In your own taste, what does it take for you to consider a figure great? Is it character accuracy and articulation, or do you look for something that can handle kibble well and transform easily? Would you rather a complex accurate transformation, or an easy one with faux parts? Do you like a lot of paint and a good sculpt, and what actually makes it good?

Now the easy answer can just be "Yes I want all of that", but really think about your favorite figures and what they have in common.

For me, I suppose most of my favorites (DotM Voyager Megatron, LK Voyager Megatron, CW Ultra Magnus and some others) I think I look for a clean transformation with minimal kibble, or have it contribute to the figure. Articulation may not be the highest priority, but I think I take it that I look for something that represents the character well, without being a direct carbon copy. I'd much rather an easier transformation that is satisfying to look at in both modes, than something that I have difficulty transforming, or worse, has an awful alt mode in exchange for a far better bot mode, or vice versa. In other cases I feel like I'm more forgiving on figures with minor back kibble as it seems like the best place to store any leftover junk while keeping things clean.

What do you look for in figures?

 

Awesomeness.

 

Is it a spaceship or a fembot and not a cop.

 

I think I like an interesting but not frustrating transformation.

Good paint work will make it more appealing.

I am willing to accept a less accurate alt mode and or robot mode if it means the transformation is more pleasant. I like to transform my transformers.

 

Good looking robot and alternate mode(s), cool color scheme, decent articulation, and a not too easy nor too hard transformation. Anything else is gravy.

 

Overall a fun figure with a decent amount of articulation and a transformation that isn't aggravating.

 

I agree with what most already mentioned, fun but not too simple transformations. These past few lines, I think this has been achieved with some Titans Returns figures such as Twin Twist/Top Spin and the Triggerhappy mold. And I feel that Combiner Wars and POTP deluxes are a couple of notches too simple.

 

1. does it look cool to me?
2. can i enjoy playing with it?
3. how will it complement my existing collection?
4. can i afford it?
5. if i already own this character, can i repurpose/nickname either?

 

My favorite is MP 36 hands down. I personally want good articulation, sculpt, paint. I don't mind easy or complex transformation as long as it works. I typically display in robot mode and like getting good poses.

 

Faithfull to the G1 toon or toys, depending on my preference, but I can dig some deveation.
Fun transformation.
Good articulation.
Doesn't fall apart.

 

Agreed not falling apart is critical to me. Articulation is no good if the pose can't be held. Take Bold Forms Gladius for example. Lots of articulation but it's a floppy mess.

 

That would be a problem too, but I actually meant that stuff shouldn't break easily.

 

Oh I see. That is even worse than being floppy.

 

The 3 A’s.
Accuracy
Articulation
Accessories

 

The three S’s

Silhouette:
Dies it have good proportions, does it look good on the shelf?

Size:
Is it the right size? Not too big, not too small. Does it fit with other toys in my small colllection!

Stability
Does it stand up? On carpet!?

 

Good articulation, fun transformation, and when it comes to Bayverse, accuracy to the source material.

 

Ditto. It’s all about aesthetics for me.

 

the 3 D's:

diners

drive-ins

dives

 

MP-21 Bumblebee. Both modes look the way you would expect them to, he is fun to fiddle with, has great posability and has a smooth transformation.

 

What I look for in a figure?

Well, she's got to have curves in all the right places.

What?