Table of Contents
- What Chase Figures Are and Why They're Worth Chasing
- Where to Find Rare Chase Figures: Retail vs Secondary Market
- Limited Edition Pop Vinyl Figures: Store Exclusives and Wave Releases
- How to Identify Fake Chase Figures Before You Buy
- Tips for Successful Toy Hunting: Store Hunts and Pre-Orders
- Best Online Stores for Rare Collectibles
- Condition, Grading and Protecting Your Investment
- Conclusion: Start Your Chase Hunt Today
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 25, 2026
What Chase Figures Are and Why They're Worth Chasing
A chase figure is a limited-edition variant of a standard Funko Pop! release, produced in small numbers and usually marked by a special sticker on the window box. This guide from Funko Pop Fun Collections covers where to find rare chase figures, how to spot fakes, and how to protect what you buy.
Chase Variants vs Standard Releases
The difference is rarely dramatic, and that's the point. A chase might show a character battle-damaged, holding a different accessory, or wearing an alternate colourway. The Rex Splode chase, for example, is the battle-damaged version of the standard release, packaged with an exclusive Chase sticker.
Rarity Ratios and Production Runs
Rarity ratios aren't printed on the box, and production runs aren't published. Collectors work them out by pooling case-opening results across forums and community groups, so treat any quoted ratio as an estimate, if a seller claims "1 in 24" without evidence, ask where that number came from.
Where to Find Rare Chase Figures: Retail vs Secondary Market
Retail gives you the best odds of paying shelf price, but the worst odds of finding one. The secondary market flips that: you'll find the exact variant you want, but pay a premium for certainty.
| Route | Typical Cost | Odds of Finding a Chase | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail store hunt | Shelf price | Low, depends on case assortment | Casual collectors |
| Specialist online store | Shelf price plus postage | Moderate, stock is listed honestly | Collectors who want certainty |
| Secondary market | Market rate, often higher | High, you choose the figure | Completing a specific set |
| Pre-order | Shelf price | Low, but you're first in the queue | New wave releases |
Retail Assortments and Case Distribution
Case distribution is the biggest factor in whether a store hunt succeeds. A standard case holds six figures, and the chase, if present, replaces one. Staff at independent shops often know which cases have been opened, so building a relationship with your local stockist beats visiting five shops in one afternoon.
Secondary Market and Resale Value
Resale value for chase variants swings with the licence, not the figure's age. A chase tied to a currently popular film or series can hold value for years; one tied to a dormant franchise often settles. Check completed sales rather than asking prices, asking prices are aspirational, completed sales are real.
Limited Edition Pop Vinyl Figures: Store Exclusives and Wave Releases
Limited edition pop vinyl figures sit in a different category from chases. Store exclusives are produced for a single retailer, while wave releases roll out across general retail. Both can appreciate, but exclusives are easier to verify because the retailer's branding appears on the sticker.
How to Identify Fake Chase Figures Before You Buy
Most fake chases aren't convincing fakes of the figure, they're standard releases with a reprinted sticker, or a genuine chase box resealed around a swapped figure. So look at the sticker first, then the seal, then the figure.
The Sticker Is the First Test
A genuine chase sticker is a single printed layer with a clean die-cut edge. Under a raking light (hold a phone torch at a low angle across the window), it sits flat with no silvering or air bubbles at the corners. A reprint typically shows one of four tells:
- Blurry or feathered edges where the ink has bled beyond the cut line
- Slightly wrong letterforms, the word "Chase" is the usual giveaway, because reprinters often redraw it rather than scan it
- A different finish, genuine stickers are matte-to-satin; cheap reprints are often glossy
- Lifting corners, a sticker that peels at one corner has usually been removed and reapplied
Check the Seal and the Window
A resealed box is harder to spot, because the sticker may be genuine. Look for:
- Tape residue or a second tape line on the top or bottom flap, especially offset from the original
- A window that flexes differently from the rest of the box, replacement acetate is usually thinner
- Creasing around the window aperture where the original window was prised out
- A box that smells of solvent or fresh adhesive, genuine stock does not
Match the Numbers, Not Just the Figure
Every Funko Pop! box carries an item number and a box number, and they should agree across the box, the insert and the listing photos. The Rex Splode chase, for example, carries item number 90322 and box number 1862. A standard Rex Splode box with a chase sticker won't carry the chase item number, the clearest sign of a sticker swap.
A practical sequence when a seller sends photos:
- Read the item number off the box front and the box number off the bottom flap.
- Cross-check both against a reference listing for that specific chase.
- Confirm the sticker is present and matches the variant (battle-damaged, alternate colourway, different accessory).
- Ask for a photo of the figure through the window at an angle, so you can see the paint edges.
- Ask for a photo of the top and bottom flaps, not just the front.
Paint and Mould Checks
Custom-painted fakes are rarer than sticker swaps but exist, usually on higher-value chases. Genuine factory paint has clean colour breaks at the mould lines; hand-painted work shows brush texture, uneven coverage in recesses, and colour sitting proud of the surface. Compare against the standard release, the chase should differ only in the documented way.
A Quick Authentication Checklist
- Chase sticker is flat, sharp, correctly spelled and correctly finished
- Item number and box number match the chase variant, not the standard release
- Numbers agree across box, insert and listing photos
- No resealing marks, offset tape or tape residue on either flap
- Window acetate is the correct thickness and not creased at the aperture
- Paintwork is clean at the edges, with no bleeding or brush texture
- Seller provides clear photos of all four box sides plus both flaps
- Completed sales for the same variant support the asking price
If a seller won't send extra photos, walk away. Genuine sellers expect the question, and collectible specialists usually volunteer the numbers before you ask.
Exclusive Funko Pop CHASE FIGURE OF REX →
Tips for Successful Toy Hunting: Store Hunts and Pre-Orders
Toy hunting rewards patience over persistence. Rather than touring every shop in a day, pick two or three local stockists and visit regularly, staff notice regulars and will often hold a chase back if you've asked.
Best Online Stores for Rare Collectibles
The best online stores for rare collectibles share three traits: they photograph the actual figure, state the item number, and don't describe a standard release as a chase. Specialist retailers beat general marketplaces on all three, because their reputation depends on accurate listings.
What Separates a Specialist Store from a Marketplace
When you compare listings, the differences show up in the details rather than the prices:
- Real photos of the figure and box, not manufacturer stock images, and ideally a photo of the chase sticker in situ
- Item and box numbers in the description, so you can verify the variant before you buy
- A stated condition grade for the box, not just the figure
- A returns policy that covers transit damage, with a clear window for claims
- Stock that is listed as in-hand, rather than a pre-order dressed up as available stock
Tracking Stock Before It Sells Out
Most guides stop at "check the store regularly", fine until you realise a chase can sell within minutes of a restock email. The practical fix is to track inventory rather than refresh pages.
A workable setup for a collector in the UK:
- Retailer stock alerts, most specialist stores and general retailers offer an email or app notification when an item returns to stock. Set these on the specific chase, not the whole wave.
- Price and stock trackers, third-party trackers monitor product pages and flag changes in price or availability. They are useful for spotting a restock before it appears in a newsletter.
- Community restock threads, collector forums and social groups often post restock times ahead of the store's own announcement, particularly for exclusive releases.
- Your own spreadsheet or collection app, logging item numbers, purchase price and condition makes it far easier to spot a fair price when a chase appears, and to avoid paying over the odds in a panic.
Collector community restock and inventory-tracking discussion
Pre-Order Versus Store Hunt: Which Actually Costs Less
Most collectors get this wrong, because they compare sticker prices rather than total cost.
| Route | What You Pay | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store hunt | Shelf price, plus travel and time | A chance at a chase, no guarantee | Collectors who enjoy the hunt and live near stockists |
| Pre-order | Shelf price, sometimes with a deposit | A confirmed allocation, delivered on release | Collectors chasing a specific figure |
| Secondary market | Market rate, often well above shelf price | The exact variant, immediately | Completing a set or replacing a damaged piece |
Condition, Grading and Protecting Your Investment
Condition drives value more than rarity. A rare chase with a creased box can be worth less than a common figure in mint condition, because most collectors display boxes facing forward.
Conclusion: Start Your Chase Hunt Today
Finding a chase is part luck and part preparation. The collectors who succeed know their ratios, check their stickers, and buy from sellers who show the actual figure. Whether you're hunting a battle-damaged Rex Splode or a store exclusive, the rules are the same: verify before you pay, and protect what you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a standard and a chase figure?
A chase figure is a limited variant of a standard Funko Pop, often featuring a different paint job, accessory, or pose. It typically comes with a Chase sticker on the window box and is produced in much smaller numbers. For example, the Rex Splode chase is battle-damaged compared to the standard release. Chase variants are randomly inserted into retail assortments, making them harder to find and more valuable to collectors.
How can you tell if a chase figure is authentic?
Check the packaging for a genuine Chase sticker, verify the serial number and item number against official Funko records, and inspect the paint quality and mould seams. Counterfeits often have blurry printing, misaligned colours, or missing stickers. If the price seems too low for a rare chase, treat it as a warning sign and ask for provenance before purchasing.
Where is the best place to buy rare collectibles in the UK?
Specialist online stores offer curated chase figures with clear stock levels and secure packaging. For limited edition pop vinyl figures, sign up for retailer newsletters and follow social media for drop alerts. Pre-orders secure upcoming releases, while store hunts at independent toy shops can uncover hidden gems. Always check return policies and authentication guarantees before buying from any source.
Do chase figures increase in value over time?
Chase figures often increase in value due to their scarcity and collector demand, but not all do. Factors include the popularity of the franchise, the production run size, and condition. Mint-condition figures with original packaging tend to hold value better. Keep an eye on secondary market trends and rarity ratios. For investment-focused collectors, limited edition pop vinyl figures with low production numbers are usually the safest bet for long-term appreciation.