Roblox is undergoing one of its most significant avatar system changes in years. Long-standing Classic Faces and Heads that defined players’ avatars for more than a decade are being replaced with Dynamic Heads that support facial animation and richer expressions. Whether you’re a creator, collector, or casual user, this change impacts how you customize and value faces and heads on the platform.
In this article, we’ll break down what Dynamic Heads are, why Roblox is pushing this migration, how it affects Classic Faces and Heads, and what you need to know moving forward.
What Are Dynamic Faces / Dynamic Heads?
Dynamic Faces (also referred to as Dynamic Heads or Animated Heads) are the next generation of Roblox avatar heads that support facial animation and expressive features.
Initially introduced around 2022, Dynamic Heads use an internal facial rig that allows eyes, mouths, and other facial elements to animate during idle, voice chat, and camera-driven interactions. These heads are represented as the DynamicHead asset type, which is different from the legacy static Head assets used by Classic Faces and Classic Heads.
Unlike traditional static decals, Dynamic Heads support:
- Multiple facial expressions beyond a single fixed image
- Blinks, eye movement, and lip syncing
- Integration with Roblox’s Face Animation Editor and FaceControls system for custom animations
- Better compatibility with upcoming avatar features like makeup and body expression systems
The Roblox Creator documentation states that a head with facial animation must include a FaceControls instance that drives the deformation of the head mesh. This means creators use tools like the Animation Editor or Blender imports to define how a Dynamic Head behaves.
Why Roblox Is Replacing Classic Faces
Roblox’s official stance on this migration comes down to self-expression and consistency. In January 2026, Roblox announced a significant policy update requiring that all avatar heads on the Marketplace meet the dynamic / animatable standard. According to the announcement:
Classic Heads and Faces are static and do not support the defined cage regions or animation requirements of this policy, nor do they allow for users to express themselves.
This change is not merely aesthetic. It aligns with a long-term vision where avatars behave more like characters in modern interactive environments, offering:
- Uniform animation support across all avatars
- Enhanced compatibility with features like voice chat and facial expression capture
- A more robust system for creators to monetize animated assets
Roblox is also introducing a user toggle to disable facial animation on Dynamic Heads for those who prefer a static look, supporting user choice while maintaining the new system’s structure.
The Dynamic Head Migration: What’s Happening
Roblox is completing the transition from Classic Faces and Heads to Dynamic Heads by February 2026. After that, the “Classic Faces” and “Classic Heads” categories will be removed from the Marketplace entirely – meaning you won’t be able to buy classic static faces once the change is fully launched.
Here’s a timeline to understand the migration:
Marketplace Changes
- Classic Heads and Classic Faces will be replaced with Dynamic Head equivalents.
- Once replaced, the old categories will be removed.
Creator & Inventory Requirements
- Static classic faces that aren’t updated to the dynamic standard risk being delisted or removed if they don’t meet new requirements.
Roblox’s reasoning emphasizes that animated heads support consistent application of facial rigs with required bone deformations for facial expressions, which static decals lack.
Classic Faces vs Dynamic Heads
To help creators and players understand what’s being converted, Roblox published a comparison table of Classic Faces and their Dynamic Head counterparts on the Creator Hub. This table lists dozens of classic face assets (like “Angelic,” “Beast Mode,” “Sad Clown,” and “Blue Galaxy Gaze”) alongside the new dynamic versions that replace them.
The company has targeted visual parity between classic and dynamic versions wherever possible, meaning the new Dynamic Heads should look very similar to the originals – just animated and adaptive.
Key Features of Dynamic Heads
Dynamic Heads introduce features that static faces could never support:
Animated Facial Expressions
Dynamic Heads can exhibit multiple facial expressions as defined by a facial rig. The Roblox system supports tools for artists to define these expressions and animate them via the Animation Editor.
Head Shape Swapping
Players can still mix and match head shapes with faces. The Avatar Editor allows flexible combinations, meaning you can apply any head shape you own with compatible facial expressions.
Performance and Compatibility
Roblox developers state that they have achieved performance parity between Dynamic Heads and classic static heads, ensuring that animation doesn’t adversely affect gameplay experiences.
Limited Items and Rarity
Limited Classic Heads retain their rarity, serial numbers, and trading behavior in the transition. Roblox is careful not to dilute collectible value by only issuing the same number of dynamic versions to owners of the original classic items.
Community Response and Backlash
Not all players and creators are pleased with the change. Many longtime Roblox users see Classic Faces as part of the platform’s identity and feel that forced migration undermines nostalgia and choice. Some community members are worried about:
- Loss of classic aesthetics and nostalgia
- Potential impacts on the value of limited face assets
- Increased workload for creators to update large catalogs of old static faces
Certain content creators and players have expressed concern that they may lose millions of Robux worth of classic cosmetics if these items are altered or removed.
Community tools and scripts have appeared that attempt to convert Dynamic Heads back to Classic Faces or allow toggles in games to simulate classic styles.
Impact on Creators and Developers
For Roblox creators, this shift has practical implications:
- Any new head submissions must meet Dynamic Head requirements with animations and proper cage definitions.
- Creators maintaining large catalogs of static faces must update them, or risk delisting and asset removal.
- The updated AvatarEditorService API supports dynamic head shape swapping and other features to help developers handle the transition.
Creators should plan time to update their assets and consider how animated heads affect gameplay, performance, and visual consistency in their experiences.
What This Means for Players
For players, the transition means:
- Classic static faces will no longer be purchasable from the Marketplace after removal.
- Many older faces will be replaced with animated versions while keeping the original visual feel.
- A new toggle may let users turn facial animations on or off for a static look if preferred.
While Dynamic Heads bring richer avatar expression, some users worry about the “uncanny” feel of animations, performance on low-end devices, and how old favorites may look once animated.
Conclusion
The shift from Classic Faces to Dynamic Heads marks a pivotal moment in Roblox’s evolution. By pushing avatars toward animated, expressive models, Roblox aims to enhance user expression, unlock new creative tools, and build a more unified avatar system. However, the migration has sparked strong community emotions, highlighting a divide between innovation and tradition.
Understanding these changes, the technical requirements, and the implications for creators and players can help you navigate Roblox’s avatar future. Whether you embrace Dynamic Heads or seek ways to preserve the classic look, this transition will redefine how faces and identities are expressed in the Roblox universe.
Also Read: How to Join Groups in Roblox on PC, Mobile, Xbox, and PlayStation (Complete Guide)
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