The fascinating strategies behind no deco action figures. And why belts are so important

Scott Toy Guru Neitlich looks at the use of no deco action figures from a cost, fan, and manufacture perspective.

[@brettwood1351]

Speaking of McFarlane, one case they got creative with the Deco Budget is the Warhammer 40k figures. They released unpainted versions as part of each wave, since a big part of the tabletop minis is custom paintjobs or for people that really wanted to have a different chapter's space Marine. That said they didn't sell as well as their painted bretheren considering how much easier they are to find in stores.

[@braydenpage1808]

Another from McFarlane that kinda hurts is the Arkham City Riddler, they didn't paint the yellow question marks all over his suit. The figure looks nice without them, but if they had painted those question marks it would have made Riddler look incredible.

[@korydoe4813]

Would you care to comment on the reveals of all the new motu origins items shown today? Please reply

[@ioncewasmikey]

Don't hold your breath. I defended this guy for awhile, tried to ask him very similar questions based on info I was getting locally, and nothing but crickets. I think today's news seals the deal for me that he was blowing hot air the whole time. He'll probably bestow us with a video tomorrow, moving the goal posts yet again. I'd almost put money on it... if I didn't need it for all the awesome new MOTU figures dropping tomorrow! 😂

[@korydoe4813]

@ioncewasmikey I really don't appreciate all his dis information. I listened to what he had to say, I listened to other content creators, I of course for fomo and bought the few "final wave figures " over paying of course so I didn't miss out. But after today's reveals I have unsubscribed from him for good

[@ioncewasmikey]

@@korydoe4813 which wave are you referring to as "final wave?" We know it's not now, but just curious which ones you said you overpaid for. Depending on the figure, it might not have been a terrible move either way. I do hope everything is fairly easy to attain. Duplico is the one that has me nervous, as he seems to share a slot in his wave with Hypno, and I slept on him the day he dropped on Creations.

[@korydoe4813]

Yes that wave and the following wave with snake teela. The tung lashor wave then became more easily obtainable. I jumped at some on ebay, probably paid over double retail. A stupid move I know. Duplico however is a bit of an anomaly. I snagged him for 60 dollars, way too much but some people paid a few hundred dollars for him! Hopefully he becomes easier to get for everyone. Using the idea that this maybe it for the line the 60 dollars in my mind seemed like a good idea. But today's revealed blow that away

[@ioncewasmikey]

@Kory Doe Well, at least double or 3x isn't in the hundreds of dollars category like some others paid. I think you made a good move- there was always the chance they'd be hard to get, and there are 8 figures you don't have to worry about. Duplico is definitely the one I'm most nervous about, even if he's not the figure out of all this new stuff that I want most. At this point, I don't want any holes in the collection if I can help it, at least main line figures. So fingers crossed he shows back up, and hopefully Moss Man isn't too big of a pain! Edit- I just finally got Wave 10... took a risk & held off on overpaying for Randor & Trap Jaw, and it worked out. But we know things don't always go so smoothly. 😅

[@raulcoronado6024]

Thank you 👍

[@ioncewasmikey]

Did you see all the amazing deco on the 2 dozen or so MOTU figures that were announced today?? Deco looks fantastic on Snake Mtn too. Hasbro is garbage.

[@jasoncarpenter5974]

Rumors of the demise of MOTU were greatly exaggerated by… someone.

[@aidansedelnick4443]

I have seen this deco issue become more prominent as I have been a fan of beyblade for quite a while now (more specifically, the QuadDrive and Quadstrike series of the beyblade burst toy line) Thanks for covering on this topic

[@princebloodgrave8097]

The cape was comic accurate, for the 80s. :)

[@TheCrabbyArchives]

Just two more weeks until Origins is no more! 😂😂😂😂

[@3Storms]

One of the best of the original GI Joe figures is the Baroness, and the only paint she has on her is on her face and the cobra emblem. That minimism is what helps make that figure so attractive. The same goes for Luke Jedi, which has some paint on one hand and on the face, but it works so exceptionally well. Sometimes the minimal touch is the best touch, but it's not a one-size-fits-all rule, so there are other figures that absolutely need a lot of paint.

[@DonHec]

I think this explains Tung Lashor’s bare back in the Origins line.

[@joeyr.cannoli]

Good call on that MOTU stuff, champ. Bwahahaha!!!!

[@acem7749]

Been collecting transformers again since WFC Siege. now the legacy figures look more like young kids toys do to lack of deco and cheaper plastic.

[@vernonsanders9696]

I find the wash just makes the figure look dirty.

[@LightningBoltJpS]

One of the big toy makers should create a “Do-your-own/Deco” line of factory quality paint kits with instructions or project suggestions for how to augment/customize their action figures. This could open up a whole new play pattern for the figures. It would basically outsource the labor back to the fans, and probably the risk would be In highlighting what you’re talking about, BUT by emphasizing the artistic aspect and showing what can be done - for example the huge improvement that is possible with proper deco on the face sculpt of a lot of Star Wars Black Series figures - I think you could take a negative and turn it into a profitable positive. This kind of line could also include new heads, hands and accessories, or 3D printer instructions for those items. I think that’s a winner, and you market the artistic and educational and even therapeutic aspects of that kind of craft hobby work. I bet they would sell.

[@Channel2S]

For a figure like Zebra Batman, since it has zero new tooling but lots of deco couldn't it be slotted into a "new mold/partial retool figure" spot in a regular wave? You've said before how expensive new tooling is, I find it hard to believe that even the heaviest decoed figure would have trouble being justified as an alternative.

[@jasoncarpenter5974]

Oh snap Scotty look at all those reveals today for Fall 2023 and 2024. I thought you said it was ending in April!

[@Channel2S]

Part of why I think people are so unsatisfied with recent "no deco" figures is that there is that they are not always accompanied by the "high value" figure that they're supposedly subsidizing. Or worse yet, the "high value" figure is sold at a marked up price anyways. It's very rare nowadays that you feel like you're getting a "deal" on a figure that has more value to it than what you're paying (with Hasbro at least), so it makes the low value, no-deco figures feel less like a fair trade and more like a ripoff.

[@matthewconlon2388]

Spot, make. The figure black with a white piece that is a contiguous framework to create the spots. 1 piece of deco all the spots you want.

[@Acidonia150reborn]

Threy could do it the Model/Kit /Gunpla way in that you have stickers/water decals you apply to colour correct parts.

[@superquad7]

I've wondered recently if a toy company considers just not making figures because of the cost and profit margins involved. If we haven't gotten there yet, I fear we could be getting there sooner rather than later. I think many consumers will simply get tired of all of the price increases due to these kinds of shortcuts having to be made continually. I hope I'm wrong, but unless some companies start getting more creative solutions, this is where I fear we're headed.

[@acem7749]

Can or have they ever mix two colors of plastic pellets for marbleized extrusion to simulate more deco?

[@RayKremer78]

Few things are more blatant in this than the gold/silver/bronze versions of a character that are supposed to be just a statue or "prize" version or whatever the heck, and you realize, ok but also there's zero paint hits on the thing so it's more cheap than special. Maybe the worst offender I've seen though, well, we all know that engineering prototypes of toys use whatever color plastic is handy just to test the tooling and make sure the parts fit together right and function properly, right? The Star Wars line is now selling action figures that look like this deliberately! Mass produced "prototype" figures? Really? These just scream desperate cash grab and also quite noticeably, no paint hits.

[@perryperry659]

does the size of the figure play into price I mean 5,6,7 inch figures. since I repaint my figures I don't mind the lack of paint but I do get upset when there's no sculpting or accessories

[@majorjoe23]

It’s kind of like a bottle episode on TV where they do an episode in one location so another episode can have a higher budget.

[@nbriez-c5914]

The only reason I know this is cause of Teen Titans Go lol I need to get out more smdh😂

[@rodrickadamginsburg8960]

Spector Creative Binge Day Episode 2 of 4

[@Daoloth]

That Spot is pretty funny as why would they even make it hehe. I'm wondering how did they get that cool Zebra Batman? That is a Classic GI Joe I remember Snake Eyes was one of the most popular characters. Then Eagle Force that their Ninja character who sorta reminded me of him in their metal figures. I think he was like a repainted Cobra Trooper Torso or some of the parts. They need to find a way to make tooling along with painting cheaper. Those Spawn toys are probably worth more than the actual comics heh. I noticed I got like Figurine Robin along with Blue Beetle or so in these Blu Ray sets. They are kinda cool but basically are just statues. Why do you show that random leg next to Black Panther? I notice plastic more on items.

[@mrheroprimes]

But what about the inverse the deco gets wasted on covering up clear plastic. transformers kingdom tracks and road rage use an entire chunk of clear plastic to make up their car mode that is then painted in blue or red. When they couldn't move the bed entire section in hard plastic and use the Deco budget to paint the windshield and tail lights to match the fochest.

[@fatenabu1]

I don't mind molded plastic coloring instead of painted. I'd rather have molded plastic than paint that will chip.

[@scottroxford5715]

Personally I like figures that are just base molded plastic because that means less room for error with the paint apps, given the quality control these days asking for more paint is like a monkey's paw wish. Plus I can just add the paint myself if it bothers me THAT much, which I have had to do for some figures, not all though. I understand you shouldn't have to do that given the prices but I've had to fix $100 figures that packed certain paint so it's not a big deal, to me anyway.

[@williamthompson5504]

Hasbro admitted their price increases were purely for profit. I think this was stated in fall of 22. I use to collect Transformers. They out priced me. A deluxe isn't worth $24.99. A 6 inch figure isn't worth $24 .99 to me. They've priced out my 19 year old son too. Closed boxes for ESG scores and jacked up pricing killed it for him. Scott, these companies have become greedy and you refuse to address this. I'm a big fan, but you seem to tiptoe around some issues.

[@ioncewasmikey]

Hasbro is definitely the worst of the bunch.

[@RayKremer78]

Eh, inflation is a real thing, especially lately, but sure, everybody who is selling something wants to find that sweet spot where raising the price doesn't lose you so many customers that your revenue drops. Our one saving grace is that a lot of these are still prices for parents to buy for birthdays and Christmas, though the larger stuff and definitely the "collector" lines are aimed squarely at those with pockets deep enough to support an addiction.

[@FFFFPPPP]

MOTU Origins and Masterverse are OFFICIALLY not dead. A massive wave of both lines has been revealed direct from Mattel. Right now. Good going, Scott. Wrong as always.

[@Arashikage32]

Oh do shut up. I’m glad you’re such an expert. Save it for your You Tube channel and consulting business. Oh that’s right you don’t have those things. If you don’t like this channel, don’t come here.

[@biggreek4022]

Lmao and Scott was just saying that Mattell hasn't put out any official news like they did last year!😅😅😅..oh God let's see how he spins this....lmao

[@shawngreenidge3591]

Scott never said the line was dead. He said the line would stop being sold at big box stores like Walmart. But now, if we see all these figures at Walmart, he was clearly wrong. If we have to buy these off BBTS or some local bodega, then he wasn't incorrect.

[@biggreek4022]

@@shawngreenidge3591 lol...ok pixel Dan said as far as he is aware they are all going to retail except some figures will be exclusive to certain retailers..He was CLEARLY wrong and u will see tomorrow.

[@shawngreenidge3591]

​@@biggreek4022 like you said, Pixel Dan said "as far as he's aware". Dan's awareness could be wrong too, unless he said he was told these would be all available in brick and mortar stores. Hey, I'm not wishing that these don't show up at Walmart. I would rather walk inside a Walmart and purchase them off the rack then having to order them on BBTS. But hey, in the end, I just want to be able to easily purchase these things, and I find purchasing these things in store has always been a problematic task. I still hear stories of people never seeing a Castle Grayskull in their local Walmart...

[@theoadamsiv7844]

i wish you would define what deco is. i assume it’s additional tertiary color plastic or non plastic?

[@topherowlish]

He has defined it a few times in the past but it's painting details. Every time a paint brush touches the plastic (deco hit).

[@foldabotZ]

It's the painted details on a toy, "deco" is the technical term for that.

[@michaelrinaldi9168]

I would be ok with having to do my own deco. Whoever put these figures in windowless boxes though, I want to do horrible things to. Its pretty much killed me purchasing any of them. At that point I might as well buy a model kit if i'm Gonna have to paint it myself.

[@sethmerriman7377]

It seems like 98% of the Marvel Legends community hate cell-shaded figures, but they keep making them. The cell-shading is more deco hits. They could’ve done the figures in brighter colored plastic and that would’ve been good enough for most of us.

[@masonj4779]

Where did you find the 98% stat? Or are you making that up. Don’t think of yourself or your opinions as being that important.

[@sethmerriman7377]

Based on what I’ve read on forums and figure reviews that I’ve seen, the overwhelming majority of collectors aren’t crazy about cell-shading. 98% was my estimation. I could very well be wrong but my opinion is just as important as yours.

[@acem7749]

Soon they will include kits and have buyers deco and wash their own figures..

[@wayigotitfigured9800]

The Black panther is comic accurate. it's from the 2002 Reginald Hudlin run.

[@brademerick9181]

Also his first appearance in Fantastic Four 52 he wore the cape , it's part of his regal attire .

[@wayigotitfigured9800]

@@brademerick9181 Yes. It's not a 'costume' - it's a King's habit.

[@KingRandor82]

I continue to be so glad I have no interest in any further Marvel Legends. Closed box, reduced paint deco, and higher costs. Easy pass

[@andremontelongo5500]

If these things are so darn expensive to produce and deco why even bother selling these things??? Why not just sell blank BUX and say "here u go. You color it and make this toy into what you want." I mean it's pretty much at that point already. I buy a Marvel Legends toy and I add alota details (pin stripes for example) to make it look more like what the toy is supposed to look like. And why does everybody say FIGURE??????? Are people embarrassed to use the word TOY???????? I personally hate the word FIGURE.

[@ioncewasmikey]

It's just Hasbro nonsense. Prices for everything have gone up, but their prices are outpacing literally everything else.

[@adamnapolitano432]

Oof, that spot looks grotesquely overweight.

[@mikeisernie]

.....that Spot figure is creepy.

[@gettosake]

We’re waiting Scott…

[@masonj4779]

Hey scooter…..can’t wait to see you spin all the reveals that mattel just put out. Even your bff mega jay retro,is saying motu will be around this year. Go back on his show and explain yourself. Mattel just sent you a big F/U on the channels you frequent. 😂😂😂😂

[@ioncewasmikey]

The only thing I can possibly think of at this point is that Mattel paid him to hype up the line lol. Other than that, there's no good explanation. You & I have had our words on here before, but I'm here today to say I shouldn't have defended him.

[@masonj4779]

@@ioncewasmikey no worries man. I never take anything personal. We’re all in this for fun and sometimes we just disagree. Lol. Even if it’s in rude ways. And I tend to be rude a lot. In the end we all just want our toys.

[@ioncewasmikey]

@Mason J I might tend to take things too personally sometimes haha 😅 I'm so glad to see what we saw today though!

[@Charmander009]

He’s gona say whenever a toy companies shows so many reveals , it means the line is ending and their dumping all their product to get rid of it. I wish he would tell us his sources