Pokorny Paint vs Dungeon Core Set: Which Paint Should You Choose?
By Dwarven Forge - Miniature Terrain for the gaming community | Published: 2026-10-23
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Pokorny Paint - Earth Stone single bottle with the Dungeon Core Paint Set. Learn which option fits your painting project and budget.
Quick answer
Choose the Dungeon Core Paint Set if you need a complete palette for classic dungeon pieces and want the best value. Pick the Pokorny Paint - Earth Stone single bottle if you only need a specific color or want to test the paint before committing to a set.
Understanding the paint options
Both the Dungeon Core Paint Set and the Pokorny Paint - Earth Stone are part of Dwarven Forge's own water-based acrylic paint line, formulated by founder Stefan Pokorny for optimal viscosity on Dwarvenite terrain. They require no priming and no dilution, which keeps the pigments strong. The key difference is in the quantity and variety of colors you get.
Value vs. flexibility
The Dungeon Core Paint Set bundles multiple Pokorny Paint colors at a catalog price of USD 48.30, compared to a combined individual price of USD 70.00. That's a significant saving if you plan to paint a variety of dungeon pieces. However, the set's contents are predefined, so you get the colors Stefan Pokorny recommends for classic and vaulted dungeon pieces. If you only need one or two specific shades, buying individual bottles like Earth Stone (USD 10.08) gives you more flexibility without paying for colors you won't use.
What about the paint guide?
The Dungeon Core Paint Set comes with access to paint guides that show you how to use the included colors effectively. This is a big help for beginners or anyone wanting to follow a proven scheme. The single bottle does not include a guide, but you can still find general painting advice on the Dwarven Forge website.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Dungeon Core Paint Set: Buy this set if you want a complete palette for classic dungeon pieces, value the paint guides, and want the best per-bottle price. The savings over buying individually are significant.
- Pokorny Paint - Earth Stone (single bottle): Buy this single bottle if you only need one specific color, want to test the paint before buying more, or already own most of the dungeon colors.
- Mixing and matching: You can always start with the set and later add single bottles of colors you need more of, or use the set as a base and supplement with specialty shades. Think of the set as a foundation and single bottles as expansions.
Product facts
- Dungeon Core Paint Set: This paint set supplies the Pokorny Paint Colours recommended to paint classic and vaulted dungeon pieces. You can find the paint guides here. You get a curated selection of colors plus a guide, so you don't have to guess which shades work together.
Dungeon Core Paint Set - Pokorny Paint - Earth Stone: Pokorny Paint Colours are Dwarven Forge's own water-based acrylic paint. They were formulated to achieve the optimal viscosity for painting Dwarvenite terrain. They don't need to be diluted, which waters down the pigments -- and you don't need to prime your pieces. This single bottle lets you try the paint without a big investment, and you can use it straight from the bottle on unpainted Dwarvenite.
Pokorny Paint - Earth Stone
Which one fits your project?
Best for
- New painters who want a complete, guided start for dungeon terrain
- Painters tackling a large dungeon project who need multiple colors and want to save money
Not for
- Painters who only need one or two specific colors and don't want to buy a set
