darkSpyro

Apologies if this has been addressed in another thread somewhere.

I recently purchased a lot of Skylanders, and when I opened the package, I was surprised to find a loose Gold Chop Chop variant in the mix.
I've never owned any of these "special" series 1 variants, and obviously, this one is out-of-the-box (loose). Is there any method for legitimately authenticating one of these "gold" variants?

Placing it on the portal, they should be preloaded at Level 5 with 2100 coins. (Silver I think is the only ones that weren't)

In terms of the actual figure, I think the number on the bottom was supposed to be different or something like that. A user a while back said that the base is aligned differently I think.

That's a tough one. As you know creating "fakes" is quite easy with these (gold, silver) which is why they went elaborate on the cosmetics in Giants and in performing in game identification. It's the reason why if I do buy one it will be boxed but I'll need more information on the identification.

I had a thread talking about identification...not sure if you can find it. I would specifically call Activision on this one...bring back any info you get because I never got good enough information on this for me to move forward with any purchase.

If I find the thread I'll put it here.

Well, there is the "special" thing, as mentioned with level 5 and 2100 gold. If the figure has been reset, ever, then that won't work. It would be hard to fake though, because hitting 2,100 accurately and level 5 with no extra XP. But, I'm not sure they did that with the earlier chase variants, I believe that only started later.

However, one has to wonder if it is a big deal if it is "real", because being loose the value is GREATLY decreased. Almost to the point of regular "custom paint" figure value. Mainly because it can be faked in an open figure and isn't mint.

In the end, if you think the paint job is good, just enjoy the figure. The premium it might get in value likely isn't worth the effort.

Custom paint job vs real authentic is about $40 difference (conservatively speaking)...imo worth some investigation. Personally wouldn't use chip values---although difficult isn't foolproof which I'm sure is what is being asked here (proof positive on identification).

I'd go to Activision's World Class Support and see what they say.

Authentic variants are colored plastic, not painted.

You can tell if it's fake if you see normal Chop Chop paint underneath.

Anyways, congrats! I envy you..

Sweet Gold Chop Chop, congrats

Don't these say "Special" when you put them on the portal in Giants?

If not, I know the numering on the bottom and such is different on the real variants, but of course only Activision knows how to tell the difference, you would have to call them to ask them this question.

As has been stated, most of these start at Level 5 and 2,100 money, but if they played it and reset it (and let's face it, why ELSE unbox it if it isn't to play with him), that won't be true even with a genuine figure. And of course WITHOUT resetting, he'll be some random state regarding level, upgrades, money, etc. So the state of him is completely meaningless unless it's exactly Level 5 and 2,100 gold, which is difficult to fake.

I actually suspect THIS is exactly why non-in-game variants now at least read as "Special", to give you a way of knowing.

Quote: defpally

Well, there is the "special" thing, as mentioned with level 5 and 2100 gold. If the figure has been reset, ever, then that won't work. It would be hard to fake though, because hitting 2,100 accurately and level 5 with no extra XP. But, I'm not sure they did that with the earlier chase variants, I believe that only started later.

It wouldn't be that hard to fake - if you use one of the figure hacks/editors.

Maybe u can post a pic...both of pic and bottom...I'm sure someone here can chime in.

Quote: GhostRoaster

Maybe u can post a pic...both of pic and bottom...I'm sure someone here can chime in.

Sure thing. I'll get some photos taken and posted tomorrow.

So has anyone here tried to reset a gold chop chop and see if he bottoms out at level 1 or level 5?

Ahh, crap. Thank you for bumping this, j32bass. I totally forgot about posting pics of my Gold Chop Chop.
I would like some of the experts on the forums to help me determine if it is authentic.
I'll get on that ...

I'll help! I have a loose one.

Here's some photos of the Gold Chop Chop. I'm under the impression that it's authentic, but it is (obviously) out of the box, and does have some minor surface wear from handling, etc., so I understand if anyone is skeptical. If anyone would like to take a gander at these pics and state their opinion, I'd appreciate it.

From the looks of it, it looks real.

Quote: Matteomax

From the looks of it, it looks real.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Matteo. Are you comparing the pics with the Gold Chop Chop you have at home?

Looks real to me too. Comparing to my son's loose one (used to be loose!). What showed up when you first put it on the portal as far as stats and money?

Quote: j32bass

So has anyone here tried to reset a gold chop chop and see if he bottoms out at level 1 or level 5?

I dunno if it was a Chop Chop, but I saw someone report resetting a special character and it actually reset to Level 1 and 0 gold. It seemed common opinion that it didn't seem fair to lose the advantage by resetting it, LOL!

^ I've resetted a glow in dark sonic boom once, it went to lvl 1 and 0 gold so ya that is true.

Now that I fully compared it to my Chop Chop, I have the 121st made, and you have the 122th.

What a coincidence!
Yes, it's exactly the same as mine.

Quote: Matteomax

Now that I fully compared it to my Chop Chop, I have the 121st made, and you have the 122th.

What a coincidence!
Yes, it's exactly the same as mine.

How can you tell?

Nevermind I see the 122 now on the base.

That is the unfortunate thing. If you place a special on your portal, you already register it under your game so if you had to reset it to sell, you wipe out all the free levels and gold.

also another thing you can check.. if the base have old paint on and its painted over you will see this through the paint at the bottom when held up to a lamp... i see none of this... so this is definitive one of them real gold chop chop..

yah looks real... i cant see older paint under the gold...

Thanks for the additional input, j32bass, Matteo, and Kappaporno.
Sounds like ya'll are in agreement with me that this is authentic.
Pretty cool!

This little golden guy came to me in a huge lot of loose Skylanders that I purchased off eBay a month or two ago. I didn't even know it was part of the lot when I purchased it. When I opened the shipment, it was one of the last ones I unwrapped, and I was like, "whoa! what's this!?!"

oh great!!! another variant to cry over that i don't have!!! anyway congrats!!! you got a deal indeed!

Thanks for the congrats. Definitely don't lose any sleep over not having this little golden guy. It's really cool to me, but only because of the random lucky way by which I acquired it. I never ever would have paid full secondary market price on eBay or whatever to get him.

Quote: cbunny84

That is the unfortunate thing. If you place a special on your portal, you already register it under your game so if you had to reset it to sell, you wipe out all the free levels and gold.

Or you could just use claim ownership?

Quote: minecrafter

oh great!!! another variant to cry over that i don't have!!! anyway congrats!!! you got a deal indeed!

its just paint, hes like ordinary chop chop in game so nothing to cry about here...

As for resetting your figure to see what level and $$$ it has:
I unfortunately did this with Blue Bash when I got it. The TRU near me had Blue Bash in stock for 2 weeks before they could put it out on the floor and when I got home I noticed that it was at Level 5 with $2500. I thought some TRU Employee had taken it home to play with and returned it before the floor date. I wanted to earn the $$ and levels on my own so I reset him. It wasn't until about 2 months later I found out that he was suppose to come leveled up like that. Oh well, no harm no foul.

What would be nice is for the game to recognize "special" variants during a reset and get it back to out of the box configuration on level and gold.

Bahamut: Nice goldie.

Quote: GhostRoaster

What would be nice is for the game to recognize "special" variants during a reset and get it back to out of the box configuration on level and gold.

Bahamut: Nice goldie.

I agree, thanks to everyone who answered my question about the reset. I recently bought some loose ones and wondered if the seller just reset them or if they were never leveled up before. Looks like it's on to the silvers!

Quote: Matteomax

Now that I fully compared it to my Chop Chop, I have the 121st made, and you have the 122th.

What a coincidence!
Yes, it's exactly the same as mine.

I think the W0121 or W0122 refers to the manufacturing run or the factory number or something along those lines because when you look at the back of the cardboard, there is a small stamp of the same numbers/letters indented into the cardboard.

Yes agreed---would be too much of s coincidence to have the consecutively numbered figures
Again--congrats on the find!

The number represents the factory it was made in. I believe the letter was mentioned in a SSA post and explains the first letter on the serial number. W is for West coast and there are some with an E for East coast.

Quote: dinoah2005

The number represents the factory it was made in. I believe the letter was mentioned in a SSA post and explains the first letter on the serial number. W is for West coast and there are some with an E for East coast.

That's what I recall as well.

These photos are quite good BahamutBreaker. I hope you don't mind if I add them to the site:

http://ghostroaster.com/skylan...p-gold-variant/

I've referenced you for the photos.

Quote: GhostRoasting

These photos are quite good BahamutBreaker. I hope you don't mind if I add them to the site:

http://ghostroaster.com/skylan...p-gold-variant/

I've referenced you for the photos.

That's fine with me. I appreciate the heads-up!