darkSpyro

Hi so a friend from work gave me their skylanders giants and starter kit as their son does not play it anymore and my 5 yr old wants it.

I understand there is 6 different types of elemental?

• what are your recommendations of getting for each type as for now i am only going to get him 1 of each for now.
  
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• i already bought the legendary stealth elf from life class as i like the look of that one haha. hex looks cool is there a legendary one of her? also what is the difference in legendary and non legendary?
  

Cheers

Brinsin

i suggest if you still have the poster let your son take a look at it for sure he will mention a couple figures that he likes or looks cool to him. chat them down to make a list what he likes then give it him as a reward for doing good, high grades etc or as a gift as needed. btw you can still download the whole character roster with pics at their site if you lost your poster. http://www.skylanders.com/giants/showcase

apparently theres no legendary Hex. Legendary characters looks exactly the way they are in game as they are as physical toys this are called ingame variants. Legendary characters have added a little bit of bonus stats compared to normal counter part. plus they really look like really cool that my opinion.

hf and enjoy as our family had alot of it due to this game.

Gotta start somewhere, welcome aboard!

There's eight elements, and yes, one of each element is a good way to start. You're going to need ONE giant too, and if you're being really frugal, you can just use him for whatever element he is. So a minimum of Eight figures.

Legendary figures, let me think. Bash, Spyro, Chop-Chop, Trigger Happy, Slam-Bam, Stealth Elf, Lightcore Chill, Bouncer, and Jet Vac.

Welcome to the Boards!

• 8 Elements (Magic, Earth, Water, Fire, Tech, Undead, Life and Air)...if you want to access all areas of the game you'll want at least one from each element. I will warn you though, collecting these are very fun!
  
• Youtube is your friend...start with the poster and get all of the names and have your son pick and choose what he likes based on gameplay.
  
• Giants allow you to access different areas...technically only one is needed but are very fun. You may opt for one giant and one "regular" skylander.
  
• Battle Packs are the "early adopter" program to get certain characters such as Hot Dog or Shroom Boom, but you get another piece that helps enemies (Cannon, Scorpion Striker) Keep in mind if you don't like this arrangement they will be releasing these characters in single packs.
  
• If you're up for buying in bulk, check out the three packs. Some are on sale for < $20 for three.
  
• Lightcores are cool in that they glow on the portal and basically "nuke" enemies when they appear in game. The bad news: They cost more, and you lose wow-pow capabilities.
  
• Keep in mind if you have Giants you can also buy characters for the game that will work from Spyro's Adventure (Green on bottom) that they aren't re-introducing (example: Warnado, Camo, Dino-Rang)
  
• Best to stay away from Spyro characters that have Giants "reposed" (Orange on bottom) as you have additional capabilities and options (example: Eruptor, Drobot, Hex)
  
• Legendary are simply reposed / re-imaged characters with slightly different stats...it's an exclusive gimmick from Toys R Us...I consider these "variants" and unless you REALLY get into the game I'd stick with the "regular" version of these characters. They currently have the following packages of Legendaries for Giants: 3 pack with Jet vac, Slam Bam and Ignitor, single pack Stealth Elf and single pack Bouncer. I hear Chill is coming as a Legendary Light Core.
  
• For the fanatics, there are chase variants like Gold/Silver/White/Glitter that go for much more. Info abound. Sounds like not for you but wanted to let you know so you don't accidentally spend more money.
  
• Amazon has quite a few on sale for 40% off. Check out the threads here for specifics.
  
• Most important: HAVE FUN!
  

theres little difference between legendary and non legendary (a few stats, not noticeable) pick whatever one you think looks better

and when it comes to picking which of each element, theyre all good, some better then others, but the game isnt so difficult that you need to have the most powerful of each element to have a chance
just pick whichever appeals to you the most from each element - thats the best way to have fun in the game.

Welcome and have fun! I was where you were back in January, new no game and totally overwhelmed! I found this site and just researched. One thing that helped me was looking up videos on you tube to see how the characters played. There is a user there who posts Skylanders videos and he shows how they play and their attacks. Look up 'coinoptv' or Skylanders 101 and type in the one you might be interested in. I think you will find a video of the one you are looking for.

I started with Skylanders Giants for Xbox 360 and Whirlwind. And since then I've spent at least $500. So be prepared you get sucked in really easily

Have fun!

Quote: Nelomet

Gotta start somewhere, welcome aboard!

There's eight elements, and yes, one of each element is a good way to start. You're going to need ONE giant too, and if you're being really frugal, you can just use him for whatever element he is. So a minimum of Eight figures.

Legendary figures, let me think. Bash, Spyro, Chop-Chop, Trigger Happy, Slam-Bam, Stealth Elf, Lightcore Chill, Bouncer, and Jet Vac.

You forgot Legendary Ignitor

If you dont want to spend alot, for what ever reason (Short on cash / Not sure if your son will like it / Only care to have one of each element) you might want to check your local Toys R US, they have great sales on the Skylanders S1 figures on the average of twice a month. anywhere from BOGO 40% to Buy one get one free. These S1 (Skylanders Spyro Adventure) figures work with Skylanders Giants and are usually cheaper than the ones that were released for Giants. If you can get ahold of the Adventure packs (There are 4) that would get you a figure for the Fire (Sunburn), Water (SlamBam), Death (Ghost Roaster), Earth (Terrafin) Elements and open up a different chapter to play. They are priced at $20 - $25 each. The Adventure Packs come with 4 items = Skylander Character, Chapter Level, 2 Magic items.

Most of the info has already been shared... As has been pointed out, there are 8 elements (not 6), and having all 8 means you can access all parts of the game. Funny how EVERYBODY, including the game, has a "If you have a Giant" attitude, when one comes with the game, Tree Rex! Since you say you got the Starter Pack, would that include the figures, such as Tree Rex? If so, you have the Giant part covered. Between the 8 elements and having a Giant, that's the bare minimum to be able to access all locations.

As has also been said, the Legendary characters are exclusives from Toys R Us. They have similar stats, but a different colour scheme (which shows in the game as well, not all variants look different on screen), which always seems to be black or dark blue with gold accents. There were also Legendary characters which were released with the first game, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (SSA here on the forums).

There are also other exclusives from other stores and in certain packages. Life will be easier for you if you satisfy yourself with the normal versions, the variants can be hard to find and hard to get, and expensive outside of a store.

Note that in the game you can get preview videos. Pause the game, select Collections, and select the first button, with Tree Rex's face on it. It will show you a grid of the 8 elements. Pick an element, you get profile pics of all the characters (from both games) in that element. Anybody with a little Play icon, you can see their preview video. Characters who came out with SSA, you can see them right from the start. New characters (which will be the first two profile pics, the Giant and the new non-Giant) you have to find their Soul Gem in the game first.

If you go to the store, a lot have a portal set up in a display. If you put a packaged character on their portal, the TV will show these same preview videos.

Single packs tend to be $10, triple packs/adventure packs/battle packs tend to be $20 (so for triple packs you're saving $10). Adventure Packs are bonus levels you can play in either game, and comes with two magic items that can affect things in the game (such as a potion which heals). The level items act as a mega-attack magic item while playing. Battle Packs are two characters and one large magic item. I only know of two, the Dragonfire Cannon and the Scorpion Striker, I only have the former. The cannon follows you around like a pet, firing on enemies when they're around.

If you want to know what's available (though what's available in stores is a different story), at the top of this page is a list of icons for different Spyro games. Click the one for Giants, on the left will be a list of levels (clicking a level - Chapter - name will give a walkthrough for that level). Under the level list is more related links, including Packs. This shows what character packs have been released, including variants and where they might be exclusive to. Doing the same for Spyro's Adventure will show you what was released for SSA. Together, that's everything that's out.

Quote: jainasky

Welcome and have fun! I was where you were back in January, new no game and totally overwhelmed! I found this site and just researched. One thing that helped me was looking up videos on you tube to see how the characters played. There is a user there who posts Skylanders videos and he shows how they play and their attacks. Look up 'coinoptv' or Skylanders 101 and type in the one you might be interested in. I think you will find a video of the one you are looking for.

I started with Skylanders Giants for Xbox 360 and Whirlwind. And since then I've spent at least $500. So be prepared you get sucked in really easily

Have fun!

I basically mirrored this exact post! Except my daughter and I are on ps3!

If your kid loves the game as much as my daughter be prepared to be very strong OR caved like I did and buy, buy, buy! Either way, HAVE FUN!!!!!

you only need one of each elements and at least one giant to explore all the areas in the skylanders giant game... if you have the poster that did come with the game, let your son pick one of each... and your done don't need to buy more

Like people said, you need one from each element and a Giant to fully complete the game.
When you get the game it will come with a Giant from the Life element and if you get the starter pack, you get an Undead and Air element.
If you had the first game, you can use ones from that to count toward characters from each element.

Thanks guys, i pik up the game from my friend tomorrow it comes with the starter pack which has tree rex but my friend didnt tell me what fugures r in it.

Anyone know where to get ninjini she looks kool?

Quote: Brinsin

Thanks guys, i pik up the game from my friend tomorrow it comes with the starter pack which has tree rex but my friend didnt tell me what fugures r in it.

Anyone know where to get ninjini she looks kool?

The skylanders are released in waves, 5 waves each game to be exact, infortunatly, ninjini is yet to be released in one of them, we do have a confirmation for the area of he release date, some point in March

Ok thanks.

So would this be a good starting collection as i have spoke. To my next-door neighbour and friends across the street i can borrow a few off them.


Skylanders list

Earth = bash or crusher
Fire = hotdog or ignitor
Life = stealth elf
Magic = spyro or pop fizz
Tech = trigger happy/drill sergeant
Undead = hex or fright rider
Water = chill
Wind = jet vac

Any of these bad choices?

mabye crusher. his hammer is hard to aim.

For earth terrafin is a good choice and slam bam is a good water choice

Quote: paddyfitz

Quote: Brinsin

Thanks guys, i pik up the game from my friend tomorrow it comes with the starter pack which has tree rex but my friend didnt tell me what fugures r in it.

Anyone know where to get ninjini she looks kool?

The skylanders are released in waves, 5 waves each game to be exact, infortunatly, ninjini is yet to be released in one of them, we do have a confirmation for the area of he release date, some point in March

There will also be a ingame varient of ninjini called scarlet if you wait a couple of months

Quote: Brinsin

Earth = bash or crusher
Fire = hotdog or ignitor
Life = stealth elf
Magic = spyro or pop fizz
Tech = trigger happy/drill sergeant
Undead = hex or fright rider
Water = chill
Wind = jet vac

Any of these bad choices?

Heh, I don't have half of these... Hot Dog, Ignitor, Pop Fizz, Drill Sergeant, Fright Rider or Chill.

I WOULD recommend that you cover all the elements yourself... It doesn't seem feasible to always have to borrow somebody, though it's good you can. It will end up being very frustrating if every time you come across a Water Gate you have to run across the road to borrow Chill (for example).

My thoughts:

• Bash: Tends to be a bit slow, but his roll makes it better, and when upgraded (I think his Soul Gem power) he's a living steam roller.
  
• Crusher: Is slow and stays slow, and as mentioned his hammer is hard to aim. I also find between him and his hammer, they take a lot of screen real estate. However his hammer hits hard, he clears things well.
  
• Hot Dog: Don't have him, don't know him. I've gotten the impression he's quite effective, though. If you give him the Bone Hat he carries a bone in his mouth, LOL!
  
• Ignitor: My nephews have him, he's a being of fire, inhabiting a suit of armour. He can walk around without it to harm enemies by touch, which seems cool and effective.
  
• Stealth Elf: Widely considered the strongest character of the first game, she's still seriously effective. She's fast (especially after getting her acrobatic upgrade) and kills fast. GREAT for speed runs, doing the levels fast, needed if you want the 3 stars/perfect rating for a level.
  
• Spyro: My only Magic character until recently, he's pretty effective. His fireballs give good damage at good distance. His flight ability lets him get around pretty quickly too.
  
• Pop Fizz: Again, don't have him, but he seems to be Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, being able to drink a potion to become a melee monster.
  
• Trigger Happy: EXCELLENT name, very descriptive. High rate of fire. Also when upgraded you can charge up his main attack for a mega-shot that's fun to witness. Also he has an attack where he pulls out a belt-fed machine gun, good for clearing out groups.
  
• Drill Sergeant: My nephews have him. Haven't played or witness him much, he's basically a drill tank, looks like he's designed for drilling mines or something. I believe he has a charge where he leads with his drill hands. Seems all right.
  
• Hex: LOVE her. She has good distance and good speed. She also has a Skull Rain attack which aims itself but is pretty explosive.
  
• Fright Rider: Know NOTHING about him, really, as far as gameplay is concerned.
  
• Chill: Know very little, just that her attacks are ice-based. I think she shoots icicles, so she has distance.
  
• Jet Vac: He's different... One attack is a vacuum attack, which sucks in small enemies and damages the rest. With an upgrade the sucked in enemies make your next other attack a mega shot (suck in 2, get 2 shots, etc).
  

All in all, an effective team, you (or rather your son) just has to learn how to use each effectively.