Master skin

Master skins were a type of skins that could be obtained only after a player reached level 10 with the respective hero. They had a price of and could not be bought in other way. Every Hero released prior to Genji had one Master skin, with three tints per skin.

Getting Master skins through progression was removed with Heroes 2.0 and replaced with Hero Mastery Taunts. All Master skins at that moment became regular Rare skins, and every skin received its unique name: For example Master Alarak is now called Highlord Alarak and Master Chromie is now called Timewalker Chromie. They can now be obtained in regular way, i.e. be bought for at any level or won by Loot Chests. On October 15, 2019, Mastery Rings were added as another way for players to show off their mastery of individual Heroes.

Blizzard on removing Master skins
When we originally added master skins to Heroes of the Storm, they were intended to help you flaunt your depth of experience and time investment with your favorite heroes. However, when we re-evaluated master skins, we realized that there were several places where we could make improvements.

Master skins created situations where players had to choose between unlocking a hero or unlocking a master skin, which was a battle that heroes won far more often. Additionally, once players purchased a master skin, they'd then have to choose whether to use it or another skin in-game. This meant they couldn’t visually display their prowess with a hero in-game if there was a non-master skin they liked better.

These issues combined resulted in far fewer players unlocking and using master skins in-game than we had expected. Most players who had access to master skins did not unlock them, and most players who did unlock them would not primarily use that skin during their matches.

In Heroes 2.0, we decided to move to a new system that highlights your prowess with your favorite heroes so that you don't have to make those difficult decisions.

With Heroes of the Storm 2.0 on the horizon, we're excited to bring you a new method to flaunt your dedication to the Heroes you own: Hero Mastery Taunts!

Assassins
Click expand to view the Assassin's master skin
 * Alarak
 * Backstory: The Highlord's armor serves as both ceremonial adornment and as a conduit of raw power. Adorned with blood shards and fueled by terrazine, it channels Alarak's fury directly into his blades.

Warriors
Click expand to view the Warrior's master skin
 * Anub'arak
 * Backstory:

Supports
Click expand to view the Support's master skin
 * Auriel
 * Backstory: It is said that the power of the Nexus amplifies what lies within a warrior's heart. While Auriel's countenance has changed, the light of Hope within her is more resplendent than ever.

Specialists
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 * Abathur
 * Backstory: Evolution is a process that's unending. Survival requires adaptation. Even Abathur, a master of manipulating evolution itself, is no exception to this cardinal rule of nature.

Multiclass
Click expand to view the Multiclass' master skin
 * Varian
 * Backstory: The Lion has long been associated with the nation of Stormwind and the House of Wrynn. It is a symbol of courage, dignity and ferocity; truly befitting for the High King.