The highly anticipated Diablo 4 and Starcraft crossover has finally landed, bringing beloved sci-fi heroes and villains into Sanctuary. But before you get too excited about transforming your favorite class, be warned: indulging in these cosmetic upgrades will seriously test your wallet. As a long-time fan, this tantalizing glimpse into the Starcraft universe, especially with the tenth anniversary of Legacy of the Void approaching, stirs a deep nostalgia for a lost series. Yet, the hefty price tag for these new Diablo 4 skins makes me question if it’s truly worth it.
Starcraft II remains a titan in the RTS genre, a masterclass in campaign storytelling and competitive multiplayer. Even just listening to its iconic Terran soundtrack – a powerful blend of brass and twanging slide guitar – reignites a fervent hope for a proper Starcraft III. Alas, we’re currently in a world where that dream remains distant, and these D4 cosmetics are our only consolation.
On the bright side, the skins themselves are undeniably stunning. Imagine Jim Raynor as a fearsome Barbarian, the Queen of Blades Kerrigan reimagined as a Spiritborn, or the enigmatic Zeratul seamlessly fitting in as a Rogue. Necromancers can embrace an Overqueen-inspired look, Druids can morph into an infested marine, and Sorcerers can embody the grandeur of high templars. Adding to the collection is a fantastic Zergling mount and an adorable baby Hydralisk pet.
However, this beauty comes at a significant cost. Each of the six class-specific cosmetic bundles, plus the Zergling mount, is priced at 2,800 Platinum (approximately $24.99 / £20.99 each). The pet, meanwhile, costs 2,500 Platinum. For context, this pricing mirrors the previous Berserk skins, but with two additional classes this time around. To acquire the entire collection, you’re looking at a grand total of 22,100 Platinum.
This sum easily surpasses the largest Platinum bundle available (18,500 Platinum for $149.99 / £125.99). Realistically, you’d need to purchase two 11,500 Platinum packs, pushing the total close to $200 / £170. Alternatively, a combination of the 18,500, 2,800, and 1,000 Platinum offerings would amount to around $185 / £155. Even the free seasonal Reliquary offers a mere 200 Platinum, barely making a dent.
To put this into perspective: buying the Diablo 4 Expansion Bundle (which includes the base game and Vessel of Hatred) would cost $69.99 / £59.99. The complete StarCraft II Campaign Collection is $39.99 / £34.99. Together, without any discounts, these games total $110 / £95. This means the entire set of Starcraft crossover cosmetics in Diablo 4 costs significantly more than purchasing both of these full-price games, with enough leftover to buy another new AAA title.
It’s important to remember that these are purely cosmetic items with no impact on gameplay. You don’t have to buy them all, or any of them. But for devoted fans like myself, the allure of embodying Sarah Kerrigan, the Queen of Blades, while traversing Sanctuary is strong. I’d be far more inclined to open my wallet if I knew the proceeds were directly funding a long-awaited Starcraft III.
If you’re delving deep into Season 10, don’t forget to check out our guides for the best Diablo 4 builds. Or, if you’re seeking a different kind of adventure, explore some of the best games like Diablo. We’d love to hear your thoughts on these new cosmetics and if you, too, are holding onto hope for a true Starcraft revival. Join the discussion on our community Discord server!