darkSpyro

My apologies if this is an existing topic thread anywhere on the forum but my question is simple. Is there a definitive guide to knowing if you have genuine or fake rare skylanders?

I have read a fair number of pieces on websites about certain figures showing up as special "character name" when placed on the portal of power, crystal /translucent figures being virtually impossible to fake and gold and silver variants from Spyro's adventure being easy to fake. Its a confusing picture and although I've got a fair collection of rare figures all 3 golds, all 3 GITDs plus regular GITDs, both stone/ granites, crystal cynder, E3 Hot Dog, Blue Metallic Toy Fair Chop Chop and two sparkle silvers, I'm really not so confident when it comes to knowing if they are genuine or not. Does anyone know of a definitive guide of what to look for for each different character, non invasive tests, advice from Activations? Also with a view to the future is there any pressure this site could put on Activision to enable a simple verification of rare skylanders being produced now and in the future. Surely something they owe loyal fans??

Well, with all Giants variants, you'll be able to tell, because they have a small "special" or "rare" tag next to their name.

With the Clear variants, they can be faked, but it's extremely expensive and can cost a lot.

All Spyro's Adventure variants start out in the game at Level 5 with 2,100 coins.
The plain Silver Eruptor, Boomer, and Dino-Rang do not, though. They are the easiest variant to fake, and several fakes have sold on eBay, usually resulting in a buyer being slammed with bad feedback.

Quote: Matteomax

Well, with all Giants variants, you'll be able to tell, because they have a small "special" or "rare" tag next to their name.

With the Clear variants, they can be faked, but it's extremely expensive and can cost a lot.

All Spyro's Adventure variants start out in the game at Level 5 with 2,100 coins.
The plain Silver Eruptor, Boomer, and Dino-Rang do not, though. They are the easiest variant to fake, and several fakes have sold on eBay, usually resulting in a buyer being slammed with bad feedback.

And to make everyone feel uncomfortable...a chip can be manufactured or programmed to mimic these characteristics...although it's tougher than producing the actual toy. The unique toy code can ultimately be used against the collection vault as well, assuming its bugs are fixed.

I have a gitd zap that had 2100 lv 5....then i reset figure and it went back to lv 1...is it supposed to? Or go back to lv 5?...cause anyone can get a figure up to lv 5 and 2100 on there own then sell it as real also my gitd zap and wrenching ball have close serial's (zap w1124a and WB w1125a) but my warnado has way different style of numbers (w2120)....any ideas?

i do not know if the wxxxx number mean which is which i have/had many rare variants golds and silvers and others and some are the same and same were not and i know my golds are real 1 i got straight from a closed case that opened up, and the others were bought from a 100% reputable source and there numbers dont match or are even close. Some have Exxxx and some have Wxxxx some have Wxxxxa Wxxxxb Exxxxa Exxxxb or whatever.

Quote: DAWNOFWAR

I have a gitd zap that had 2100 lv 5....then i reset figure and it went back to lv 1...is it supposed to? Or go back to lv 5?...cause anyone can get a figure up to lv 5 and 2100 on there own then sell it as real also my gitd zap and wrenching ball have close serial's (zap w1124a and WB w1125a) but my warnado has way different style of numbers (w2120)....any ideas?

A reset always starts with level 1 0 gold....the level 5, 2100 gold is loaded at manufacturing time.

yeap Ghostroaster is correct just tested it dang now mine is back to lvl 1 0 gold.

Lol that's what I said..

Can that "Skylander editor" thing add the special tag? If so, that's worrisome.

I forgot if I said this in the great "variant replica" debate, but might as well say it here too.
I'm not familiar with all of the available products out there, but the resin I know of (commonly used for jewelry) is rigid and won't flex like the type of plastic Skylanders have.
So in order to test if a clear variant was resin replica, you'd have to see if it bends at all.

But most people don't debox variants.

So if someone resealed a clear CUSTOM toy, that makes a problem in itself there since you'd assume the buyer won't open it and check.

If the special tag is truly unique, then it's not as much of an issue.

It can't add the special tag, just check for it. All the editor does is look for data in the toy, and cannot rewrite what's on the hardcoded chip.

I have a few variants and noticed something

If you look at the base and the outer rim of the base, you can see the figure may actually be made from a different material.

I don't have a full list and it may not be the case/may be too difficult to tell with some Skylanders, but I'll use Metallic Cynder as she's the easiest example: her outer rim is kind of metallic, it's like a silver, and the regular version is not. Which proves that she's made from a silver material(and I've also seen a picture from FGTV that has a Metallic Cynder where the purple wore away, and it was silver underneath).
Another easy example is Pearl Hex who is semi-clear, you can tell if you hold her up to a light.

Thanks for all your replies folks. I'm gonna see if I can get anything definitive from Activision and If I do I'll post it. Meantime I have just got a stone Whirlwind which has arrived with the packaging all busted up ostensibly due to the Christmas post. I 've had a good look at the paint job which seems genuine, then again it doesn't come up special on the portal of power so I'm unconvinced.

I'm just waiting to hear back on what the seller is going to offer me, partial refund or return. If you want a bit of fun perhaps you can take a vote on what I should do. It cost me around $81

I will say that several of the Rock/Stone figures shipped without the "special" tag on them. If you search the forums, you'll probably find some of the posts talking about it.

Quote: Kung Fu Man

It can't add the special tag, just check for it. All the editor does is look for data in the toy, and cannot rewrite what's on the hardcoded chip.

Specifically, some areas of the chip are write protected. The character id and the special tag are two important items that are.