Which Edition Should You Buy? — Standard vs Deluxe vs Collector's

AC Black Flag Resynced edition comparison

AC Black Flag Resynced launches July 9 with three editions. If you're staring at the store page trying to decide which one is right for you, we've broken down exactly what you get — and what's actually worth the money.

Edition Comparison at a Glance

Feature	Standard ($59.99)	Deluxe ($79.99)	Collector's (Varies)
Base Game	✓	✓	✓
Pre-load (48h before launch)	✓	✓	✓
Blackbeard's Crimson Pack (pre-order)	✓	✓	✓
Master Assassin Character Pack	—	✓	✓
Master Assassin Naval Pack	—	✓	✓
Physical Collectibles	—	—	✓

All three editions are available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Ubisoft Store, Steam, Epic Games Store).

What's Actually in Each Pack

Blackbeard's Crimson Pack (All Editions — Pre-Order Bonus)

Pre-ordering any edition gets you this pack, themed around the legendary pirate himself:

Blackbeard-inspired character outfit for Edward
Crimson sail set — your Jackdaw cuts a terrifying silhouette on the horizon
Unique figurehead matching the Blackbeard aesthetic
Weapon skin — a cosmetic override for your equipped weapon

This is a pre-order exclusive. If you buy after July 9, you miss it. If you're planning to buy the game anyway, pre-ordering the Standard edition locks this in at no extra cost.

Master Assassin Character Pack (Deluxe & Collector's)

Edward gets the full Assassin treatment:

Master Assassin costume — a distinct Edward outfit with its own visual identity
Unique sword skin — cosmetic weapon override
Unique pistol skin — cosmetic ranged weapon override
Unique trinket — an equipable item with unique gameplay perks (not just cosmetic)

The trinket is the standout here. It's the only Deluxe item that actually affects gameplay rather than just looks.

Master Assassin Naval Pack (Deluxe & Collector's)

Your Jackdaw gets a coordinated Assassin-themed makeover:

Sail set — Assassin insignia sails
Ship's wheel — unique cosmetic
Figurehead — matching Assassin-themed figurehead

All cosmetic. If you don't care how your ship looks, this pack adds nothing functional.

Collector's Edition — Physical Goods

The Collector's Edition includes everything in the Deluxe Edition plus physical collectibles. The specific items and price vary by region, so check your local retailer's listing. Typical inclusions for Ubisoft Collector's Editions include a statue, art book, steelbook case, and a soundtrack — but we won't know the exact contents until Ubisoft publishes the full unboxing closer to launch.

Platform-Specific Perks

Xbox Deluxe Pre-Order Bonus

If you're on Xbox Series X|S and pre-order the Deluxe Edition through the Microsoft Store, you also get:

$5 Xbox gift card
Resource Pack — instantly upgrades the Jackdaw with materials to jump-start your early-game naval power

This is a platform-specific promotion. PlayStation and PC Deluxe pre-orders don't include it. The Resource Pack in particular is worth noting — it essentially lets you skip the early-game resource grind and field a stronger Jackdaw from the start.

Which One Should You Buy?

Standard Edition — Best for Budget

Buy this if: You just want to play the game. The base experience is complete — all missions, all upgrades, all legendary ships, all content. The Deluxe extras are purely cosmetic with one exception (the trinket perk).

Pre-order it: The Blackbeard's Crimson Pack is free with any pre-order. There's no reason to wait until launch day if you know you're buying the Standard Edition.

Deluxe Edition — Best Value (Our Pick)

Buy this if: You want the complete digital experience and the $20 difference doesn't break the bank. Here's the math:

The Master Assassin Character Pack includes a trinket with unique gameplay perks — this is the only non-cosmetic Deluxe item, and it could meaningfully affect your build.
On Xbox, the Resource Pack alone justifies the upgrade. Jump-starting your Jackdaw saves hours of early-game farming.
The cosmetic packs (both Assassin and Crimson) are quality — they're not recolors. The Assassin sails and Blackbeard outfit are distinct designs worth showing off.

For $20, we think the Deluxe Edition is the sweet spot. You're getting a gameplay-affecting trinket, two full cosmetic packs, and the Blackbeard pack, plus the Xbox perks if you're on that platform.

Collector's Edition — For Die-Hard Fans

Buy this if: Black Flag is your favorite game of all time and you want a physical memento on your shelf. The Collector's Edition is about the physical goods — the digital content is identical to Deluxe. Wait for the full contents reveal before committing, and be ready for a price tag in the $100–$200+ range depending on what's in the box.

Don't Forget — Pre-Load

All three editions include pre-load access 48 hours before launch (July 7). That means you can download the full game ahead of time and start playing the moment servers go live on July 9. No waiting on a 70GB+ download while your friends are already sailing.