Although the runes will be destroyed, they can sometimes be much more easily replaced than the armor or weapon: for example, the runes needed for the Spirit Rune Word are very common but a Sacred Targe ( Paladin Only) with All Resistances +45 is much rarer.Īll 78 enabled Rune Words are listed alphabetically in the table below, although they can also be sorted by number of sockets, patch and minimum required level. Since Rune Words can have variable bonuses, in the event of an unfavorable roll the Horadric Cube can also be used to remove the Rune Word for another attempt. This can be (ab)used to create Rune Word armor with extremely high defense: for example, a Prudence body armor's (140-170)% Enhanced Defense would result in (2,628-3,645) defense when made in the socketed ethereal Sacred Armor. This is only recommended when they are to be used by a mercenary (since they will not lose durability), or they are Indestructible ( Breath of the Dying, Death, Eternity or Oath weapon) or Repair Durability ( Exile auric shield or Prudence body armor).Įthereal normal armor socketed using the Horadric Cube applies the ethereal defense bonus a second time: for example, normal Sacred Armor has (487-600) base defense so ethereal Sacred Armor has (730-900), but after socketing it will have (1,095-1,350). Rune Words can also be made in ethereal items for increased base defense or damage and decreased requirements and durability, although they cannot be repaired or recharged.

It is best to repair an item before using it to make a Rune Word, since the cost can increase significantly once rune and Rune Word bonuses have been added (particularly if the item is superior, or has its own skill bonuses). Rune Words can benefit from the bonuses of up to 6 runes, and can have up to 7 bonuses of their own, which can make them extremely powerful (particularly when made in Elite armor and weapons).

Since runes cannot be recovered once they have been placed in sockets, proceed with caution.

Enabled patch (Single Player and Other Multiplayer) and game mode (some are Ladder only).

Low, normal or superior quality socketed item (excluding Wirt's Leg).

Rune Words can be made by placing runes in the sockets of an item ( helm, body armor, weapon or shield), but only when all the following conditions are met:

Diablo 2 runewords by level