Best overall match
SC-36 Ocean Blue is a practical starting point here, with Delta-E 2.96. It is the same broad paint type and relies on non-approximate colour data.
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SC-36 Ocean Blue from Scale75 is the closest non-approximate acrylic match currently indexed for Macragge Blue, with a Delta-E of 2.96. Its finish and coverage may still differ in practice.
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| Paint | Brand | Range | Preview | HEX | Delta-E | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC-36 Ocean Blue | Scale75 | Scalecolor | #1A3880 |
Delta-E 2.96
|
Acrylic
|
View paint View SC-36 Ocean Blue on Amazon | |
| Ultramarine Blue | Army Painter | Warpaints | #274486 |
Estimated Delta-E ≈ 3.18
Approximate data
|
Acrylic
Miniature acrylic
|
View paint View Ultramarine Blue on Amazon | |
| DEEP BLUE | AK Interactive | 3rd Generation | #1D4167 |
Delta-E 3.77
|
Acrylic
|
View paint View DEEP BLUE on Amazon | |
| Oxford Blue (70.807) | Vallejo Model Color | Model Color | #283870 |
Delta-E 4.60
|
Acrylic
|
View paint View Oxford Blue (70.807) on Amazon | |
| Shadow Thorn | Army Painter | John Blanche Masterclass | #1D425F |
Delta-E 5.86
|
Acrylic
Miniature acrylic
|
View paint View Shadow Thorn on Amazon |
SC-36 Ocean Blue is a practical starting point here, with Delta-E 2.96. It is the same broad paint type and relies on non-approximate colour data.
Oxford Blue (70.807) is the closest indexed Vallejo alternative, with Delta-E 4.60. Test it before using it across a full army, as the difference may become more noticeable over large armour panels.
Shadow Thorn is the closest indexed Army Painter alternative, with Delta-E 5.86. Test it before using it across a full army, as the difference may become more noticeable over large armour panels.
DEEP BLUE is the closest indexed AK Interactive acrylic alternative, with Delta-E 3.77.
The strongest indexed result is SC-36 Ocean Blue, with Delta-E 2.96. Use that number to rank options, not to assume a guaranteed one-for-one replacement.
A small shift in blue saturation or temperature can become more noticeable when the colour covers a whole Ultramarines force.
Macragge Blue is mainly used for Space Marine armour, army-wide blue recipes and any large, smooth blue panel.
With this kind of blue, a small shift can become more noticeable across a full army even when the colour distance still looks modest on paper.
ChromaStack compares paints with the CIEDE2000 formula: the lower the Delta-E, the closer the average colour match.
That score helps rank alternatives, but it does not replace a real miniature test or checks on primer, finish and thinning.
Read the conversion guideOxford Blue (70.807) is the closest indexed Vallejo alternative, with a Delta-E of 4.60. Test it before using it across a full army, as the difference may become more noticeable over large armour panels.
Ultramarine Blue is the closest indexed Army Painter alternative, with a Delta-E of 3.18. Test it before using it across a full army, as the difference may become more noticeable over large armour panels.
DEEP BLUE is the closest indexed AK Interactive acrylic alternative, with a Delta-E of 3.77.
No. Availability, consistency between pots and how the blue reads over large armour panels matter just as much.
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