Telling Skylanders apart is straightforward, primarily by examining their physical characteristics, especially the symbols on their bases which denote their elemental type.
Skylanders figures are unique toys-to-life collectibles, each representing a distinct character with specific abilities and characteristics within the popular video game series. Differentiating them involves looking at several key aspects of the figure itself.
Key Methods for Identification
1. Elemental Type (Base Symbol)
The most fundamental way to differentiate Skylanders is by their elemental type, which is clearly indicated by a unique symbol on the circular base of each figure. This symbol corresponds to one of the various elements present in the Skylanders universe. For example, you'll find a distinct symbol representing the Magic element, among others.
Understanding these elements is crucial for gameplay as different elements have advantages or disadvantages in certain areas. Here’s a quick overview of the main elemental types:
| Elemental Type | Common Symbol Description | Associated Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Cloud or Swirl | Agility, Wind attacks |
| Earth | Rock or Mountain | Strength, Defensive abilities |
| Fire | Flame | Explosions, Burning attacks |
| Life | Leaf or Tree | Healing, Plant-based attacks |
| Magic | Starburst or Orb | Spellcasting, Mystical abilities |
| Tech | Gear or Robot Arm | Gadgets, Mechanical attacks |
| Undead | Skull or Ghost | Spectral attacks, Darkness |
| Water | Wave or Droplet | Ice, Liquid attacks |
| Light | Sun or Ray | Brightness, Holy attacks |
| Dark | Crescent Moon or Shadow | Stealth, Shadow attacks |
2. Character Appearance and Model
Each Skylander has a completely unique physical sculpt and design. From Spyro the dragon to Gill Grunt the merman, every figure is distinct. Observing their:
- Color scheme: Often reflects their element (e.g., green for Life, blue for Water).
- Weaponry: Distinctive tools or abilities (e.g., Chop Chop's sword, Trigger Happy's gold coins).
- Body shape and features: Heroic, monstrous, mechanical, or animalistic forms.
3. Game Series and Base Design
Skylanders figures are released with different game installments, and the base of the figure often reflects its game of origin. While most figures can be used in later games, their original game can be identified by:
- Spyro's Adventure: Standard green base.
- Giants: Larger figures with a transparent green base, sometimes featuring light-up elements (Lightcore).
- Swap Force: Figures with a distinct two-part magnetic design allowing tops and bottoms to be swapped, typically on a blue base.
- Trap Team: Figures with a large, often translucent orange base, and a slot for inserting elemental traps.
- SuperChargers: Figures designed to sit on or interact with vehicles, often on a red base.
- Imaginators: Figures known as "Senseis," often with a purple base, designed to work with Creation Crystals.
4. Variants and Special Editions
Many Skylanders have multiple versions or variants that offer different in-game stats or appearances. These can be identified by:
- Pose changes: "Series 2," "Series 3," or "Lightcore" figures often have new poses.
- Color variations: Dark, Legendary, Chase, Chrome, or Eon's Elite figures feature unique paint jobs or metallic finishes.
- Lightcore figures: These figures illuminate when placed on the Portal of Power, identifiable by translucent parts.
By combining these visual cues—especially the elemental symbol on the base—you can quickly and accurately identify any Skylander figure.
