darkSpyro

When I get this game, I'm going to want, at minimum, one of each movement type swapper and the two adventure packs. I'm ballparking I'll be getting 14-18 figures from Swap Force.

I'll automatically nab a "rare" variant whether I like the character or not. (edit - clarification: If I find it at retail)

Past that, I'm picking what I want based on looks. If they're all going to be fun to play, I want to have the ones that I think look cool.

How do you choose? Online descriptions? Ask friends? Just buy everything? Collect particular types? Try a friend's? Watch gameplay videos?

Largely, based on what looks cool. I'm definitely getting a swapper for each movement/elemental type (just waiting on Earth/Sneak now), and otherwise, it's a combination of how cool they look in videos online/how the figure look in person. I only get variants if I think they look cooler than the normal version: I currently have Nitro Magna Charge and Scarlet Ninjini, since I prefer those colorations, but I prefer regular Hoot Loop and the non-legendary colors, so I didn't get those ones. And I thought Star Strike/Chill/Thumpback just looked awesome, so I got her. I have the first adventure pack and will definitely get the second once it comes out.

I choose on looks alone.

I collect all of them, so I pretty much grab every new Skylanders I see no matter who they are and what they look.

But if I was not collecting all of them and was limited in money, I would prioritize having one Swapper of each movement type, then if I find one other Swapper cool, I buy it even if already have the movement type. For exemple, I already have Climb and Rocket ability with Wash Buckler and Blast Zone. I think Spy Rise looks cool so I would buy him, but I wouldn't buy Boom Jet since I don't find him cool and already have a Rocket.

I just buy all of them...except chase or "special" variants.

SiraRaven, Yep. I'm totally with you on most legendaries. (For example, I don't mind Bouncer in those colors). I also only care about common variants that I like better, like Hot Dog in yellow.

weebbby, it works pretty well.

newkill, JetVac96, I'd loooove to just scoop up every different figure I find on store shelves, but I already spend too much on this for my my income level. Now, if I got a better job..... DD