Indica70% Indica / 30% Sativa20-30% THC

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.

Lineage

OG Kush (selected phenotype)

THC Range

20-30%

Flower Time

8-9 weeks (55-63 days)

Difficulty

Intermediate

Lineage & Genetics

Cross: OG Kush (selected phenotype)

Parent strains in encyclopedia:OG Kush→Chemdawg→Hindu Kush→Lemon Thai→Thai→

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

DOMINANT

Myrcene —

DOMINANT

Limonene —

SECONDARY

Caryophyllene —

SECONDARY

Linalool —

SECONDARY

Pinene —

SECONDARY

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

Chronic pain reliefInsomniaMuscle spasmsStress and anxietyAppetite stimulationMigrainesInflammation

Growing Characteristics

Flower Time

8-9 weeks (55-63 days)

Yield (Indoor)

450-550 g/m² (soil); up to 650 g/m² with SCROG or hydro

Yield (Outdoor)

400-650 g/plant; harvest mid-October

Difficulty

Intermediate

Height

Medium — classic indica structure with thick lateral branching; manageable with LST or topping

Environment

Thrives indoors under controlled conditions; outdoors in warm Mediterranean climates. Prefers 68-78°F (20-26°C) daytime temps.

Grow Tips: Dense bud structure is highly susceptible to botrytis — drop humidity to 40-45% in the final 3 weeks of flower and ensure strong airflow with oscillating fans. Responds very well to LST, topping, and SCROG to maximize light penetration through the canopy and boost yield. Robust feeding schedule required; monitor closely during mid-to-late flower as she is a heavy eater during peak bud development. A 4-6°F nighttime temperature drop in the last two weeks can enhance resin production and encourage subtle purple hues in some phenotypes. Harvest timing matters: aim for mostly cloudy trichomes with 10-15% amber for peak sedative effects. Harvesting early leans more cerebral. Proper drying and curing is essential — rush it and you lose the pungent gas and pine terpene profile that defines this cut. Organic soil produces the best flavor expression; hydro maximizes yield but may sacrifice some terp complexity.

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.