[quote name='metallicoholic']Personally I think it's worth getting at least two characters of each element. If you're playing two-player it helps to have two characters with the same element since sometimes a section that requires a specific element will be difficult if both players don't have the same element. For example, some water-only sections require the character to physically go into the water and since you're tethered to the second player, not being able to bring the second character into the water limits the movement of the first player. I hope that made sense.
Plus the more characters you "collect," the more XP you gain. Also I think there's an elemental bonus for having more than one character of each element as well as other challenges to unlock.
Of course none of these perks really affect the gameplay itself but if you like two characters of the same element I say go for it.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the info, that is really good to know. I don't know that I will ever get to play multiplayer on it since most of my family doesn't like to play games with me

but that is definitely something I should keep in mind.
I have some elements with more than one character so I will check what happens with those and maybe pick some of the ones up that I really like... I definitely plan to pick some more up down the road (because as others said, there is a really good chance they will be really cheap soon

) just because I think they are cool, so if there are bonuses for doing so, that would be awesome!
[quote name='io']Regular price on the starter packs is $69.99 - how did you spend $79.99 on it at Best Buy? It has always been $69.99 there...
That's what I thought when I was putting together a set for my son for Christmas. Now I'm out looking for the rest

. So it wouldn't hurt to get more. If you can, get them from somewhere with a generous return policy (like 90 days at Target). If you start playing and then don't need the extras you can return the unopened ones.
It doesn't take long to upgrade them, so using multiples is not as big a deal as I thought.[/QUOTE]
Oops, that was a typo, I only paid $69.99, but still a little more than I would like to pay since I have already spent so much on Skylanders already... I at least wish Toy's R Us or someone would do a Buy 1 Get 1 x% off or Buy 2 Get 1 Free so I could get a little savings. I just feel like I'm going to turn around and these things are going to be on clearance everywhere, so I don't want to be kicking myself in a few months for getting caught up in the rush and spending so much on it.
I definitely will keep picking up some more figures now that I have the facts! I was going to change my Amazon order to get the triple pack that included Double Trouble and Whirlwind, but it looks like pretty much everything is sold out again, so I guess I will just keep my order. I wasn't really that into Drill Sergeant anyway, so I'm not too terribly upset... thought it would be nice to get a, basically, free figure.
Thanks again for all the info, I really appreciate it!