"Best version of Whfb Orc minis? " Topic

I know there have been several "versions" or sculptings of GW's Orc line throughout the history of the Warhammer Fantasy verse.

I'm thinking about getting into them at some point but I'm not in total love with the current version of them (could it be the yellow paint jobs?).

So I'm just wondering if anyone had any favorite versions or editions (including the present ones)?

Thanks for any input as always.

As an aside, I've only just started playing WH lately. But I actually bought a box of Orc Archers & Spearman back around 90-92 just to paint and I recall the Archers in particular having quite a bit of charm. Anyways.

You need to go back to the 4th – 6th Editions's for a their best.

They have gone downhill since then.

Third. Always third.

My second choice is the current (late 8th / AoS) version.

With 4th, everything got stylized and cartoony. Less character, more cookie-cutter. 3rd is gritty, and most every mini looks like his own man, with his own story to tell.

I like the 3rd ed ones best too. I have a handful from back then and often wish I could do an entire army of them.

GW's WFB Orcs have always been the poorest of their lines in both figures and fluff everything else WFB has charm but the cartoonish Orc and Ork including clunky Scooby doo rules have made the Orcs the army I no longer want to own nor want to play against in either 40K or fantasy

all things considered the LotR Orcs are head and shoulders better sculpts

Just my 2 cents

The current AoS range of Ironjaws look a LOT better if you paint them like Orcs or even Black Orcs, with raw armour, rusted armour, brass trimmings, etc. Basically anything other than the clown suit yellow costumes GW show them in.

Thanks all. Interesting input. I'll have research more on the above.

I love the old "classics" too. Although I've long ago given up on WHFB, discovering Dragon Rampant breathed new life into my fantasy gaming. I ended up scouring eBay and the inter webs looking for a lot of old Citadel Orc & Goblin models (many of which I used to have but subsequently sold) to complete a few DR Fantasy armies. It was a blast!

one thing I realized is just how much my own painting skills have progressed in the last 25 years. Many of those old classics really painted up well!

GW has a certain flavor all it's own but I feel North Star has really nailed the look of goblins/orcs with their new plastics.

My own preference is the 6th edition starter box Orcs. Easy to swap out weapons and arms. The current line are beautiful minis and paint up quite nicely, as mentioned above…