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Diablo 2: Resurrected Runes and Runewords explained, plus the best Runewords in Diablo 2Diablo 2’s Runewords are a key component of the gear system - here’s how they work
Diablo 2’s Runewords are a key component of the gear system - here’s how they work
Trying to wrap your head around Runes in Diablo 2: Resurrected?Runes are the cornerstone of Diablo 2’s gear system. As there are no balance changes inDiablo 2: Resurrected, longtime players will be familiar. If you’re new, however, this system will look entirely unfamiliar, even if you’ve played Diablo 3 orPath of Exile. There’s nothing quite like Diablo 2’s Rune system in the ARPG genre. If you’re having trouble wrapping your head around the quirks of Runes and Runewords, we’re here to help.
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Runes Explained
In Diablo 2, many gear pieces will drop with one or more sockets. You can fill those sockets with Gems, Jewels, and Runes. Each of these socketable items provides different stat bonuses depending on the type of gear they are socketed into. Runes, however, have some additional properties that make them uniquely powerful.
Runes in Diablo 2 each have names, like Nef, Tal, or Shael. On their own, Runes provide stat bonuses to gear. However, combining certain Runes in the correct order on normal rarity gear will transform the item into a powerful Runeword. These potent items carry over some of their base stats and take on the properties of the Runeword embedded within. Runewords can ONLY be created from normal (white name) quality items with EXACTLY the required number of sockets to create the word.
For example: take a normal scimitar with two sockets and insert the Runes Tir and El to create the Steel Runeword. This version of Steel you’ve created will keep the base stats (damage, attack speed, attribute requirements) of the scimitar, and gain:
As you can see, this is a massive power upgrade over a basic Scimitar. Steel in particular is a great early game Runeword, as the bleed effect from Open Wounds provides a lot of free damage that will scale with your character’s level. Runewords create huge power spikes for your character and can help carry you through the game when your other gear is lacking.
Best Runewords in Diablo 2: Resurrected
To help you figure out which Runes to be on the lookout for, we’ve compiled some of the best Runewords in Diablo 2. These particular combinations are powerful options on many build types, though some will be best-in-slot in certain cases. Steel, mentioned above, makes for one of the best early-game weapons on most melee builds. The rest of our list is ordered alphabetically below. Remember, the listed Runes must be socketed into a normal item with the exact number of required slots in the exact listed order.
Ancient’s Pledge (shield)
Ancient’s Pledge is one of the best overall shields in the game and should be an early target for all shield users. The huge resist bonuses are invaluable. The added mana sustain is the cherry on top.
Chains of Honor (body armor)
Chains of Honor is arguably the best armor in the game, with Fortitude and Enigma as its closest competitors. +2 to all skills is a huge bonus on basically any build, magic find is heavily desired for farming, and every other stat is generically useful on essentially any character. Chains of Honor is even best-in-slot on most mercenaries. You can hardly go wrong with this Runeword, though keep in mind it’s a late-game target.
Enigma (body armor)
Enigma may not have the stats to keep up with Chains of Honor, but it makes up for that with Teleport. If your build doesn’t provide good mobility, Enigma is going to feel incredible. Not getting hit also happens to be the best defense in the game, and Enigma is a huge help in that department. Whether speed and comfort are worth the trade-off of skipping Chains of Honor is up to you.
Fortitude (body armor, weapons)
Both body armor and weapons:
Weapons:
Armor:
Fortitude is one of a few Runewords that can be used in multiple gear slots, but it’s typically used in body armor. The raw stats on Fortitude armor are just absurd. On builds that don’t scale well with skill levels, that 300% damage bonus will actually provide more than Chains of Honor too. Chains is usually better, but Fortitude is great on the right build.
Grief (swords and axes)
Grief is hard to get your hands on, but it’s the best weapon choice on many melee builds. It provides a pile of stats, but don’t overlook “Ignore Target’s Defense.” That is just a massive damage increase against Hell difficulty targets. If you can get your hands on a 5 socket weapon, build Grief right away.
Insight (polearms and staves)
Leaf (staves)
Leaf is a great leveling weapon on pretty much all Sorceress builds. Even if you’re planning on playing a cold or lightning Sorceress, the fire skills are great to use early on then spec out of later. Leaf will provide you a nice damage boost if that’s your plan.
Sanctuary (shield)
Sanctuary is an excellent shield for characters planning to max out their block chance at 75%. You’ll get some nice defenses, block rate, and block chance. This is a quality midgame target for many Paladin builds.
Smoke (body armor)
Smoke is a great midgame body armor that can hold you over until you get your hands on your endgame target. +50 to all resists is massive for a single item slot, and the Weaken skill will help reduce incoming physical damage. Plus, Smoke is easy to create with only two Runes. Keep an eye out for two-socket body armor as you near the end of Normal difficulty.
Stealth (body armor)
Stealth is the best body armor you can build for casters in the early game. While you get fewer defenses than with Smoke, the mana regen and faster casting rate are tremendously valuable stats. Plus, you can get these Runes and equip Stealth much earlier than Smoke. Some players will hang onto their Stealth well into the higher difficulties.
That’s it for Runes and Runewords in Diablo 2! This list is meant to be a starting point rather than exhaustive, so get out there and explore the game to find more great Runewords for your build. Speaking of builds, if you don’t yet have a character picked out check out ourguide to the best classes and builds in Diablo 2: Resurrected. Once you’re ready to farm up those Runes, hit up our guide to thebest farming spotstoo! We’ve even got a guide to finding thesecret cow levelif you’ve never yet witnessed the silliness in person.
