Iron Warriors vs Shadowed Steel

How close are they?

ΔE 12.0, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Shadowed Steel is noticeably darker, more muted than Iron Warriors.

Can I use Shadowed Steel instead of Iron Warriors?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Shadowed Steel is noticeably darker, more muted than Iron Warriors.

Can I use Iron Warriors instead of Shadowed Steel?

The same difference applies the other way round: Iron Warriors is noticeably lighter, more saturated.

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.