Abaddon Black vs Dark Shadow

How close are they?

ΔE 14.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Dark Shadow is noticeably lighter, more saturated than Abaddon Black.

Can I use Dark Shadow instead of Abaddon Black?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Dark Shadow is noticeably lighter, more saturated than Abaddon Black.

Can I use Abaddon Black instead of Dark Shadow?

The same difference applies the other way round: Abaddon Black is noticeably darker, more muted.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.