General
Runeword Bases & Shopping Guide
Guide to the best runeword base items, where to find them, mercenary equipment, and essential vendor shopping items.
Overview
The right base item can make or break a runeword. Zero-socket bases are often more valuable than pre-socketed ones since Larzuk guarantees maximum sockets on normal quality items. Ethereal bases are ideal for mercenary weapons since mercs do not lose durability.
The most valuable base items to keep. Click any item to view its full stats and socket information.
| Base Item | Sockets | Best Runewords | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monarch | 4 | Spirit | Hell Cows, WSK, Chaos |
| Crystal Sword | 4 | Spirit | Normal Cows (ilvl 26–40) |
| Flail | 4 | Heart of the Oak | NM/Hell anywhere |
| Thresher (Eth) | 4, 5 | Infinity, Insight | Hell Cows, WSK |
| Giant Thresher (Eth) | 4, 5 | Infinity, Insight | Hell Cows, WSK |
| Cryptic Axe (Eth) | 4, 5 | Infinity, Insight | Hell Cows, WSK |
| Colossus Voulge (Eth) | 4 | Insight (budget) | Hell anywhere |
| Mage Plate | 3 | Enigma | Hell anywhere |
| Archon Plate / Dusk Shroud | 3, 4 | Enigma, Fortitude, Chains of Honor | Hell Cows, Hell anywhere |
| Sacred Targe (45@ AR) | 4 | Spirit (Paladin) | Hell Cows, TC85 areas |
| Phase Blade | 5, 6 | Grief, Passion | Hell Cows, Hell anywhere |
| Berserker Axe | 5, 6 | Grief, Death | Hell Cows, TC85 areas |
| Grim Wand (+3 BS/LR) | 2 | White | Hell anywhere |
| Grand Matron Bow | 4 | Faith | Hell Cows, Hell anywhere |
| Runic Talons (+3 skills) | 3 | Mosaic | Hell Cows, Hell anywhere |
Essential items to shop from vendors. Leave town and return to reset inventory.
| Item | Where to Shop | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Teleport Staff | Ormus (A3 NM/Hell) | Mobility for non-Sorc; Uber access |
| Life Tap Wand | Drognan (A2 NM), Ormus (A3 NM) | Uber Tristram survival |
| Lower Resist Wand | Drognan (A2 NM), Ormus (A3 NM) | Break immunities |
| +3 Warcry Weapons | Malah (A5 NM/Hell) | BO prebuff on switch |
| 3/20 Java Gloves | Anya (A5 NM/Hell) | Javazon gear |
| +3 Trap Claws | Anya (A5 NM/Hell) | Trapsin gear |
- Zero-socket bases are often more valuable than pre-socketed — Larzuk guarantees max sockets on normal quality items.
- Ethereal bases are ideal for mercenary weapons since mercs do not lose durability.
- Phase Blade is indestructible, making it the best Grief base for players.
- Paladin shields with 40+ All Resist are extremely valuable as Spirit bases.
- Normal Cows (ilvl 26–40) produce 4-socket Crystal Swords — the easiest early Spirit base.
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