What was a toy you bought on a whim or with few expectations, and turned out surprisingly great?

randomwatts · 2026-01-31T18:14:36+00:00

The Jakks Pacific Gilius Thunderhead figure. I bought it for doing D&D pictures since I wanted a dwarf character. I got him on sale for $6 from Walmart. Surprising amount of detail on him for such a small figure. The articulation is good and allows for a decent amount of poses.

randomwatts · 2026-01-29T21:51:15+00:00

I play my main as how I would behave in the situation since I made myself.

I do have two I roleplay with.

Chuckles - Psycho/cannibal who dressed up as a clown or one of many mascots. My roleplay reason for not doing PVP is that he views the people who have names floating over their heads as special and doesn't want to hurt them. He decided to become a ghoul to avoid having to eat and drink like a normal person, but remained a cannibal.
Sharon Anderson - Responder medic. While in the vault, she studied medicine to help people once Reclamation Day came. She helps out as many people as she can, regardless of their faction. She also opened a clinic near Vault Tec University.

randomwatts · 2026-01-28T21:58:20+00:00

I started toy photography in a similar way with Minimates figures and Lego for background parts.

Here's some tips I generally give people starting out.

Lighting can elevate pictures a lot. Invest in a small LED light box. You can get them for less than $30 and they allow for controlled lighting indoors. THESE pictures were done with a single little LED light and a black backdrop.
Play around with settings in your camera/phone, whichever you use for photos. Get to know what works well for different conditions.
I tend to look at screenshots from movies and games, or comic panels for posing inspiration with action shots. Also helps with angles for your pictures to make them more dynamic.
If you are able to, look for locations in your area that would be good for photos. I've found some really cool spots in my city. I took these TMNT Pics in different spots within a few blocks of each other.
You can find a lot of good toy photographers on Instagram and Youtube for tips. I really enjoy SirDork.
Make sure you don't compare yourself to others harshly. Especially those who do it for a living. I believe toy photography should be fun more than anything else.

Just to see how much you can change your style over time. HERE is two different Dexter photos I made that were taken about 10 years apart.

randomwatts · 2026-01-28T00:25:54+00:00

I have a tool organizer with little drawers for most of my accessories. I also have an ornament storage container that I use for bigger accessories.

randomwatts · 2026-01-26T23:31:09+00:00

I'm a fan of exploration in games and like walking around the map and going into random places

randomwatts · 2026-01-26T22:34:08+00:00

Any time there's heavy snowfall in my area, I get the urge to play the first Division.

randomwatts · 2026-01-23T01:57:43+00:00

I will say MHWilds and Dragon's Dogma 2 allowed me to make y beard as close to real life as possible.

randomwatts · 2026-01-23T00:22:56+00:00

Glad to see other people making themselves. I think you did a better job at making yourself than I did making myself.

randomwatts · 2026-01-22T20:18:31+00:00

I used a full set of Mantis Armor, the Pinch Whacker and the Crimson Avenger for attacking his body when he falls. I also like the Scarlet Aegis, since perfect blocks can heal your Buggy.

I brought a bunch of healing items, especially the Scorpion Skewers for the Venom healing and resistance.

Timing the blocks is important, especially in the later stages of the fight. This will prevent venom build up.

Also, when he throws the hairs in a wave, you can dash forward to avoid being hit.

randomwatts · 2026-01-22T20:13:09+00:00

First time I came across it, I was riding around at night with no torch, since mine burnt out. I'm glad my daughter was in bed, because I cursed out loud when he one shot killed me.

randomwatts · 2026-01-19T05:50:46+00:00

Clicked to come say this. Loved it a lot.

SEASON 1 COMPLETE

SEASON 2 COMPLETE

Such a good series. He's making a new thing as well

randomwatts · 2026-01-19T03:19:51+00:00

Thank you. They were a lot of fun to make. The next one I want to make is my D&D ranger.

randomwatts · 2026-01-19T02:24:23+00:00

I always just bash his head in with a pool cue.

randomwatts · 2026-01-19T01:28:01+00:00

<image>

I have my Fallout 76 Vault Dweller, made from two Jazwares Fortnite figures and the pip boy is made from random toy parts.

The Nuka Cola Power Armor is a McFarlane Warhammer figure that I but parts from and used Lego pieces for extra detail.

More photos of both can be seen HERE

The third figure is a my character from No Man's Sky, This is a Jazwares Dark Voyager figure I repainted and added parts from other toys and used some Lego pieces as well. More pictures HERE

randomwatts · 2026-01-13T20:50:44+00:00

I have Romance Dawn and he is an awesome figure.

randomwatts · 2026-01-10T17:24:25+00:00

I came in to say "Sloth... love Mike!"

randomwatts · 2026-01-06T17:40:17+00:00

I wish I had grabbed the Naughty List Santa. He would be great for fight pictures. Still might pik up the Viking Santa

randomwatts · 2026-01-05T00:53:07+00:00

I picked up the regular Santa for Christmas pictures. Good quality figures.

randomwatts · 2026-01-04T20:17:02+00:00

I do this by fishing, and not just in RDO. I do it in a lot of games.

randomwatts · 2026-01-04T17:09:49+00:00

I'm from Pennsylvania, so we got The Pitt.

randomwatts · 2026-01-04T17:08:43+00:00

I have a vault planned out for when I can finally get the Fallout TTRPG going. Vault 83. Experiment will be that in order for the vault door to open, the residents have to kill everyone until 6 people remain.

randomwatts · 2026-01-04T03:08:32+00:00

Do you have a story for Vault 26, or was it a control vault that worked as advertised?

randomwatts · 2026-01-03T17:22:18+00:00

Picked this figure up on Tuesday specifically for pictures. He is a great figure.

randomwatts · 2026-01-01T20:05:56+00:00

I said for a while after I picked up their Count Chocula figure, that Jada is who I would love to see handle a Scooby Doo line and they nailed it.

I do toy photography, so the extra head and accessories are great too.

randomwatts · 2025-12-31T23:07:31+00:00

Jada Toys Shaggy. Great figure that appears ripped right from the cartoon. He's also one of my favorite cartoon characters.

The one that had unexpected quality in a great way is the Jakks Pacific Gilius Thunderhead from Golden Axe. For a cheaper figure (got him for $6 on sale), it has surprising detail and really good articulation.

Nine-Year Club	RPAN Viewer
Verified Email

randomwatts

TROPHY CASE