When I first got into collecting skins in League, I remember feeling lost with all the space-themed ones. Dark Star and Dark Cosmic looked so alike at first, almost like Riot threw galaxies together.
I often mixed them up. The more I looked, the more I saw they’re not the same.
Dark Star leans into chaos and corruption, while Dark Cosmic shows guardians twisted into something darker. Both are cosmic, but they tell different sides of the same story.
In this guide, I’ll break down what each skin line represents, explain their lore and visuals, compare their key differences, and even cover pricing and availability.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what sets them apart and which vibe fits you best.
What Makes Dark Star Skins Unique?
Dark Star is one of the most recognizable skin lines in League of Legends. It takes the idea of champions being swallowed by a black hole and remakes them into living, destructive weapons.
These aren’t just alternate costumes, as they become void-born creatures driven by hunger and chaos.
Every Dark Star skin leans into the theme of corruption. The champions lose all sense of their old selves and return as cosmic destroyers.
Their designs feature deep purples, dark blues, and black hole effects, conveying that nothing can escape them.
The overall feel is menacing and unstoppable. Dark Star skins capture the idea of champions who are no longer human or celestial, but forces of pure annihilation.
What Defines Dark Cosmic Skins?
Dark Cosmic skins reveal what happens when cosmic guardians lose their purpose and succumb to corruption. Instead of being swallowed completely by the void, they twist into darker versions of themselves.
These champions keep some of their celestial identity, but it becomes warped and hostile.
The result is a mix of beauty and menace, where order has been broken and turned into something tragic.
The visuals lean on swirling galaxies, shattered starlight, and glowing cosmic shards. Unlike the raw chaos of Dark Star, Dark Cosmic feels more structured but equally unsettling.
This line tells the story of fallen protectors, beings who once defended the universe but now spread destruction under the influence of the Dark Star.
Dark Star vs Dark Cosmic: Key Differences
Dark Star and Dark Cosmic share the same universe but represent very different paths of corruption. To clarify the choice, these are the main areas where the two skin lines differ.
1. Lore Themes
Dark Star skins are about champions consumed by black holes and reborn as mindless destroyers. Their lore revolves around chaos, hunger, and endless destruction, leaving nothing behind.
Dark Cosmic skins tell a different story, focusing on guardians who once stood for order but have fallen into corruption.
They still carry pieces of their celestial identity, but those traces are warped and twisted, turning protectors into tragic enemies of the universe.
2. Champion Selection
Dark Star has a larger roster of champions, including Cho’Gath, Zoe, Kai’Sa, and Mordekaiser. It shows Riot’s focus on turning both monsters and humans into cosmic destroyers.
Dark Cosmic is significantly smaller, featuring champions such as Lissandra, Diana, and Lux.
These are tied more closely to celestial or guardian roles, which makes their fall into corruption more impactful in the overall lore.
3. Atmosphere and Tone
Dark Star sets a mood of relentless destruction, merciless and unstoppable, like the void spreading across the battlefield with no hope of escape.
In contrast, Dark Cosmic feels more tragic and somber, telling the story of once-noble guardians twisted into corrupted versions of themselves. This difference shifts the skin’s emotional feel.
Dark Star channels raw chaos and annihilation, while Dark Cosmic delivers the weight of a sorrowful downfall.
4. In-Game Effects
Dark Star skins often feature black hole particles, collapsing rifts, and eerie void echoes in sound design. Abilities feel heavy and consuming, matching their lore.
Dark Cosmic skins use swirling galaxies, glowing cosmic trails, and fractured starlight effects. They look smoother but still dangerous, creating a vibe of twisted elegance.
Both sets feel cosmic, but the way their VFX and SFX deliver the theme is noticeably different.
These differences show how Riot crafted two skin lines that feel connected but tell completely different stories.
5. Pricing and Availability
Dark Star skins usually sit at the Epic tier for 1350 RP, but the line also includes higher-tier options like the 1820 RP Legendary Sylas and the Mythic-tier Cho’Gath.
Some champions, like Diana and Malphite, even received Prestige versions through event tokens.
Dark Cosmic, on the other hand, has remained strictly at the Epic tier with no Prestige or higher-tier skins, and its roster is smaller and more limited.
Alongside Mythic Cho’Gath, Sylas also received a Legendary-tier release. I’ve broken this down fully in Dark Star Sylas Worth Buying: Release Date & Price, covering its cost, release date, and gameplay feel.
6. Visual Design
The two skin lines stand apart through their visual styles. Dark Star uses deep purples, dark blues, and void energy to embody chaos and destruction, creating a menacing and overwhelming look.
Dark Cosmic, by contrast, leans on shattered galaxies, glowing shards, and cosmic flares, giving its champions a tragic yet structured design.
While both feel threatening, Dark Star emphasizes raw chaos, whereas Dark Cosmic carries a haunting beauty.
Which One Should You Choose?
Deciding between Dark Star and Dark Cosmic can feel tricky since both share the same cosmic roots. The key is to focus on the style, mood, and availability that matter most to you.
- Choose Dark Star if you like chaotic, void-born themes.
- Pick Dark Cosmic for tragic, fallen-guardian vibes.
- Check your mains: Dark Star has more champions, Dark Cosmic fewer.
- Consider availability: Dark Star includes Mythic and Prestige, Dark Cosmic is simpler.
Conclusion
Dark Star and Dark Cosmic both draw from the same cosmic setting, but they tell very different stories through their designs.
Dark Star skins embody corruption and chaos, turning champions into void-driven destroyers.
In contrast, Dark Cosmic skins carry a more sorrowful tone, portraying fallen guardians who once protected the universe but now spread destruction after losing their purpose.
Both lines offer striking visuals, memorable lore, and a strong thematic presence.
Choosing between them depends on preference, whether you enjoy the merciless destruction of Dark Star or the tragic, haunting downfall of Dark Cosmic champions.
