A Note About Bantha Skull’s Figure Ratings

As most of you know, Bantha Skull is mostly focused on 3.75" scale figures, and more specifically, the super-articulated variety. We have made some accommodation recently due to the changes Hasbro has made to the line, and we've also started reviewing the lesser-articulated "bargain" figures which, one would argue, currently constitute the "main" 3.75" line.

Our Bantha Skull rating is on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 representing "perfection" (or as close as is reasonably possible), while a 0 represents complete garbage; an insult to the consumer and grounds for grabbing your pitchfork and torch and making a road trip to Pawtucket. Chris and I have our differences of opinions on certain figures, but for the purposes of consistency at Bantha Skull, we generally will adhere to the guidelines below. Note that we are human, and sometimes emotions may move the needle on a certain figure a notch or two in either direction, but for the most part, we stick to these guidelines.

After spending some time completing our galleries and reviews of the Force Friday II Launch collection of 5POA figures, we've taken stock of the line and have decided at this point to adjust Bantha Skull's baseline for a 5POA figure to a rating of 4 (previously advertised as 5). To achieve this baseline, a 5POA figure must "do its job." It must stand without falling over, have solid sculpting and paint applications, and must securely interact with its included accessories.

Bantha Skull's baseline for a super-articulated figure is a rating of 7. The figure must have the necessary articulation to achieve a variety of unsupported positions, have outstanding sculpting and paint applications (including having well-disguised articulation points), and it must interact dynamically with included accessories,

Included in the methodology is the difference in the retail price point between each line. Currently, a 5POA goes for $8, while SA goes for $13.

Moving the dial forward might be easier for a 5POA. For example, a removable helmet might get a 5POA figure an extra point, while this would be expected as standard on an SA figure. It would be tougher for an SA figure to go from a 7 to a 9, than it would for a 5POA to go from a 5 to a 7. Conversely, a significant ratings drop for an SA figure can occur for a simple missed opportunity, while the same might not impact the 5POA version too negatively. A mediocre face sculpt on a 5POA might drop it a point, but it could completely ruin a premium SA figure.

In the case of both figure types, higher scores can be awarded for the following items:

- additional articulation counts or innovative articulation mechanisms (ball jointed wrists)
- outstanding facial likeness to the on-screen characters (Black Series Vizam)
- multiple accessories or set pieces (a cantina table)
- wardrobe change possibilities (removable helmets, swappable hands, removable vest)
- general improvement over a previous iteration of the character in the line; closeness to the "definitive" version of a character (VC Luke Endor Capture)
- an Easter egg included in the design (POTJ Ketwol has two! Removable pants and a double-sided face so you get a bonus Melas figure)

Ratings points can be deducted for:

- reduced articulation counts (Black Series Yoda)
- substandard sculpting of articulation points (a ball jointed head that barely moves, arms that don't swivel due to restrictive sculpt)
- failure to interact with basic equipment (a pilot must be able sit!)
- poor execution of soft goods (looks like a Snuggee)
- poor execution of accessories (a saber hilt with no peg hole)
- completely missed paint applications (Black Series 41st Elite Corps Clone Trooper)

Chris and I are mostly human, so there are intangibles that will go into the rating. If I rate a figure on the same day the Giants lose, I might deduct a point just on principle. If the figure happens to be a new EV-9D9, Chris will give it a 10 even it's actually just a rusty nail packaged on a TVC cardback.

We hope this helps give context and some consistency to our figure ratings. Your feedback is welcome!

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