Maxing out a Diablo Immortal character could end up going broke

Diablo immortal can be a solid mobile version of Blizzard’s hack-and-slash dungeon crawler, but it’s no secret that the game has been embroiled in controversy due to its outrageous microtransactions. It has previously been speculated that maxing a single character could cost as much as $100,000. However, it seems that the estimate was very low as the real amount could be over half a million.

Full Upgrade a Diablo immortal Character requires legendary gems obtained from Elden Rifts. Upon completion, these quests will reward you with the coveted jewels. But because this is one gacha In game, they are given out as random rarities to varying degrees, as these things tend to disappear.

The probability of getting a fully upgraded Legendary 5-Star Gem is less than 1%. according to Redditor BullHorn 7 calculations from earlier this month. You could use legendary crests for $2.50 each to increase these chances, with the option to equip 10 crests before the start of each Elden Rift. That’s $25 just to get a single five-star maxed out legendary gem. However, there is an “awakening” mechanic that allows you to level up the gems further, and that causes the cost of leveling a character to go from $100,000 to over $540,000. You could effectively see this as the game’s real, hidden level cap.

According to Twitter user Andrew “SpaceDrakeCF” Dice, a founder of Japanese indie game localization studio Carpe Fulgur, awakening your legendary five-star gem unlocks five more gem slots, which can then also be upgraded. You’ll need a material called Dusk Echo and speak to Vic the Master Jeweler in Westmarch before you can awaken your gems, but once you’ve met all the requirements you can empty your wallet to hopefully OP your character.

“Now that some people have started maxing out their five star gems (because yeah you have to level the dam things too), turns out there’s an additional mechanic,” tweeted dice “You can awaken a five-star gem to give an item five additional gem slots.”

Dice linked to a Reddit post by user ShiftYourCarcassbriefly explaining the methodology of how and why it would take so much to max out a character Diablo immortal. They explained that part of the price comes from the Dusk Echoes material, which is more easily available through the in-game store for 1000 Eternal Orbs or $25 for the 1500 Eternal Orbs pack. Talk about whoops.

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“If you’re lucky and spending an average of about $15,000 per 5/5 star gem for 36 gems, that alone would add up to $540,000,” wrote ShiftYourCarcass. “On top of that, you need six Twilight Echoes, which costs an additional $30 per gem for six gems, which is $180. Well the thing is on top of that you are looking for specific 5/5 star gems for your character, you also need duplicates of that gem to upgrade the 5/5 star gem so the cost is $540,000 rise base if you’re lucky, and up to over a million dollars for these unfortunate whales.”

kotaku asked Blizzard for comment.

It’s always worth pointing out that you’re under no obligation to participate in any in-game stupidity Microtransactions like this. You could have a great time with Diablo immortal without spending a single dollar, although it becomes tedious when you want to participate in some of the game’s PvP matches. In that regard, it almost feels like Blizzard is making you spend money just so you have a chance to compete. It’s not difficult to understand why The game had the lowest Metacritic score ever a little earlier this month then.

However, I would like to highlight Twitch streamer Quin69 who, after spending $6,000 and getting absolutely zero five-star legendary gemsat last later got $15,000. That is real.