| Battle.net Game | Steam Game | Owning Both | WINNER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| When you open "D2R.exe" | It runs alone & never opens the Bnet app. |
It forces Steam to open & remain opened while playing. Additional loading delays occur if offline due to D2R.exe><Steam internal communication. |
Battle.net | |
| What happens when Blizzard releases a Patch? | If running D2R.exe nothing. If opening bnet app with “never update” set, still nothing. | If Steam is opened, the patch is applied immediately. If Steam is closed, either opening Steam or starting D2R.exe both force check for game updates & will apply the patch immediately. | Battle.net | |
| Hard drive space used | Normal amount | +12GB more then Battle.net version | Battle.net | |
| CASC Fastloading in the Beta Launcher extracts all 42GB (150,000 files). How long does it take to apply? | Takes 5-15 minutes, depending on the speed of your CPU/SSD. Uses your own files - nothing is downloaded. | Takes 30-90 minutes, almost all 42GB must be downloaded file by file instead of local extraction due to Steam storage differences. | Battle.net | |
| What if you don't want to update your game for a few months? | 30Day limit, due to DRM | 30Day limit, due to DRM | You can play a Battle.net version forever due to the shared DRM key. Just launch Steam's version to reset the Battle.net's 30day DRM. | Owning Both |
| What if you own a Steamdeck? | Few extra steps you have to take to get it to work. | Native support, also better framerates! | Steam | |
| Overall winner? | Faster loading, no forced patches when using D2R.exe shortcut. Reconsider if you own a Steamdeck though. | You can uninstall the battle.net app entirely. Much better if using a Steamdeck. | You can play an old mod version forever using the battle.net game, by opening Steam's D2R.exe once a month during the 30day drm. | Battle.net |
1. This Assumes Battle.net has DLC, to compete considering Steam's DLC only.
2. Ignoring price differences. Prices can & will change, also someone owning neither will have to spend $40 right now regardless.
3. Ignoring platform favoritism bias. Loving or hating one platform alone is irrelevant.
Click Here to go to the Battle.net Installation Guide for installing Diablo II Resurrected.
Click Here to go to the Steam Installation Guide for installing Diablo II Resurrected.
If your game is already installed, visit the Installation Guide for installing the Reimagined Mod.