Why no minifig packs anymore?

[Mithrandir]

When I was a kid, I remember all the minifig packs, and I loved them. I can remember castle, pirate, space, and town figure sets, which were great because it seemed like the building sets never came with enough figures.

So the other day I was looking at my Batwing and Batmobile, and I realised that each of these sets only came with one henchman, and the rest of the Batman sets don't even come with ANY henchmen! Surely, the Joker and Two-Face had an army of henchmen to do their building, so having only one each is kind of... lame.

So now I'm wondering why Lego doesn't make any minifig packs anymore (except the huge town workers collection, but that doesn't really count)? I'm pretty sure that minifig packs of Batman henchmen, and viking warriors would have done pretty well.

I know that Lego was sued by Hasbro for the Starwars minifig packs, because it "violated" Hasbro's exclusive licence for "action figures" (lame), but that still doesn't explain the lack of minifig packs for the other themes...

[blueandwhite]

I've often wondered this myself.

I think part of it has to do with LEGO wanting purchasers to buy entire sets, rather than just minifigs. Think about it. Alot of lines are driven by the minifigs themselves. If you sold "army builders" for KKII for example, how many kids would really want the actual playsets. Still, LEGO is missing a real opportunity here. I don't think they realize how popular the minifig actually is. I can only hope one of our ambassadors brings this point to the forefront at some point. It seems like this would be a cheap way to make money without investing in new molds.

I've been waiting for years for an adequate castle-minifig pack. It still hasn't come.

Later.

[alex54]

For the city theme, the advent calendar is a good way to have minifigs, but you have to wait the end of the year and it is not really a minifig pack. I agree with the fact that minifigs pack for each theme would be a very good think!

[Cutty]

I've often wondered this myself.

I think part of it has to do with LEGO wanting purchasers to buy entire sets, rather than just minifigs. Think about it. Alot of lines are driven by the minifigs themselves. If you sold "army builders" for KKII for example, how many kids would really want the actual playsets. Still, LEGO is missing a real opportunity here. I don't think they realize how popular the minifig actually is. I can only hope one of our ambassadors brings this point to the forefront at some point. It seems like this would be a cheap way to make money without investing in new molds.

I've been waiting for years for an adequate castle-minifig pack. It still hasn't come.

Later.

I agree completely on that purchases of entire sets part.

Yet I don't think Lego is unclear about the minifigs' popularity among their fans...I mean just look how they advertize:

Whenever you come across a Lego-ad somewhere it shows figs. Whenever you visit some toystores you'll probably see a minifig, when there is a display for according themes. A local department store where I live even has oversized plastic minifig construction workers in a display (and that for as long as I can remember...).

Then the whole merchandizing: Plush-figs, minifig as a sculpture-set, all the different keychains (!!!*)...you name it!

I don't quite get why Lego is so stingy with minifigs in sets lately (although it was worse a time back), but as I said I'm pretty positive about Lego knowing what kind of iconic character they have at their disposal.

*would Lego REALLY produce their keychains with a focus on figs if thy didn't knew about their appeal and popularity? I doubt it!

As for minifig-packs: I think we should get these again as they were in the 70s and 80s. Small 6-figure assortment for the major lines.

Lego could jazz those packs up even more, if they introduced collectible bonus-figures (1 per pack) randomly packed. Those bonus figs would be even more appealing, if they had odd parts with them (like differently coloured/printed helmets, special chrome accessories...whatever). Lego has done that kind of thing already for their Bionicle-line, so why not do it for System? Hell, those random figs could even be introduced to regular sets, so you get 1 fig more per set, yet your don't know which one of the random ones (which are predetermined and limited of course! And there shouldn`t be more than, say, up to 10 different random figs per theme)

[snefroe]

I've often wondered this myself.

I think part of it has to do with LEGO wanting purchasers to buy entire sets, rather than just minifigs. Think about it. Alot of lines are driven by the minifigs themselves. If you sold "army builders" for KKII for example, how many kids would really want the actual playsets. Still, LEGO is missing a real opportunity here. I don't think they realize how popular the minifig actually is. I can only hope one of our ambassadors brings this point to the forefront at some point. It seems like this would be a cheap way to make money without investing in new molds.

I've been waiting for years for an adequate castle-minifig pack. It still hasn't come.

Later.

I agree completely on that purchases of entire sets part.

Yet I don't think Lego is unclear about the minifigs' popularity among their fans...I mean just look how they advertize:

Whenever you come across a Lego-ad somewhere it shows figs. Whenever you visit some toystores you'll probably see a minifig, when there is a display for according themes. A local department store where I live even has oversized plastic minifig construction workers in a display (and that for as long as I can remember...).

Then the whole merchandizing: Plush-figs, minifig as a sculpture-set, all the different keychains (!!!*)...you name it!

I don't quite get why Lego is so stingy with minifigs in sets lately (although it was worse a time back), but as I said I'm pretty positive about Lego knowing what kind of iconic character they have at their disposal.

*would Lego REALLY produce their keychains with a focus on figs if thy didn't knew about their appeal and popularity? I doubt it!

As for minifig-packs: I think we should get these again as they were in the 70s and 80s. Small 6-figure assortment for the major lines.

Lego could jazz those packs up even more, if they introduced collectible bonus-figures (1 per pack) randomly packed. Those bonus figs would be even more appealing, if they had odd parts with them (like differently coloured/printed helmets, special chrome accessories...whatever). Lego has done that kind of thing already for their Bionicle-line, so why not do it for System? Hell, those random figs could even be introduced to regular sets, so you get 1 fig more per set, yet your don't know which one of the random ones (which are predetermined and limited of course! And there shouldn`t be more than, say, up to 10 different random figs per theme)

1) i think they're seeing one of the new vikings sets as a new minifig pack (the tower + 5 minifigs). they probably know by now that minifigs are important for the fans, especially for army building themes.

2) they may be expensive to produce so maybe profit margins are smaller

[Starwars4J]

I've often wondered this myself.

I think part of it has to do with LEGO wanting purchasers to buy entire sets, rather than just minifigs. Think about it. Alot of lines are driven by the minifigs themselves. If you sold "army builders" for KKII for example, how many kids would really want the actual playsets. Still, LEGO is missing a real opportunity here. I don't think they realize how popular the minifig actually is. I can only hope one of our ambassadors brings this point to the forefront at some point. It seems like this would be a cheap way to make money without investing in new molds.

I've been waiting for years for an adequate castle-minifig pack. It still hasn't come.

Later.

I agree completely on that purchases of entire sets part.

Yet I don't think Lego is unclear about the minifigs' popularity among their fans...I mean just look how they advertize:

Whenever you come across a Lego-ad somewhere it shows figs. Whenever you visit some toystores you'll probably see a minifig, when there is a display for according themes. A local department store where I live even has oversized plastic minifig construction workers in a display (and that for as long as I can remember...).

Then the whole merchandizing: Plush-figs, minifig as a sculpture-set, all the different keychains (!!!*)...you name it!

I don't quite get why Lego is so stingy with minifigs in sets lately (although it was worse a time back), but as I said I'm pretty positive about Lego knowing what kind of iconic character they have at their disposal.

*would Lego REALLY produce their keychains with a focus on figs if thy didn't knew about their appeal and popularity? I doubt it!

As for minifig-packs: I think we should get these again as they were in the 70s and 80s. Small 6-figure assortment for the major lines.

Lego could jazz those packs up even more, if they introduced collectible bonus-figures (1 per pack) randomly packed. Those bonus figs would be even more appealing, if they had odd parts with them (like differently coloured/printed helmets, special chrome accessories...whatever). Lego has done that kind of thing already for their Bionicle-line, so why not do it for System? Hell, those random figs could even be introduced to regular sets, so you get 1 fig more per set, yet your don't know which one of the random ones (which are predetermined and limited of course! And there shouldn`t be more than, say, up to 10 different random figs per theme)

1) i think they're seeing one of the new vikings sets as a new minifig pack (the tower + 5 minifigs). they probably know by now that minifigs are important for the fans, especially for army building themes.

2) they may be expensive to produce so maybe profit margins are smaller

They could make #2 up in sheer volume. Everyone, from children to AFOL love minifigs. ARMIES of minifigs. You could easily see them as stocking stuffers, little rewards, or cheap presents for childres. As for the AFOL they'll be bought by the dozen. Of course the current method is to have us buy 50 CTT to get white clone troopers...and frankly it isn't working that bad for them as it stands. I bought a second CTT for the non LULS Mace and extra white clone. I don't really need those parts, but I'll put them to good use I suppose.

Face it, their method is working. It's making us resent them for their decision, but if we're forced to buy the bigger sets to get the figs we'll end up doing it. Now some will say "Bricklink". But they too have to get them from the big sets. Either way, TLG wins. Maybe if they weren't so financially against the wall like they were twenty years ago they'd bring the minifig packs back. Maybe not. Until that time comes just cross your fingers, and open your wallet.

[mutley777]

I agree that it seem's like a missed opportunity but i think lego are seeing the big picture as has been said. just look at some of the best selling star wars sets RGS had a great set of minifigs and so sold shed loads. Also the imperial inspection set was sold with 10 minifigs. Now also lego have changed the turbo tank to include more minifigs, so you can see they know their market. The 2 new star wars sets this year (sorry big star wars lego fan), the star destroyer and jabba's sailbarge both have 8 minifigs too. They want us to have lots of minifigs but we just have to buy the lego that goes with them too!

[Jipay]

I don't think "forcing" people to buy big sets to have the figs is the answer. That wouldn't be fair for those who can barely buy lego sets. Minifig packs had their own purpose : they were a good way to bring more people to your playing universe and therefore, to expand it. Then, because you had more figs, you needed bigger structures. This reasoning is the exact opposite of the one you propose, but it also has its profitability sides.

[mutley777]

I don't think "forcing" people to buy big sets to have the figs is the answer. That wouldn't be fair for those who can barely buy lego sets. Minifig packs had their own purpose : they were a good way to bring more people to your playing universe and therefore, to expand it. Then, because you had more figs, you needed bigger structures. This reasoning is the exact opposite of the one you propose, but it also has its profitability sides.

Don't get me wrong i would love to see minifig packs back, more star wars ones with clones or stormtroopers or vikings would be huge sellers without a doubt! i don't think lego forces us to do anything really, we are all addicted for our own reasons. i have loads of mutiple sets but that is my choice. i only buy extra sets when i can afford them, or if they are in a sale.

[Jipay]

Well i'm talking about normal sets at a normal price for normal consummers (kids)

[Peoples_General]

They should really bring back the minifig packs. All we get now are Magnets and Keychains. Although you can still part those out, it's no where near as good as real minifigs.

[Graynar]

Minifigs are expensive. Lately, town sets have had practicully no figs. A 80 doller set (hospital) had only 4 figs. LEGO's biggest castle (Vladeks dark fortress) hade 8. Compared to older 90's castle sets, that's sad. Also, minifig packs can lead to more people buying them than the bigger sets. Losing a profit.

My two cents.

[Sting]

Aren't Lego selling their sets to kids? I don't know how many kids would want "8 Minifigure Packs" for his Birthday... 90% of kids would rather have the massive castle set.

And a simple way to counter this is to have special figures in only certain sets. They did this anyway. You could never get a suit of armor in a minifig pack (you could get it in small sets like Black Knight but thats still a set), a horse, one of the big Great Helms.

You would never get those cool horse barding things (i think thats what its called X-D ) in a small set.

In Pirates you would never get an admiral/governor in a Minifig pack...

Lego can keep the big set desirable by having enough unique figures and pieces. Making the big sets GOOD helps too. People would buy 4 or 5 of 6086 Black Knights Castle even if it only had 2 minifigs because there were so many GOOD pieces in the set. Kids would buy one just for the amazing castle. Of course, it would be retarded to make an $85.00 set and only have a few figures (cough 7894, cough).

I can only guess the idea that lego is desperate to make money that they dont want to miss out on any people who WOULD only buy Minifig packs. I am not sure why though... Lego would make a killing on even just 3 Viking minifig pack... and the Star Wars minifig packs would be just ridiculous... paticularily of Rebel, Storm, Snow or Clone Troopers... they would sell like crazy.

[Starwars4J]

Aren't Lego selling their sets to kids? I don't know how many kids would want "8 Minifigure Packs" for his Birthday... 90% of kids would rather have the massive castle set.

And a simple way to counter this is to have special figures in only certain sets. They did this anyway. You could never get a suit of armor in a minifig pack (you could get it in small sets like Black Knight but thats still a set), a horse, one of the big Great Helms.

You would never get those cool horse barding things (i think thats what its called X-D ) in a small set.

In Pirates you would never get an admiral/governor in a Minifig pack...

Lego can keep the big set desirable by having enough unique figures and pieces. Making the big sets GOOD helps too. People would buy 4 or 5 of 6086 Black Knights Castle even if it only had 2 minifigs because there were so many GOOD pieces in the set. Kids would buy one just for the amazing castle. Of course, it would be retarded to make an $85.00 set and only have a few figures (cough 7894, cough).

I can only guess the idea that lego is desperate to make money that they dont want to miss out on any people who WOULD only buy Minifig packs. I am not sure why though... Lego would make a killing on even just 3 Viking minifig pack... and the Star Wars minifig packs would be just ridiculous... paticularily of Rebel, Storm, Snow or Clone Troopers... they would sell like crazy.

Well, while they're legally not allowed to do it anymore with Star Wars, they could make more pseudo army builders, like Imperial Inspection. I wonder if a Star Wars chess set would classify as a minifig pack...

[optimus-convoy]

Ohhh how I would love to see minifig packs make a comeback. I think it could work it they kept the more important figs in the bigger sets. They could at least do army builders with maybe Generic knights, Exo-force background characters, vikings or things of that sort.

[alex54]

if TLC makes new minifigs pack, it will not be packs to makes army. I mean, the old minifigs pack we find differents minifigs with different level of power. In castle ones, we find a knight with a gardian and a prisonier. To buy more and more of those sets didn't make an army for me. I think that tose kind of sets is more to have more people. This is respect more the spirit of TLC.

[Jipay]

Definitly ! But it also allowed you to have figs that weren't even in any other set (at least for the castle ones)

[SuvieD]

The figure packs were the sets I wanted most. I always had enough bricks to build a castle but most castle sets never had enough men to protect it even though only a handful were attacking. I used to dream of getting some of the figure packs. The best figure pack is this Linkage. Such variety and everything you need to have an adventure. Also a great army and village builder which LEGO still needs.

For those that are interested here are some of the older and better figure packs Link.

[Jipay]

I have one of those MF packs. This was my favoryte and I played so much with it. I bought it after receiving my black falcon fortress *sweet*

[JackRandom]

In an ideal world, minifigs should be available in the online shop - any number of any of the published figs.

That would be cool :-D

[Mithrandir]

The figure packs were the sets I wanted most. I always had enough bricks to build a castle but most castle sets never had enough men to protect it even though only a handful were attacking. I used to dream of getting some of the figure packs. The best figure pack is this Linkage. Such variety and everything you need to have an adventure. Also a great army and village builder which LEGO still needs.

I actually had that one when I was little. God knows what happened to it though, heh.

<3 Forestmen *wub*

Anyway; I looked around on Bricklink yesterday, and noticed that mini-figs are quite expensive; a lot of them go for $5; and some (like Jango Fett) go up to $40 in price!! Yikes!

I guess Lego knows that they are in high demand, and that people will buy sets to get the figures.

[natelite]

Yeah, I really like what they do in bricklink where you can buy separate MFs. But those are really expensive, like $5 a piece. Lego.com only charges $1-$2 per piece WHEN it sold the MFs.

[Beagle]

Anyway; I looked around on Bricklink yesterday, and noticed that mini-figs are quite expensive; a lot of them go for $5; and some (like Jango Fett) go up to $40 in price!! Yikes!

I guess Lego knows that they are in high demand, and that people will buy sets to get the figures.

I saw that a while back myself, how expensive Jango is! Sheesh! Makes me wish I had snapped up every single Jango's Slave 1 that I used to see crowding the bargain bin at KB Toys. Who'd have thought the figure alone would someday be worth more than the entire set?

Anyhow, back on topic, the lack of minifig sets really is strange and conspicuous. I understand why they can't do it with Star Wars figures (or possibly other licenses), but that shouldn't stop them from producing minifig packs of homegrown Lego themes. I think BlueandWhite is probably right.... so many of the sets now are driven by the minifigs, that if they sold the figs alone it might cut into set profit. That makes the most logical sense. :-/

[Jipay]

on a side note I do have an misb slave 1 :-P Anyone ?