Metallic Paint

Crusader Gold Equivalent

Crusader Gold is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Crusader Gold equivalent is Bubonic Brown (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 2.7).
For the Crusader Gold equivalent Vallejo, German Camouflage Orange Ochre (70.824) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.6).
The best Crusader Gold Army Painter equivalent is Burnt Turf (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.5).

Army Painter warpaint #C09040

Top 5 closest equivalents

These 5 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Bubonic BrownCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 2.7slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
OCHREAK Interactive
ΔE 3.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
BSC No.61 Light StoneAK Interactive
ΔE 3.8moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
TAN YELLOWAK Interactive
ΔE 4.1moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
MEDIUM SANDAK Interactive
ΔE 4.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
Buy it now · Crusader Gold
Compare stock and prices · Crusader Gold
Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Crusader Gold?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Crusader Gold in the current local catalogue is Bubonic Brown from Citadel (Games Workshop) (Delta-E 2.68).

Method

Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.

Limits

Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.

What to check before replacing this metallic

Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this metallic paint:

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Frequently asked questions

Crusader Gold is a paint from Army Painter. 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 German Camouflage Orange Ochre (70.824) (Delta E 4.62).

Yes, Crusader Gold is currently part of the Army Painter 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.

Crusader Gold is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Crusader Gold equivalent is Bubonic Brown (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 2.7).
For the Crusader Gold equivalent Vallejo, German Camouflage Orange Ochre (70.824) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.6).
The best Crusader Gold Army Painter equivalent is Burnt Turf (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.5).

Crusader Gold is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest Crusader Gold equivalent is Bubonic Brown (Citadel (Games Workshop)) with Delta E 2.7. For a Crusader Gold equivalent Vallejo match, German Camouflage Orange Ochre (70.824) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.6 is the closest pick. The best Crusader Gold Army Painter equivalent is Burnt Turf (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.5.

Crusader Gold Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is German Camouflage Orange Ochre (70.824) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.6.

Crusader Gold Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Burnt Turf (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.5.

Crusader Gold equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint with metallic pigments, Crusader Gold reflects light differently than standard colours. The colour sits in the warm orange range.

Pigment particle size

Metallic paints use metal flakes that vary by brand. Crusader Gold has a specific particle size.

Black vs white primer

The primer choice affects how Crusader Gold reads. Over black the metallic appears deeper and richer.

NMM simulation vs true metallic

Crusader Gold is a true metallic — the flakes do the work of simulating reflections.

Edge highlight preservation

Edge highlights on Crusader Gold must contrast with the metallic base.

Tarnish and varnish

Metallic paints can tarnish over time. Crusader Gold may need a varnish seal.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Bubonic Brown (Citadel (Games Workshop)) – ΔE 2.7
  • Closest Vallejo option : German Camouflage Orange Ochre (70.824) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 4.6
  • Closest Army Painter option : Burnt Turf (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.5

A metallic paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, wash, and varnish 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 paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.