| Character | Availability | Hlth | Spd | Arm | Hit | Mgc | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legendary Spyro | Legendary Triple Pack | Loose | 280 | 50 | 18 | 50 | 25 | 423 |
| Spyro | Starter Pack | Loose | 280 | 50 | 18 | 30 | 25 | 403 |
| Voodood | Single Pack | Triple Pack | 290 | 35 | 12 | 30 | 25 | 392 |
| Dark Spyro | Starter Pack | Loose | 280 | 43 | 24 | 30 | 25 | 392 |
| Wrecking Ball | Single Pack | Triple Pack | Loose | 270 | 43 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 382 |
| Double Trouble | Single Pack | Triple Pack | 250 | 35 | 18 | 50 | 25 | 378 |
This week I’m introducing a complete set of Skylanders. The Magic element characters are now all available. Also unusual in this element is the offering of three variants of the same character: Spyro, Dark Spyro and Legendary Spyro.
We have ended up with all three Spyros recently which has led to some interesting games being invented by the kids. These largely involve Spyro being able to change between the different characters in some imagined scenario. Whoever is looking after Spyro in this imaginary play can then swap in the characters as required.
I’ll be interested to see whether this enthusiasm for multiples of the same character continues when Skylanders Giants arrives at the end of the year. That will see a re-released Spyro in a new pose and with the ability to level up higher and (I suspect) Spyro in light-up form. I’m sure that the new giant Skylander for the Magic element will be more than enough of a distraction to begin with.
But today I want to focus on the most recent additions to the Magic Skylanders family: Wrecking Ball and Double Trouble.
Wrecking Ball
Wrecking Ball was released in the second wave of Skylanders figures in both triple and single pack. Recent re-stocking has meant that he is becoming more common.
A combination of his ability to attack enemies by sticking out his tongue and his compact physical design has made him quite a favorite for my kids. He often stars in the games they make up for the characters when not playing the videogame itself where he seems to be used to knock over other Skylanders (as his name suggests).
In the game proper he starts with his Tongue Whip and Forcefield Ball attack, each of which keep him relatively safe from enemy attacks. Players can then choose to upgrade his tongue attack (via the Total Tongue path) or his Forcefield Ball attach (via the Ultimate Spinner path).
Although both of these suit a younger player my kids didn’t realize they would miss out on the tongue upgrade by choosing the Ultimate Spinner path. After buying a few of these they took the unprecedented move of resetting their character via the menu and starting again — this time opting for the Total Tongue path.
Our favorite Wrecking Ball ability wasn’t discovered until we purchased his Soul Gem upgrade (found in Quick Silver Vault) that enables him to swallow enemies whole, Kirby style. The kids think this is fantastic and often spend hours on the early levels simply eating all the smaller enemy characters.
Double Trouble
Double Trouble wasn’t released until the third wave of characters. However when he did arrive he was available in both single and double pack. This made him more common than other third wave characters like Cynder. Even so, with the increasing popularity of the game, these figures can still go for more than their RRP.
Double Trouble was a top Skylander with our family from the off. Like Sonic Boom, he is able to produce miniature replicas of himself that then go and fight the enemies. Unlike Sonic Boom, Double Trouble’s offspring are mindless zombies that charge straight at the enemy until they die.
This proved to be hysterical for our kids who have spent hours sending Double Trouble’s Doppelgangers to their doom. Beyond this novelty they also seemed to enjoy his ability to cast spells and summon magical rain. Although his stats are the lowest of the Magic Skylanders, these attacks and some meaty upgrades more than make up for his shortcomings.
We ignored the Channeler upgrade path that improves Double Trouble’s Eldritch Beam and Magic bomb attacks. Instead we opted for the Conjuror path that gives his magic doubles more power and makes them explore on contact with their enemies — again the cause of much laughter.
His Soul Gem (found in the Lair of Kaos) is his Achilles’ heel as it only grants the ability to fly over water. In comparison to other characters’ Soul Gem abilities this is a little tame.
Magic Skylanders figures are available from Amazon from $9.99.
