Hasbro gains nothing by 'cheating' since inflating the numbers to be higher than they actually are simply means they might have to pay out of pocket to give people toys.

However, a quick check of certain dates might be a big hint. The first time Victory Saber happened? October 17th, 1989
The Tide Is Turned! The Ultimate Weapon, the Victory Unification - Transformers Wiki

Victory Leo was introduced on this very day, September 27th back in 1989
Fight!! Victory Leo - Transformers Wiki

And finally, Victory Leo becomes an actual character (I think?) on October 3rd, 1989
Awaken! Victory Leo - Transformers Wiki

I think they've been lining up the dates here to coincide with the Anniversary of Victory Saber as a collective concept. My bet is Hasbro will extend the deadline by a month so that it means there's time for the Japanese pre-orders to happen on or around the 17th, maybe earlier.

 

Ooof... That doesn't seem likely unless the Takara orders explode. That should have been Tier2. Bummer.

 

Yoo Victory Leo is exactly 10 years older than me? Sweet

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! 

 

Given I've been told that the shield literally only got used once in the last episode, personally I think the intended play is to encourage getting everything because people would want an accessory over a flight stand.

 

Happy birthday! Hope you have a good day!

 

Thank you both, I'll try but don't forget to wish our lord and savior Google a happy birthday as well. They know when you don't. They know all

 

Why do people on here always assume that just because they don’t understand a business decision that it’s due to “incompetence”? Go run a multi-billion dollar company and then get back to me.

 

Here's a hint!

Starts with a P...

 

Hmm, I thought incompetence starts with “I”.

 

Of course. He's a genius. He's been in the fandom LONGER THAN ALL OF US and we have to bow down to his wisdom.  

 

There's no I in incom-I mean team...

 

The start and finish dates of the TTMall preorder window will certainly rule in and out a few theories!

 

The flight stand makes this in to a fantastic display piece in both modes while the shield was barely used and really only brings it up to parity with the MP.

 

Not to disagree exactly with your point, But then why have a crowdfunding window before takara is ready to set something up? You’d think they could easily have had that set up beforehand. Or wait till it’s ready. The timing shouldn’t be a problem…

 

These things always shoot up in the last few days. Galactus's backer count, what, doubled in the last 24-48 hours? There's still plenty of opportunity for this to hit all 3 tiers.

 

While true, some people will see it as the shield is more valuable and unique while the flight stand not as necessary because they could get one from Tamashi Nations.

 

While I enjoy the flight stand, the shield is definitely more fun and I can see it bringing some people over the fence.

 

It got around 10,000 backers in the last 24 hours while it went from 11,000 to 22,000 backers steadily over the 5 days before hand. Most likely a combination of 3P retailers' orders getting counted and people impulse buying due to FOMO...like me.

 

I still don't know now why they don't do this around tax time.