Series: McFarlane’s Monsters

Craftsmanship: 8.6 / 10

- Great sculpt and detail

- Some “useful” articulation

- Nice display piece

- Stands easily and solidly

Playability: 5.0 / 10

- A display piece with a little play potential and many pointy bits

- Great for dioramas

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I think that it has been firmly established that the McFarlane’s Dragon series is much less about playability than it is about pure collectibility.  (Unlike the Horrid included with the Dark Ages Spawn from 1998, which leaned toward playability and articulation.)   I hold no rancor toward McFarlane Toys for taking this route and in the case of Sorcerer’s Clan Dragon there is actually some playability to be had with it.  Somewhat.

Sorcerer’s Clan Dragon comes with a whopping five points of seam articulation, none of which actually be put to any drastic use.  The points are placed at the midpoint of the neck, the biceps and the wrists.  Because of the awkward positioning and the immobility of the wings the dragon has “old man” articulation. (It’s almost as if the figure has severe arthritis and just can’t move.)  The articulation does allow for some repositioning but it’s not drastic and more options would have opened had the neck been made bendy like the tail or the wings connected to the body with a modified ball valve.

As display pieces go, Sorcerer’s Clan Dragon comes highly recommended.  The detail and sculpt are expertly done, particularly the way the wings “hang” like a big leathery wing should.  The orange/red paint application is great as well.  Another highlight is that way the foot talons curl over the lip of the rocky base.  The effect makes it look like he comes attached to the base.

The figure is affixed to the base with a metal peg from the left foot and a plastic peg on the base that slips into his right foot.  The connection is very solid and it makes him extremely balanced and stable.  I appreciate a solid figure, but with a solid base like this I get a little 

miffed that the rest of the figure was made fully poseable.  I mean, if it’s so stable, I should be able to pose the dragon in all sorts of cool poses and not have him fall over.  Ah well, Series 2 is scheduled to ship in October 2005 so maybe more articulation will be added.

Dioramas are your better option if you like playing with your action figures.  Even though this is a winged figure, most kids won’t be tempted to throw Sorcerer’s Clan Dragon because his wings are a little too close to his body.  Display only, particularly with the other McFarlane’s Dragons figures.

- Omni

(April 4, 2005)

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