Harvinger Studios Savage Crucible Wave 1 Review and Images

[ToyFarce]

It's Wednesday, and you know what that means: ToyFarce review!

This week, we're having a look at the first wave of Savage Crucible figures from Harvinger Studios. Savage Crucible is an exciting new 6.5-7" highly articulated action figure line with a ton of interchangeable parts I went all in during the Kickstarter campaign and will be getting the next 2 waves as well. The first wave focuses on the Lemurians (reptile people), with 4 characters, 2 'slates' and 2 accessory packs.

First of all, the shipping box has art on it, and that is awesome. An extra little something that definitely does not go unnoticed. Gonna have to start keeping shipping boxes, I guess...

The first wave includes Ko'Mo of the Isles, Nin Vilimir, a Royal Guard, an Imperial Sentry, a Savage Lemurian, a Slate Lemurian and 2 Accessory packs (Huntsman and Armory). Each packaging has info about the characters, as well as a hidden pack including a trading card. There is even a warning when you open the figure saying 'Look behind the map!' to make sure people won't miss it (apart from those who open their figures from the bottom, I guess?). More about the cards below...

First off, behold Ko'Mo of the Isles. The paint on this figure is outstanding. The sculpt, the details, it is a beautiful figure. Ko'Mo comes with an extra pair of hands, a sword, an axe and a water pouch (attachable on his belt). The armor parts are made of softer plastic, which doesn't hinder movement too much. Ko'Mo has great presence on a shelf!

Nin Vilimir has great 'villain' vibes. His armor is all pointy, and manipulating that figure can hurt, but it looks so good... Nin comes with an extra pair of hands, a Scimitar looking sword, a short sword and potion bottle. While not being a big fan of his head, he does look unique compared to the other Lemurians.

The Royal Guard and the Imperial Sentry are pretty much the same 'base' figure, with different paint colors and different armor parts (forearm and lower legs, mainly). They both come with an extra pair of hands, 2 long swords and 2 curved swords. Those are the ones that I remember seeing the first prototypes pictures before the Kickstarter campaign and thinking that they look awesome, and they did not disappoint. They just look really cool! They can carry all of their swords, thanks to sword 'holsters'. They can hold their large swords with 2 hands. What else is needed?

The "slate" figures (a term coined by Bill from the Dorklair) are blank figures for customizers and collectors to do whatever they want with. They only come with an extra pair of hands and a weapon. You can either 'pop and swap' parts of the previously mentioned figures to add to your slates, or you can get creative with the accessory packs. Speaking of which...

The Huntsman Pack and the Armory Pack are 2 accessory packs that are packed (pun intended) with a ton of stuff. Lots of weapons, lots of alterate heads for characters and slates, armor parts, extra limbs (for all the other characters, if you want to display them without their armors), it's all in there! The extra heads for Nin, the guards and the slates are pretty great, adding other kinds of reptiles to the set. I didn't dig too deep into the interchangeable parts (didn't have time), but I'm pretty sure we can give a full armor and weapons to each slate with those.

Here are the cards I 'pulled': The second one on the second line is shiny! Yay! (I have no idea if it means something, but... shiny!)

General thoughts: These are some great figures. Saying that those are Mythic Legions figures with SH Figuarts articulations is pretty close from the truth, BUT... the articulations remain a bit stiff, especially on the knees (even after applying heat on the figures for a good while), so they don't really move 'like butter'. Their ankles also have issues, meaning that they do not stand up that easily on their own. The toes articulations are also pretty loose, which doesn't help. It is a known problem and the folks at Harbinger Studios are said to be working on the issue with the factories already.  The interchangeable aspect is great, but I'm scared to break a peg or something while pulling limbs after heating the figure, so you really have to know what you're doing (I don't!). Other than that, for a first offering, it's very promising. Can't wait to see the future of that line (especially that third wave, with the Pirahnoids, the fish people!).

Harvinger Studios has just announced a Shadow Slate (with different color) and there will be an 'In Stock Sale' of the first wave of Savage Crucible + extras at the end this week on the Savage Crucible website. Here is your chance to grab some!

More news at 11:00... We call it... the Crucible!

[ucsf]

that popsicle sword is too good to be true! these are frankly some solid stuff, and the shipping box is a huge plus. The lighting is again gives strong characterization for the figures. great reviews as always!

[Shrief]

Beautiful .. amazing .. fantastic .....