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April 17th, 2026 39 comments

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Full Details: Five Brand New ‘Vortex’ Sets Plus The Collect & Build ‘Yeti’

Character Options introduces its first Doctor Who Collect & Build range in 17 years

Character Options has confirmed it is to release a Doctor Who Collect & Build range for the first time since 2009. The line will be made up of five exclusive “Vortex” Edition sets, with each box to include a part of a buildable character. Fans who collect all pieces from across the five packs will be able to complete a scaled replica of the ‘Yeti’ from 1967’s ‘The Abominable Snowmen’.

These sets will be available exclusively through www.character-online.com and will be launched at planned intervals from July.

The 2026 Collect & Build offering recognises some of Doctor Who’s most memorable chapters, with five iconic Vortex Edition characters to discover – plus the buildable Yeti. In order of their release, the sets are as follows:

  • 1. Cybermen Set -with Yeti Head
  • 2. Fifteenth Doctor Set – with Yeti Upper Torso
  • 3. Fourth Doctor Set – with Yeti Legs and Feet
  • 4. Season Seven Set – with Yeti Right Arm
  • 5. Wirrn Set – with Yeti Left Arm

The Collect & Build ‘Abominable Snowman’ figure

The Abominable Snowmen Story from 1967 introduced the titular character, also known as a ‘Yeti’ to an audience that would go on to become fans and collectors. It was so memorable upon its initial appearance, that it spawned a second story the next year and is still beloved by fans 5 decades later. Now figure collectors have the chance to collect this large figure standing nearly 16 and a half centimetres tall, with multiple articulation points.

The complete ‘Yeti’ buildable figure can be completed only by collecting the individual body sections spread across the five Vortex releases for this year. The figure has a lot of moulded in details, not least the fur effect that has been achieved using a base mould colour plus multiple sprays and washes. The head features the eyes and prominent fangs of the original Yeti that were near impossible to see on-screen, but were unmissable in a behind the scenes documentary of the story creation.

“Something bigger and better with a modern take”

Al Dewar, Creative Director, Character Options, said: “This is a very interesting year for the Character Options Doctor Who range. It’s the first time we’ve introduced a Collect & Build figure for over a decade and a half. Plus, for the very first time we are showcasing the sets that we will be releasing up front!

“The Collect & Build Yeti figure should be a great surprise to most folk. Yes… it’s been well known for years that we created a Yeti sculpt for the ‘1968 Web of Fear’ version but when we examined that sculpt, we realised the scale was wrong and some minor damage had occurred. So, it seemed sensible to go back further to where it all started, up in Tibet, near the ‘Det Sen’ Monastery in 1967, with the original Abominable Snowmen. The Yetis are ‘big ole beasts!’ and I think we’ve brought something bigger and better with a modern take that lends itself well to articulation and play.

“Of course, the Collect & Build figure is just one of many things to look forward to, with five stunning new figure sets coming through – all upgraded to Vortex levels. Even the pre-existing Liz Shaw figure has been refined to be as good as it can be! The team has put their all into getting everything ready in time, and we can’t wait to bring the collectors something that’s so completely different.”

Find out more

Further information on the collection is now available on the Character Online website, where fans can also register to receive pre‑launch updates. More details on each Collect & Build set will be revealed in the lead‑up to each release, with the first set launching from July 2026, exclusively via www.character-online.com
(RRP £44.99).

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39 comments

  • CK

    April 17th, 2026 - 12:14pm

    I wonder if the price will be reduced for the single figure packs? £45 for a single 4th Doctor seems a bit excessive!

    Reply
  • War Chief.

    April 17th, 2026 - 11:38am

    I wish they were all coming out in July….!

    Reply
    • Fh

      April 17th, 2026 - 12:12pm

      Would be a strain on the wallet tho. At least a staggered released allows people a better chance without worrying about them getting sold out.

  • Vladnag

    April 17th, 2026 - 11:28am

    These all look amazing! So excited to start grabbing these, only ones i’m a little hesitant on are the 15th and 4th sets, the 4th Doctor looks good but I hope he comes with another figure considering the rest are deluxe/2 packs. Either way i’m excited for a new 4th Doctor figure with hopefully updated articulation, and i have plenty of scarfs around if I don’t like the soft goods

    Reply
  • Alex Oswin

    April 17th, 2026 - 11:24am

    This is a great wave. The collect and build gimmick isn’t for me given the overall cost of the wave. But as a wave it’s got some good characters in covering a good mix of eras, very excited to finally see Liz Shaw! Also I love that they’re telling up in advance what these sets are and when they’ll be released, that type of direct communication about planned releases long overdue in my opinion.

    Reply
  • bryan

    April 17th, 2026 - 11:19am

    Yeah but the yeti is only a part of the cost. I would have bought 4 of these sets anyway, so cyberman and last piece of yeti makes the cost only £45

    I suppose you could say the yeti is free it’s the boxed figures that cost £224.

    Reply
  • Paddy Troughton

    April 17th, 2026 - 11:16am

    Troughton is my favourite doctor and been crying out for the yeti figure for YEARS. Bias aside this is a strong wave with a good range of eras touched apon. The only dud I would say of the range is the 4th doctor figure but the fact he has the new articulation is great. Unsure about the scarf though. Will be getting them all

    Reply
    • Paddy Troughton

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:36am

      Apparently 4th doctor comes with
      – Shada Waistcoat
      – Tartan Vest/Tank top and red cravat
      – ‘Stop!’ hand
      – Cupped Hand
      – Jelly Babies
      – Sonic Screwdriver
      – Alternative Head without hat

      Very exciting

  • bryan

    April 17th, 2026 - 11:15am

    Wow what a fantastic line up. Liz is the top of the range for me, waited so long for a stunning liz Shaw figure.

    Wirrin with grub superb not a figure i expected.

    Nightmare in silver cybermen is a surprise (wheel cybermen are missing in action from classic series figures

    Mr Lux and Dugadoo are lovely , much have preffered a snot monster

    Wonder what will be in the 4th Doctor set, as the wirrin will be a set on its own (with Grub) surely.

    Superb . OH THAT YETI IS BEAUTIFUL even nicer than the previous sculpt we didnt get. Fabulous

    Reply
  • War Chief.

    April 17th, 2026 - 11:06am

    Not sure the Liz figure will stand upright without falling over….(Tegan didn’t)….
    Plus….starting in July…..3 months between figures….it will be this time in 2027 before we get a finished Yeti….
    But….a Wirrin….!!!!!

    Reply
    • Paul

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:11am

      It’s one a month from July onwards!!

    • Clay

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:35am

      My Tegan stands fine? Took a lil tinkering with the ankle articulation though. But it would be helpful if they came with stands, figures at this scale are often not that stable

  • DalekAgent

    April 17th, 2026 - 11:01am

    I am excited for these but when you think about it to get the complete yeti figure it will cost £224.95 and yeah i know i have a choice to buy these or not but that is a lot of money

    Reply
    • Spacewarp

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:23am

      @DalekAgent I think you’re kind of looking at that the wrong way. Yes you’ll have to pay £225 to get the Yeti, but that’s for the separate sets. The Yeti is free. As the Vespiform, the Giant Robot, and the Cyber Controller were free.

      Unusually these sets span 3rd, 4th, 12th, and 15th Doctor eras, so I’d guess anyone interested in the Yeti will buy all the sets and then sell the figures they don’t want. Conversely there will be those who buy just the set they’re interested in and sell the Yeti part. Ebay will be very interesting to watch.

    • Alex Oswin

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:27am

      Agree with Spacewarp, I don’t think I’ll buy the full set so my Yeti pieces will be going on eBay for anyone who wants to complete the Yeti separately

  • Fh

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:48am

    Is that a softgoods scarf on the 4th doctor? i hope not, just the other day I was praising CO for not skimping out by using softgoods unlike other famous toy lines (*cough* black series *cough*). CO have always done brilliantly by only using softgoods when absolutely necessary, so i hope this isn’t the start of that ending. :/ otherwise a great looking figure from what can be seen. 🙂

    Reply
    • Moonbeam

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:13am

      I would have thought a fabric scarf would be loads better than a moulded plastic one?

    • Fh

      April 17th, 2026 - 12:02pm

      Some people argue softgoods are better, some argue they’re not. I think softgoods almost always look terrible compared to moulded products. Even from the image seen here it looks a bit ridiculous, kind of comically oversized and cumbersome but not in the way it’s meant to be. Not to mention, softgoods have significantly less durability, are a pain to fiddle about with and overall it just ruins the consistency of the figure.

    • the ergon

      April 17th, 2026 - 12:14pm

      I,m not a fan of soft goods myself especially where the figure is for the most part plastic. It seems inconsistent and even worse when the garments are creased and never stay in place.

  • Jake

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:45am

    All we need now is news on the B&M figure sets.

    Reply
  • Sime

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:43am

    Love them all! Plus, Build a Yeti!

    Reply
  • Andy R

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:42am

    I think the season 7 Liz set would be my most immediate purchase out of the sets. I can see the Yeti being very very expensive on the secondary market sadly (since each individual set will be £45).. thats £225 for the Yeti just to start with.

    Reply
    • Jake

      April 17th, 2026 - 10:47am

      All we need now is news on the B&M figure sets.
      Going to be a good year for action figures

  • Mark Belsom

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:36am

    OH MY GIDDY AUNT!!

    Reply
  • CK

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:36am

    Some nice figures but not happy with having to buy ones I don’t want just to get the Yeti. Hopefully it will get a standalone release in a few years like K1 did.

    Reply
    • The ergon

      April 17th, 2026 - 10:41am

      I should imagine the yeti will be standalone or as part of a second doctor set. The others look to be paired to their appropriate era. I,m guessing 15th with dugga do and Mr. Ring a ding next and together.

    • Fh

      April 17th, 2026 - 10:44am

      @ergon the yeti isn’t standalone or part of a set, it’s a build a figure. You have to buy all the sets to get all the yeti parts to build it.

    • War Chief.

      April 17th, 2026 - 10:48am

      Indeed, some of these (the more modern ones) I wouldn’t have bothered with, were it not for getting the Yeti arm, leg etc….
      And is it me, or does the Primord seem to have one leg longer than the other….?

    • The ergon

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:01am

      Fh. Thanks. I had no idea but i will be buying all sets anyway. The Yeti is the ultimate incentive and never known anything like this since the vespiform build.

    • The ergon

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:03am

      I never read the small print.LOL.

    • Clay

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:32am

      @War Chief. : it looks like the left one is longer, it might be sculpted into a pose where it’s dragging that leg… But also this has been a weird longstanding problem with the line, since the original 8th Doctor figure at least. The 12th Doctor and Earthshock Cyberman are particularly affected, have to pose them with one knee bent to get them level!

  • War Chief.

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:32am

    Wirrin…..!!! With grub thing……I’ve always wanted these….
    Yeti….Primord ……..!
    A pity those aren’t Wheel in Space Cybermen (I always thought Moffat’s Cybermen were rather naff)…..but hey….what exciting news…..!

    Reply
    • Spacewarp

      April 17th, 2026 - 11:28am

      I did see a screenshot of an old Wheel Cybe prototype so I know there were plans. Possibly shelved because it was too similar to the Tomb model. If I was Al though, and I wanted to release a Wheel version, I’d kill two birds with one stone and partner it with a Zoe figure. But just to buck continuity she’d be in the sparkly catsuit.

  • Mb

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:30am

    Wow.

    Reply
  • The ergon

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:29am

    Just seen. Some classic goodies amongst that lot. Looking forward the 4th and wirrn and the liz and stahlman/primord.

    Reply
  • Fh

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:29am

    OOOOOOH, they baited us LOOOOOL!!!! Fair play, fair play. Nice one Character. XD 🙂

    Reply
  • Dalek Eye Stalk

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:28am

    WOW! Looks like a stunning set!

    Reply
  • Troughton’s Trousers

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:25am

    Crikey! Fantastic news, and amazing figures!

    Reply
  • Jamie

    April 17th, 2026 - 10:25am

    Amazing. Just astounding.

    Reply

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