For most players, the Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold Standard Edition ($44.99) is the one to buy: it includes the expansion, Endwalker and Dawntrail, and it gets every pre-order bonus, including early access. Pay $20 more for the Digital Collector’s Edition ($64.99) only if you want its mount, emote and bastion shield, and leave the $319.99 Collector’s Bundle and $255.00 Collector’s Box to people who want the physical figure and art box on a shelf.
Brand-new players have one more decision, because Evercold needs a full copy of the base game first. Below is every edition compared, what each one adds, and the cheapest way in if you have never played. Prices are in US dollars from Square Enix’s Evercold product page, its base game product page and the platform stores, as of November 5, 2026.
Every Evercold Edition and Price
| Edition | Price | Platforms | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $44.99 | Windows, Mac, Steam, PS5 and PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 | Evercold, Endwalker and Dawntrail |
| Digital Collector’s | $64.99 | Same as Standard | Standard plus the Valhallar Odin mount, Entreat Crystal emote and Crystal Skyltborg |
| Collector’s Bundle | $319.99 | Windows and Mac, Square Enix Store only | Digital Collector’s Edition plus the physical Collector’s Box |
| Collector’s Box | $255.00 | Square Enix Store only | Physical goods only: no game, no in-game items, no pre-order bonuses |
The two digital editions cost the same everywhere: the Square Enix Store, Steam, the PlayStation Store, the Microsoft Store and the Nintendo eShop all list $44.99 and $64.99, matching the prices on Square Enix’s own product page.
What Every Edition Gets
Whichever edition with the game you pick, you get the same expansion. Square Enix lists a level cap raised from 100 to 110, two new jobs (the bastion tank and the zephyr ranged DPS), new areas aboard the giant airships of the Fourth, the new cities of Fargarth and Hjartadunur, and new dungeons, trials and raids. No edition adds story or gameplay that another lacks.
Every pre-ordered edition with the game also gets the same three pre-order bonuses: the Wind-up Köttr minion, Halone’s Earring (a 30% EXP boost from defeating enemies, up to level 100) and early access from February 19, 2027. Our pre-order bonus guide explains how each store delivers them.
What the Collector’s Editions Add
The Digital Collector’s Edition adds three account-wide items, delivered by moogle letter once early access begins:
- Valhallar Odin mount, inspired by the Eidolon Odin from Final Fantasy XIII.
- Entreat Crystal emote.
- Crystal Skyltborg, a crystal greatshield that only bastions can equip, at any level.
The Collector’s Box adds the physical goods: an art box, a Reaper figure, a metal keychain, a Köttr mini plush and a tapestry. The Collector’s Bundle is simply the Digital Collector’s Edition for Windows or Mac plus that box, and it costs exactly what the two cost separately. Our Collector’s Edition guide goes through every item.
New to Final Fantasy XIV? Buy the Starter Edition First
Evercold “cannot be played on its own,” in Square Enix’s words: you need the Starter Edition or the Complete Edition of Final Fantasy XIV Online, and the free trial does not count. Square Enix’s base game product page lists:
| Product | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free | A Realm Reborn through Shadowbringers, up to level 80, with restrictions |
| Starter Edition | $19.99 | A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood and Shadowbringers |
| Complete Edition | $59.99 | Everything in the Starter Edition plus Endwalker and Dawntrail |
Because Evercold already includes Endwalker and Dawntrail, the cheapest complete route is the Starter Edition plus the Evercold Standard Edition: $64.98 for the whole story through Evercold. Buying the Complete Edition and Evercold comes to $104.98 and pays for Endwalker and Dawntrail twice.
Better still, start with the free trial, which Square Enix lets you play to level 80 with no time limit. Characters you create in it carry over to the full game, so you only need to buy when you are ready. Square Enix also gives a 30-day free play period with the Starter Edition or Complete Edition. After that you need a subscription, which Square Enix lists at $12.99 (Entry) or $14.99 (Standard) per 30 days on Windows, Mac, Steam and PlayStation.
Which Edition Should You Buy?
- Most players: the Standard Edition. It gets every bonus that matters, including early access, and returning players who stopped at Shadowbringers get Endwalker and Dawntrail with it.
- Bastion mains and mount collectors: the Digital Collector’s Edition. The Crystal Skyltborg is the only item with a use tied to a job, and the Valhallar Odin is the mount.
- Collectors on Windows or Mac: the Collector’s Bundle, for a single order.
- Collectors on PS5, Xbox, Switch 2 or Steam: the Collector’s Box plus the Digital Collector’s Edition from your own store. Square Enix recommends this split, and it costs the same as the Bundle.
- New players: the Starter Edition and the Evercold Standard Edition, after trying the free trial.
Buy Evercold for the platform you play Final Fantasy XIV on. Our pre-order story has the store opening times, our ranking of the best MMORPGs of 2026 puts XIV in context, and every Final Fantasy guide we have lives on our Final Fantasy hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Evercold Standard and Collector’s Editions? Only cosmetics. The Digital Collector’s Edition adds the Valhallar Odin mount, the Entreat Crystal emote and the Crystal Skyltborg. Both include the same expansion and the same pre-order bonuses.
Does Evercold include Endwalker and Dawntrail? Yes. Square Enix says registering Evercold also grants access to Endwalker and Dawntrail.
Do you need to buy the Complete Edition before Evercold? No. The Starter Edition is enough, because Evercold already includes Endwalker and Dawntrail. Square Enix says you need either the Starter or the Complete Edition.
Is there a physical edition of Evercold? Square Enix lists only digital editions of the game. The physical Collector’s Box holds display items with no game code.
Do you get early access with the Standard Edition? Yes, if you pre-order. Early access is a pre-order bonus on the Standard Edition, the Digital Collector’s Edition and the Collector’s Bundle.
Can you upgrade from Standard to the Collector’s Edition later? The Evercold product page lists no upgrade as of November 5, 2026. Square Enix has sold Collector’s Edition upgrades for earlier expansions, but has not announced one for Evercold.