SprueSentry
Start hunting
Box paint

How to paint Tyranid Hive Tyrant

Contents-aware Contrast recipe for this box. Buy at a fair floor, paint the kit with the swatches below, then expand the army.

Updated 2026-07-10

Price & watchTyranids paint hubHow to paint a Hive Tyrant

Unofficial fan guide. Citadel paint and kit names identify products for sale. Not affiliated with Games Workshop.

Tyranid Hive Tyrant box
Tyranid Hive Tyrant. Product image for the kit you are painting.
Tyranid Hive TyrantTrack price
Contents

What you are painting

  • +Follow the current box contents list on the product packaging.
Recipe

Leviathan-style Tyranids (Contrast)

Primer: Wraithbone

Method
contrast
Difficulty
2 / 5
CP time
~8 hrs
Primer
Wraithbone
  1. 01
    Prime
    Wraithbone
  2. 02
    Carapace
    Leviadon Blue

    Or Black Templar for darker swarms.

  3. 03
    Skin
    Magos Purple

    Keep skin lighter than carapace.

  4. 04
    Weapons / claws
    Black TemplarWarp Lightning
  5. 05
    Teeth / tongues
    Skeleton HordeVolupus Pink
  6. 06
    Base
    AstrograniteNuln Oil
  • +Hormagaunts and Termagants are batch-paint gold. Same three colours.
  • +Characters get one extra edge highlight. Swarms do not need it.
Full scheme leaf →
Buy paints

Paints for Tyranid Hive Tyrant

Colour chips are approximate. Buy links open live marketplace search for that Citadel paint across Shopify catalog stores and other sources.

Common questions

How do I paint Tyranid Hive Tyrant?

Use the Leviathan-style Tyranids (Contrast) recipe on this page. Prime with Wraithbone, then follow the Contrast steps. About 8 hours for a full Combat Patrol-sized box.

What is a fair price for Tyranid Hive Tyrant?

Open the box price page for the live sealed floor and sold comps. Set a watch under the middle of that band before you buy.

Are these official Games Workshop instructions?

No. Unofficial fan recipes that name Citadel paints and kits as products. Not affiliated with Games Workshop.