How do Runewords work Diablo 2 Resurrected? Best early combinations

For those who are new to the Diablo 2 experience, the game can be complicated and unforgiving. Diablo 2 Resurrected takes us back to a time where players needed to grind for their loot and discover a variety of systems, from why attacks keep missing, to the not-so-easy task of resetting their skills and stats. Most gamers, however, know that Diablo 2 Resurrected is all about the loot, and one loot system that might be very confusing to new players is Runewords.

In this guide, we explain how you can combine Runes you've picked up on your journey into Sanctuary, creating early Runeword items to decimate the legions of the Burning Hells. Let's kick things off with the requirements for successfully creating Runewords.

How to create Runewords in Diablo 2 Resurrected

While slaying the undead and demons of Sanctuary, Runes will inevitably drop. These are important items for players to get geared up with but they aren't easy to understand.

With Runes, players can create Runeword items, powerful relics that can bolster your character's strength. 

The rules and requirements for creating Runewords are quite intricate:

• Base items used to create Runewords must be gray text items, this includes normal, exception, elite, low quality and superior. While Ethereal can also be used, we recommend you don't as they can't be repaired.
• You can't use Magic, Rare, Set, Unique or Crafted items.
• The item must be of the correct type.
• The base item must have the correct number of sockets.

Let's use the Leaf Runeword as an example for casters level 19 and above. 

To create Leaf (TirRal) in Diablo 2 Resurrected, you first need to find a base staff with grey text, and two sockets. You also need to find the two Runes, Tir and Ral.

Once you have all the required items, place Tir in the base staff first, followed by Ral. If you place the Runes in the correct order, or in a magic item, the Runes will be stuck in the base, and you won't get the actual Runeword weapon. You can use the Horadric Cube to remove Runes from the sockets of an item with the Hel Rune + Scroll of Town Portal + Item recipe, but your precious Runes will be lost.

YouTuber Dbrunski125 has a brilliant, detailed via showcasing how Runewords work in Diablo 2 Resurrected, including early combinations and farming in Normal mode, which you can check out below to learn more.

Keep in mind that in Diablo 2 Resurrected, previously ladder-only Runewords can be used in singleplayer as well. 

Early Runeword combinations in Diablo 2 Resurrected

Now that you know how to create Runewords, it's time to dive into some early Runeword combinations, putting your acquired Runes and knowledge to the test.

Some of the early Runewords you can create in Diablo 2 Resurrected, as per PureDiablo, can be viewed below. Images via YouTuber Time TV's video.

Malice (IthElEth) - Requiring Ith + El + Eth and a melee weapon with three sockets (level 15 to use).

• +33% Enhanced Damage
• +9 to Maximum Damage
• -25% Target Defense
• +50 to Attack Rating
• 100% Chance of Open wounds
• Prevent Monster Heal
• -100 to Monster Defense Per Hit
• Drain Life -5

Nadir (NefTir) - Requiring Nef + Tir and headgear with two sockets (level 13 to use).

• +50% Enhanced Defense
• +10 Defense
• +30 Defense vs. Missile
• +5 to Strength
• +2 to Mana after each Kill
• -33% Extra Gold from Monsters
• -3 to Light Radius
• Level 13 Cloak of Shadows (9 charges)

Steel (TirEl) - Requiring Tir + El and a base sword, mace or axe with two sockets (level 13 to use).

• +25% Increased Attack Speed
• +20% Enhanced Damage
• +3 to Minimum Damage
• +3 to Maximum Damage
• +50 to Attack Rating
• 50% Chance of Open Wounds
• +2 to Mana after each Kill
• +1 to Light Radius

Stealth (TalEth) - Requiring Tal + Eth and armour with two sockets (level 17 to use).

• +25% Faster Run/Walk
• +25% Faster Casting Rate
• +25% Faster Hit Recovery
• +6 to Dexterity
• Regenerate Mana 15%
• +15 Maximum Stamina
• Poison Resist +30%
• Magic Damage Reduced by 3

Check out the video from YouTuber Time TV below for even more Runewords in Diablo 2 Resurrected!

With this guide, you should be well on your way to understanding Runewords in Diablo 2 Resurrected. 

• Read more: Why do attacks miss in Diablo 2 Resurrected?

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