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
Monarch4SpiritHell Cows, WSK, Chaos
Crystal Sword4SpiritNormal Cows (ilvl 26–40)
Flail4Heart of the OakNM/Hell anywhere
Thresher (Eth)4, 5Infinity, InsightHell Cows, WSK
Giant Thresher (Eth)4, 5Infinity, InsightHell Cows, WSK
Cryptic Axe (Eth)4, 5Infinity, InsightHell Cows, WSK
Colossus Voulge (Eth)4Insight (budget)Hell anywhere
Mage Plate3EnigmaHell anywhere
Archon Plate / Dusk Shroud3, 4Enigma, Fortitude, Chains of HonorHell Cows, Hell anywhere
Sacred Targe (45@ AR)4Spirit (Paladin)Hell Cows, TC85 areas
Phase Blade5, 6Grief, PassionHell Cows, Hell anywhere
Berserker Axe5, 6Grief, DeathHell Cows, TC85 areas
Grim Wand (+3 BS/LR)2WhiteHell anywhere
Grand Matron Bow4FaithHell Cows, Hell anywhere
Runic Talons (+3 skills)3MosaicHell Cows, Hell anywhere

Essential items to shop from vendors. Leave town and return to reset inventory.

Item Where to Shop Use
Teleport StaffOrmus (A3 NM/Hell)Mobility for non-Sorc; Uber access
Life Tap WandDrognan (A2 NM), Ormus (A3 NM)Uber Tristram survival
Lower Resist WandDrognan (A2 NM), Ormus (A3 NM)Break immunities
+3 Warcry WeaponsMalah (A5 NM/Hell)BO prebuff on switch
3/20 Java GlovesAnya (A5 NM/Hell)Javazon gear
+3 Trap ClawsAnya (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.
More Guides
General Beginner's Guide to D2R General Common Diablo 2 Resurrected Terms General Magic Find Guide General Runeword Guide General Leveling Guide General Mercenary Guide Endgame Uber Tristram Guide History History of Diablo 2 General Renewed Sundering Charms Guide Amazon Lightning Fury Amazon Build Guide Amazon Lightning Strike Amazon Build Guide Amazon Strafe Amazon Build Guide Amazon Multiple Shot Amazon Build Guide Amazon Freezing Arrow Amazon Build Guide Amazon Exploding Arrow Amazon Build Guide Amazon Plague Javelin Amazon Build Guide Amazon Jab / Fend Amazon Build Guide Assassin Lightning Sentry Assassin Build Guide Assassin Dragon Talon Assassin Build Guide Assassin Wake of Fire Assassin Build Guide Assassin Dragon Tail Assassin Build Guide Assassin Fire Blast Assassin Build Guide Assassin Phoenix Strike Assassin Build Guide Assassin Blade Assassin Build Guide Assassin Rift Assassin Build Guide Assassin Whirlwind Assassin Build Guide Barbarian Berserk Barbarian Build Guide Barbarian Whirlwind Barbarian Build Guide Barbarian Double Throw Barbarian Build Guide Barbarian Frenzy Barbarian Build Guide Barbarian War Cry Barbarian Build Guide Barbarian Gold Find Barbarian Build Guide Barbarian Leap Attack Barbarian Build Guide Barbarian Werewolf Barbarian Build Guide Druid Fissure Druid Build Guide Druid Wind Druid Build Guide Druid Fury Druid Build Guide Druid Summon Druid Build Guide Druid Maul Druid Build Guide Druid Rabies Druid Build Guide Druid Fire Claws Druid Build Guide Druid Shock Wave Druid Build Guide Necromancer Poison Nova Necromancer Build Guide Necromancer Summon Necromancer Build Guide Necromancer Bone Spear Necromancer Build Guide Paladin Blessed Hammer Paladin Build Guide Paladin Fist of the Heavens Paladin Build Guide Paladin Smite Paladin Build Guide Paladin Zeal Paladin Build Guide Paladin Dream Paladin Build Guide Paladin Holy Fire Paladin Build Guide Sorceress Blizzard Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Lightning Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Fire Ball / Meteor Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Nova Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Enchant Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Frozen Orb Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Meteor / Frozen Orb Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Frost Nova Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Hydra Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Fire Wall Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Fire Ball / Nova Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Werebear Sorceress Build Guide Sorceress Zeal Sorceress Build Guide Warlock Mirrored Blades Warlock Build Guide Warlock Echoing Strike Warlock Build Guide Warlock Fire Warlock Build Guide Warlock Abyss Warlock Build Guide Warlock Blood Boil Warlock Build Guide Warlock Summoner Warlock Build Guide Leveling Amazon Leveling Guide Leveling Assassin Leveling Guide Leveling Barbarian Leveling Guide Leveling Druid Leveling Guide Leveling Necromancer Leveling Guide Leveling Paladin Leveling Guide Leveling Sorceress Leveling Guide Leveling Abyss Warlock Leveling Guide Leveling Fire Warlock Leveling Guide