Shifting Sands vs Arcane Gold

How close are they?

ΔE 12.9, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Arcane Gold is a little darker, more saturated, cooler than Shifting Sands.

Can I use Arcane Gold instead of Shifting Sands?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Arcane Gold is a little darker, more saturated, cooler than Shifting Sands.

Can I use Shifting Sands instead of Arcane Gold?

The same difference applies the other way round: Shifting Sands is a little lighter, more muted, warmer.

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.