Base Paint

Rakarth Flesh Equivalent

A pale, desaturated flesh tone — Rakarth Flesh is perfect for pale skin, cloth, and bone details.
The closest Rakarth Flesh equivalent is M-485 Light Grey (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.8).
For the Rakarth Flesh equivalent Vallejo, Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.0).
The best Rakarth Flesh Army Painter equivalent is Grey Castle (Army Painter) (ΔE 2.4).

Citadel (Games Workshop) base #9C998D

Top 5 closest equivalents

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

1
M-485 Light GreyAK Interactive
ΔE 1.8slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Grey CastleArmy Painter
ΔE 2.4slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
3
Silver Grey (70.883)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 3.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
OILY STEELAK Interactive
ΔE 4.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
Aluminium (Metallic)AK Interactive
ΔE 4.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Rakarth Flesh?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Rakarth Flesh in the current local catalogue is M-485 Light Grey from AK Interactive (Delta-E 1.78).

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:

Armies using Rakarth Flesh

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Frequently asked questions

Rakarth Flesh is a base 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.

The closest Vallejo option is Silver Grey (70.883) (Delta E 3.00).

Yes, Rakarth Flesh 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.

A pale, desaturated flesh tone — Rakarth Flesh is perfect for pale skin, cloth, and bone details.
The closest Rakarth Flesh equivalent is M-485 Light Grey (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.8).
For the Rakarth Flesh equivalent Vallejo, Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.0).
The best Rakarth Flesh Army Painter equivalent is Grey Castle (Army Painter) (ΔE 2.4).

A pale, desaturated flesh tone — Rakarth Flesh is perfect for pale skin, cloth, and bone details.

The closest Rakarth Flesh equivalent is M-485 Light Grey (AK Interactive) with Delta E 1.8. For a Rakarth Flesh equivalent Vallejo match, Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.0 is the closest pick. The best Rakarth Flesh Army Painter equivalent is Grey Castle (Army Painter) with Delta E 2.4.

Rakarth Flesh Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.0.

Rakarth Flesh Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Grey Castle (Army Painter) with Delta E 2.4.

Rakarth Flesh equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a base paint, Rakarth Flesh requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the neutral grey range, with good coverage and semi-transparent opacity over a white or beige primer.

Coverage and opacity

Rakarth Flesh is designed to cover primer evenly in one or two passes. Coverage is rated good, 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 white or beige primer. 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 neutral grey mid-tone of Rakarth Flesh 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 neutral grey 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 Rakarth Flesh are Agrax Earthshade (universal brown wash), Screaming Skull (layer / highlight), Pallid Wych Flesh (layer / highlight) and Seraphim Sepia (wash). These supporting colours define how the base reads once the recipe is complete.

Agrax Earthshade, Screaming Skull, Pallid Wych Flesh and Seraphim Sepia 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 : M-485 Light Grey (AK Interactive) – ΔE 1.8
  • Closest Vallejo option : Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 3.0
  • Closest Army Painter option : Grey Castle (Army Painter) – ΔE 2.4

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.