Necromunda · gang skirmish, Warhammer 40,000 underhive
Necromunda paint schemes built on grime, not uniform
A Necromunda gang isn't a squad. Each ganger scavenges their own kit, so the paint job that reads right is rust, mismatched armor plates and a heavy wash — the same weathering that would look like a mistake on a Space Marine reads as the whole point here.
No card for the first render. Credit packs start at $5.
A Necromunda paint scheme is the deliberately scavenged, weathered look applied to a gang of typically 5 to 10 models set in the Warhammer 40,000 underhive. Unlike an army scheme, it isn't meant to be uniform — each ganger carries mismatched armor, rust and grime that reads as history, not inconsistency.
Why weathering suits Necromunda specifically
A heavy rust wash dragged across a shoulder pad looks like a mistake on a pristine Ultramarine. On a Necromunda ganger, it looks correct — the underhive doesn't issue matching kit, and every model is armor scavenged from somewhere else, patched with whatever was on hand. The grimier the model, the more it looks like it belongs.
That's a real technical shortcut too. A dark wash pooled into panel lines and worn edges hides small mistakes that would show on a clean, bright scheme, which makes Necromunda a forgiving place to practice heavier washes without them reading as sloppy.
Mismatched armor reads as lore
Different colors per plate on the same model isn't an error here — it's how a scavenger gang actually looks.
Rust and grime hide small mistakes
A heavy wash into recesses and worn edges covers unevenness that would show on a clean scheme.
Each ganger is a person, not a rank
Scars, patched armor and a personal color per model build a gang, not a uniform unit.
A simple weathering approach for a first gang
Basecoat each model in a different primary color for their main armor piece — that alone does most of the "scavenged" work. Pick two or three metals and a leather or cloth tone every ganger shares, so the gang still reads as one crew despite the mismatched armor. Then wash the whole model heavily, letting it pool into every recess, rivet and panel line. Finish with a light drybrush of a rust or bone tone on raised edges to suggest wear, not a clean edge highlight.
Base theme matters more here than in a cleaner army scheme — rubble, scrap metal and grime on the base carries the underhive setting as much as the model itself. See basing techniques and materials for the how-to.
Testing a scheme before you commit paint
Getting "scavenged" to look intentional instead of just messy is hard to judge in your head. PaintMini renders a full scheme on a photo of your own primed model: pick paints from a saved collection filtered to brands you own, choose Beginner, Intermediate or Expert, and get a painted preview plus a step-by-step guide and a printable PDF before you touch a brush.
| Approach | Rendered on your model? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Guess a weathering level from memory | No | Free, but no preview |
| Scroll forums and YouTube for inspiration | No — someone else's model | Free, unpredictable results |
| PaintMini | Yes, your actual photo | 1 credit per render, from $1.00/credit |
Who this is wrong for
PaintMini generates a scheme and a guide — it does not paint the miniature for you. If you want a fully custom design painted by a human commission painter, this isn't that. It's also a poor fit without a clear photo of a primed, unpainted model to upload; it can't work from a description alone.
How it works
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Upload your primed ganger
A clear photo of one model, primed and unpainted.
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Pick your paints
Filter to a saved collection of what you already own, or browse by brand.
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Choose Beginner, Intermediate or Expert
Intermediate covers a heavy wash and weathering drybrush; Expert adds NMM rust and OSL for a lit lantern or weapon.
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Get your painted preview
A rendered plate, a step-by-step guide, and a printable PDF. One credit per render.
Necromunda painting questions
How many models are in a typical Necromunda gang?
Most starting gangs run 5 to 10 models, small enough that per-model weathering and individual detail are realistic across the whole crew.
Is it actually correct to paint every ganger a different color?
Yes — a Necromunda gang scavenges its own kit, so mismatched armor plates and a personal accent color per model reads as setting-accurate, not inconsistent. Repeat one or two shared tones (metal, leather) so the gang still looks like a crew.
Does weathering actually hide painting mistakes?
To a real degree, yes. A heavy wash pooled into recesses and a worn-edge drybrush cover unevenness that would be obvious on a clean, bright scheme — which makes this a forgiving style to practice on.
What's the difference between Beginner, Intermediate and Expert on PaintMini?
Beginner uses 3-5 colours with flat coats and one wash. Intermediate adds layering and edge highlights across 6-9 colours. Expert opens 10-15 colours plus NMM, OSL, wet blending and freehand.
How much does it cost to render a full gang?
One credit per model rendered. A 6-model gang is 6 credits — the Studio pack (20 credits for $15) covers a full gang with room to try a second scheme.
Preview your Necromunda gang before you paint it
Upload one primed ganger, pick your paints, and see the weathered scheme rendered before any paint touches plastic.