Blizzard Entertainment Action Figures

Too much empty space around your computer? Looking for a gift for the HeroQuest player who has everything? Perhaps you'll be interested in computer games publisher Blizzard Entertainment's first venture into the action figure market.

There are two six-inch-tall figures (a human footman and an orc grunt) in the first Warcraft figure series. They're not Games Workshop designs, but they're close enough, especially where the orc is concerned. Certainly, this guy has the right complexion, physique and dental work to fit right into the HeroQuest world.

In addition to his trusty sword and shield, the human comes with a helmet that is not pictured in the EB photo. It completely hides his face and makes him look much more capable of confronting the Orc in battle. The Orc's horned helmet and axe are removable. Neither figure is very well articulated (poseable), but they both look great.

Both figures were released in late 1998 at a price of $6.99 (US) plus shipping and handling. Some can still be found (in the US, at least) at clearance prices ranging down to $1 each at computer retailers such as Babbage's, Software Etc. and Electronics Boutique. There are also some remaining figures from a similarly scaled line of three Starcraft science fiction figures available from these same sources at similar prices.

In early 2000, Blizzard plans to release a "Diablo II" line of figures. This line is to include a Barbarian, Greater Mummy and Diablo.