How to paint Abaddon the Despoiler
Abaddon is black armour, gold trim, and a glowing daemon sword. Match Black Legion infantry first, then push the Talon and Drach'nyen. Unofficial fan recipe.
Difficulty 4 / 5 · ~14 hrs · Updated 2026-07-10
Unofficial fan guide. Citadel paint and kit names identify products for sale. Not affiliated with Games Workshop.
Start here
Chaos Black
Black armour and gold
Keep plates Abaddon Black. Edge Eshin Grey, then a thin Administratum Grey on the sharpest corners. Trim: Retributor Armour, Agrax Earthshade, Liberator Gold. Same recipe as Black Legion Legionaries so he belongs in the army.
Cloak, topknot, and Talon
Cloak: Screamer Pink or Mephiston Red with Carroburg Crimson folds, or a leather brown with Wyldwood. Topknot: Mephiston Red into Evil Sunz Scarlet tips. Talon metals: Leadbelcher, Nuln Oil, Ironbreaker.
Drach'nyen glow
Blade base Warpstone Glow or Warp Lightning over white. Shade toward black at the hilt. Edge Moot Green, then a thin White Scar core line. Keep the glow brighter near the faces in the blade.
Paints for Abaddon the Despoiler
Colour chips are approximate. Buy links open live marketplace search for that Citadel paint across Shopify catalog stores and other sources.
- Find storesAbaddon Black
- Find storesEshin Grey
- Find storesRetributor Armour
- Find storesLiberator Gold
- Find storesMephiston Red
- Find storesLeadbelcher
- Find storesWarp Lightning
- Find storesMoot Green
- Find storesChaos Black
YouTube tutorials
External videos. We link creators whose techniques match this kit. Watch on YouTube. Support the painter if you use their method.
- Contrast+ How to Paint: Lord of PoxesThe War Hipster
Character Contrast workflow useful for Chaos lords.
Other painters
- Abaddon tutorials (Richard Gray Creations)
Display-level NMM and cloak freehand. Paid / creator content.
Match the rest of the force
Common questions
How long does it take to paint Abaddon the Despoiler?
About 14 hours for a tabletop-to-display finish at difficulty 4 / 5.
What primer should I use for Abaddon the Despoiler?
Chaos Black
Where do I buy Abaddon the Despoiler?
Open the Chaos Space Marines Abaddon the Despoiler price page for the live sealed floor, then set a watch under the middle of that band.
Are these official Games Workshop instructions?
No. Unofficial fan recipes that name Citadel paints and kits as products. Not affiliated with Games Workshop.