Face Off OG
Also known as: Faceoff OG Kush, Face Off, OG Face Off, Face/Off OG Kush, Face Off OG Kush
Breeder: Archive Seed Bank
Face Off OG is a legendary indica-dominant OG Kush phenotype that emerged from Southern California in the late 1990s. Named after the 1997 Nicolas Cage/John Travolta film, the strain earned its name because the initial head rush is so intense it feels like losing your face. ThaDocta of Archive Seed Bank received a handful of seeds from exceptional OG Kush batches circulating the underground market, grew them out, and selected plant #4 for its overwhelmingly unique flavor and skull-crushing potency. The original cut remained clone-only for years before Archive stabilized the genetics through backcrossing (BX1, BX2). Face Off OG became one of the most important breeding parents in modern cannabis, serving as the foundation for Do-Si-Dos, Animal Face, and dozens of other elite cultivars. It remains a benchmark for what a heavy OG should be: gassy, resinous, and unapologetically potent. Face Off OG derives from a handful of exceptional OG Kush seeds gifted to Archive Seeds in the late 1990s from batches circulating in Southern California's underground market. The #4 plant was selected for its overwhelming terpene uniqueness and crushing potency, then stabilized through two generations of backcrossing to the original mother.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: OG Kush (selected phenotype)
OG Kush — the foundational West Coast strain believed to descend from Chemdawg '91 crossed with a Lemon Thai x Hindu Kush hybrid (parentage still debated). OG Kush defined the 'ocean-grown' funk profile — fuel, earth, pine, and lemon — and became the backbone of California cannabis breeding. Face Off OG represents one of its most indica-leaning, resin-heavy expressions.
Lineage Dispute
Face Off OG is universally accepted as a phenotype of OG Kush, not a traditional cross. SeedFinder lists its lineage as 'OG Kush [misc: Selfed],' implying the seeds came from self-pollination or bagseed of elite OG Kush batches. The deeper OG Kush parentage itself remains debated (commonly cited as Chemdawg '91 x Lemon Thai x Hindu Kush, but unconfirmed). Some sources vaguely claim 'two heavy indica strains' as parents, but this is not supported by the breeder's own account.
Terpene Profile
Myrcene —
Limonene —
Caryophyllene —
Linalool —
Pinene —
Humulene —
Aroma: Pungent, old-school OG nose — heavy diesel fuel and sharp gas dominate the top notes, supported by deep earthy pine, dank skunk, and a musky herbal undertone. Breaking the buds releases additional layers of spice and a faint lemon-citrus brightness. Loud enough to fill a room when the jar opens.
Flavor: Gassy and earthy on the inhale with pronounced pine and diesel. The mid-palate introduces spicy pepper and herbal kush notes. Exhale is smooth with a lingering woody, fuel-forward finish and subtle citrus tartness. Classic, uncut OG flavor with no sweetness to soften it.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Hits fast and hard — a dizzying, almost nauseatingly potent cerebral rush that concentrates in the face and forehead within 1-3 minutes. Some users report a face-tingling sensation that gave the strain its name. Not for the faint of heart; can turn novices green.
The intense initial head high settles into a meditative, spaced-out euphoria paired with crushing full-body relaxation. Muscles go slack, eyelids get heavy, and couch-lock is almost guaranteed. The mind wanders freely while the body sinks deep into whatever surface you are on. Appetite stimulation kicks in during the plateau.
Duration: Long-lasting — 2 to 4 hours depending on tolerance. The heavy sedation and body effects persist well after the cerebral peak fades, often transitioning directly into sleep.
Commonly Reported Uses
Grower's Notes
Face Off OG is a legendary indica-dominant hybrid (70/30) refined by Archive Seed Bank from exceptional OG Kush seeds that circulated underground in late-1990s Southern California. The #4 phenotype was selected for its overwhelmingly unique flavor and skull-crushing potency, then back-crossed twice (BX1, BX2) to stabilize the line. This strain demands intermediate cultivation experience — it is not forgiving of environmental instability but rewards precise growers with some of the densest, most resinous OG flower available.
Structure
classic indica growth pattern with a compact, bushy habit and thick lateral branches. Height is medium and manageable with basic training. Strong lateral branching supports heavy, dense floral clusters without extensive support infrastructure, though bamboo stakes or trellis netting in late flower prevents branch snapping under bud weight. The plant develops tight internode spacing naturally, making it suitable for SOG configurations at higher plant density. Early vegetative growth focuses on building a robust root system through weeks 1-3, followed by more rapid vertical growth and pre-flowering from weeks 4-6.
Flowering time
8-9 weeks for the original Face Off OG; the BX2 runs 55-63 days (approximately 8-9 weeks). Bud development accelerates notably in weeks 7-9 with extreme density increase. Harvest timing targets mostly cloudy trichomes with a small percentage of amber for peak sedative effects — the strain's reputation for crushing potency is maximized in this window.
Nutrients
Face Off OG is a heavy feeder but nitrogen-sensitive in late flower. Use a 3-1-2 NPK ratio during vegetation, transitioning to 1-3-4 during flowering to promote robust bud formation. Target EC of 1.2-1.5 in veg, ramping to 1.6-2.0 during peak bloom (weeks 4-7), then flush starting two weeks before harvest. Organic supplements like bat guano and kelp extract enhance terpene production. In soil, maintain pH 6.3-6.8; in coco, 5.8-6.3; in hydro systems, 5.5-6.0. Cal-Mag supplementation under LED is standard. The strain responds aggressively to PK boosters during mid-flower — monitor for tip burn and back off if leaves show excessive nutrient loading.
Environment
indoor temperatures 70-80°F daytime with nighttime drops to 65-70°F. Humidity 60-65% during veg, 45-50% during early-mid flower, and 40% or below in late flower to protect extremely dense buds from mold. The dense, resin-heavy bud structure makes this strain highly susceptible to botrytis without proper environmental control. Ensure strong airflow at canopy level and defoliate interior growth that blocks air movement.
Light
minimum 600W HPS equivalent or full-spectrum LED per square meter, with 800-1000W producing peak results. Target PPFD of 600-800 during early flower, scaling to 900-1100 during peak bloom. DLI of 35-40 mol/m²/day delivers the best quality-to-energy ratio. CO2 supplementation (1000-1400 ppm) allows higher PPFD without light stress and significantly improves resin development.
Yield varies significantly by growing method
soil indoor produces 450-550 g/m²; hydroponic systems push 550-650 g/m²; outdoor garden conditions yield 400-600 g/plant; greenhouse environments reach 500-600 g/m²; and SCROG technique maximizes at 600-700 g/m². Per-plant yields in soil average 120-180g, while hydro reaches 180-250g per plant. Harvest outdoors in mid-October.
Bud structure
tight, resin-heavy calyxes that are the hallmark of the OG Kush family. Buds are bright green with rich amber/orange pistils, covered in chunky white trichomes. Structure is rock-hard when properly dried — the density is extreme even by OG standards. Color can express darker purple tones with cool night temps. The strain's structural integrity makes it visually distinctive even among other OG phenotypes.
Terpene profile
classic OG — dominant earthy pine and sharp diesel with undertones of skunky hash, ammonia, and subtle sweet-sour berries with a zesty herbal lemon finish. The aroma is heavy, intense, and unmistakably OG. Myrcene, limonene, and caryophyllene drive the profile with linalool contributing to the sedative character.
Pest/disease
primary concern is botrytis in the extremely dense bud clusters. PM resistance is moderate. Standard IPM protocols through veg (preventive sprays, predatory insects) transition to environmental control only during flower. The dense structure means any moisture trapped inside buds becomes a rot vector quickly.
Drying and curing
dry slowly at 60°F/60% RH for 12-14 days. The extreme density means internal moisture takes longer to equilibrate — don't rush the dry or buds will feel done outside while still wet inside. Cure minimum 3-4 weeks in sealed jars; extended 6+ week cures dramatically improve the pungent gas and pine terpene expression that defines the strain. Wash yields are moderate-to-good, with the high resin density making it suitable for both solvent and solventless extraction.
History & Origin
In the late 1990s, exceptionally potent batches of OG Kush circulated Southern California's underground market under the name 'Face/Off OG Kush,' a nod to the 1997 John Woo action film. A friend of ThaDocta (founder of Archive Seed Bank, est. 2006 in Portland, Oregon) scored a small handful of seeds from those batches and gifted him about half a dozen. ThaDocta grew them out and selected plant #4 for its overwhelming flavor and skull-crushing high. The #4 cut became the definitive Face Off OG and circulated as a prized clone-only through small California circles for years. Archive later backcrossed the #4 mother to stabilize the genetics, producing the BX1 and BX2 seed lines that made the genetics available to the broader growing community. Face Off OG's most famous contribution to cannabis history is as a parent of Do-Si-Dos (OGKB x Face Off OG BX1), created by Archive Seed Bank around 2016, which itself spawned an entire family tree of modern elite cultivars.
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using Face Off OG as a parent:
Frequently Asked Questions
6 common questions about Face Off OG
What is Face Off OG and what are its genetics?
Face Off OG is a indica cannabis strain (70% Indica / 30% Sativa) bred by Archive Seed Bank. It is a cross of OG Kush (selected phenotype), testing at 20-30% THC. Face Off OG is a legendary indica-dominant OG Kush phenotype that emerged from Southern California in the late 1990s. Named after the 1997 Nicolas Cage/John Travolta film, the strain earned its name because the initial head rush is so intense it feels like losing your face.
What does Face Off OG smell and taste like?
Face Off OG's dominant terpenes are Myrcene, Limonene. The aroma is described as pungent, old-school og nose — heavy diesel fuel and sharp gas dominate the top notes, supported by deep earthy pine, dank skunk, and a musky herbal undertone. breaking the buds releases additional layers of spice and a faint lemon-citrus brightness. loud enough to fill a room when the jar opens.. The flavor profile features gassy and earthy on the inhale with pronounced pine and diesel. the mid-palate introduces spicy pepper and herbal kush notes. exhale is smooth with a lingering woody, fuel-forward finish and subtle citrus tartness. classic, uncut og flavor with no sweetness to soften it..
What are the effects of Face Off OG?
Hits fast and hard — a dizzying, almost nauseatingly potent cerebral rush that concentrates in the face and forehead within 1-3 minutes. Some users report a face-tingling sensation that gave the strain its name. Not for the faint of heart; can turn novices green. The intense initial head high settles into a meditative, spaced-out euphoria paired with crushing full-body relaxation. Muscles go slack, eyelids get heavy, and couch-lock is almost guaranteed. Duration is typically long-lasting — 2 to 4 hours depending on tolerance. the heavy sedation and body effects persist well after the cerebral peak fades, often transitioning directly into sleep.. Commonly reported uses include Chronic pain relief, Insomnia, Muscle spasms, Stress and anxiety.
How hard is Face Off OG to grow?
Face Off OG is rated intermediate difficulty. It flowers in 8-9 weeks, reaches medium, compact indica structure in height, and yields 450-650 g/m² indoors. Best suited for indoor preferred environments.
What are the parent strains of Face Off OG?
Face Off OG is a cross of OG Kush. OG Kush — the foundational West Coast strain believed to descend from Chemdawg '91 crossed with a Lemon Thai x Hindu Kush hybrid (parentage still debated). OG Kush defined the 'ocean-grown' funk profile — fuel, earth, pine, and lemon — and became the backbone of California cannabis breeding.
What strains were bred from Face Off OG?
Face Off OG has been used as a parent in several notable crosses, including Do-Si-Dos, Animal Face, Blue Face, Gas Face, RudeBoi OG. Its genetics contribute to a wide range of modern cultivars.
Sources & References (23)
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/face-off-og-kush/clone-only-strains
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/face-off-og-bx2/archive-seed-bank
- https://seedfinder.eu/en/strain-info/face-off-og-bx1/archive-seed-bank
- https://archiveseedbank.com/products/face-off-og-bx2
- https://www.leafly.ca/strains/face-off-og
- https://www.strainpedia.com/face-off-og/
- https://hashdash.com/cultivars/face-off-og
- https://respectmyregion.com/face-off-og-strain/
- https://growdiaries.com/strains/face-off-og-bx1
- https://www.figfarms.com/strains/animal-face
- https://www.cannapot.com/shop/cannabis-seeds/archive-seedbank/nfs_seeds.html
- Grower's Notes cultivation sources:
- Face Off OG Strain Profile (Strainpedia) — https://www.strainpedia.com/face-off-og/
- Face Off OG Review (The Highest Critic / Archive Seed Bank) — https://thehighestcritic.com/reviews/strain-review-face-off-og-by-archive-seed-bank/
- Face Off OG BX1 Strain Info (GrowDiaries) — https://growdiaries.com/strains/face-off-og-bx1
- Face Off OG BX2 Seeds (Sensible Seeds) — https://www.sensibleseeds.com/face-off-og-bx2-regular-archive-seed-bank.html
- Face Off OG BX2 Official (Archive Seed Bank / Rkive) — https://archiveseedbank.com/products/face-off-og-bx2
- Face Off OG Seeds with yield table (White Widow Seed Bank) — https://whitewidowseedsbank.com/face-off-og-seeds/
- Face Off OG Strain Info (Leafly) — https://www.leafly.ca/strains/face-off-og
- Face Off OG Strain Guide (Mango Cannabis) — https://mangocannabis.com/blog/cannabis-101/face-off-og-strain/
- Face-Off OG S1 Comprehensive Guide (Joint Commerce) — https://app.jointcommerce.com/blog/category/cannabis-101/face-off-og-s1-by-clone-quest-a-comprehensive-strain-guide/
- Cannabis PPFD/DLI requirements — https://growlightmeter.com/lighting-requirements-of-cannabis-over-the-full-grow-cycle/
- LED Grow Light PPFD and DLI guide — https://wegrowpros.com/guides/ppfd-and-dli-for-led-grow-lights-guide/
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