Base Paint

Red Gore Equivalent

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Warm reds like this one are staples for chapter colours, hazard markings, and focal armour accents..
The closest Red Gore equivalent is Violet Red (70.812) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.2).
For the Red Gore equivalent Vallejo, Violet Red (70.812) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.2).
The best Red Gore Army Painter equivalent is Wyvern Fury (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.1).

Citadel (Games Workshop) base #9D2B3F

Top 5 closest equivalents

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

1
Violet Red (70.812)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 3.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
SC-89 Garnet AlchemyScale75
ΔE 3.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Wyvern FuryArmy Painter
ΔE 4.1moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Dragon RedArmy Painter
ΔE 4.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
SC-90 Ruby AlchemyScale75
ΔE 6.5significant colour distance -- test before committing

Best equivalents by brand

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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Red Gore?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Red Gore in the current local catalogue is Violet Red (70.812) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 3.17).

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:

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Frequently asked questions

Red Gore 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 Violet Red (70.812) (Delta E 3.17).

Yes, Red Gore 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 standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Warm reds like this one are staples for chapter colours, hazard markings, and focal armour accents..
The closest Red Gore equivalent is Violet Red (70.812) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.2).
For the Red Gore equivalent Vallejo, Violet Red (70.812) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.2).
The best Red Gore Army Painter equivalent is Wyvern Fury (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.1).

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Warm reds like this one are staples for chapter colours, hazard markings, and focal armour accents..

The closest Red Gore equivalent is Violet Red (70.812) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.2. For a Red Gore equivalent Vallejo match, Violet Red (70.812) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.2 is the closest pick. The best Red Gore Army Painter equivalent is Wyvern Fury (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.1.

Red Gore Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Violet Red (70.812) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.2.

Red Gore Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Wyvern Fury (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.1.

Red Gore equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a base paint, Red Gore requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the rich red range, with reliable coverage and stable opacity over the primer already used in your recipe.

Coverage and opacity

Red Gore is designed to cover primer evenly in one or two passes. Coverage is rated reliable, 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 the primer already used in your recipe. 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 Red Gore 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 Red Gore are matching washes, mid-tones, and highlights. These supporting colours define how the base reads once the recipe is complete.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Violet Red (70.812) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 3.2
  • Closest Vallejo option : Violet Red (70.812) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 3.2
  • Closest Army Painter option : Wyvern Fury (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.