Badab Black Wash
Base
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The reference black — Abaddon Black is the standard for dark armour, weapons, and deep shadows.
The closest Abaddon Black equivalent is Matt Black (Army Painter) (ΔE 0.0).
For the Abaddon Black equivalent Vallejo, Black (70.950) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.5).
The best Abaddon Black Army Painter equivalent is Matt Black (Army Painter) (ΔE 0.0).
These 3 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.
The closest cross-brand equivalent to Abaddon Black in the current local catalogue is Matt Black from Army Painter (Delta-E 0.0).
Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.
Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.
Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this base paint:
Abaddon Black is a base paint from Citadel (Games Workshop). Its specific pigment load, drying behaviour, and finish set it apart from other paints in the same category, which is why a direct substitute needs to match more than just the colour value.
The closest Vallejo option is Black (70.950) (Delta E 5.52).
Yes, Abaddon Black is currently part of the Citadel (Games Workshop) range. Check local stock or equivalent alternatives if the pot is hard to source.
Check Delta-E, finish type, coverage, opacity, and behaviour over your chosen primer. Run a full test with one shade and one highlight pass before applying the substitute to an entire unit.
The reference black — Abaddon Black is the standard for dark armour, weapons, and deep shadows.
The closest Abaddon Black equivalent is Matt Black (Army Painter) (ΔE 0.0).
For the Abaddon Black equivalent Vallejo, Black (70.950) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.5).
The best Abaddon Black Army Painter equivalent is Matt Black (Army Painter) (ΔE 0.0).
The reference black — Abaddon Black is the standard for dark armour, weapons, and deep shadows.
The closest Abaddon Black equivalent is Matt Black (Army Painter) with Delta E 0.0. For a Abaddon Black equivalent Vallejo match, Black (70.950) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.5 is the closest pick. The best Abaddon Black Army Painter equivalent is Matt Black (Army Painter) with Delta E 0.0.
The closest Vallejo match is Black (70.950) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.5.
The best Army Painter option is Matt Black (Army Painter) with Delta E 0.0.
As a base paint, Abaddon Black requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the near-black range, with strong coverage and opaque opacity over most primers.
Abaddon Black is designed to cover primer evenly in one or two passes. Coverage is rated strong, so a substitute that falls below this threshold will require extra coats to block the undercolour. Test the replacement over the same primer — a base that shifts tone with each coat can alter the entire highlight stack.
This base paint performs best over most primers. A substitute that behaves well over a light primer may struggle over black or grey, especially if its opacity is lower. Apply two thin coats, letting each dry fully before the next.
The near-black mid-tone of Abaddon Black anchors the layers above it. A replacement that dries glossier or rougher will change how shade and layer paints adhere.
Base paints carry more pigment than other types, so even a near-black substitute with a close Delta-E can read warmer or cooler once shaded. Run a complete test: prime, base, shade, and highlight before committing.
The most useful partners for Abaddon Black are Administratum Grey (layer / highlight), Eshin Grey (base colour), Nuln Oil (primary wash) and Corax White (white highlight). These supporting colours define how the base reads once the recipe is complete.
Administratum Grey, Eshin Grey, Nuln Oil and Corax White are common companions to this base. They were chosen in the original recipe because their coverage, drying speed, and finish layer in the same workflow without forcing extra corrections.
A base paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, shade, and highlight sequence as the original recipe.
Looking at the surrounding palette matters because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, or flatter than expected.
That combination of colour distance, finish, and recipe context is what makes a base paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.
That combination of colour distance, finish, and recipe context is what makes a substitute reliable on an actual miniature.
A paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, shade, and highlight sequence as the original recipe.
Looking at the surrounding palette matters too, because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, flatter, or glossier than expected.
That is why the page keeps the recommendation anchored to painting workflow instead of treating Delta-E alone as the final decision.
A useful equivalent page should also reduce buying mistakes: the closer colour is not always the safer option if the bottle dries glossier, covers faster, or behaves differently on large armour panels.