NECA Heroes of the Storm Tyrael Review

We’re almost at year end!  And somehow it’s worked out that every figure I’ve preordered has been shipped to me in the last two weeks.  While it’s great to get a giant stack of toys, it’s not always as easy to appreciate the way I had hoped to when so many show up at once.  It also doesn’t help that it is the holiday season, and I need to think about buying things that aren’t for me!  I’ve spent a good amount of time taking in the new wave of NECA’s Heroes of the Storm figures.  I’d been waiting quite some time to get these, and I really want to take each one in, analyze, and appreciate them for what they are.

Diablo is the one Blizzard franchise whose lore just does not stick to me.  I usually play through all of the games and have a good time, but generally leave it at that.  I’m aware there are people that still play Diablo 2 ladder to this day and I couldn’t even imagine how they still find the fun in it.  One run through the story and I feel like I’ve done enough.  This doesn’t diminish my want of the character, however.  Tyrael is a great choice for the first Heroes of the Storm Diablo character.

Much like Arthas, Tyrael comes packaged in a clamshell and includes one accessory: El’druin, the Sword of Justice.  The bottom knob on the sword’s handle is removable in order to slip it into his hand.  I do wish he was able to hit a two handed pose that looks natural, unfortunately he has two factors working against him.  The range of motion in the shoulders and elbows isn’t quite enough to get his hands together at the chest.  Second is that the left hand is open, so even if I was to push it to the limit he would still be unable to grip the sword.

The open left hand bugs me with Tyrael far more than it does with Arthas.  The Lich King is a brooding guy, so it makes sense to stick skulls or kittens in his open hand.  I’m not sure if the open hand fits Tyrael’s personality as naturally.  I think a second fist would have been a much better choice.  Every time I try to put him into a battle pose I have difficulty finding a good position for his open hand.

Tyrael has a very similar articulation scheme to Arthas.  The good is that he actually has a few more points of articulation: bicep swivels and swivel-hinged wings.  When I discovered Tyrael’s bicep swivels I immediately wish Arthas included them as well.  They definitely help with posing, especially with Tyrael’s more limited elbow joints.

While his articulation is a bit limited, the detail on this figure is nothing short of amazing.  The gold, silver, and white color scheme of his armor pop beautifully.  There is a TON of detail on Tyrael and for the most part the paint is extremely clean.  There is little to nothing I can say bad about either the sculpt details or the paint.  NECA really nailed it there.  NECA’s rendition of Tyrael really did justice to the Archangel of Justice!

Tyrael is currently hitting online.  Oddly enough I checked a Toys ‘R’ Us today and it was the first time I saw the first series’ figures on a shelf.  So maybe Arthas, Tyrael, and Stitches aren’t far behind?  Either way, at around $21 a piece these figures are an incredible deal for what you get.  Especially for the paint work put into Tyrael.  He’s by no means perfect, but for the price point this is probably as good as you are going to get.  Especially for a line that consists of all completely original sculpts.

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