Paint equivalent guide

Magic Blue (72.021) Equivalent

Magic Blue (72.021) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Magic Blue (72.021) equivalent is Royal Blue (70.809) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.2).
For the Magic Blue (72.021) equivalent Vallejo, Royal Blue (70.809) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.2).
The best Magic Blue (72.021) Army Painter equivalent is Royal Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.0).

Vallejo Game Color acrylic #2B5DC0

Top 4 closest equivalents

These 4 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Royal Blue (70.809)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 4.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Medium Blue (70.963)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 5.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Ultramarine Blue (70.839)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 5.4moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Flat Blue (70.962)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 6.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for Magic Blue (72.021)?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Magic Blue (72.021) in the current local catalogue is Royal Blue (70.809) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 4.22).

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

Magic Blue (72.021) is a paint from Vallejo Game Color. 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 Royal Blue (70.809) (Delta E 4.22).

Yes, Magic Blue (72.021) is currently part of the Vallejo Game Color 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.

Magic Blue (72.021) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Magic Blue (72.021) equivalent is Royal Blue (70.809) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.2).
For the Magic Blue (72.021) equivalent Vallejo, Royal Blue (70.809) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.2).
The best Magic Blue (72.021) Army Painter equivalent is Royal Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.0).

Magic Blue (72.021) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest Magic Blue (72.021) equivalent is Royal Blue (70.809) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.2. For a Magic Blue (72.021) equivalent Vallejo match, Royal Blue (70.809) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.2 is the closest pick. The best Magic Blue (72.021) Army Painter equivalent is Royal Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.0.

Magic Blue (72.021) Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Royal Blue (70.809) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.2.

Magic Blue (72.021) Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Royal Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.0.

Magic Blue (72.021) equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Magic Blue (72.021) requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the deep blue range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Royal Blue (70.809) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 4.2
  • Closest Vallejo option : Royal Blue (70.809) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 4.2
  • Closest Army Painter option : Royal Blue (Army Painter) – ΔE 5.0

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 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 paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.