The new Arcane bundle has raised eyebrows among players.
2XKO, Riot Games’ free-to-play League of Legends fighting game, has only been in early access for a few days, and while its launch introduced exciting additions like Teemo and Warwick, one new bundle has drawn widespread attention for its price tag.
Inside 2XKO’s controversial Arcane bundle
The “Ultra Starter Edition,” a U$100 package themed around Arcane, includes Mythic-tier skins for Vi, Jinx, and Ekko from the Netflix animated series, along with all chromas, an exclusive finisher, an Arcane sticker set, 5,000 KO Points (the game’s in-game currency), eight champion unlock tokens, and all content from the cheaper Deluxe and Standard bundles.
The standard version, priced at US$29.99, offers four champion unlock tokens, a player card, and enough in-game currency to purchase one legendary skin. However, Arcane-themed cosmetics remain locked to the top-tier edition, with no alternative way to obtain them.
Players quickly noticed that these Arcane skins cannot be purchased individually. The only way to unlock them is by buying the $100 Ultra Starter Edition. This has led to frustration among some in the community, particularly for those who wanted to buy specific skins rather than the full bundle.
League of Legends content creator @Spideraxe30 broke down the bundle on X, noting that “Locking the 3 skins behind the mega is what stings the most.” His post quickly gained traction, with many players agreeing that the decision felt restrictive, while others described the move as “predatory.”
X user @vicwingly also criticised the pricing, saying that “skin prices in 2XKO are insane,” adding that it costs “US$140 for the Arcane skin bundle, along with other Arcane-related items.”
Not everyone shares that view though. Some fans, such as @TimeBombFanatic, said they were perfectly happy to spend the US$100 since they’re devoted fans of Arcane.
Arcane’s popularity makes it a natural fit for 2XKO
Given Arcane’s massive global success and its impact in drawing newcomers into the League of Legends universe, it’s no surprise that Riot would lean on its most popular IP for 2XKO’s launch. The series’ protagonists, Vi, Jinx, and Ekko, are some of the most recognisable faces in League of Legends, making them a natural focus for early cosmetic content in the fighting game.
Can Riot’s 2XKO avoid the MultiVersus trap?
2XKO is free-to-play, and fans expected some level of aggressive monetisation. However, the pricing model has reignited discussions about Riot’s long-term plans for supporting the game.
Some players have already drawn comparisons to Warner Bros.’ MultiVersus, another free-to-download fighting game that faced criticism over the cost of its virtual items. For now, Riot has made no move to adjust its pricing, and the US$100 Arcane bundle continues to be one of 2XKO’s most talked-about launch features.
