And they’ve never topped it.

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**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

How do!

Slightly enigmatic title is slightly enigmatic!

But this is a thread for subjectivity. I want to see and hear about the models which have since been replaced, but never actually bettered. It doesn’t matter if the modern kit is more dynamic, better detailed or what have you. This is about a look you simply prefer.

And being one of my threads? No pooping on someone else’s preference. If you have nothing constructive to show or say? Keep your otherwise valid opinion to yourself.

To kick you off? The humble Space Marine Terminator. The ones from Rogue Trader/2nd Ed era. Well, first bit of 2nd Ed anyway.

I genuinely can’t say what it is about this and it’s brother sculpts I prefer. What followed were better models, and better scaled. There’s just something about this which looks super cool and makes the model look super hard. I think a good slice of my preference is the helmet filling the socket. Enough space to suggest and imply movement, without looking like there’s space for bullets and las rounds and what have you find a weak point.

Perhaps I’m just a sad old git. And to be fair, I’m absolutely a sad old git. But this model and it’s variants from that era just work for me far better than any that came after.

Right, your turn! And remember, there are no wrong answers nor entries. There may be stupid responses from people pooping on your preference,despite me specifically requesting restraint,

**Manchild 1984**

good proportions.

For the stuff I own, knew is always better. I infact want a new Necron Lord.

I think the old Obliterators were better.

**Ordana**

Kasrkin.

**Deadnight**

Cadian Kasrkin.

**Overread**

Necron Immortal.

I feel like the current model is just a warrior with a bigger and not all that different gun; the old Immortal carried the theme of them being bigger, harder, tougher in just all ways. Sure the gun actually appeared more basic, but they 100% had that "I'm big and carry a big gun!"

**a_typical_hero**

Grey Knight Strikers and Terminators from 3rd. Perfection.

**vipoid**

I'll nominate the 5th edition Archon and Haemonculus models:

I've grouped them together because IMO GW basically made almost the exact same mistakes with their respective successors.

Whilst the newer Archon and haemonculus models benefitted from better materials and sculpts (by sculpts I mean, for example, being able to mould capes/coats better, add more details etc.), their poses were far less interesting than these models. II think both suffered heavily from having exposed faces with no helmets and masks. And, despite my comment about better sculpting, the heads and faces of both are pretty awful; the new Archon just looks like an angry walnut. I think the helmets and masks were both more visually interesting and also just more intimidating.

Further, these older models emphasised that both the Archon and Haemonculus were users not just of basic weapons but also more arcane devices. The Archon is depicted holding a Soul Trap, whilst I believe the Haemonculus holds a Crucible of Malediction. I bring this up because it's something that's gradually disappeared from the DE books. The 5th edition book used to emphasise the idea that DE used not just swords and guns but all manner of strange, arcane and eldritch devices. However, almost all of those have been gradually removed so that DE is nothing but swords and guns. And I think the removal of such artefacts from the models was a not-insignificant part of that.

In fact, I think the models quite well represent the respective feeling of their books. The 5th edition models were flawed but also filled with character and flavour. Meanwhile, the newer models are entirely functional and better in terms of proportions and such, yet entirely devoid of character and flavour. They're not bad just completely soulless, like they were designed by committee.

**Wyldhunt**

Vipoid beat me to the archon, although I actually like the modern haemonculus model just fine. You could maybe throw 5th edition Lelith in there while we're at it (although I don't hate the new model as much as some people.)

How about 3rd edition raiders? The 5th edition ones we currently have are nice, but I just prefer the spikey boats to the sailboats.

**Voss**

Reaver and Warhound Titans. I don't know what it is about the current models, but they look more like bobblehead dolls than sleek, intimidating war machines.

Its especially sad because the Warlords do look like improvements.

**MeatShield**

Ordana wrote:
Kasrkin.

So true. I would love a plastic set.

**H.B.M.C.**

To hell with the new ones, this'll always be something I love:

**The Newman**

I don't think the current Daemonettes look as good as the previous sculpt, and I really regret not mixing Daughters of Khaine in to give them more variety.

Different system but I also think the resculpts of Morghoul and the Cyclops Savage / Brute for plastic do not live up to the original metal.

**Unit1126PLL**

Diaz Daemonettes of Slaanesh imo

Spoiler:

**Ordana**

The Newman wrote:
I don't think the current Daemonettes look as good as the previous sculpt, and I really regret not mixing Daughters of Khaine in to give them more variety.

Different system but I also think the resculpts of Morghoul and the Cyclops Savage / Brute for plastic do not live up to the original metal.

yes on the 3e edition daemonettes.

**Rihgu**

Easy. The Lava Dragon. They will never make a dragon as good as this.

Spoiler:

**Unit1126PLL**

Oh I didn't realize the diaz-ettes had already been mentioned! Yes I love them.

**Nevelon**

Nothing against most of the new guys, but there is no chaplain like an old school chaplain.

**Sarigar**

These hooked me when WD 127 was released. I still play Eldar to this day and these sculpts were the definitive Goodwin design.

**Pointer5**

Mad Doc

The original terminator looks like he is going to spring forward. You are right he looks like he has no weaknesses. For me the original ork kommandos will never be surpassed. They just have a great style.

**Bobthehero**

The metal Stormtroopers. Better than the Kasrkins, imo.

**solkan**

The Realm of Chaos era CSM. Back in the days before powered armor became a competition to see how many purity seals, spikes, refrigerator magnets, and medals can be attached to the armor (and somehow not destroyed by enemy attacks...), it got across the idea that chaos had changed the powered armor simply and effectively.

Disclaimer: I mean, seriously. Are those purity scrolls supposed to be metal painted to look like paper or something?

**MrMoustaffa**

The old 3rd ed line of metal Cadians from the cityfight cover. Always loved how their design had ques from modern infantry, roman legionaires, and aliens colonial marines. They just felt like the quintesential sci fi infantry to me. The new plastic cadian design isnt bad so mich as just kind of boring to me, I wish they had brought the metal line into plastic but I bet the issue was the large shoulder pauldrons the metal models had

**Arcanis161**

As most of what I would say has already been mentioned, I'll throw an odd one out: Metal Catachans. Those models, everything is exaggerated rather than just the muscles. Fits better than the plastic ones released shortly after.

**Giantwalkingchair**

The old metal Repentia for the sisters of battle.

The old ones perfectly reflected the lore of them. The robes/habits they once wore as full sisters torn to shreds and wrapped around them from the ceremony of the oath of the penitent. The hoods they wore to cover their faces, marking them as faceless and nameless to the rest of their former sisters. The chains wrapped around their wrists and eviscerators showing they're never separated from their only remaining duty. They are literally clothed in their shame and have nothing left but to throw themselves headlong into battle and hope they're redeemed either by death or action.

**AnomanderRake**

The Vampire. Nothing has ever been as cool as that, and nothing will ever be cooler.

**TonyH122**

It will never be topped.

**Blackie**

Previous version of Ghazghkull Thraka, still my all time favorite GW model.

**Gitdakka**

The metal space marine scouts. They look so cool and then we get the plastic ones with their weird necks.

**Sim-Life**

Choose a Diaz sculpt. Literally any one.

**vipoid**

AnomanderRake wrote:
The Vampire. Nothing has ever been as cool as that, and nothing will ever be cooler.

Vampire?