>>6686971The thing to consider with upgrade kits is that people rarely (or at least I would assume rarely) ever buy something with the plan of holding out for an upgrade kit instead of just buying something better to start with. You buy an upgrade kit to improve something you already have.
Like I have UW Devestator with the DNA kit because I bought UW Devestator before even knowing 3Ps were a thing and on finding out there could have been better options, decided to spend a bit on an upgrade kit to improve it to my liking rather than replace it entirely. If I had no Devy right now and decided to make a researched and educated purchase I'd definitely just get some 3P instead, but it's better to just slap some upgrades on what I already have.
Plus there's the rare instances of upgrade kits being your only options for a certain thing. like CW Ultra Magnus with the PE kit is pretty much the only combining Ultra Magnus after the original, and if you want a good g1 Ironhide your best option is the MP with the Shadow Fisher upgrades.
Upgrade kits certainly have a place I think, though they definitely get pretty ridiculous at times (the thousands of dollars of upgrade kits available for Classic Prime really come to mind here). Also major shoutouts to nonnef for being like the only company making upgrade kits that aren't hilariously overpriced. a 5-10 upgrade kit for a 20-50$ toy is much more palatable than the stuff PE puts out.
