Paint equivalent guide

Parasite Brown (72.042) Equivalent

Parasite Brown (72.042) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Parasite Brown (72.042) equivalent is Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.0).
For the Parasite Brown (72.042) equivalent Vallejo, Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.0).
The best Parasite Brown (72.042) Army Painter equivalent is Basilisk Brown (Army Painter) (ΔE 11.3).

Vallejo Game Color acrylic #5A3418

Top 3 closest equivalents

These 3 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Cavalry Brown (70.982)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 4.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
SC-51 Soil BrownScale75
ΔE 4.5moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
DARK RUSTAK Interactive
ΔE 4.8moderate 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 Parasite Brown (72.042)?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Parasite Brown (72.042) in the current local catalogue is Cavalry Brown (70.982) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 4.02).

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

Parasite Brown (72.042) 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 Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Delta E 4.02).

Yes, Parasite Brown (72.042) 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.

Parasite Brown (72.042) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Parasite Brown (72.042) equivalent is Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.0).
For the Parasite Brown (72.042) equivalent Vallejo, Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 4.0).
The best Parasite Brown (72.042) Army Painter equivalent is Basilisk Brown (Army Painter) (ΔE 11.3).

Parasite Brown (72.042) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest Parasite Brown (72.042) equivalent is Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.0. For a Parasite Brown (72.042) equivalent Vallejo match, Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.0 is the closest pick. The best Parasite Brown (72.042) Army Painter equivalent is Basilisk Brown (Army Painter) with Delta E 11.3.

Parasite Brown (72.042) Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 4.0.

Parasite Brown (72.042) Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Basilisk Brown (Army Painter) with Delta E 11.3.

Parasite Brown (72.042) equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Parasite Brown (72.042) requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the warm orange range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 4.0
  • Closest Vallejo option : Cavalry Brown (70.982) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 4.0
  • Closest Army Painter option : Basilisk Brown (Army Painter) – ΔE 11.3

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.