Fantasy models that can't be topped?

[BigbyWolf]

The new Azhag, and Gorbad is worth a mention too.

[dhagi]

Infantry model: Eltharion the blind. His deadly serenity is like an aura, they even nailed his facial proportions correctly (unlike Korhil, whose face is about 60% larger than it should be on his body)

Larger model: Imrik, Be'Lakor or the Abomination. Imrik is just too awesome, even though I had to glue stuff to his base to keep him from tipping backwards. You guys have already nailed it with Be'Lakor, and the skaven Abomination is just grotesquely gorgeous.

[abdulaapocolyps]

I actually like the dwarf high king mini enough to say he would be tough to top.green knight is awesome too,timeless.

[AmaroK]

I painted Be´Lakor for a friend years ago when it got released, and 1 month ago I got my hands on it finally. A guy sold it to my usual store, and I bought it in less than 5 second. I was lucky, because it had such an awful and thick painting, that you couldn´t even barely see any detail, nor even its face, and I got it pretty cheap (15 euros, I think). After cleaning and repainting, I have to agree: its one of the best models ever, but it surprised me how small it is compared with the new GW standard. For sure, way smaller than the current plastic demon prince. It seems bigger is not always better...

Other minis I can think about atm: Archaon, kroq-gar and his carnosaur, Juan Diaz´s Slann and metal deamonettes, exalted Valten (mounted), the island of blood plastic griphon & rider and the old metal rat ogre special character.

[xxRavenxx]

I think the full chaos lord set is rather damn good.

Lord on daemonic steed is one of my favorite models ever.

Slaneesh one is funky. Everyone loves boob-worms right?

Nurgle one is a delight, with his hood, and starving horse.

The tzeentch disk is great, though I was never amazingly keen on the lord being on fire, but thats more taste than it being bad I think.

And the khorne one is an angry dynamic bull... made of steel.

[Von Wibble]

I was reading through the thread and wondering why noone mentioned the deamonettes (the Juan Diaz ones) but then AmaroK just beat me to it.

Dark elf elites (executioner and black guard).

And possibly a controversial one - but imo the 4th edition chaos knights. The more recent iterations of chaos knights have shoulders that are far too big, making them look hunchbacked. Though maybe thats a mutation they get?

That said, chaos have loads of champion/sorceror models from way back that are great models. The slaaneshi hero with the snake tail for example.

[lbecks]

I think the full chaos lord set is rather damn good.

Lord on daemonic steed is one of my favorite models ever.

Slaneesh one is funky. Everyone loves boob-worms right?

Nurgle one is a delight, with his hood, and starving horse.

The tzeentch disk is great, though I was never amazingly keen on the lord being on fire, but thats more taste than it being bad I think.

And the khorne one is an angry dynamic bull... made of steel.

The limited tzeentch disk is really nice. I think they topped the helmet wearing one when they released the limited one.

They haven't done new mounted Nurgle and Slaanesh Lords. Those models are still great. Considering they topped Khorne and Tzeentch i'd be very interested in what they'd have in mind for Nurgle and Slaanesh,

[The Low King]

The Old Limited Edition Dwarf BSB

[Sandlemad]

Any of the Dwarf Lords leaning on their axes/hammers. Grim, resolute, looks perfect surrounded by the plastic troops, incredibly dynamic from a very static sculpt. The epitome of dwarfishness.

The Tomb King with the great weapon. So many textures and details that I'm still spotting them: the scale-loincloth, the beetles crawling around his ribs, etc.

[Sheena Easton]

Most of - if not all - the Jes Goodwin High Elves.

[pippin_nl]

The old empire hellblaster guy with the scroll
The Green Knight
The Screaming Bell (new one)
The Coven Throne
Tyrion
Plastic Empire Wizards

[LaughinGremlin]

The new Marius Leitdorf, or the new Lietpold the Black look like they are inspired from the pages of the classic black and white ink drawings in the 5th Edition Empire book. So good!

[TsukeFox]

Death master Snikch opp version, not the new one. Nor the finecash version.
Classic mode

[decker_cky]

Current skaven models (released since the last book), The majority of Warhammer Forge releases, Rogue Trader era Orks and Warhammer orcs circa 3rd Ed.

IMO, the original and second generation metal skaven were better stylistically than the current ones, but the current ones are the first time GW has come close to the originals.

Onto perfect models:

Belakor and Green Knight for sure deserve to be on the list.

I also would put the Beastmen limited edition wargor on the list. That model was cool enough to convince me to start the army.

The New Azhag is pretty much perfect too.

Some others that deserve mention:
-Nurgle lord on Daemonic steed
-VC Winged Vampire lord.
-Gorbad.
-Beastlord with AHW
-Captain of The Empire with Hammer & Pistol
-Dwarf Lord with Great Weapon (leaning on axe)
-High Elf Hero with Sword and Shield
-Ogre Kingdoms Firebelly

Tough to imagine any of those improved upon.

[mindrazor]

i vote for green knight and corpse cart

[kramplarv]

So many answers, and none are having the correct one. which of course is the old metal Doombull! The most amazing model in Warhammer. That model SMELLS awesomeness.

[Enigmatik1]

IMO, the original and second generation metal skaven were better stylistically than the current ones, but the current ones are the first time GW has come close to the originals.

Onto perfect models:

Belakor and Green Knight for sure deserve to be on the list.

I also would put the Beastmen limited edition wargor on the list. That model was cool enough to convince me to start the army.

The New Azhag is pretty much perfect too.

Some others that deserve mention:
-Nurgle lord on Daemonic steed
-VC Winged Vampire lord.
-Gorbad.
-Beastlord with AHW
-Captain of The Empire with Hammer & Pistol
-Dwarf Lord with Great Weapon (leaning on axe)
-High Elf Hero with Sword and Shield
-Ogre Kingdoms Firebelly

Tough to imagine any of those improved upon.

Incidentally, I've seen a lot of hate for the VC Winged Vampire Lord since he was first released. Now, it's no secret I despise all things Vampiric, but this single model almost convinced me to design an army around him. Luckily, I resisted the temptation and started Beastmen but damn...that model is hot.

As a Tomb King player, I am saddened by the lack of mention for the Ushabti. Sure, they might blow on the tabletop competitively. But considering how old the models are, they are still on the top of my biased list. :P

[Hragnar Goreskull]

I really like the current Chaos Warriors! They came out during Storm of Chaos so they have longevity. They are plain and simple enough but really capture the basic Warrior. If they were resculpted, I'm sure they would go too chaosy and over the top.

But the most important part,IMO, is that they really rank and file just perfectly and dont overstep their base signature and look awesome in large blocks!!! (The is in comparison to my nightmarish Bloodletters horde!!)

[Spoik]

The current Cold One Knights. So very beautiful.

And perhaps the River Trolls.

[Petey]

The single best model is Anur Sword of Twilight. Originally released in Mordheim, this elf is an amazing sculpt that can be used as a high elf, dark elf, or wood elf with minimal conversion (if at all), and looks gorgeous painted even moderately well.