Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light – The Ultimate Collector’s Guide
31 May 2025 by
Marc
Step back into the mystical world of Prysmos – a land where magic has replaced technology, and knights wield the power of light through holograms. Released in 1987, Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light was one of Hasbro’s most ambitious and imaginative toy lines. Despite its short lifespan, the line has become a cult favourite among collectors thanks to its rich backstory, high-quality figures, and unique holographic features.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the history of Visionaries, provide a complete list of all figures, vehicles, and accessories, and highlight the rarest items that collectors should keep an eye out for.
A Brief History of Visionaries
Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light was both a toy line and a short-lived animated series that aired in 1987. Set in a post-technological world, Prysmos is home to two warring factions: the noble Spectral Knights and the evil Darkling Lords. After a global cataclysm disables all technology, the wizard Merklynn grants magical powers to selected individuals through animal totems and magical staffs.
The figures featured stunning holographic imagery – a technological marvel at the time – and each character came with a spell staff or unique weapon. Although the cartoon lasted just 13 episodes and the toy range didn’t expand beyond its initial wave, Visionaries remains one of the most visually striking and creative 1980s toy lines.
Collecting Visionaries Figures
There were 12 main action figures released, each standing around 5 inches tall, with highly detailed sculpting, removable helmets, weapons, and holographic chest plates. The figures are split evenly between the heroic Spectral Knights and the villainous Darkling Lords. Each character also came with a staff featuring a larger spell-casting hologram – except for the vehicle-exclusive figures, who were equipped with standard weapons instead.
Below is a breakdown of each character with their totem animal, accessories, and notes on rarity.
Spectral Knights (Heroes)
Leoric
- Totem: Lion
- Accessories: Power Staff of Wisdom, whip, helmet
- Details: The fearless leader, Leoric’s lion symbol reflects strength and courage. His staff summons a wise owl to offer guidance.
- Rarity: Common – widely produced and relatively easy to find.
Witterquick
- Totem: Cheetah
- Accessories: Power Staff of Light Speed, boomerang, helmet
- Details: Fast and agile, Witterquick’s staff grants super speed. His boomerang is often missing in loose sets.
- Rarity: Common but harder to find complete due to small accessories.
Arzon
- Totem: Eagle
- Accessories: Power Staff of Knowledge, dagger, helmet
- Details: The team’s thinker and strategist. His eagle totem symbolises vision and intellect.
- Rarity: Moderate – often missing his small dagger.
Cryotek
- Totem: Bear
- Accessories: Power Staff of Strength, triple-headed mace, helmet
- Details: The strongman of the group, Cryotek’s staff summons a powerful archer.
- Rarity: Moderate – his large weapon makes him stand out.
Ectar (Vehicle Exclusive)
- Totem: Fox
- Accessories: Double-bladed hook weapon, helmet
- Vehicle: Lancer Cycle
- Rarity: Uncommon – only available with his vehicle.
Feryl (Vehicle Exclusive)
- Totem: Wolf
- Accessories: Knife, helmet
- Vehicle: Capture Chariot
- Rarity: Uncommon – figure often turns up incomplete.
Darkling Lords (Villains)
Darkstorm
- Totem: Mollusk
- Accessories: Power Staff of Decay, axe, helmet
- Details: The main villain, his spell staff causes rapid ageing and decay.
- Rarity: Common but popular among collectors.
Cravex
- Totem: Phylot (bat-spider hybrid)
- Accessories: Power Staff of Fear, axe, helmet
- Details: Hot-headed and aggressive. His spell conjures terror.
- Rarity: Common – staff is often missing or damaged.
Lexor
- Totem: Armadillo
- Accessories: Power Staff of Invulnerability, claw weapon, helmet
- Details: Cowardly but tough. His staff grants a temporary force field.
- Rarity: Moderate – claw weapon often goes missing.
Cindarr
- Totem: Gorilla
- Accessories: Power Staff of Destruction, mace, helmet
- Details: Slow but strong. His staff unleashes destructive energy.
- Rarity: Common – weapon is prone to damage.
Reekon (Vehicle Exclusive)
- Totem: Lizard
- Accessories: Sword, helmet
- Vehicle: Dagger Assault
- Rarity: Very Rare – considered the hardest figure to find complete.
Mortdredd (Vehicle Exclusive)
- Totem: Beetle
- Accessories: Pole weapon, helmet
- Vehicle: Sky Claw
- Rarity: Rare – often missing from Sky Claw vehicles on the secondary market.
Visionaries Vehicles
Each faction received two vehicles, all released in 1987. Every vehicle featured holographic panels and included an exclusive driver figure. These vehicles were packed with play features like rams, launchers, and transforming components.
Spectral Knights Vehicles
Capture Chariot
- Included Figure: Feryl
- Features: Splits into three parts; includes launching pods with fire holograms
- Rarity: Uncommon – scout pods often go missing.
Lancer Cycle
- Included Figure: Ectar
- Features: Spring-loaded lance, holographic windscreen
- Rarity: Moderate – easier to find than other vehicles.
Darkling Lords Vehicles
Dagger Assault
- Included Figure: Reekon
- Features: Massive rolling fortress with launching jet and holding cell
- Rarity: Extremely Rare – the crown jewel of Visionaries collecting.
Sky Claw
- Included Figure: Mortdredd
- Features: Twin cannons, battering claw, dragon holograms
- Rarity: Moderate – wing holograms prone to damage.
Unreleased Figures and Prototypes
Hasbro had big plans for Visionaries in 1988, but a second wave never hit stores. Prototypes and catalogue images revealed at least 16 new characters, female warriors, and six additional vehicles. A playset called Iron Mountain (Merklynn’s base) was also teased but never made it to retail.
These unreleased items remain a dream for collectors. A few hand-painted prototypes are known to exist in private collections, making them incredibly rare and valuable.
Rare Items to Watch For
If you’re collecting Visionaries today, here are some of the most sought-after and valuable pieces:
- Reekon (with sword and helmet) – Rarest figure due to being vehicle-exclusive.
- Dagger Assault (complete) – Largest and most complex toy in the line.
- Mortdredd – Difficult to find complete with all accessories.
- Greek “Zzoids” Variants – Extremely rare regional releases with no holograms.
- Capture Chariot pod covers – Small parts that are often missing or damaged.
- Second series prototypes – The rarest of all, only a few exist in collector hands.
Tips for Collectors
- Check holograms carefully – Many fade or peel with age.
- Accessories matter – Even small missing parts can halve a figure’s value.
- Buy from trusted sources – Look for sellers with experience and good feedback.
- Display safely – Keep figures out of direct sunlight to protect holograms.
Final Thoughts
Visionaries may have had a short run, but it’s a line that lives long in the memory of collectors. With its combination of sci-fi, fantasy, and some of the best toy engineering of the ’80s, it remains a truly magical part of action figure history.
Whether you’re just starting your collection or hunting for those last elusive pieces, the world of Prysmos is one worth revisiting – and preserving. May your quest be guided by the magical light.
If you liked this then I have also guides for Bionic Six and Blackstar toy lines