Paint equivalent guide

Thunderous Blue Equivalent

Thunderous Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Thunderous Blue equivalent is Alaitoc Blue (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 3.4).
For the Thunderous Blue equivalent Vallejo, Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.3).
The best Thunderous Blue Army Painter equivalent is Regal Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.5).

Army Painter warpaint_fanatic #365478

Top 5 closest equivalents

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

1
Alaitoc BlueCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 3.4moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Intermediate Blue (70.903)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 4.3moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Calgar BlueCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 4.5moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Mordian BlueCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 4.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
Andrea Blue (70.841)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 5.3moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for Thunderous Blue?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Thunderous Blue in the current local catalogue is Alaitoc Blue from Citadel (Games Workshop) (Delta-E 3.38).

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 base

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

Need the paint card for Thunderous Blue?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
View paint card →

Frequently asked questions

Thunderous Blue 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 Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Delta E 4.33).

Yes, Thunderous Blue 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.

Thunderous Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Thunderous Blue equivalent is Alaitoc Blue (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 3.4).
For the Thunderous Blue equivalent Vallejo, Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.3).
The best Thunderous Blue Army Painter equivalent is Regal Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.5).

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

The closest Thunderous Blue equivalent is Alaitoc Blue (Citadel (Games Workshop)) with Delta E 3.4. For a Thunderous Blue equivalent Vallejo match, Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.3 is the closest pick. The best Thunderous Blue Army Painter equivalent is Regal Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.5.

Thunderous Blue Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.3.

Thunderous Blue Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Regal Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.5.

Thunderous Blue equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Thunderous Blue requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the deep blue range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Alaitoc Blue (Citadel (Games Workshop)) – ΔE 3.4
  • Closest Vallejo option : Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 4.3
  • Closest Army Painter option : Regal Blue (Army Painter) – ΔE 5.5

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 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.