Runeword Weapons

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Weapons selected for runewords are almost always chosen for their damage. Elite weapons of whatever type a character uses best, based on the str/dex requirements, attack speed, range, etc. Ethereal items are the best choices for runewords to be equipped on Mercs, or ones involving the Zod rune. Bowazons generally want to use their class specific bows for the +Bow skill tree bonuses.

To Make a Runeword

1. Items used for Runewords must be gray text items, normal, exceptional, or Elite. Low Quality, Superior, and Ethereal can be used, but you can not use magical, Rare, Set, Crafted, or Unique items, even if they have the correct number of sockets.
2. The item must be of the correct type.
3. The item must have exactly the correct number of sockets -- no more.
4. You must socket the Runes in the correct order.

Notes:

• The Runes fill the sockets in numerical order automatically, i.e. in the order 1, 2, 3, .... For example, trying to place the third Rune of a Runeword into the third socket while sockets 1 and 2 are empty will result in the Rune filling socket 1, contrary to intentions. As mentioned elsewhere, it is possible to remove an item from a socket, but the item is destroyed in the process.
• The Runeword Preparation Recipes tune equipment for receiving Runewords.
• Check the Rune FAQ for further help.

Weapon Types

Weapons are divided into various sub-categories by runewords. Be sure you're using a type of weapon that will work with that runeword.

Maces

Some runewords work in all weapons, or all melee weapons, or all ranged weapons (bows/xbows). Others are more specific. "Maces" is a term used in the game, but it's deceptive since it only applies to some blunt weapons. The Mace, Morning Star, Flail, and Exceptional/Elite versions of those items are "maces." "Clubs" and "Hammers" are different, when it comes to runeword eligibility, and the Club, Spiked Club, War Hammer, Mauls, and Great Maul, or the excep/elite versions of those weapons will not work with "mace" runewords. Nor will any type of scepter.

Strength in Diablo I and Diablo II is used to increase damage and wield melee weapons as well as armor. Strength is one of the first vital attributes complemented with Dexterity to wield weapons and wear armor. Although Strength does allow the usage of heavier, stronger equipment, Strength only upgrades damage slightly.

Stacking

This Strength attribute can be upgraded using a variety of spells, charms, armor and even weapons to accomodate such burden, but considering armor and weapons, those traits can only be activated if they are equipped. Once uneqquipped, the trait will not be in effect towards your strength. This is noticed by the blue highlight in your Strength Skill level, if white, no enchantments are effecting strength. If, for example you try to equip on a belt with the prerequisites of 110 Strength and you have 110 strength only by the equip of another belt, you would have to level up in able to wear your desired belt without the need of the enchantments from your previous belt. The same goes with any other armor or weapon. However, in the terms of charms, they are automatically activated as long as they are within your inventory. If placed in the stash, they will not activate.

Compared to Other Classes

In most cases, the Barbarians are the most effective by the use of the Strength Attributes. They need large proportions of their stat points consumed by strength in able to carry the largest weapons and deal the most damage. In opposite to that, a Necromancer or a Sorceress would be least likely to derive any such strength skills as they use more brain than brawn.

Other Interesting Characteristics

Strength may only slightly increase damage, but it increases damage for the two skill factors that you have selected on your screen. The Top indicator is your left selected skill, while the Bottom indicator is your right. If considering that a Barbarian was holding two weapons, the indicator would have two different damage mins and maxes for each weapon. Strength also increases damage for any future skills that you may use as default.

• There is also a weapon runeword named Strength.

Runeword	Stats	Comments	Active In
			v1.11+	v1.10	v1.09
Black ThulIoNef Thul (10) + Io (16) + Nef (4) Clubs, Hammers, Maces {3} Clvl Required: 35	+15% Increased Attack Speed +120% Enhanced Damage +200 to Attack Rating Adds 3-14 Cold Damage (3 sec) 40% Chance of Crushing Blow Knockback +10 to Vitality Magic Damage Reduced By 2 Level 4 Corpse Explosion (12 Charges)	See it here.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fury JahGulEth Jah (31) + Gul (25) + Eth (5) All Melee Weapons {3} Clvl Required: 65	40% Increased Attack Speed +209% Enhanced Damage Ignores Target Defense -25% Target Defense 20% Bonus to Attack Rating 6% Life Stolen Per Hit 33% Chance Of Deadly Strike 66% Chance Of Open Wounds +5 To Frenzy (Barbarian Only) Prevent Monster Heal	See it here.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Holy Thunder EthRalOrtTal Eth (5) + Ral (8) + Ort (9) + Tal (7) Scepters {4} Clvl Required: 23	+60% Enhanced Damage +10 to Maximum Damage -25% Target Defense Adds 5-30 Fire Damage Adds 21-110 Lightning Damage +75 Poison Damage over 5 secs +3 to Holy Shock (Paladin Only) +5% to Maximum Lightning Resist Lightning Resist +60% Level 7 Chain Lightning (60 charges)	See it here.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Honor AmnElIthTirSol Amn (11) + El (1) + Ith (6) + Tir (3) + Sol (12) All Melee Weapons {5} Clvl Required: 27	+1 to all skills +160% Enhanced Damage +9 to Minimum Damage +9 to Maximum Damage +250 Attack Rating 7% Life Stolen per Hit 25% Deadly Strike +10 to Strength Replenish life +10 +2 to Mana after each Kill +1 to Light Radius	See it here.	Yes	Yes	Yes
King's Grace AmnRalThul Amn (11) + Ral (8) + Thul (10) Swords & Scepters {3} Clvl Required: 25	+100% Enhanced Damage +150 to Attack Rating +100% Damage to Demons +100 to Attack Rating against Demons +50% Damage to Undead +100 to Attack Rating against Undead Adds 5-30 Fire Damage Adds 3-14 Cold damage 7% Life stolen per hit	See it here.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Leaf TirRal Tir (3) + Ral (8) Staves {2} Clvl Required: 19	+3 to Fire Skills Adds 5-30 Fire Damage +3 to Inferno (Sorceress Only) +3 to Warmth (Sorceress Only) +3 to Fire Bolt (Sorceress Only) +(2*Clvl) Defence (Based on Character Level) Cold Resist +33% +2 to Mana after each Kill	+ To Sorceress skill levels.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Malice IthElEth Ith (6) + El (1) + Eth (5) All Melee Weapons {3} Clvl Required: 15	+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	Life drain is the opposite of life regeneration. With this you will lose 1 hp about every 2 seconds. See it here.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Melody ShaelKoNef Shael (13) + Ko (18) + Nef (4) Bows & Crossbows {3} Clvl Required: 39	+3 To Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only) +20% Increased Attack Speed +50% Enhanced Damage +300% Damage To Undead +3 To Slow Missiles (Amazon Only) +3 To Dodge (Amazon Only) +3 To Critical Strike (Amazon Only) Knockback +10 To Dexterity	+ To Amazon skill levels.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Memory LumIoSolEth Lum (17) + Io (16) + Sol (12) + Eth (5) Staves {4} Clvl Required: 37	+3 To Sorceress Skill Levels +33% Faster Cast Rate +9 To Minimum Damage -25% Target Defence +3 To Energy Shield (Sorceress Only) +2 To Static Field (Sorceress Only) +50% Enhanced Defense +10 Vitality +10 Energy Increase Maximum Mana 20% Magic Damage Reduced By 7	+ To Sorceress skill levels.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Silence DolEldHelIstTirVex Dol (14) + Eld (2) + Hel (15) + Ist (24) + Tir (3) + Vex (26) All Ranged & Melee Weapons {6} Clvl Required: 55	+2 to All Skills +20% Increased Attack Speed +20% Faster Hit Recovery +200% Enhanced Damage +75% Damage To Undead +50 to Attack Rating Against Undead 11% Mana Stolen Per Hit Hit Blinds Target +33 Hit Causes Monster to Flee 25% All Resistances +75 +2 to Mana After Each Kill 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items Requirements -20%	See it here.	Yes	Yes	Yes
Steel TirEl Tir (3) + El (1) Swords, Axes, Maces {2} Clvl Required: 13	+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	See it here.	Yes	Yes	Yes

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