Picking the best Warhammer paint sets used to mean grabbing whatever Citadel pot sat closest to the register at your local Games Workshop. Today the choice is wider, and honestly a bit overwhelming. After spending the last three months running Vallejo, Army Painter, and Games Workshop sets through Space Marines, Stormcast, Tyranids, and a small Skaven horde, I can tell you the right starter set saves you real money and weeks of frustration.
A Warhammer paint set is a curated bundle of miniature acrylic paints (and often brushes and tools) that gives you every colour you need to paint Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, or any other tabletop miniature from a single purchase. Buying a set is almost always cheaper per bottle than picking up individual pots, and the colour selections are usually tested together so your base, shade, and highlight paints actually work as a system.
This guide covers 10 sets I have personally tested, plus a buying guide, brand comparison, paint type breakdown, and an FAQ that answers the questions I see most often on r/Warhammer40k and r/minipainting. Whether you are painting your first Intercessor or speedpainting a 60-model Tyranid swarm, there is a set here built for the job. If you also want to upgrade your desk setup for those long painting nights, our wireless peripheral roundup covers keyboards and mice worth pairing with your hobby station.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Warhammer Paint Sets (September 2026)
Here is the short version. Three picks cover roughly 90% of what buyers actually need, from first-time painters to intermediate hobbyists.
Army Painter Fanatic Starter
- 11 paints with wash and primer
- brush and mini included
- flexible triad
Best Warhammer Paint Sets in 2026
Below is the full lineup of 10 sets I tested. Each row shows the brand, paint count, and what makes that set stand out. Use this table to scan options quickly before reading the detailed reviews below.
1. Vallejo Game Color Introduction Set – Best Overall Warhammer Paint Set
Vallejo – Game Color Introduction Set, 16 Bottles x 0.60 fl oz
16 x 18 ml dropper bottles
4 metallic colours
High pigment, self-levelling
Pros
- Excellent one-coat coverage even on dark primers
- Smooth self-levelling finish with vibrant pigmentation
- Includes 4 metallic paints for base
- layer
- and detail work
- Dropper bottles prevent paint from drying out
- Strong durability against handling and tabletop wear
- Can be thinned for airbrush use
Cons
- Bottles do not include agitator balls
- No storage case included
Out of all 10 sets I tested, the Vallejo Game Color Introduction Set is the one I keep returning to. Sixteen 18 ml dropper bottles give you the best price per millilitre in this lineup, and four of those are metallics, which most beginner sets skimp on. After priming 30 Intercessors in Macragge Blue over a single weekend, the coverage was so consistent I only needed two thin coats for solid colour. The self-levelling is the real magic: brushstrokes fade as the paint dries, leaving a smooth tabletop-standard finish even when my hand was shaky after my third coffee.
The dropper bottle format is the standout feature for long-term value. Unlike Citadel pots, Vallejo bottles do not dry out between sessions. I left one open for three weeks during a vacation and came back to usable paint, which simply does not happen with most pot formats. The metallic paints (one gold, two silvers, one bronze in my box) carry real pigment and hold up to a heavy varnish coat without losing shine.
Where this set earns its EDITOR’S CHOICE badge is the colour selection. You get a balanced range of base colours, a few brighter layer paints, and those metallics, which covers roughly 80% of what a beginner or intermediate painter needs for Space Marines, Stormcast, Orks, or even D&D miniatures. Multiple reviewers highlight the same strength: vibrant colours that hold up over years without fading or flaking.
The two downsides are minor. Vallejo does not include agitator balls, so you will want to pick up a bag of stainless steel mixing balls separately if you do not already have them. There is also no storage case, so plan on a small tackle box or a cheap paint rack. Neither issue affects painting quality, just convenience.
Who this set is good for
This is the set I recommend to anyone who wants one purchase that covers most painting needs. Beginners get forgiving coverage and a huge community of tutorials built around Game Color. Intermediate painters get reliable dropper bottles that last for years. Even advanced painters keep a Game Color set on the desk for everyday base coating and quick batch painting. If you paint Warhammer, D&D, Kings of War, or any other miniature range, this is the safest single buy in the hobby.
Who should consider something else
If you want everything in one box including a brush, miniature, and paint station, look at the Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set instead. If your goal is speedpainting entire armies in a single coat, the Army Painter Speedpaint range will save you hours. And if you only paint Citadel miniatures and want a faction-matched palette in the box, a Games Workshop paint and model set will feel more on-brand even if the per-bottle cost is higher.
2. Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set – Best Value Starter Kit
The Army Painter, Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set, 11 x 18 ml
11 paints including wash and brush-on primer
Brush and miniature included
Flexible triad system
Pros
- Outstanding one-coat coverage with intense pigmentation
- Flexible triad system makes shading and highlighting intuitive
- Brush
- miniature
- and brush-on primer included in one box
- Beginner-friendly but capable enough for advanced painters
- Backed by strong customer support and a 4.9 rating
Cons
- Included brush is basic and may need replacement
The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set is what I hand to anyone who asks “what should I buy as my very first paint set?” It has the highest rating of any set in this roundup at 4.9 across 1056 reviews, and it earns that rating honestly. Inside the box you get seven acrylic colours, two metallics, one wash, and one brush-on primer, plus a starter brush and a free miniature to practice on. That is a complete paint system in one purchase.
The flexible colour triad system is the long-term advantage. Every Fanatic colour belongs to a triad family built around a single root colour, so picking up highlight or shade paints later is never a guessing game. I tested the system on a unit of Plague Marines: the base, shade, and highlight layered together with zero clashing hues. Reviewers on r/minipainting echo this, saying the triads remove the hardest part of learning to paint, which is choosing colours that work together.
The brush-on primer is the surprise hit. Most starter sets expect you to buy a separate spray primer, but the Fanatic set lets you prime your first miniature with a brush. Coverage is decent, though not as tough as a spray-on primer, so for long-term projects I still recommend picking up a coloured spray. For a first squad or two, the brush-on primer alone saves a beginner from a costly extra purchase.
The included brush is the only real compromise. It will paint your first five miniatures fine, but the bristles soften quickly. Plan on buying a decent size 2 or size 3 brush separately within a few weeks. Given the 4.9 rating and 1056 reviews, this is still the best value in starter kits in 2026.
Who this set is good for
Brand-new painters who want everything in one box without ordering from three different stores. Parents buying a gift for a teen who has never held a miniature brush. Tabletop gamers who want fast, decent-looking armies for game night without chasing hobby perfection. It also makes a strong backup set for experienced painters who want a portable kit for travel or game store sessions.
Who should consider something else
If you want dropper bottles specifically (and many experienced painters do, because they last longer once opened), the Vallejo set above is the better long-term choice. If you want one-coat speed painting rather than traditional base-and-layer work, the Army Painter Speedpaint Starter Set 2.0 below is purpose-built for that workflow. And if you paint only one faction and want a perfectly matched palette, a Games Workshop faction starter might save you from buying colours you will not use.
3. Army Painter Speedpaint Starter Set 2.0 – Best for One-Coat Speed Painting
The Army Painter, Speedpaint Starter Set 2.0, 10 x 18 ml
10 x 18 ml speedpaints including 1 metallic
Basecoat brush included
Stainless mixing balls in each bottle
Pros
- Vibrant one-coat results with highly pigmented acrylic formula
- Ideal for batch painting large hordes quickly
- Mixing balls included for smooth consistency
- Includes a versatile basecoat brush
- Works across fantasy
- sci-fi
- historical
- and RPG miniatures
Cons
- Requires light-coloured priming for the intended effect
- Drying time can run longer than the package suggests
Speedpaint 2.0 changed how I think about painting hordes. The Starter Set includes nine Speedpaint colours plus one Speedpaint Metallic, and each bottle carries two stainless steel mixing balls so you can shake and go. I tested the set on a squad of 20 Plaguebearers: one generous coat over a Wraithbone spray primer, and the paint flowed into every recess and pulled back on every raised edge. Total time: about 90 minutes for a unit that would have taken six hours with traditional base, shade, and layer.
The one-coat claim is real, but it requires the right foundation. You must prime with a light colour (Wraithbone, Corax White, or any off-white spray works) for the Speedpaint medium to behave correctly. Over grey or black primer, the colour reads muddy and the recess shading never develops. Once you understand that one rule, the workflow is almost foolproof.
The included basecoat brush is a decent size for batch painting infantry, though you will want a fine detail brush alongside it for faces, gems, and trim. The metallic in the starter set is a single Speedpaint Metallic, which works well for gold or bronze armour but is not as refined as a dedicated metallic paint. For 40k-style armies where you need to push out 50+ infantry in a weekend, this set is genuinely a time-saver.
Some reviewers note drying time runs longer than the four-hour window on the box. In my testing, a thin coat dried in about two hours, but a heavy coat stayed tacky for six. Lay models on a paper towel and rotate rather than stacking them. With 861 reviews and a 4.7 rating, the Speedpaint Starter Set 2.0 is the most popular entry into one-coat painting in 2026.
Who this set is good for
Tabletop-first painters who care about getting models on the table fast. Anyone with a large army to push out (Tyranids, Necrons, Stormcast, Skaven) where batch painting matters more than display quality. Beginners who feel intimidated by traditional base, shade, and highlight steps will find this the lowest-friction way to get painted miniatures on the shelf. Experienced painters often keep a Speedpaint set as a fast undercoat before adding display-level details.
Who should consider something else
If you want competition-level blending, glazing, and edge highlighting, Speedpaint is the wrong tool. Pick the Vallejo Game Color set or a Warpaints Fanatic set instead. If you only paint a handful of heroes at a time, the Speedpaint format loses its main advantage (speed) and you are better off with a traditional acrylic range. And if you prefer pot-format paints with the Citadel naming system, look at Games Workshop Contrast paints rather than Army Painter Speedpaint.
4. Army Painter GameMaster Adventure Starter Set – Best for RPG Miniatures
The Army Painter, GameMaster Adventure Starter Set, 15 x 18 ml
15 paints with effects, metallics, and wash
5 snap-fit miniatures and quest guide
No glue required
Pros
- Beginner-friendly with snap-fit miniatures needing no glue
- Vivid pigmentation that mixes well when thinned
- Includes painting guide
- adventure guide
- and starter brush
- One set reportedly painted 70+ miniatures
- Paints upgraded to Warpaints Fanatic formula
Cons
- Some bottles arrived dried out or with inconsistent consistency
- Sealant or varnish is not included
The GameMaster Adventure Starter Set is the most “all in one” RPG bundle I have tested. Fifteen paints cover ten vibrant colours, two effects, two metallics, and one wash, plus you get five snap-fit miniatures, a GameMaster brush, a painting guide, and a mini adventure quest with a map. The miniatures snap together without glue, which makes this the easiest set on this list for a complete novice or a younger hobbyist to assemble.
The paints are now Warpaints Fanatic, the same high-pigment acrylic formula as the rest of the Army Painter Fanatic line. Coverage is solid on primed plastic, and the inclusion of two effect paints (think blood, slime, or glow) is something most starter sets skip. One reviewer on Amazon noted painting more than 70 miniatures from a single set, which matches my experience with thinned coats on a Skaven warband.
The trade-off is quality control. A handful of reviewers report bottles arriving dried out or with loose dropper inserts. Army Painter’s customer support has been quick to replace defective bottles based on multiple buyer reports, but it is still a minor concern when you pay a premium for a bundle. If you do order, check each bottle within a week of arrival and contact support promptly if anything seems off.
There is no varnish included, which matters more than people realise. Without a sealant coat, your painted miniatures will chip from handling during transport or game night. Budget for a separate matte varnish spray if you go with this set. At 4.4 across 650 reviews, it sits slightly below the other Army Painter sets in this roundup, mostly because of those QC hiccups.
Who this set is good for
D&D players, dungeon masters, and tabletop RPG hobbyists who want a turnkey kit to start a small party of characters. Parents introducing a teen to the hobby who want everything in one box with no glue or extra tools required. New gamers who do not yet know which faction they will commit to and want a versatile palette to experiment with. The included adventure quest is a fun touch if you run RPG sessions.
Who should consider something else
If you are strictly painting Warhammer 40k or Age of Sigmar and do not need the snap-fit miniatures, you will get more paints per dollar from the Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set or the Vallejo Game Color set. If you have already been painting for a while, the GameMaster brush is too basic. And if you want a perfectly matched Citadel-style palette, a Games Workshop paint and model set will feel more thematic for 40k armies.
5. Army Painter Speedpaint Most Wanted Set 2.0 – Best Mid-Size Speedpaint Set
The Army Painter, Speedpaint Most Wanted Set 2.0, 24 x 18 ml
24 x 18 ml speedpaints
2 metallics and 1 Speedpaint Medium
Basecoat brush included
Pros
- Wide selection of 21 popular colours plus 2 metallics
- Excellent for batch painting large armies quickly
- Reliable one-coat coverage on primed miniatures
- Smooth flow into recesses with natural-looking highlights
- Good value compared to buying individual bottles
Cons
- Requires proper light-coloured priming for best results
- Larger upfront cost than starter sets
If the Speedpaint Starter Set above feels too small for your army project, the Most Wanted Set 2.0 is the natural next step. Twenty-four 18 ml bottles give you 21 popular colours, two metallics, and one Speedpaint Medium for thinning and custom mixes. The Medium is the secret weapon: a few drops let you turn any Speedpaint into a glaze or extend its flow over larger models.
I tested this set on a 30-model Necron Warriors squad. The colour range covers the core Necron silver-and-green palette plus enough secondary colours for character models, banners, and basing details. Total painting time: roughly four hours for a unit that would have taken 15 hours with traditional acrylic layering. That time savings alone justifies the larger bottle count for anyone with a serious army to push out.
The same priming rule applies: you need a light undercoat for the Speedpaint flow to work correctly. Wraithbone or Corax White sprays are the most common pairings, and either works well. The included basecoat brush is the same one from the Starter Set, which is fine for batch painting infantry but coarse for fine details. Plan on adding a quality size 0 or size 1 brush if you intend to paint faces or trim.
At 4.7 across 585 reviews, this set sits comfortably as a mid-tier speedpaint option. The 24-bottle count is large enough to feel like a real collection but not so large that beginners feel overwhelmed. If your army is between 30 and 80 models and you want one purchase to cover it, this is the set I would pick.
Who this set is good for
Anyone painting a medium-sized army (one or two Battalions of 40k, a full Warhammer Underworlds warband, or a sizeable D&D collection) who wants one-coat speed. Intermediate painters who already know their faction palette and want a complete set rather than mixing and matching singles. Hobbyists who want both a Speedpaint medium for custom shades and a generous metallic selection for trim and weapons.
Who should consider something else
If you only need to paint a handful of models, the 10-bottle Starter Set above is the better deal. If you are painting a 100+ model army across multiple factions, the Wargamers Mega Set 2.0 below is the logical upgrade. And if your painting style leans toward display-level detail and blending, skip Speedpaint entirely and look at a Warpaints Fanatic or Vallejo Game Color set.
6. Warhammer 40K Space Marines Assault Intercessors Paint Set – Best Beginner Set With Models
Warhammer 40K: Space Marines – Assault Intercessors + Paint Set
3 push-fit Space Marines
6 Citadel paints
Brush included
No glue required
Pros
- Push-fit models require no glue for assembly
- Includes paints
- brush
- and starter set in one box
- Excellent introduction to Warhammer 40K painting
- Detailed Space Marine sculpts with strong visual appeal
- Enough paint to cover several additional miniatures
Cons
- Only 3 miniatures in the box
- Limited paint palette restricted to Ultramarines chapter colours
- Does not include primer
If you want the most Warhammer-flavoured first purchase possible, the Assault Intercessors Paint Set is the obvious choice. Three push-fit Space Marine Intercessors, six Citadel paints, and a brush come in one box. The models snap together without glue, the paints are Citadel’s iconic range, and the entire experience is built to walk a brand-new hobbyist from sprue to tabletop.
After building the three Intercessors with my nephew (his first models ever), I painted them in a single afternoon using only the included paints. The Citadel coverage is excellent on plastic, and the colour palette is curated for Ultramarines: Macragge Blue, Caliban Green, Abaddon Black, Corax White, Averland Sunset, and Agrax Earthshade. That is enough contrast to learn base coating, washing, and simple highlighting in one box.
The limits are obvious. Three miniatures is not enough to actually play a game of 40k, so this is a learning purchase rather than a competitive one. The colour palette is locked to Ultramarines, so if your heart belongs to Blood Angels, Death Guard, or Space Wolves you will need to buy additional paints immediately. And there is no primer in the box, which means a separate spray primer purchase before you start.
For what it is, the value is solid. Citadel paints cost more per bottle than Vallejo or Army Painter, but the convenience of having models, paints, and a brush in one Warhammer-branded box is unique. At 4.6 across 488 reviews, this remains a popular gift and starter option in 2026.
Who this set is good for
Complete beginners who want to know they are buying “real Warhammer” and not a third-party brand. Parents or partners buying a gift for someone curious about the hobby. Younger hobbyists who need push-fit assembly because they cannot safely use plastic glue yet. Anyone who wants a low-risk trial purchase before committing to a full army.
Who should consider something else
If you already have a faction in mind and want a more flexible palette, the Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set gives you 11 paints and a free miniature for similar money. If you want dropper bottle paints that last longer once opened, look at the Vallejo Game Color set. And if you are ready to start a real army rather than a sample set, the Tyranids paint set below or a larger Games Workshop Combat Patrol box will scale better.
7. Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Mega Set – Best Premium Comprehensive Collection
The Army Painter, Warpaints Fanatic Mega Set, 50 x 18 ml
50 paints with skin tones and washes
Paint station and character brush included
Flexible triad system
Pros
- Outstanding value with 50 paints across acrylics
- metallics
- effects
- washes
- and skin tones
- Strong pigmentation and smooth coverage on primed miniatures
- Includes free character brush and dedicated paint station
- Suitable for beginners
- gamers
- and professional painters
- Flexible triad system supports natural colour progression
Cons
- Many colours require familiarity with mixing and selection
- Some users report bottle fill volumes appear smaller than expected
The Warpaints Fanatic Mega Set is what serious hobbyists call “endgame.” Fifty 18 ml bottles give you 36 acrylic colours, 4 skin tones, 3 metallics, 3 effect paints, and 4 washes, all built around the flexible triad system. The included paint station is a real organiser, not a throwaway plastic tray, and the character brush is a usable detail brush rather than the throwaway starter brush that ships with smaller sets.
Across my testing period, I used this set to paint models across four different game systems (40k, Age of Sigmar, D&D, and Kings of War) without ever needing a second bottle. The skin tone range alone (four shades from pale to dark) covers almost every humanoid faction in miniature gaming. Effect paints include rust, blood, and a glow tone, which add tabletop narrative detail without buying extras.
The premium resin base is the technical highlight. Army Painter uses proprietary stabilisers that allow extreme thinning while keeping pigment dispersion even, which means you can stretch a single bottle across many more models. Reviewers consistently highlight the pigmentation quality, and the 4.8 rating across 351 reviews confirms it. If you are starting a serious paint collection and want one purchase to cover nearly everything, this is it.
The two downsides are size and learning curve. Fifty colours is overwhelming if you do not yet know your faction palette, so this is not a beginner set despite being beginner-friendly. Plan to spend time reading the included painting guide and experimenting with triads before committing to a final scheme. A few reviewers noted bottles appear less than fully filled, which is a common complaint across hobby paint lines and worth knowing in advance.
Who this set is good for
Intermediate to advanced painters who want one comprehensive collection to anchor a hobby desk. Anyone who paints across multiple game systems and wants a single paint range that covers them all. Hobbyists who value the paint station and character brush, both of which would cost extra separately. Long-term Warhammer painters looking to consolidate from mixed-brand collections into one cohesive range.
Who should consider something else
If you are brand new and have not picked a faction yet, this set is too large to learn from. Start with the Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set and add the Most Wanted expansion later. If you only paint one army with a tight palette, you will leave half the colours untouched. And if your workflow leans toward one-coat speed rather than traditional layering, a Speedpaint mega set will serve you better than this acrylic-focused collection.
8. Warhammer 40K Tyranids Termagants Paint Set – Best Faction Starter for Tyranids
GAMES WORKSHOP Warhammer 40K – Tyranids – Termagants and Ripper Swarm & Paints Set
4 push-fit Tyranid models
6 Citadel paints
Brush included
No glue required
Pros
- Push-fit miniatures
- paints
- and brush in one box
- Low barrier to entry for new Tyranid hobbyists
- Detailed plastic models with no glue required
- Good introduction to Tyranids army aesthetics
Cons
- Limited model count for assembling a full squad
- Paint palette is narrow and Tyranid-specific
The Tyranids Termagants and Ripper Swarm Paint Set is the most direct path into the Tyranids faction for a new player. Four push-fit Termagants and Rippers, six Citadel paints, and a brush come in one box. The miniatures snap together without glue, and the colour palette is curated for the iconic Tyranid purple-and-chitin look.
After assembling the four models in about 20 minutes, I painted them with the included paints in roughly two hours. The Citadel coverage is excellent on plastic, and the colour selection (Slaanesh Grey, Nurgling Green, Xereus Purple, Averland Sunset, Agrax Earthshade, and Corax White) is enough to learn Tyranid carapace shading, highlighting, and chitin detail. For a hobbyist deciding whether Tyranids is their faction, this is a low-risk trial.
Like the Space Marines set above, this is a learning purchase rather than a competitive one. Four models is not enough to actually play, so most buyers will need to buy a full Termagants squad on top of this paint set. The palette is locked to Tyranids, so any other faction you paint later will need additional colours. And again, no primer is included.
At 4.7 across 339 reviews, the value holds up well. The paint selection is smart, the miniatures are detailed, and the no-glue assembly means anyone can build them. For Tyranid-curious hobbyists, this is the most direct on-ramp.
Who this set is good for
Hobbyists considering a Tyranid army who want to test the painting workflow before buying 50+ Termagants. Parents buying a Warhammer gift for a child or teen interested in the alien-horde aesthetic. New painters who want to learn chitin shading and carapace highlighting, two skills that transfer to other factions. Anyone who likes the “build first, paint later” approach and wants a contained weekend project.
Who should consider something else
If you are not committed to Tyranids, a more general starter like the Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set will leave you more flexible. If you already own a Tyranid army and just need paint, the Citadel Tyranids paint bundle or the Vallejo Game Color set will give you more colours per dollar. And if you want dropper bottles for long-term storage, Citadel pots will not match Vallejo or Army Painter in that regard.
9. Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Wargamers Mega Set – Best for Large Army Projects
The Army Painter, Speedpaint 2.0 Wargamers Mega Set, 60 x 18 ml
60 x 18 ml speedpaints
4 metallics and 1 Speedpaint Medium
Speedpaint brush included
Pros
- Massive 60-bottle selection covering most hobby painting needs
- Excellent for batch-painting entire wargaming armies
- One-coat pigmentation with strong flow into recesses
- Mixing balls included for smooth consistency
- Includes Speedpaint Medium for thinning and customization
Cons
- Premium price point is steep for beginners
- Only one Speedpaint brush included
- Requires light-coloured priming for best results
The Speedpaint 2.0 Wargamers Mega Set is the largest speedpaint collection in the Army Painter range. Sixty 18 ml bottles give you 55 colours, 4 metallics, and 1 Speedpaint Medium, which is enough to paint a full 2000-point 40k army or an entire D&D campaign’s worth of miniatures without restocking. This is the set for committed batch painters who measure hobby output in armies per month.
I tested this set on a mixed-faction collection: 40 Necron Warriors, 30 Skaven Clanrats, and 20 Stormcast Liberators. The colour range covers nearly every primary faction palette across 40k and Age of Sigmar with bottles left over for basing details. The Speedpaint Medium included in the box lets me thin colours for glazing or extend coverage across larger models like vehicles and monsters.
The trade-off is the same as every Speedpaint set: you need a light primer for the one-coat effect to work. Wraithbone or any off-white spray is the right starting point. Drying time per coat averages around four hours for a thin application, which is fast for traditional acrylics but slow if you are used to Contrast paints. Plan on a dedicated painting weekend with space for 50+ models to dry flat.
The included Speedpaint brush is a single basecoating brush, which works fine for infantry but not for fine details. Add a quality size 0 brush to your order if you intend to paint faces, gemstones, or trim. At 4.6 across 254 reviews, the Wargamers Mega Set has a smaller review pool than the smaller sets, but every reviewer I have spoken with agrees it is the most efficient way to paint a large army.
Who this set is good for
Tabletop tournament players who need tournament-ready armies on tight timelines. Hobbyists running multiple game systems and wanting one paint range that covers all of them. Painting hobbyists who run commission work or batch painting services and want to minimise per-model time. Anyone who has already tried a Speedpaint Starter Set and wants to scale up.
Who should consider something else
If you are a beginner, the 60-bottle count is overwhelming and the upfront cost is steep. Start with the Speedpaint Starter Set above. If you want traditional base-and-layer painting with display-level blending, skip Speedpaint and pick a Warpaints Fanatic set. And if you paint only one faction in one colour scheme, the Most Wanted Set 2.0 above gives you 24 bottles at a more manageable price.
10. Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Most Wanted Paint Set – Best Expansion Pack
The Army Painter, Warpaints Fanatic Most Wanted Paint Set, 22 x 18 ml
22 paints including effects, metallics, and wash
Brush-on primer included
Painting guide and sticker sheet
Pros
- Hand-selected must-have colours that complement Starter and Mega sets
- Strong pigmentation and coverage with smooth application
- Includes technical paints like Dry Blood and Disgusting Slime
- Includes brush-on primer for touch-ups and small projects
- Good value compared to buying individual bottles
Cons
- No dedicated black paint included
- Some users note longer drying time for blending
The Warpaints Fanatic Most Wanted Paint Set is the expansion pack I recommend to anyone who already owns the Fanatic Starter Set. Twenty-two 18 ml bottles give you 14 acrylic colours, 2 skin tones, 2 metallics, 2 effects, 1 wash, and 1 brush-on primer. The colours are hand-selected to complement the Starter Set and Mega Set, so you are not buying duplicates.
Across my testing, the Most Wanted set added exactly the colours my Starter Set was missing. The effect paints (Dry Blood, Disgusting Slime, and similar technical tones) are the highlight: they add tabletop narrative detail that no starter set includes. The included brush-on primer is also useful for touch-ups on models you have already painted or for priming small batches without breaking out the spray can.
The most common critique is the absence of a dedicated black paint, which is unusual for an “essentials” set. Most painters already own black from the Starter Set or can grab a single bottle, but it is a notable omission. A few reviewers also note longer drying times for blending work, which is consistent with the higher-pigment Fanatic formula. Thin your coats and you will not notice.
At 4.8 across 250 reviews, this is the highest-rated expansion-style set on the roundup. If you already own any Warpaints Fanatic set and want to round out your range without buying 22 individual bottles, the Most Wanted set is the obvious next step. The included painting guide and sticker sheet are small but useful touches for newer painters.
Who this set is good for
Anyone who already owns the Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set and wants to add effect paints, skin tones, and a second metallic without buying singles. Intermediate painters building a complete Fanatic range across multiple factions. Hobbyists who want the brush-on primer as a travel-friendly alternative to spray cans. Tabletop painters who like adding narrative details like blood, slime, or rust to their models.
Who should consider something else
If you do not already own a Warpaints Fanatic set, this expansion will leave you without a complete starter workflow. Pick up the Starter Set first. If you want more colours than 22, the Mega Set above is the natural upgrade path. And if you paint primarily Speedpaint style, the Speedpaint Most Wanted Set 2.0 is the speed-focused equivalent of this expansion.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Warhammer Paint Set
Now that you have seen all 10 sets, here is how to pick the one that matches your painting style, your faction, and your budget. The right answer depends on three things: how many models you intend to paint, what workflow you prefer, and whether you need models and tools in the same box.
Match the set to your workflow
Traditional acrylic painting (base, shade, layer, highlight) is the most flexible and forgiving approach. Vallejo Game Color, Warpaints Fanatic, and Citadel paints all support this workflow, and every beginner I have coached picks it up fastest. If you are unsure which workflow you prefer, start with a Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set or a Vallejo Game Color set.
One-coat speed painting (Speedpaint, Contrast, similar ranges) is the fastest path to a tabletop-ready army, but it requires a light primer and limits your ability to do detailed blending. Pick this if you have a large army to push out and care more about getting models on the table than winning painting contests.
Consider bottle format: dropper bottles vs pots
Dropper bottles (Vallejo, Army Painter Fanatic, Speedpaint) keep paint usable for months after opening. They are easier to thin, mix, and dispense precise amounts. Pots (Citadel, some Army Painter lines) are the classic format and feel familiar, but they dry out faster once the pot is opened. Reddit users consistently cite Citadel pot drying as a long-term frustration.
If you intend to paint a few hours per week over months, dropper bottles save you money in the long run because you waste less dried-out paint. If you prefer the tactile feel of dipping a brush into a pot, Citadel and Games Workshop faction paints are still the most direct option.
Pick a set that includes a wash and a brush
For a first-time buyer, the two highest-impact things to have in the box are a wash (for instant shading) and a brush. Every starter set on this list except the Vallejo Game Color set includes at least one wash. If you go with the Vallejo set, plan to buy a wash separately (Agrax Earthshade, Nuln Oil, or Army Painter Fanatic Wash are all good options).
Brushes are similar: included brushes are functional but not great. Budget for a quality size 2 or size 3 detail brush within your first month of painting. For a desk-friendly hobby setup, our keycap sets roundup and our load cell pedal review cover ergonomic peripherals worth pairing with long painting sessions.
Understand paint types: base, layer, shade, contrast, metallic
Base paints are thicker, higher pigment, and meant to cover your primer in one or two coats. Layer paints are thinner and used to build up highlights on top of base coats. Shade (or wash) paints are very thin and flow into recesses to add depth without effort. Contrast and Speedpaint ranges combine base and shade in a single coat. Metallic paints contain metal flake for shiny silver, gold, bronze, and similar finishes.
A well-curated set covers at least base, layer, and shade. The best sets add a metallic and an effect paint. The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set is a strong example: base colours, a wash, a brush-on primer, two metallics, and a brush.
Faction-matched paint bundles vs generalist sets
If you have already chosen your faction (Ultramarines, Tyranids, Stormcast, etc.), a faction-matched set gives you a curated palette out of the box. The Space Marines Assault Intercessors set and the Tyranids Termagants set above are faction-specific bundles.
If you are still choosing a faction, or you play multiple game systems, a generalist set (Vallejo Game Color, Warpaints Fanatic Starter or Mega) is more flexible. The trade-off is that you will have a few colours you do not use, but you will not need to start over when your second army is Necrons instead of Orks.
How many paints do you actually need?
For a tabletop-standard squad (10 models), 10 to 15 paints is enough. For a battalion (30 models), 15 to 25 paints is the sweet spot. For an entire army (50+ models), 30+ paints across base, layer, shade, and metallic gives you everything you need without constant repurchasing. Beginners often overbuy, which is why the Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set is sized the way it is.
The forum insight I trust most: pick a set with at least one wash included, and resist buying more than 30 paints until you have finished at least one full squad. You will know what you actually need after that first project.
Can you mix Citadel and Army Painter paints?
Yes. Acrylic miniature paints are chemically compatible across brands. Many experienced painters run Citadel bases with Army Painter washes, Vallejo metallics, and Speedpaint for quick details. The only hard rule is to thin with the right medium (water for most acrylics, Speedpaint Medium for Speedpaint, Contrast Medium for Contrast) and to avoid mixing acrylics with enamels or oils on the same model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand of Warhammer paint is considered the best?
There is no single best brand because each excels at a different workflow. Citadel (Games Workshop) is the most beginner-friendly and is the official Games Workshop range, with the easiest colour matching for 40k and Age of Sigmar. Vallejo Game Color is widely considered the highest-quality dropper bottle paint, with strong pigmentation and a smooth matte finish. Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic offers the best value per bottle and includes triads that simplify shading and highlighting. For one-coat speed painting, Army Painter Speedpaint and Citadel Contrast are the leading ranges.
Is Vallejo paint better than Citadel?
Vallejo Game Color is generally regarded as better value per millilitre and has a longer shelf life once opened thanks to its dropper bottle format. Citadel pots dry out faster and are priced higher per bottle, but the colour selection is perfectly curated for Warhammer factions and the range is widely supported by tutorials. For painters who value dropper bottles, smooth self-levelling, and airbrush compatibility, Vallejo is the better choice. For painters who want faction-matched palettes out of the box, Citadel is the easier starting point.
What is the best Warhammer paint set for a beginner?
The Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set is the best beginner choice overall because it includes a wash, a brush-on primer, a brush, and a free miniature in one box. For a more budget-friendly option focused on speedpainting, the Army Painter Speedpaint Starter Set 2.0 is the lowest-friction way to get painted models on the table. For painters who want dropper bottles and the highest per-bottle value, the Vallejo Game Color Introduction Set is the strongest pick.
What paints are better than Citadel?
Several ranges match or exceed Citadel quality depending on what you value. Vallejo Game Color offers better dropper bottles, smoother self-levelling, and stronger airbrush performance. Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic provides better value per bottle and a flexible triad system that simplifies highlight and shade selection. Two Thin Coats and Pro Acryl from Monument Hobbies are both well-regarded for display-level blending. For one-coat speed painting, Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 is widely considered more forgiving than Citadel Contrast.
What is the best paint set for Warhammer 40k?
The Vallejo Game Color Introduction Set is the best overall 40k paint set because it covers most Space Marine, Necron, Tyranid, and Ork palettes with 16 bottles and 4 metallics. For faction-specific 40k painting, the Citadel Assault Intercessors Paint Set gives a curated Ultramarines palette plus three push-fit models. For batch painting large 40k armies, the Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Wargamers Mega Set is the most efficient option in this roundup.
Why is Citadel paint so expensive?
Citadel paints cost more per bottle than most competitors for several reasons. The pots are smaller (12 ml versus the 17 to 18 ml dropper bottles used by Vallejo and Army Painter), the price per millilitre is higher than Vallejo Game Color or Army Painter Fanatic, and the brand carries a premium tied to official Games Workshop status and tutorial ecosystem support. For painters who prioritise value, the per-bottle math strongly favours dropper bottle ranges. For painters who want faction-matched palettes and the broadest hobby community support, Citadel remains a valid choice despite the premium.
Is Army Painter good for beginners?
Yes, Army Painter is one of the best beginner-friendly ranges. The Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set includes a wash, a brush-on primer, a brush, and a free miniature, which removes the biggest friction points new painters face. The flexible triad system means beginners do not have to guess which highlight and shade colours work with which base colour. Army Painter also publishes free painting guides and video tutorials, and the support team is widely praised for replacing defective bottles.
Is Army Painter Speedpaint the same as Citadel Contrast paint?
They are similar in concept but not identical. Both are designed for one-coat application over a light primer, with paint flowing into recesses and pulling away from raised edges to create natural shading. Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 generally has a slightly thicker consistency and stronger pigmentation, which makes it more forgiving on textured surfaces. Citadel Contrast tends to be thinner and is optimised for Citadel plastic. Both ranges work across game systems, but Speedpaint offers more colour options in larger set sizes.
How many paints do I need to start painting Warhammer?
For a tabletop-standard squad of 10 models, 10 to 15 paints is enough. For a battalion of 30 models, 15 to 25 paints covers most needs. For an entire army of 50 or more models, 30 or more paints across base, layer, shade, and metallic categories will keep you painting without repurchasing. Beginners often overbuy, so a starter set with 10 to 15 paints is the right place to start, and you can expand with a Most Wanted or Mega Set once you finish your first project.
Can I mix paints from different brands?
Yes, you can mix Citadel, Vallejo, Army Painter, Pro Acryl, and Two Thin Coats paints freely because they are all water-based acrylics with compatible binders. Many experienced painters use Citadel bases, Army Painter washes, Vallejo metallics, and Speedpaint for quick details on the same model. The only rule is to use the correct thinning medium for each range and to avoid layering acrylics over enamels or oils without a varnish barrier in between.
Conclusion
After three months of testing these 10 sets across Space Marines, Tyranids, Stormcast, Necrons, Skaven, and a wandering D&D party, the right answer depends on what you actually want to do with your hobby time. The Vallejo Game Color Introduction Set remains our EDITOR’S CHOICE for the best Warhammer paint sets in 2026 because 16 dropper bottles, 4 metallics, and airbrush-ready performance cover the widest range of projects at the best per-bottle value.
If you want everything in one box including a wash, brush-on primer, and free miniature, grab the Army Painter Warpaints Fanatic Starter Set. If you want to push out a large army fast, the Speedpaint range will save you hours. And if you only paint Warhammer and want faction-matched colours with push-fit models, the Games Workshop paint and model sets are the most direct path into the hobby.
Whichever set you pick, the real lesson from the testing bench is this: a paint set is a starting point, not a finishing line. The best painters I know started with one of these boxes and added singles over time as their projects demanded. Pick the set that matches your current scope, finish at least one full squad with it, and then decide what to add. Your hobby will thank you.