The paint is the only thing simplified on the RDs.
Tamashii joints, when PA on POM, last longer and work better than the traditional PVC on POM/PA setup used for almost all joints in the western market, including DST. The joints aren't bad on DSTs and the like, but they often get loose from tight spots in posing, warp more easily, and are inconsistently assembled. So while they can be banged around easier and probably not break, they're still prone to issues which tamashii stuff doesn't have, as the tamashii stuff is digitally engineered. Not to mention a PA on POM setup reduces the CoF more than PVC on POM does, but granted I don't know if dst uses pom or pa for their cylinders and the like. Also the PVC mold quality on western stuff is often much worse than the stuff in the east. There's also the chance that it's POM on POM on the bandai figures, in which case they gradually suffer from stick and slip which makes them tighter, though it degrades the joint faster, meaning you'll want to lubricate it(and when you do this, they degrade much slower than a normal PVC joint setup). However, POM on POM joints retain their shape better than any other setup, especially PVC. So I personally always prefer joints that are assembled the same, retain their shape better, and were engineered with ease of use in mind, which I've only seen on some recent bandai of america figures in the weatern market. In fact, for the stuff I engineer myself, I still stick to POM on POM lubricated, just because it offers the most consistent results over time.

You are correct, though, we have to wait for the final products, but the videos showing off the articulation for the RD gypsy make it look like one hell of a figure. I have a feeling the DST ones will pose almost identically to the NECA ones, even if more durable.

Dang, the RD ones are obviously more articulated but that weathering just looks so much better on the DST than a smooth paint job. I only really want Titan Redeemer right now, so I have to see what DSTs will look like, heck I may get both. If the DST ones are even nearly articulated like the RD Id easily pick those. Theyre bigger, too.

In-Packaging Photos of the DST Pacific Rim: Uprising Select Figures - The Toyark - News

http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/up...Athena-001.jpg

Final packaging looks dope. Was hoping for some environments but having all the weapons and hamdd is fine.

Yep! Yep! Yep! These look all kinds of awesome. There is already a review on the basic versions of Gipsy Avenger, Saber Athena and Bracer Phoenix on YouTube and I have to say the final product looks very impressive, a worthy successor and definite improvement over the NECA figures.

I do think it's a little telling how Gipsy Avenger comes with a lot more accessories than the other jaegers in this series. I guess it means that the other jaegers don't have nearly as many features or weapons that can be translated to figure form from the movie as Gipsy Avenger.