When it comes to bringing Warhammer and other tabletop miniatures to life, few things are as essential as your paint collection. Citadel paints, produced by Games Workshop, are widely regarded as the gold standard for hobbyists, offering vibrant colors, smooth application, and a wide range of shades to fit every army or project.

But with so many options available, which paints should you absolutely have in your arsenal? Let’s dive into the top 10 Citadel colors every miniature painter should own.

 

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1. Abaddon Black

A must-have base color for nearly every project, Abaddon Black is perfect for undercoats, shading, and weapons. Its versatility makes it one of the most used paints in any collection.

2. Corax White

For lighter schemes, glowing effects, or priming specific areas, Corax White is essential. It works great for layering bright colors and achieving smooth highlights.

3. Leadbelcher

Metallic paints are a staple for armor, weapons, and machinery. Leadbelcher is a rich silver tone that serves as the foundation for nearly every metallic effect.

4. Retributor Armour

Gold details can elevate your miniatures from simple to stunning. Retributor Armour is one of the best metallic gold paints, giving a strong and smooth coverage.

5. Mephiston Red

Warhammer miniatures are full of cloaks, banners, and armor plates that call for bold red tones. Mephiston Red provides that deep, rich color without being overly bright.

6. Macragge Blue

For Space Marine players—or anyone who loves deep blue armor—Macragge Blue is iconic. It’s the official Ultramarines base color and looks fantastic on both fantasy and sci-fi miniatures.

7. Death Guard Green

If you’re painting Nurgle models or want an earthy, sickly green for monsters, Death Guard Green is the go-to base paint. It’s also great for military or camo-style schemes.

8. Agrax Earthshade

No paint list is complete without a shade, and Agrax Earthshade is legendary. This brown wash adds instant depth, shading, and realism to armor, skin, and terrain.

9. Nuln Oil

Another iconic shade, Nuln Oil is perfect for adding shadows to metallics, clothing folds, and textured surfaces. Many painters call it “liquid talent” because of how much detail it pulls out.

10. Ushabti Bone

For skeletons, parchment, horns, and aged details, Ushabti Bone is a must-have. It’s a soft off-white that blends beautifully into highlights and weathering effects.

 

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Why These Paints Matter

With these top 10 Citadel paints, you can cover the majority of color schemes needed for Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, and other miniature games. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran hobbyist, these colors form the backbone of countless painting techniques.

If you’re building or expanding your collection, you can find these and many more in our Citadel Paints Collection. From contrast paints to shades and technicals, we’ve got everything you need to level up your painting.