box of minis? Or is it multiple boxes? How much does it cost for a case. Because I'm leaning towards what you stated. Just buy one case. And who knows you might get lucky and get one of the vader exclusives. Saves a little bit in the long run.

This is terminology I always struggle with. When I think of a box I think of one single figure still in the package (which is a box). So I usually say a case to mean 12 boxes, but then that sounds like way more. But I mean 12 boxes in the display they usually sell them in. The price is usually just 12 times a single mini, when you are buying them at retail. YOu can get sealed cases online, but not from the exclusive retailers.

People have observed that when you order exactly 12 figures from Walmart, you usually just get the contents of a single case (taken out of that case). But, no guarantees there. Keep in mind with Walmart.com orders you can return unopened minis to the store. SO some people order 12 and then open them until they hit whatever the rare figure (or figures) would be, and return any leftovers. That can save a bit too.

[kappait]

I just wanted to make sure we weren't saying a case contained multiple boxes of 12. I wasn't sure but you made total sense. I appreciate the detailed posts! I'll see if I can snag a case somewhere.

[Mystlurker]

I'm down to needing 2 HT and 3 WM ones, have everything else.

I'm thinking I'll try my luck on 1 Walmart case online (buy 12 usually gets a case, loose though) and go to eBay for the rest. I totally struck out at the 5 Hot Topics I checked, all were down to very few left so I didn't risk it.

Are most people turning to eBay to complete their sets? This one seems worse than the other minis I've collected (Fallout, Fallout 4, HoTS, X-Men, Spider-man Classic) but I'm not sure if its just early, more demand, or just weird due to the ratios.

With the amount of money you have spent to get that close to finishing the sets what do you recommend? Would it be more cost effective to just go to eBay and put this set together? I'm just curious. I have 2 figures already and am really skeptical to get more because I think I may just waste a bunch of money getting doubles. Which strategy would you use if you could start over?

Unless you have a good trade group or are set up to sell the extras easily, I'd highly suggest ebay for most. My suggestion would be to buy 1 unclaimed case from HT/WM/GS then buy everything else online. The one case will get you all the commons at about eBay prices (slightly higher for Leia/C-3PO) and hopefully net you 1 (maybe 2 if you get lucky at GS, since both Luke/Han trooper variants are in the same box) exclusive for retail. Beyond the first case the cost of dupes adds up fast.

Also avoid any case that isn't brand new, as you'll get screwed.

[kappait]

I'm down to needing 2 HT and 3 WM ones, have everything else.

I'm thinking I'll try my luck on 1 Walmart case online (buy 12 usually gets a case, loose though) and go to eBay for the rest. I totally struck out at the 5 Hot Topics I checked, all were down to very few left so I didn't risk it.

Are most people turning to eBay to complete their sets? This one seems worse than the other minis I've collected (Fallout, Fallout 4, HoTS, X-Men, Spider-man Classic) but I'm not sure if its just early, more demand, or just weird due to the ratios.

With the amount of money you have spent to get that close to finishing the sets what do you recommend? Would it be more cost effective to just go to eBay and put this set together? I'm just curious. I have 2 figures already and am really skeptical to get more because I think I may just waste a bunch of money getting doubles. Which strategy would you use if you could start over?

Unless you have a good trade group or are set up to sell the extras easily, I'd highly suggest ebay for most. My suggestion would be to buy 1 unclaimed case from HT/WM/GS then buy everything else online. The one case will get you all the commons at about eBay prices (slightly higher for Leia/C-3PO) and hopefully net you 1 (maybe 2 if you get lucky at GS, since both Luke/Han trooper variants are in the same box) exclusive for retail. Beyond the first case the cost of dupes adds up fast.

Also avoid any case that isn't brand new, as you'll get screwed.

Do you recommend buying a case from Gamestop over the others? Is there a case letter to look out for there?

[HockeyDad]

Yeah the all over ratios kinda sucks. Especially when people are deliberately getting al the good ones to flip. This does sorta stop that but it's making the exclusives that much harder to obtain. I still love the minis though and can't wait to see what else comes. And hopefully one day I'll get my han stormtrooper since I convinced a customer to buy some and he got it from my store .

Matt ... PM me on Facebook ... I've got extra Han Stormtroopers ... it's Greg.

[Mystlurker]

With the amount of money you have spent to get that close to finishing the sets what do you recommend? Would it be more cost effective to just go to eBay and put this set together? I'm just curious. I have 2 figures already and am really skeptical to get more because I think I may just waste a bunch of money getting doubles. Which strategy would you use if you could start over?

Unless you have a good trade group or are set up to sell the extras easily, I'd highly suggest ebay for most. My suggestion would be to buy 1 unclaimed case from HT/WM/GS then buy everything else online. The one case will get you all the commons at about eBay prices (slightly higher for Leia/C-3PO) and hopefully net you 1 (maybe 2 if you get lucky at GS, since both Luke/Han trooper variants are in the same box) exclusive for retail. Beyond the first case the cost of dupes adds up fast.

Also avoid any case that isn't brand new, as you'll get screwed.

Do you recommend buying a case from Gamestop over the others? Is there a case letter to look out for there?

The Gamestop case is higher risk, higher reward. I bought a Gamestop case and got lucky and got both Stormtrooper Luke/Han, but several GS cases have no exclusives so higher risk. I'm not sure how to run the math unfortunately.

[kappait]

Unless you have a good trade group or are set up to sell the extras easily, I'd highly suggest ebay for most. My suggestion would be to buy 1 unclaimed case from HT/WM/GS then buy everything else online. The one case will get you all the commons at about eBay prices (slightly higher for Leia/C-3PO) and hopefully net you 1 (maybe 2 if you get lucky at GS, since both Luke/Han trooper variants are in the same box) exclusive for retail. Beyond the first case the cost of dupes adds up fast.

Also avoid any case that isn't brand new, as you'll get screwed.

Do you recommend buying a case from Gamestop over the others? Is there a case letter to look out for there?

The Gamestop case is higher risk, higher reward. I bought a Gamestop case and got lucky and got both Stormtrooper Luke/Han, but several GS cases have no exclusives so higher risk. I'm not sure how to run the math unfortunately.

Got it. What's the worst case you end up with zero Exclusives in a case?

[HawkLord]

From what I've seen, yes you could buy a GS case and end up with no exclusives.

[Lilbrimer23]

Since there's no 1:12 exclusives, so far, there's 1/6 cases at each store that has no exclusives. I wish they'd change the exclusive ratios to 1:12, 1:24, and 1:72. That way there's at least one exclusive in each case. I believe Spider-Man Classics started this new trend of getting 0 exclusives in a case. Pretty frustrating knowing there's a chance that you may never see an exclusive. But all in all still better than the days of 1:144.

[Megacam]

Would like to see a trading forum on the boards here if possible.

[Grex54]

Walmart exclusives are starting to show up. Tusken raider is 1/24, chewie 1/36, ghost obi wan 1/72, and vader is 1/24.

[eljefe81]

Walmart exclusives are starting to show up. Tusken raider is 1/24, chewie 1/36, ghost obi wan 1/72, and vader is 1/24.

At least the Vader is slightly easier! That Ghost Obi-Wan is sweet looking, but after buying a couple Gamestop cases, it's going to be cheaper to try and find him on Ebay.

[Lilbrimer23]

Walmart exclusives are starting to show up. Tusken raider is 1/24, chewie 1/36, ghost obi wan 1/72, and vader is 1/24.

I knew it. Thank jeebus I waited and didn't panic buy vader. Sucks about Obi Wan, but that's ok.

[hellojayare]

Super happy about Vader but that 1/72 Obi Wan scares me - my Walmarts are terrible about getting in Funko stuff let alone restocking anything. Holding out hope that since it is Star Wars they will go all out.

[HawkLord]

I'm fine with that Obi-Wan - ghost Obi-Wan with a lightsaber never made sense anyway. Chewie is fine too, since it's not different enough for me to care. Given that he'll still be the heaviest and people will try to cherry-pick him expect more Chewies on the market.

Vader is cool at being the easiest one to get, just sucks for me as I like buying blind packs and would try for him, but would also have no shot at Leia - which I still need.

Any word on if Luke is still 1/36?

[KnightsOfRey]

Since there's no 1:12 exclusives, so far, there's 1/6 cases at each store that has no exclusives. I wish they'd change the exclusive ratios to 1:12, 1:24, and 1:72. That way there's at least one exclusive in each case. I believe Spider-Man Classics started this new trend of getting 0 exclusives in a case. Pretty frustrating knowing there's a chance that you may never see an exclusive. But all in all still better than the days of 1:144.

1/72 + 1/36 + 1/24 = 1/12, so there are already enough exclusives to make them one per case. They just insist on having one case with two exclusives and one with zero for whatever reason.

[KnightsOfRey]

Any word on if Luke is still 1/36?

1/6

Edit: OK from the picture I saw there must be an error similar to the Hot topic boxes. Both Luke and Han say 1/6, but one of them needs to be 1/36 for the math to work. Not sure which it is, but that is going to be a bummer for anyone who buys a case with one of those two as their rarest figure.

[keyese]

Any word on if Luke is still 1/36?

1/6

Edit: OK from the picture I saw there must be an error similar to the Hot topic boxes. Both Luke and Han say 1/6, but one of them needs to be 1/36 for the math to work. Not sure which it is, but that is going to be a bummer for anyone who buys a case with one of those two as their rarest figure.

Ugh these odds are driving me nuts :p I assume Luke is still going to be 1/36 since that would fit with the rest of the exclusive boxes. But here's hoping he's a 1/6 so I have a better shot XD

[CorgiKohmander]

I tried my luck for the first time today with Mystery Minis and ended up with Chewie and Obi-Wan, two of the most common figures. Much harder guessing than Pint Size Heroes.

[Mystlurker]

I tried my luck for the first time today with Mystery Minis and ended up with Chewie and Obi-Wan, two of the most common figures. Much harder guessing than Pint Size Heroes.

This set is pretty bad. Some previous sets with at worst 1/36 were not as bad. My favorite was X-Men: everything, including exclusives was 1/12.

[HockeyDad]

Found out today from a Walmart Toy Manager that they didn't even ship out the minis to his store (apparently only select stores). But he was able to order 2 cases for me ... so if you're like me and haven't seen the Walmart Boxes out and about, you probably need to ask them to order them for you!

[Lakers]

Found out today from a Walmart Toy Manager that they didn't even ship out the minis to his store (apparently only select stores). But he was able to order 2 cases for me ... so if you're like me and haven't seen the Walmart Boxes out and about, you probably need to ask them to order them for you!

Thanks for the info. Because check out the Walmart on my area and is cero Star Wars cases, like you said I will need to see if they can order a case fir me.

[geekypeeples]

I've read all I can on this series and it seems to me that almost no one is happy about this series. But for me I think it's great that a subject as beloved as star wars is getting minis that aren't impossible to find. And for those that like the thrill of the hunt still have the elusive Vader and exclusives. So really I feel like funko did a great job trying to make the majority pleased. And it's star wars, and blind boxes at that. So everyone should be thrilled.

Plus they turned out amazing and I for one will keep hunting until I complete the series, army of Leias be damned.

First of all those pics are amazing and I can't wait to get my hands on some SW MMs!!!

But randomly, this has surely been addressed elsewhere, but no R2-D2??

Yes agreed and good luck hunting but also for me strange that they have no R2D2

[Libertyroxx]

I'm fine with that Obi-Wan - ghost Obi-Wan with a lightsaber never made sense anyway. Chewie is fine too, since it's not different enough for me to care. Given that he'll still be the heaviest and people will try to cherry-pick him expect more Chewies on the market.

Vader is cool at being the easiest one to get, just sucks for me as I like buying blind packs and would try for him, but would also have no shot at Leia - which I still need.

Any word on if Luke is still 1/36?

I have several extra Leia's. PM if you still need one!

[HawkLord]

I'm fine with that Obi-Wan - ghost Obi-Wan with a lightsaber never made sense anyway. Chewie is fine too, since it's not different enough for me to care. Given that he'll still be the heaviest and people will try to cherry-pick him expect more Chewies on the market.

Vader is cool at being the easiest one to get, just sucks for me as I like buying blind packs and would try for him, but would also have no shot at Leia - which I still need.

Any word on if Luke is still 1/36?

I have several extra Leia's. PM if you still need one!

Hey, thank you for the offer, but I'm still in the hunt on picking up some boxes before I could go the singles route.

Also, I found a box of the ANH Minis at Target today, so they may be showing up. They were in the new Star Wars only aisle they were setting up for TLJ. After Force Friday II, I was outta spare change, so no purchases for me.

And it looks like prices for singles are coming down. Multiple Vaders closing at >$50. Most of the retail exclusives have come down a few dollars, too.

[Libertyroxx]

I'm fine with that Obi-Wan - ghost Obi-Wan with a lightsaber never made sense anyway. Chewie is fine too, since it's not different enough for me to care. Given that he'll still be the heaviest and people will try to cherry-pick him expect more Chewies on the market.

Vader is cool at being the easiest one to get, just sucks for me as I like buying blind packs and would try for him, but would also have no shot at Leia - which I still need.

Any word on if Luke is still 1/36?

I have several extra Leia's. PM if you still need one!

Hey, thank you for the offer, but I'm still in the hunt on picking up some boxes before I could go the singles route.

Also, I found a box of the ANH Minis at Target today, so they may be showing up. They were in the new Star Wars only aisle they were setting up for TLJ. After Force Friday II, I was outta spare change, so no purchases for me.

And it looks like prices for singles are coming down. Multiple Vaders closing at >$50. Most of the retail exclusives have come down a few dollars, too.

Oh I wasn't going to sell it to you, just send for cost of shipping. I'm still on the hunt for a few pieces myself!

[HawkLord]

That's super generous of you. Let me see what my next hunt yields and I may take you up on that!

[Shinfo13]

Can't believe I caved and bought these with such weird odds. Went to a local Target on Force Friday and found almost 2 full cases on clearance for $4 each so as much as I told myself to stay away I couldn't pass them up. Fortunately got a 1/72 Vader which made my day. I got bummed when I saw Ponda Boba was 1/72 in the common cases but when I went on ebay he is only like $7 thanks to him being 1/12 in the GS boxes. It stinks that a rare figure from one box is common in another but my wallet appreciates it since I'll get what i'm missing on ebay. As long as I have a Vader though I could care less about being 100% complete

[JuvyD]

I went for the "fun" factor and tried mu luck picking up some figures from a few Gamestops and Hot Topic. Given the results, I'm done with that "fun". I'll buy what I need online.....anyone need a Leia

[w00kiee77]

I went for the "fun" factor and tried mu luck picking up some figures from a few Gamestops and Hot Topic. Given the results, I'm done with that "fun". I'll buy what I need online.....anyone need a Leia

OUCH! And here's me feeling sorry for myself for pulling two Harry Potters out of 4 boxes at lunch (with 4 more in pre-ordered cases on the way) sheesh!

[MattyPHATty]

I went for the "fun" factor and tried mu luck picking up some figures from a few Gamestops and Hot Topic. Given the results, I'm done with that "fun". I'll buy what I need online.....anyone need a Leia

been down this road many times. You wouldn't believe how many cylons I have. It makes it even tougher when the new sets coming out have multiple 1/6's

[FredKruger]

I went for the "fun" factor and tried mu luck picking up some figures from a few Gamestops and Hot Topic. Given the results, I'm done with that "fun". I'll buy what I need online.....anyone need a Leia

been down this road many times. You wouldn't believe how many cylons I have. It makes it even tougher when the new sets coming out have multiple 1/6's

I recommend a scale off ebay for $10 will save $100's in dupes. The "fun" is getting what you want.

[MattyPHATty]

I went for the "fun" factor and tried mu luck picking up some figures from a few Gamestops and Hot Topic. Given the results, I'm done with that "fun". I'll buy what I need online.....anyone need a Leia

been down this road many times. You wouldn't believe how many cylons I have. It makes it even tougher when the new sets coming out have multiple 1/6's

I recommend a scale off ebay for $10 will save $100's in dupes. The "fun" is getting what you want.

Done and done after the debacle that is my cylon army. Best $8 I've ever spent, I've been able to complete 3 full sets including exclusives since I've bought it. Hell, I even completed a Rick and Morty set without pulling one poopy butthole thanks to the power of the scale

[keyese]

Can't believe I caved and bought these with such weird odds. Went to a local Target on Force Friday and found almost 2 full cases on clearance for $4 each so as much as I told myself to stay away I couldn't pass them up. Fortunately got a 1/72 Vader which made my day. I got bummed when I saw Ponda Boba was 1/72 in the common cases but when I went on ebay he is only like $7 thanks to him being 1/12 in the GS boxes. It stinks that a rare figure from one box is common in another but my wallet appreciates it since I'll get what i'm missing on ebay. As long as I have a Vader though I could care less about being 100% complete

That's awesome you got a Vader! We found the clearanced minis at our Target but they were already picked over. I still got a few though