Layer Paint

The Fang Equivalent

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 The Fang equivalent is Medium Gunship Grey (AK Interactive) (ΔE 5.2).
For the The Fang equivalent Vallejo, Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.0).
The best The Fang Army Painter equivalent is Thunderous Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.5).

Citadel (Games Workshop) layer #405B71

Top 5 closest equivalents

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

1
Medium Gunship GreyAK Interactive
ΔE 5.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Thunderous BlueArmy Painter
ΔE 5.5moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
WWI French Artillery GreyAK Interactive
ΔE 5.7moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Intermediate Blue (70.903)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 6.0significant colour distance -- test before committing
5
Stratos BlueArmy Painter
ΔE 6.0significant colour distance -- test before committing

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for The Fang?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to The Fang in the current local catalogue is Medium Gunship Grey from AK Interactive (Delta-E 5.18).

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:

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Frequently asked questions

The Fang 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.

The closest Vallejo option is Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Delta E 6.00).

Yes, The Fang 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 The Fang equivalent is Medium Gunship Grey (AK Interactive) (ΔE 5.2).
For the The Fang equivalent Vallejo, Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.0).
The best The Fang Army Painter equivalent is Thunderous Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.5).

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.. Bleu-gris foncé. Couche de base Space Wolves ou layer intermédiaire. Voir aussi notes base.

The closest The Fang equivalent is Medium Gunship Grey (AK Interactive) with Delta E 5.2. For a The Fang equivalent Vallejo match, Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 6.0 is the closest pick. The best The Fang Army Painter equivalent is Thunderous Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.5.

The Fang Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 6.0.

The Fang Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Thunderous Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.5.

The Fang equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a layer paint, The Fang is designed for smooth transitions and controlled highlights. The colour sits in the deep blue range, with good coverage and opaque opacity over gris ou noir primer.

Translucency

Layer paints are more translucent than base paints by design. The Fang 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 The Fang to light 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 The Fang works best when layered from a darker base. Check that the substitute blends gradually without hard edges between coats.

Highlight control

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

Nuln Oil, Fenrisian Grey, Russ Grey and Ulthuan Grey 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 : Medium Gunship Grey (AK Interactive) – ΔE 5.2
  • Closest Vallejo option : Intermediate Blue (70.903) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 6.0
  • Closest Army Painter option : Thunderous Blue (Army Painter) – ΔE 5.5

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.