Steel, mentioned above, makes for one of the best early-game weapons on most melee builds. These particular combinations are powerful options on many build types, though some will be best-in-slot in certain cases. To help you figure out which Runes to be on the lookout for, we’ve compiled some of the best Runewords in Diablo 2. Runewords create huge power spikes for your character and can help carry you through the game when your other gear is lacking. 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. This version of Steel you’ve created will keep the base stats (damage, attack speed, attribute requirements) of the scimitar, and gain:Īs you can see, this is a massive power upgrade over a basic Scimitar. Runewords can ONLY be created from normal (white name) quality items with EXACTLY the required number of sockets to create the word.įor example: take a normal scimitar with two sockets and insert the Runes Tir and El to create the Steel Runeword. These potent items carry over some of their base stats and take on the properties of the Runeword embedded within. However, combining certain Runes in the correct order on normal rarity gear will transform the item into a powerful Runeword.

On their own, Runes provide stat bonuses to gear. Runes in Diablo 2 each have names, like Nef, Tal, or Shael. Runes, however, have some additional properties that make them uniquely powerful. Each of these socketable items provides different stat bonuses depending on the type of gear they are socketed into. You can fill those sockets with Gems, Jewels, and Runes. In Diablo 2, many gear pieces will drop with one or more sockets.

If you’re having trouble wrapping your head around the quirks of Runes and Runewords, we’re here to help. There’s nothing quite like Diablo 2’s Rune system in the ARPG genre. If you’re new, however, this system will look entirely unfamiliar, even if you’ve played Diablo 3 or Path of Exile. As there are no balance changes in Diablo 2: Resurrected, longtime players will be familiar. Trying to wrap your head around Runes in Diablo 2: Resurrected? Runes are the cornerstone of Diablo 2’s gear system.

Diablo 2 rune word weapons