The DragonSword: Awakening Deluxe Edition costs $10 more than the Standard Edition and includes four additional items: the Valiant Hatchling Familiar, an exclusive weapon skin set, the digital soundtrack, and a digital art book. The question every prospective buyer faces is whether these extras justify the additional cost. Unlike many games where Deluxe Editions include gameplay advantages or exclusive content that Standard Edition owners can never access, DragonSword: Awakening's Deluxe extras are entirely cosmetic and supplementary — the complete gameplay experience is identical across both editions. This guide breaks down each Deluxe item to help you make an informed decision.
For the full pricing and edition comparison, see our buying guide.
Standard vs Deluxe: Complete Comparison
| Feature | Standard Edition ($29.99) | Deluxe Edition ($39.99) |
|---|---|---|
| All 19 heroes | Yes | Yes |
| Full story campaign | Yes | Yes |
| All dungeons (Standard/Hard/Very Hard) | Yes | Yes |
| Rift System | Yes | Yes |
| 20 free Familiars | Yes | Yes |
| Tag-team combat system | Yes | Yes |
| Cooking and crafting systems | Yes | Yes |
| 11 supported languages | Yes | Yes |
| Valiant Hatchling Familiar | No | Yes |
| Exclusive weapon skin set (19 skins) | No | Yes |
| Digital soundtrack (MP3) | No | Yes |
| Digital art book | No | Yes |
The gameplay content is identical. No dungeon is locked, no hero is gated, no build path is restricted. The Deluxe Edition extras do not affect gameplay balance or progression in any way. This is important to emphasize because many games use Deluxe Editions to provide early access, XP boosters, or exclusive items that create a gameplay advantage — DragonSword: Awakening does none of this.
Valiant Hatchling Familiar: Detailed Analysis
The Valiant Hatchling is the most significant Deluxe Edition item from a gameplay perspective, even though its impact is minimal. It is a Familiar companion that provides a passive attack power bonus, similar in function to the free Inferno Drake Familiar.
Valiant Hatchling Stats
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Passive Ability: "Hatchling's Courage" — Increases the equipped hero's attack power by 8% when a Signal Skill is triggered, lasting for 5 seconds
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Rarity: Deluxe Edition exclusive
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Appearance: A small dragon hatchling with golden scales
Comparison with Free Alternative: Inferno Drake
The Inferno Drake, available as a free Familiar through standard exploration in the volcanic region, provides the following:
- Passive Ability: "Ember Surge" — Increases the equipped hero's attack power by 8% when a Signal Skill is triggered, lasting for 5 seconds
The passive abilities are functionally identical. Both provide 8% attack power on Signal Skill trigger for 5 seconds. The Valiant Hatchling and Inferno Drake are interchangeable from a gameplay perspective — having one provides the same benefit as having the other. The only difference is the visual appearance of the Familiar following your hero.
Familiar Passive Bonus Comparison
| Familiar | Source | Passive Bonus | Bonus Value | Duration | Matches Free Alternative? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valiant Hatchling | Deluxe Edition ($10 upgrade) | Attack power on Signal Skill trigger | +8% | 5 seconds | Yes — identical to Inferno Drake |
| Inferno Drake | Free (volcanic region exploration) | Attack power on Signal Skill trigger | +8% | 5 seconds | Baseline free option |
| Frost Wisp | Free (Glacial Rift exploration) | Frost Gauge passive charge | +3% per 5 sec | Always active | Different effect type |
| Storm Hawk | Free (mountain region) | Ailment application speed | +6% | Always active | Different effect type |
Can You Use Both Simultaneously?
No, each hero can only be paired with one Familiar at a time. You cannot equip both the Valiant Hatchling and the Inferno Drake on the same hero. In practice, you would use one or the other based on which appearance you prefer, since the gameplay effects are the same.
Is the Valiant Hatchling Unique in Any Way?
No. The Valiant Hatchling does not provide a unique passive that cannot be matched by a free Familiar. Its bonus is comparable to several free Familiars that provide attack power boosts. The Valiant Hatchling is a cosmetic alternative, not a power advantage. For more on how Familiar bonuses work, see our best Familiars guide.
Exclusive Weapon Skin Set: Visual Customization
The Deluxe Edition includes 19 weapon skins — one for each hero at launch. These are purely cosmetic items that change the appearance of each hero's weapon without affecting stats or abilities. The weapon skin set follows a unified golden and crystalline design theme that matches the Valiant Hatchling's golden aesthetic.
What Weapon Skins Look Like
Each weapon skin replaces the default weapon model with a gold-accented version featuring crystalline energy effects. During combat, the skins add a subtle golden particle trail to attacks, which is visually distinctive but does not affect hitboxes, damage, or any gameplay mechanic.
Can You Disable Weapon Skins?
Yes, the weapon skins can be toggled on and off in the game's cosmetic settings. If you prefer the default weapon appearance for a specific hero, you can disable the skin for that hero individually while keeping it active for others. This level of customization is a welcome detail for players who want to mix and match visual styles.
Are Weapon Skins Available Separately?
As of launch, the exclusive weapon skin set is only available through the Deluxe Edition. Hound13 has not announced plans to sell weapon skins individually. If you want these specific skins, the Deluxe Edition is the only way to obtain them.
Digital Soundtrack: What Is Included
The Deluxe Edition digital soundtrack includes the game's original music in MP3 format. The soundtrack features compositions created for DragonSword: Awakening's various environments, combat themes, and story moments. The music reflects the anime-fantasy aesthetic of the game, with orchestral arrangements mixed with electronic and traditional Korean instrumental elements.
Soundtrack Details
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Format: MP3 (320 kbps)
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Number of tracks: Approximately 25-30 tracks (full details pending official release)
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Access location: Steam library > DragonSword: Awakening > Soundtrack folder
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Total size: Approximately 200-300 MB
The soundtrack is a nice bonus for fans who enjoy the game's music but is not a reason to upgrade on its own. Similar soundtracks for other games are often available for $5-10 separately, making the bundled inclusion in the $10 upgrade a fair value.
Digital Art Book: Visual Collection
The digital art book included in the Deluxe Edition contains concept art, character designs, environment sketches, and development commentary from the Hound13 team. It provides insight into the visual development process and the evolution of hero designs from concept to final model.
Art Book Details
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Format: PDF
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Content: Character concept art, environment paintings, weapon designs, Familiar concept sketches, and developer commentary
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Pages: Approximately 80-100 pages
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Access location: Steam library > DragonSword: Awakening > Art Book folder
The art book is primarily of interest to fans who appreciate game development and concept art. It does not provide any gameplay information that is not available in-game or through community resources. For most players, the art book is a casual browsing item rather than a frequently referenced resource.
Is the $10 Upgrade Worth It?
The value proposition of the Deluxe Edition depends on what you value as a player. Here are three perspectives:
Deluxe Edition Value Breakdown by Item
| Deluxe Item | Standalone Value Estimate | Gameplay Impact | Can Be Obtained Otherwise? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valiant Hatchling Familiar | ~$3-5 (comparable to DLC Familiar pricing) | None — identical to free Inferno Drake | No — Deluxe exclusive |
| 19 Weapon Skins | ~$3-5 (if sold separately like other games) | None — purely cosmetic | No — Deluxe exclusive |
| Digital Soundtrack (MP3) | ~$5-10 (comparable to game OST pricing) | None — supplementary content | No — Deluxe exclusive |
| Digital Art Book (PDF) | ~$5-10 (comparable to art book pricing) | None — supplementary content | No — Deluxe exclusive |
| Total Estimated Value | $16-30 | Zero gameplay advantage | — |
For Competitive Players: Not Worth It
If your primary concern is gameplay performance, the Standard Edition provides the complete experience. The Valiant Hatchling's passive bonus is matched by free Familiars, and the weapon skins are purely cosmetic. Save the $10 — it will not help you in combat or progression.
For Collectors and Fans: Worth It
If you enjoy collecting Familiars, customizing your heroes' appearance, and having supplementary digital content, the $10 upgrade provides fair value. The Valiant Hatchling adds to your Familiar collection, the weapon skins provide visual variety, and the soundtrack and art book are genuine extras that cost $15-20 if sold separately in other games.
For Budget-Conscious Players: Wait
If $29.99 is already at the top of your budget, the Standard Edition provides the complete game. You can always upgrade to Deluxe later through Steam's upgrade DLC. There is no time-limited benefit to upgrading immediately — the Deluxe content does not expire or become unavailable.
Deluxe Edition as a Gift or Purchase Consideration
If you are considering purchasing DragonSword: Awakening as a gift for another player, the Deluxe Edition makes a more impressive gift because of the additional Familiar, weapon skins, and digital content. The $10 premium is a reasonable upgrade for a gift that shows extra consideration. Steam gifting works for both editions — you purchase the game and send it to the recipient's Steam account.
For personal purchases, the decision ultimately comes down to whether you value the cosmetic items and supplementary content. The gameplay experience is identical, and no content is locked behind the Deluxe Edition. If the $10 is within your budget and you enjoy collecting Familiars or customizing your heroes' appearance, the Deluxe Edition is a fair value. If your budget is tight or you are uncertain about the game, the Standard Edition provides the complete experience and you can always upgrade later through the Steam DLC page.
Timing Your Deluxe Edition Upgrade
There is no time pressure on upgrading to the Deluxe Edition. Unlike the Abyssal Direwolf (which has an August 31, 2026 free deadline), the Deluxe Edition upgrade is permanently available on Steam. You can buy the Standard Edition now, play the game for weeks, and then upgrade to Deluxe if you decide the cosmetic items are worth it. This approach lets you evaluate the game before committing additional money. For more on the free Abyssal Direwolf deadline, see our Abyssal Direwolf bonus guide.
FAQ
Can I buy the Valiant Hatchling separately later?
Hound13 has not announced plans to sell the Valiant Hatchling Familiar separately from the Deluxe Edition. Currently, the only way to obtain it is through the Deluxe Edition or the upgrade DLC. If Hound13 changes this policy in the future, it would likely be announced through their official channels. For the latest updates, see our buying guide.
Do weapon skins affect gameplay in any way?
No, weapon skins are purely cosmetic. They change the visual appearance of weapons and add particle effects to attacks, but they do not alter damage, speed, hitboxes, or any gameplay mechanic. You can verify this by comparing weapon stats with and without the skin equipped — the numbers are identical.
Is the Deluxe Edition upgrade available on Steam?
Yes, the Deluxe Edition upgrade is available as a $10 DLC on the Steam store page for DragonSword: Awakening. Purchasing the upgrade adds all Deluxe content to your existing Standard Edition account. The upgrade is available at any time — there is no deadline or limited-time offer for the upgrade itself.
Does the Deluxe Edition include the Abyssal Direwolf?
No, the Abyssal Direwolf is not included in either the Standard or Deluxe Edition. It is a separate free bonus for purchases made before August 31, 2026, and will become paid DLC after that date. Both Standard and Deluxe Edition purchases before August 31 receive the Abyssal Direwolf for free. For full details, see our Abyssal Direwolf bonus guide.
Can I refund the Deluxe Edition upgrade separately?
No, the Deluxe Edition upgrade DLC is subject to Steam's standard refund policy. If you have played the game for less than 2 hours and owned the upgrade for less than 14 days, you can request a refund. However, you cannot refund the upgrade separately from the base game — the refund applies to the entire transaction if purchased together, or to the upgrade DLC individually if purchased separately.