Smoke Grey vs Hubris Grey: Choosing the Right Grey for Your Army

Quick answer

For most army painters, smoke grey wins when you need a tough, handling-resistant satin finish that survives the game board, while hubris grey is the better choice when you want a matte, creamy paint for glazes and military modeling. If you airbrush, both work; if you handle your figures often, lean smoke grey.

Grey is the workhorse of army painting, but not all greys behave the same on the table. Smoke grey and hubris grey are two popular options that look similar in the pot yet finish very differently once dry. The right pick depends on how you paint, how often you handle your miniatures, and the look you want on the board.

This comparison breaks down the supplied facts for each paint so you can choose with confidence. We will cover finish, handling resistance, airbrush compatibility, and the practical tradeoffs that matter when you are painting a full army rather than a single display piece.

Finish and feel: satin versus matte

The most immediate difference is the finish. Smoke grey dries to a satin finish, which gives a slight sheen that catches light and adds a subtle richness to armor and uniforms. Hubris grey dries matte, which flattens reflections and suits historical or military figures where a dead-flat look feels more natural. Neither is better in absolute terms; it depends on the effect you want across your army.

Satin finishes can make details pop on the tabletop, but they may look too glossy under bright game-store lights if you prefer a weathered, dusty look. Matte finishes blend into terrain and photography backdrops more easily, yet they can appear chalky if applied too thickly. Test both on a spare model before committing a whole squad.

• Use satin greys for characters and vehicles you want to stand out.
• Use matte greys for rank-and-file troops and historical units.
• Always prime and basecoat consistently so finish differences stay predictable.

Handling resistance and game-board durability

Smoke grey is formulated to resist handling, which matters when your figures are picked up, moved, and packed away after every game. That resistance helps protect edges and raised details from rubbing off during regular play. If you paint armies to use rather than to display behind glass, this is a significant practical advantage.

Hubris grey does not list handling resistance in the supplied facts, so treat it as a paint you will want to varnish if your models see heavy table time. A matte varnish can add protection without changing the finish much, but it is an extra step. For display pieces or miniatures that stay in a case, the difference is less important.

• Seal hubris grey with a matte varnish if your army gets handled often.
• Keep a spare pot of smoke grey for touch-ups on high-wear edges.
• Store painted figures in foam or magnetic trays to reduce rubbing.

Brush and airbrush compatibility

Both paints are valid for brush and airbrush according to the supplied facts, so your tool choice does not force the decision. Smoke grey and hubris grey can each be thinned and sprayed, which is useful when you want to basecoat a whole unit quickly. The main difference is how they behave in the airbrush cup once diluted.

Hubris grey is described as creamy with opacity that allows glazes, which makes it a strong candidate for smooth transitions and layered shading. Smoke grey does not list the same glaze-friendly wording, so if your plan is to build up thin, transparent layers, hubris grey is the safer bet. For solid coverage and durable basecoats, smoke grey holds its own.

• Thin both paints with airbrush thinner or water; test on paper first.
• Use hubris grey for glazes and smoke grey for opaque base layers.
• Clean your airbrush between colors to avoid muddying your grey tones.

Color range and supporting products

Grey rarely works alone. If you want to push contrast, fluorescent and ink ranges can add glow or depth without repainting the whole model. Alien Pink is a deep pink fluorescent pigment that glows under ultraviolet light and can be applied directly or diluted with thinner or water, making it a fun accent for sci-fi armies that need a pop of color against grey armor.

For larger projects, Color Boost brings together the Inktensity and FX Effect ranges with 24 colors and three painting tutorial booklets, which can help you enhance grey miniatures through acrylic inks and fluorescent effects. These are optional add-ons, but they show how grey fits into a broader painting system rather than standing alone.

• Add a fluorescent accent to break up large grey areas.
• Use inks to deepen shadows in grey recesses without heavy layering.
• Keep a tutorial booklet handy if you are new to glazing over grey.

Tradeoffs at a glance

• Finish: Smoke grey dries satin; hubris grey dries matte. Satin adds subtle sheen and can make details pop, while matte blends into terrain and suits historical looks. Choose based on the final look you want across the whole army, not just one model.
• Handling resistance: Smoke grey is formulated to resist handling for game-board use. Hubris grey does not list this property, so it benefits from a varnish if your figures are handled often. If you play frequently, smoke grey saves touch-up time; if you display, hubris grey is fine.
• Glaze and opacity: Hubris grey is described as creamy with opacity that allows glazes, making it easier to build smooth transitions. Smoke grey does not list the same glaze-friendly wording. Pick hubris grey for layered shading and smoke grey for solid, durable basecoats.
• Airbrush use: Both paints are valid for brush and airbrush, so either can be sprayed. The difference is in how they thin and cover, not in whether they can be sprayed at all. Test thinning ratios on a spare surface before committing to a full squad.

Product facts

• LENDANIS GREY: Designed for painting all types of miniatures, but especially for wargame miniatures. Its formulation allows us to achieve a finish that is resistant to handling of the figures for use on the game board. Valid for brush and airbrush. Satin finish acrylic paint 17ml. This is the practical choice for armies that get played with, because the handling-resistant satin finish helps protect edges during regular use.
• PANZER GREY: Warfront acrylic paints are creamy and their opacity allows us to create glazes with ease, achieving excellent results. With tones suitable for modeling and military figures. Valid for brush and airbrush. Matte finish acrylic paint 17ml. The creamy, glaze-friendly matte finish makes Panzer Grey a strong option for historical and military figures where smooth transitions and a flat look matter more than handling resistance.
• COLOR BOOST: The ranges that complement each other perfectly A collection that brings together the INKTENSITY and FX EFFECT ranges so you can enhance the color of your miniatures through acrylic inks and fluorescent effects. The collection features 24 colors and includes 3 booklets with painting tutorials. If you want to add depth or glow to grey armies, this set provides inks and fluorescent effects plus tutorials, reducing the need to buy separate ranges.
• ALIEN PINK: A deep pink fluorescent pigment that glows under ultraviolet light. You can apply it directly to your miniature, stage, or model, diluted with thinner or water. A useful accent for sci-fi or tournament armies where a UV-reactive highlight can make grey models stand out under blacklight.

Which grey should you choose?

Best for

• Wargame and tournament armies that are handled often and need a tough, satin finish
• Painters who want an opaque basecoat that works with both brush and airbrush
• Sci-fi or fantasy projects where a slight sheen helps details read on the table

Not for

• Historical or military modelers who want a dead-flat matte finish and glaze-friendly opacity
• Display-only pieces where handling resistance is not a priority
• Painters who prefer a creamy consistency for building transparent layers

Smoke grey and hubris grey both earn a place in an army painter's kit, but they solve different problems. Reach for smoke grey when durability and a satin finish matter most, and choose hubris grey when you want matte, glaze-friendly coverage for military or historical figures. Test both on a single model, then commit the winner to your next squad.