What Are Chase Variants? A Collector's Guide to Rare & Short-Packed Figures

If you've spent any time in the action figure or Funko Pop! hobby, you've almost certainly come across the term chase variant — usually in the context of someone desperately hunting one, or celebrating finding one. But what exactly is a chase variant, how rare are they really, and are they worth pursuing?

This guide covers everything you need to know, across all the major lines stocked at Starbox Collectables.

What Is a Chase Variant?

A chase variant (often just called a “chase”) is an alternate version of a standard figure, packed at a significantly lower ratio within a case assortment. It's the same character as a regular release but with a different deco, head sculpt, costume, or finish — making it harder to find and more desirable to collectors.

The term “chase” comes from the idea that collectors have to actively chase them down — they're not something you can simply order and expect to receive. They turn up unpredictably within case packs, which is what makes them exciting (and occasionally maddening).

Chases exist across virtually every major collector line:

• DC Multiverse (McFarlane Toys) — unmasked heads, comic-accurate decos, Gold Label variants
• Marvel Legends (Hasbro) — unmasked portraits, alternate costume decos
• Star Wars Black Series (Hasbro) — helmet-off variants, exclusive decos
• Funko Pop! — glitter, glow-in-the-dark, flocked, and metallic finishes
• NECA — variant paint decos and alternate head sculpts

How Do Chase Ratios Work?

Chase figures are short-packed into cases at a fixed ratio. Common ratios are:

A 1:6 chase is relatively accessible — specialist retailers ordering multiple cases will receive a reasonable number. A 1:24 chase is genuinely scarce and commands a significant secondary market premium.

Funko Pop! chases typically run at 1:6, which is why they're the most commonly encountered type. DC Multiverse and Marvel Legends chases tend to run at 1:6 to 1:12 depending on the wave.

Types of Chase Variants

Not all chases are created equal. Here are the most common types across the lines we stock:

Unmasked / Alternate Head Sculpts
The most common type in McFarlane and Hasbro lines. The figure is identical except for a portrait swap — Batman with Bruce Wayne's face, Spider-Man unmasked as Peter Parker. These are popular because they add display variety without changing the overall look of the figure on the shelf.

Alternate Deco / Paint Variant
The same sculpt with a different paint application — often more comic-accurate, brighter, or with a metallic finish. Common in DC Multiverse Gold Label releases and Funko Pop! chases (metallic, chrome, glitter).

Costume Variant
A different outfit or colour scheme on the same character — for example, a black suit Spider-Man chase within a standard red-and-blue wave. These are rarer and tend to carry higher secondary market value.

Special Finish
Particularly common in Funko Pop! — glow-in-the-dark, flocked (fuzzy texture), holographic, or pearlescent finishes on an otherwise standard figure. These are often the most visually striking chases and the most sought-after by Funko collectors.

Are Chase Variants Worth Hunting?

That depends entirely on why you collect.

If you collect to display: Chases add genuine variety to a shelf. An unmasked Batman next to the standard masked version, or a metallic Funko Pop! among standard figures, creates visual interest. For display collectors, the chase is worth having if you like the look of it — full stop.

If you collect to invest: Chases do carry secondary market premiums, particularly at launch when supply is tightest. However, values fluctuate and are not guaranteed to hold. Treat any resale upside as a bonus rather than a strategy.

If you collect to complete lines: Chases can be a source of frustration if you're a completionist — they're the one figure in a wave you can't simply order. The most practical approach is to buy from a specialist retailer who orders in volume and can allocate chases fairly, or to keep an eye on restock notifications.

The honest answer: Don't chase a chase you don't actually want just because it's rare. Rarity alone doesn't make a figure worth displaying.

Chase Variants by Line

DC Multiverse Chases
McFarlane's DC Multiverse line includes chases in most standard waves, typically unmasked head variants or alternate decos. Gold Label releases — available exclusively through specialist retailers like Starbox — sometimes include their own chase variants on top of the already-exclusive standard release. Browse our DC Multiverse collection for current stock.

Marvel Legends Chases
Hasbro's Marvel Legends line uses chases sparingly but effectively — unmasked portraits are the most common type. They're typically packed at 1:6 and sell through quickly at specialist retail. Check our Marvel Legends collection for availability.

Star Wars Black Series Chases
Hasbro's Black Series uses helmet-off and alternate deco chases, often tied to film or series releases. These are particularly popular with Star Wars fans who want both the helmeted and unhelmeted versions of a character. See our Star Wars Black Series collection.

Funko Pop! Chases
The most accessible chase format in collecting — 1:6 ratio, clearly marked with a lightning bolt sticker on the box. Funko chases range from subtle (metallic finish) to dramatic (glow-in-the-dark, flocked). They're the entry point for many collectors into the chase hunting hobby. Browse our Funko Pop! collection.

How to Find Chase Variants in the UK

Buy from a specialist retailer. Mass market stores receive the same case ratios as everyone else, but they're less likely to set aside chases for collectors or offer restock notifications. Specialist retailers order in higher volumes and are more likely to have chases available.

Use restock alerts. Sign up for notifications on the specific figures you want rather than checking back manually. Chases sell fast when they land.

Pre-order where possible. Some chases are available to pre-order directly — this is the most reliable way to secure one without paying secondary market prices. Browse our Pre-Order collection to see what's coming.

Be patient. Chases that sell out immediately at launch often reappear in later case shipments. If you miss the first wave, it's worth waiting before paying inflated secondary market prices.

Final Thoughts

Chase variants are one of the most exciting parts of modern action figure and Funko collecting — but they're best approached with a clear head. Know why you want a chase before you hunt it, buy from retailers you trust, and don't pay over the odds for something you're not genuinely excited about displaying.

At Starbox Collectables, we stock chase variants across DC Multiverse, Marvel Legends, Star Wars Black Series, and Funko Pop! — with restock notifications available so you never miss a drop.

Browse all collections at Starbox Collectables →