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Agrellan Earth vs Badland: Which Citadel Texture Paint Should You Choose?

October 19, 2025 by
Agrellan Earth vs Badland: Which Citadel Texture Paint Should You Choose?
Deny Smith
Agrellan Earth vs Badland: Which Citadel Texture Paint Should You Choose?

Short answer: Choose Agrellan Earth for finer, subtler cracks. Choose Agrellan Badland for thicker, bolder cracks with a gritty finish. Both come in 24ml pots and mix well on one base.

By the editorial team. Sources are linked in each section. Prices change often, so check a current retailer listing.

Why This Choice Matters

The agrellan earth vs badland question looks small, but it shapes how your whole army looks on the table. Both paints crack as they dry, yet they behave differently.

Picking blind can cost you a base, a pot and an evening. Here is what the reviews and retailer notes actually say.

Quick Comparison Table

FeatureAgrellan EarthAgrellan Badland
ConsistencySimilar to normal paint (Mengel Miniatures)Much thicker, with microbeads (Mengel Miniatures)
Crack styleFiner cracks, harder to controlMore dramatic, chunkier cracks (Battleground Gaming)
ColourLight brownSlightly lighter in one review
Pot size24ml24ml
Listed US price$7.80 (Tower of Games)$7.80 regular price (Armada Games)

What Is Agrellan Earth?

Agrellan Earth is a Citadel Technical paint that creates a cracked-earth base. Retailers describe it as a water-based formula in a 24ml pot.

  • It spreads like standard paint, so it feels easy to apply.
  • Thicker layers make bigger chunks when it cracks (Mengel Miniatures).
  • Getting the tiny, official-style cracks takes practice (Age of Miniatures).

What Is Agrellan Badland?

Agrellan Badland is the thicker sibling. Games Workshop stockists say it gives a much more dramatic cracked look.

  • It contains microbeads, which add grit and a finer, scale-friendly texture (Mengel Miniatures).
  • One reviewer needed a second, thicker coat before it cracked.
  • The same reviewer flagged the microbeads as an environmental downside.

Agrellan Earth vs Badland: Which Should You Pick?

Pick Agrellan Earth if you want:

  • Subtle, finer cracks on small bases.
  • A smooth, paint-like application.
  • A quick job with fewer layers.

Pick Agrellan Badland if you want:

  • Bold, dramatic ground with visible grit.
  • A textured surface without adding sand.
  • Larger models or display bases.

Buy both if you want:

  • Varied ground across an army. Two reviewers suggest mixing them (Age of Miniatures).
  • Consistent colour. One reviewer saw no colour difference in a mix.

How to Apply Either Paint

  1. Prime and paint the base a dark colour first. The base colour shows through the cracks.
  2. Glue the miniature on before texturing. Minis can pop off cracked earth later (Age of Miniatures).
  3. Apply the paint generously. Thicker coats crack into bigger pieces.
  4. Let it dry for several hours without a hairdryer.
  5. Add a second coat if nothing cracks. This fixed one reviewer's Badland.
  6. Drybrush lightly. It hides small colour differences between pots.

Retailers also suggest a texture tool for best results (Armada Games).

Common Mistakes

MistakeResultFix
Applying it too thinFew or no cracksAdd a thicker second layer
Gluing the mini afterwardsModel detachesGlue it before texturing
Not stirring the potUneven textureShake well before use
Buying the wrong potUnexpected finishCheck the label at the shelf

That last one is real. A reviewer at Too Much Lead grabbed Badland by accident and only noticed after opening it.

Are There Cheaper Alternatives?

  • Sanded tile grout and crackle paste can mimic these paints.
  • Tangible Day estimates grout costs 15 to 50 times less per base, and crackle paste 2 to 6 times less (Tangible Day).
  • Citadel paint still gives the most predictable, ready-made result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Agrellan Badland thicker than Agrellan Earth?

Yes. Retailers and reviewers both describe Badland as much thicker, with microbeads mixed in.

Can you mix Agrellan Earth and Badland?

Yes. Reviewers mix them for a more varied base without noticeable colour clashes.

Which one is better for beginners?

Earth is easier to spread because it behaves like normal paint. Badland rewards patience and thicker coats.

How much paint comes in a pot?

Both come in a 24ml pot.

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Final Verdict

For most painters, Earth handles everyday armies and Badland handles showpieces. If budget allows, grab both and mix them.

Pick your pot, base the model, and let the cracks do the work.

Sources

  1. Mengel Miniatures: Games Workshop texture paints review
  2. Age of Miniatures: Citadel Technical paints review
  3. Battleground Gaming: Agrellan Badland listing
  4. Armada Games: Agrellan Earth listing
  5. Tower of Games: Agrellan Earth listing
  6. Too Much Lead: Citadel texture paints review
  7. Tangible Day: alternatives to Citadel texture paint


Agrellan Earth vs Badland: Which Citadel Texture Paint Should You Choose?
Deny Smith October 19, 2025

Lewis Calvert is the Founder and Editor of Big Write Hook, focusing on digital journalism, culture, and online media. He has 6 years of experience in content writing and marketing and has written and edited many articles on news, lifestyle, travel, business, and technology. Lewis studied Journalism and works to publish clear, reliable, and helpful content while supporting new writers on the Big Write Hook platform. Connect with him on LinkedIn:  Linkedin

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