Layer Paint

Hoeth Blue layer equivalents in Army Painter and Warhammer (#4C78AF)

As a layer paint, this colour is formulated for translucency and smooth transitions over an existing basecoat. Cool blue tones anchor many Space Marine chapters and provide a stable foundation for cold schemes.
The closest Hoeth Blue equivalent is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 1.9).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Hoeth Blue.
For Army Painter, the closest match to Hoeth Blue is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 1.9).

Citadel (Games Workshop) layer #4C78AF
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Top 3 closest equivalents

These 3 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Wolf GreyArmy Painter
ΔE 1.9slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Ultramar Blue 4Warhammer
ΔE 4.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Crystal BlueArmy Painter
ΔE 5.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive

Buy it now · Hoeth Blue
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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Hoeth Blue?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Hoeth Blue in the current local catalogue is Wolf Grey from Army Painter (Delta-E 1.93).

  • Closest overall: Wolf Grey (Army Painter, Delta-E 1.93)
  • Closest Vallejo: French Mirage Blue (70.900) (Delta-E 6.2)
  • Closest Army Painter: Wolf Grey (Delta-E 1.93)

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 layer

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

  • Translucency: semi-transparent — affects layering opacity over the base coat
  • Thinning: moderate to heavy thinning — layer paints need controlled dilution
  • Coverage: medium — thin passes build smoother transitions
  • Recommended primer: the existing calgar blue basecoat — primer affects final colour
  • Highlight control: check if the layer lifts cleanly over the mid-tone
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Frequently asked questions

Hoeth Blue is a layer 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.

No reliable Vallejo match appears in the current top equivalents.

Yes, Hoeth Blue 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.

As a layer paint, this colour is formulated for translucency and smooth transitions over an existing basecoat. Cool blue tones anchor many Space Marine chapters and provide a stable foundation for cold schemes.
The closest Hoeth Blue equivalent is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 1.9).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Hoeth Blue.
For Army Painter, the closest match to Hoeth Blue is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 1.9).

As a layer paint, this colour is formulated for translucency and smooth transitions over an existing basecoat. Cool blue tones anchor many Space Marine chapters and provide a stable foundation for cold schemes.

The closest Hoeth Blue equivalent is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) with Delta E 1.9. No close Vallejo equivalent found for Hoeth Blue. For Army Painter, the closest match to Hoeth Blue is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) with Delta E 1.9.

Hoeth Blue Vallejo equivalent

No Vallejo equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for Hoeth Blue.

Hoeth Blue Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) with Delta E 1.9.

Hoeth Blue equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a layer paint, Hoeth Blue is designed for smooth transitions and controlled highlights. The colour sits in the deep blue range, with medium coverage and semi-transparent opacity over the existing calgar blue basecoat.

Translucency

Layer paints are more translucent than base paints by design. Hoeth Blue builds colour gradually, which means a substitute must also layer well without going opaque too quickly or requiring too many coats.

Glazing technique

For best results, thin Hoeth Blue to moderate to heavy thinning and apply in multiple passes. A substitute that dries too fast or too matte will change how the glaze settles on the model.

Layering transitions

The deep blue tone of Hoeth Blue works best when layered from a darker base. Check that the substitute blends gradually without hard edges between coats.

Highlight control

Hoeth Blue is commonly used for edge highlights and surface detail. A substitute with different thinning behaviour will alter how precisely you can place the highlight.

Calgar Blue, Macragge Blue and Corax White are common companions to this layer. They were chosen in the original recipe because their coverage, drying speed, and finish layer in the same workflow without forcing extra corrections.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Wolf Grey (Army Painter) – ΔE 1.9
  • Closest Vallejo option : no close Vallejo equivalent
  • Closest Army Painter option : Wolf Grey (Army Painter) – ΔE 1.9

A layer 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 layer 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.

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