Stepping into the world of Warhammer 40k often means encountering one of the most iconic and mysterious factions: the Raven Guard. Their legacy as masters of stealth and shadow is deeply embedded in the lore, making the choice of colors a crucial part of bringing your Kill Team or larger force to life. This Raven Guard color guide is designed to cut through the confusion and provide you with authoritative, practical advice on selecting and applying the perfect palette for your elite warriors of Corax.
Before you pick up your brush, it is essential to understand the historical and visual identity of the Raven Guard. Unlike the bright heraldry of other Chapters, the Raven Guard’s aesthetic is built around muted tones and deep, inky blacks. They are the phantoms of the galaxy, and your paint job should reflect that silent, predatory nature. The goal is not just to paint models, but to capture the feeling of a star-swallowed assassin gliding across the battlefield.
Core Palette: The Colors of Shadow
The foundation of any Raven Guard scheme lies in a surprisingly limited range of colors. The official Codex: Space Marines (8th Edition) and subsequent releases provide the primary colors, but the magic is in the application. You are not just filling areas; you are building depth and texture to simulate oiled leather, charcoal stone, and the void of space.
Primary Hues and Their Meaning
To effectively represent the Chapter’s identity, you will need to focus on these specific tones:
| Color Name | Hex Code | Role on the Model |
|---|---|---|
| Black | #0a0a0a | Base shadow, detailing, and trim |
| Mithril Silver | #c0c8d8 | Power pack, knee pads, and armor highlights |
| Dark Green | #2d5016 | Helm, shoulder trim, and squad specialty symbols |
| Chainmail | #6e747a | Bolt shells, backpack strapping, and leather-like textures |
The Art of Layering: Bringing Depth to Leather and Metal
Simply brushing on black paint will result in a flat, toy-like appearance. The Raven Guard look relies heavily on the illusion of depth. You must treat the armor not as solid plates, but as layered components. Start with a dark mid-tone gray like "Battleship Grey" or "Mithril Silver" as your base coat for the main armor sections. This mid-tone allows your shadows to creep in effectively.
Next, you will establish your shadows. Using a thin mixture of Black paint and a glazing medium, wash the recesses—the gaps between armor plates, the lines of the muscle cuirass, and the crevices of the backpack. The key here is patience; let the paint flow naturally into these areas. Once the shadow is dry, you can dry-brush the edges with Mithril Silver to make the armor appear as if it is catching the light from a distant star, sitting proud of the darkness.
Helm and Visor: The Face of the Raven
The helmet is arguably the most critical element of the Raven Guard’s identity. The iconic angular design should be masked carefully during the initial color stages. Paint the main body of the helmet in your chosen dark green. Do not be afraid to apply two thin coats to achieve an even, matte finish that absorbs light.
For the visor, you have two distinct options depending on the mood you wish to convey. For a standard look, use a very dark, reflective blue like "Throne Guard Blue" or a deep, translucent black to simulate a light-absorbing surface. For a more dramatic "obsidian" effect, you can carefully paint the visor with a mirror-black enamel, though this requires careful handling to avoid scratching. The visor is the Raven’s eye; make sure it looks like it is looking right through you.
Specialist Detailing and Trim
While the standard color scheme provides the bedrock, the Raven Guard excels in specialized roles. Your Sergeants and Veteran Marines deserve distinct touches that signify their authority without breaking the color scheme.
For Sergeants, a gold or yellow-gold trim is the standard approach. This can be applied to the Aquila on the chest, the shoulder pauldron trim, and the weapon mount. This golden highlight acts like a beacon in the gloom, signifying the chain of command within the silent ranks. For Scout Marines, consider using a lighter, almost faded green to represent their jungle heritage, or stick to the standard green for a more stoic, unified look.
Weathering and Battle Damage
A pristine Raven Guard model looks like it just rolled off the production line; a battered one looks like it has survived a decade of war. Weathering is your tool to tell a story. The goal is subtlety. You do not want your models looking dirty; you want them looking used.
Use a fine brush and a brown wash (a thin mix of brown and black paint) to simulate dust and grime in the corners of the armor and along the straps. Highlighting chips in the paint is done with a white or light gray pen, carefully tracing the edge of a scratch. Remember, Raven Guard armor is maintained to a high standard, but it is also battle-worn. The chips should look like the armor beneath has been scarred, not that the paint is peeling off randomly.
Display and Final Touches
Once the painting is complete, the final step is presentation. Raven Guard models look exceptional on dark bases, such as deep brown, black, or even a dark moss green. This contrast pulls the model out of the paint and makes them appear to be hovering in the void.
Consider giving your Raven Guard a narrative name that evokes their silent nature. Names like "The Night's Shroud," "Corax's Whisper," or "The Silent Tide" reinforce the thematic elements of the color guide. By following these steps, you are not just painting models; you are crafting the embodiment of the Raven Lord’s shadow, ready to strike from the darkness.