Review of Pantheon sixth scale diorama

Introduction

As a big fan of any cool display dioramas that can add some pop to the shelves, I usually keep a pretty close eye on the Triarama series from Triad Toys. These are sixth scale dioramas done in a poly resin that are generally non-licensed themes, and always reasonably priced.

I'm clearly not as on top of things as I'd like to think though since somehow I missed the release of the Pantheon. Obviously based on crumbling Roman architecture, the set can work with Greek or Roman warriors like those from Ignite, fantasy characters like John Carter, or modern heroes like Indy.

You can pick this set up for $80 direct from Triad, as well as from a number of other online retailers.

Sadly, I didn't have any of the Ignite guys handy, but I did include photos with several other sixth scale figures, as well as figures in the 4" range and the 7" range.

Packaging - **
My low score here isn't due to any issue with the design of the packaging. Sure, it's nothing to get excited about - plain white boxes with a little label rarely are. But it does the job well enough, and since the majority of these are purchased online, it's a way to keep the costs down.

Another cost cutting measure is the problem though. It's that damn soft, low density Styrofoam that they use for the inner trays. I really hate this stuff, and the vacuuming I have to do after opening up a package like this.

Sculpting - ***
Triad always does an excellent job bringing realism to their Triarama sculpts. The columns have a ton of detail, with life-like weathering and damage. The ground is littered with stones, and even the brick pattern has the right amount of damage and wear.

Each of the three broken columns are a different height, and they encircle the base at irregular intervals. Overall, it's a great design.

So why the average score? For the same reason that I find many sixth scale dioramas disappointing - it's a bit too small for the supposed scale.

That wasn't an issue with their Boonetown western bar door, but this time around they skimped by about 20%, at least for most 12" figures. The tallest column is just 14" off the shelf, which is just over 13" above the brick surface itself. It's not just the height of the columns that causes an issue, but the circumference as well. They could have been short but still been in scale had they been thicker, since they are broken off anyway.

Instead, this set is really better suited to figures in that 7 - 8" scale. It can still work with larger figures, but I think it looks better with something in between. Check the MOTUC shots for an example.

Paint - ***1/2
The paint work isn't super complicated, since there aren't a lot of small paint details here. But they had to go for a weathered, beaten, ancient look, and they pulled it off nicely.

Value - ***1/2
Here's where the Triaramas really shine. Considering the $100 - $200 cost of most sixth scale environments, getting a set like this for just $80 is a great deal.

The website says they only produced 150 of these, and if they were actually marked to that effect, I would have bumped it to the full four stars. If they really are that limited, then $80 is a steal.

Things to Watch Out For -
Remember, it is resin, and while the columns are connected, it's possible to knock them off while moving the base.

Overall - ***
While the scale is a little off, it's still an extremely nice looking diorama. Even with the smaller columns I plan on using it with my Ignite sixth scale warriors, but it would make a great addition to any smaller scale fantasy or history line, even older lines like the Mego knights.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - **
Sculpting - ***
Paint - ***1/2
Value - ***1/2
Overall - ***

Where to Buy 
You can pick this up from Triad Toys direct at their website, but other online options include these site sponsors:

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
Other Triaramas include the recent Boonetown, the Firefight, and I looked at two of the other Triarama Dioramas here.

Other sixth scale dioramas include:

- Sideshow's Lab Environment, the Shrine of Dagon and Temple of Anubis, Recon at Waypoint (for Joes, mostly), and Reactor Station Alpha.

- other more license specific environments include Hot Toys T-700, the Ark that came with Sideshow's Toht, the Fertility Idol environment that came with Belloq, the Jabba Throne, and the Han Solo in Carbonite.

- and if you want to get a bit more old school, don't forget the Freddy Kruger furnace Sideshow did years ago.

- and in the 8" scale, there's the nifty Phantom's Throne.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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