Khorne Red base equivalents in AK Interactive and Army Painter (#650001)

A deep, dark red with excellent coverage — Khorne Red is the rich crimson base for World Eaters and blood effects.

The closest Khorne Red equivalent is WINE RED (AK Interactive) with Delta E 2.8. For Vallejo, the closest match to Khorne Red is Hull Red (70.985) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.9. For Army Painter, the closest match to Khorne Red is Vampire Red (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.1.

Khorne Red Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Hull Red (70.985) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.9.

Khorne Red Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Vampire Red (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.1.

Khorne Red equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a base paint, Khorne Red requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the rich red range, with strong coverage and opaque opacity over a black primer for a deeper red finish.

Coverage and opacity

Khorne Red 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.

Primer and application

This base paint performs best over a black primer for a deeper red finish. 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.

Layer compatibility

The rich red mid-tone of Khorne Red anchors the layers above it. A replacement that dries glossier or rougher will change how shade and layer paints adhere.

Saturation and colour drift

Base paints carry more pigment than other types, so even a rich red substitute with a close Delta-E can read warmer or cooler once shaded. Run a complete test: prime, base, shade, and highlight before committing.

Companion palette

The most useful partners for Khorne Red are Carroburg Crimson (red wash), Mephiston Red (base colour), Evil Sunz Scarlet (layer / highlight) and Nuln Oil (primary wash). These supporting colours define how the base reads once the recipe is complete.

Carroburg Crimson, Mephiston Red, Evil Sunz Scarlet and Nuln Oil 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.

Brand comparison

• Closest equivalent : WINE RED (AK Interactive) – ΔE 2.8
• Closest Vallejo option : Hull Red (70.985) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 4.9
• Closest Army Painter option : Vampire Red (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.1

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.