Adranath (Ultima Online)

by McFarlane Toys

If you’re ever in a fight with Adranath, go for the legs!  While the rest of him looks menacing and tough, I’m pretty sure one good whack on the shin and he’d go down like a sack of doorknobs.

If there’s one figure comparable to Spawn in the Ultima Online series it’s Adranath.  He has that withered, dead look and a flowing cape that is featured so well with practically any Spawn figure.  The one important difference is the big stick that Adranath carries.  The detail of Adranath is very good especially the face and cape.  The best thing about him though is the paint job.  There are many hues and small touches that really make Adranath “organic” – almost like he’ll start to move at any moment. (Actually this is true of every action figure if 

you stare at them long enough.)  The paint has been applied with an expert brush and without oversplash.  The small metal chain that clasps the cape is a good touch.

Problems arise with Adranath’s articulation.  He has nine points of articulation but a few of them are extremely limited due to his balance.  Position his legs slightly differently and his nickname becomes “Tippy”.  And his cape, which is not removable, gets in the way of some of the arm movement.  Positioned correctly, Adranath stands easily and makes an excellent display piece. (He could have used one of the clear stands that Juggernaut and Blackthorn come packed with.)

The strongest playability aspect of Adranath is his compatibility with the rest of the Ultima series.  His one accessory is very good and it’s big enough not to be lost easily, although the small ornaments on the staff can be snapped off the elastic strand that holds them.  His cape is not removable, barring him from ever being the object of a game of “dress-up”.  This is probably a good thing as without it he looks like a giraffe.  Kids just don’t seem to be attracted to Adranath – probably because he looks too much like an Old Man figure.

An innovation worth mentioning is the “tear away” holster for the staff on his left hip.  Instead of having a solid connection, it is attached with a flexible rubber hook.  This decreases the chances you’ll have to break out the contact cement to make a repair.  It can be hard to get it re-hooked if you’ve got big fingers, otherwise a good addition.

In the end, Andranath is a good display piece with limited play options.

- Omni