Blizzard is giving away free in-game loot for StarCraft II and Heroes of the Storm right now, but you’ll need to act before September 28th to snag it. The studio is offering a 15-day XP boost for StarCraft II and the Fix It Gear Head Thrall skin for Heroes of the Storm — both free, no strings attached, through the Battle.net store.
The Freebies and the Catch
The StarCraft II XP boost is straightforward: activate it, and you’ll level up your commander or profile faster for two weeks. The Heroes of the Storm Thrall skin, meanwhile, is a cosmetic that turns the orc shaman into a mechanic, complete with a wrench and grease-stained overalls. Not exactly game-changing, but free is free.
Here’s the rub: these goodies are for StarCraft II and Heroes of the Storm — two games Blizzard has largely moved on from. Heroes of the Storm was effectively put on maintenance mode in 2022, and StarCraft II stopped receiving major content updates back in 2020. So while the giveaway is nice, it’s a reminder of what’s no longer being actively supported.
Why Now? It's BlizzCon Season
These freebies drop ahead of BlizzCon, which is happening later this year. Blizzard has historically used the weeks before its big convention to offer small promotional items to drum up excitement. The timing is no accident — get players back in the client, remind them the event exists, and hope they stick around.
But the real money-maker is the new BlizzCon Blundles. For $30 each, you can grab a mount, transmog set, and housing decor item for World of Warcraft, or themed bundles for Overwatch, Hearthstone, Diablo IV, and Diablo Immortal. The WoW bundle is probably the most notable since it includes a housing decor item — a sign that Blizzard is testing the waters for player housing, which has been a long-requested feature.
What This Says About Blizzard's Priorities
The contrast is stark. On one hand, you have free cosmetics for games the company has sunsetted. On the other, you have $30 bundles for its active live-service titles. It’s a clear signal of where Blizzard is investing its energy: Diablo IV, Overwatch 2, and World of Warcraft are the cash cows now. StarCraft and Heroes of the Storm are legacy products, kept alive but not thriving.
For fans of those older games, the freebies are a small consolation. The StarCraft II XP boost is useful if you’re grinding for co-op commander levels, and the Thrall skin is a cute collectible. But neither addresses the bigger issue: these communities have been starved of meaningful updates for years.
How to Claim the Loot
Head to the Battle.net client or website, log in, and navigate to the promotions section. The StarCraft II XP boost and the Heroes of the Storm Thrall skin should be available to claim through September 28th. No purchase necessary — just click and add to your account.
If you’re eyeing the BlizzCon Blundles, those are available now through the event period. Each costs $30 and is tied to a specific game. The World of Warcraft bundle includes the Gargantuan Grinder mount, a transmog set called the BlizzCon ’24 Regalia, and the aforementioned housing decor item. Diablo IV gets a mount and armor set, while Overwatch and Hearthstone get player icons and card backs.
A Skeptical Take
Let’s be real: giving away a 15-day XP boost for a game that’s no longer receiving content updates is a bit like handing out a free gas card for a car that’s been parked in the garage. It’s a nice gesture, but it doesn’t change the underlying reality. The same goes for the Heroes of the Storm skin — it’s a digital trinket for a game that’s been in maintenance mode for years.
Meanwhile, the BlizzCon Blundles are priced at $30 each, which is steep for what amounts to a mount, a cosmetic set, and a housing item. For World of Warcraft players who already have a dozen mounts and transmog sets, the value proposition is questionable. The housing decor item is intriguing, but it’s a single piece — not enough to build anything meaningful.
What Comes Next
BlizzCon itself will likely be the main event, with announcements for World of Warcraft expansions, Overwatch 2 seasons, and possibly Diablo IV updates. Don’t expect any major reveals for StarCraft or Heroes of the Storm — those ships have sailed.
For now, grab the freebies while they’re available. It’s a small piece of Blizzard history, even if it’s wrapped in a mechanic’s jumpsuit. And if you’re feeling spendy, the Blundles are there — just know you’re paying for the privilege of attending a digital event from your couch.
Comments (0)
Loading comments…