Diablo 2: Resurrected Gets New Runewords and 25 Years of Diablo
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Diablo 2: Resurrected Gets New Runewords and 25 Years of Diablo

Diablo 2: Resurrected gets four new Runewords revealed for the upcoming 2.4 Patch. Today, we take a look at these exciting new items.

Diablo 2: Resurrected Gets New Runewords and 25 Years of Diablo

  • Genre: Action-RPG
  • Developed by: Vicarious Visions & Blizzard Entertainment
  • Published by: Activision Blizzard
  • Release Date: September 23, 2021
  • Patch Date: To be Announced
  • Platforms: Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Silhouette

We finally have some more concrete information on the new additions for Diablo 2: Resurrected’s 2.4 Patch. This week, a few content creators revealed three new Runewords as well as one updated one that was hidden away in the game files.

Blizzard announced last December that they would be making new content for the classic ARPG. Aside from these Runewords, there will be Class Balancing, Horadric Cube recipes, and Mercenary tweaks.

New and Updated Runewords

Unbending Will

  • Unbending Will
  • Sword
  • ‘Fal + IoIth + Eld + El + Hel’
  • Required Level: 63
  • 18% Chance to Cast Level 18 Taunt on Striking
  • +3 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed
  • +330% Enhanced Damage
  • +9 to Maximum Damage
  • +50 to Attack Rating
  • +75% Damage to Undead
  • +50 to Attack Rating against Undead
  • 8% Life Stolen per Hit
  • Prevent Monster Heal
  • +10 to Strength
  • +10 to Vitality
  • Damage Reduced by 8
  • +1 to Light Radius
  • Requirements -20%
  • Socketed (6)

First up we have the Runeword Unbending Will. The relatively higher level requirement and the fact that this can only be placed in the Sword weapon type limits the options for use. It looks like only a 6 socketed Colossus Blade can fit the bill. It is the weapon with the highest base damage and exactly at the level 63 rune requirement. Having +330% enhanced damage is a huge boon to the Colossus Blade’s already high base damage.

However, as the item does not have a large Increased Attack Speed stat, it will likely fall out of favour for Whirlwind Barbarians who need a lot of this.

Additionally, since Unbending Will has a chance for the wielder to cast Level 18 Taunt, it can be ideal to put on a tanky mercenary. A Taunt at this skill level means affected targets lose a substantial 39% Damage and Attack Rating. The most likely candidate would be the Act V Barbarians, as the Desert Mercenaries can only use spears. This is in line with the previous developer blog stating that the team wanted to buff the underused mercenaries.

Mist

  • Mist
  • Cham + Shael + Gul + Thul + Ith
  • Level 9 Concentration Aurs when equipped
  • +3 to all Skills
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed
  • +100% PIercing Attack
  • +327% Enhanced Damage
  • +9 to Maximum Damage
  • 20% Bonus Attack rating
  • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage
  • Freezes Target +3
  • +24 to Vitality
  • All Resistances +40
  • Socketed (5)

The Mist Runeword looks to give the much-needed buffs to bows and crossbows. Blizzard has confirmed that they do intend to buff the skills related to these weapons, so a new Runeword set makes sense as well. The +3 to All Skills, Increased Attack Speed and a large increase to base Damage are already good features. However, we also get a large increase in elemental resistances, a chance to freeze and pierce targets.

Lastly, this also looks like it’s giving an indirect buff to the Act I mercenary, the Rogue Scouts. They are the only hireling that can use a bow. Equipping mist will grant them a Level 9 Concentration Aura, which gives them enhanced utility comparable to the Desert Mercenary. This gives allies within a 21.3-yard radius a whopping +180% bonus damage.

Wisdom

  • Wisdom
  • Pul + Ith + Eld
  • Required Level: 64
  • +33% Piercing Attack
  • +20% Bonus to Attack Rating
  • 5% Mana Stolen per Hit
  • +30% Enhanced Defense
  • +10 Energy
  • 15% Slower Stamina Drain
  • Cannot be Frozen
  • +5 Mana After Each Kill
  • 15% Damage Taken goes to Mana
  • Socketed (3)

Wisdom looks like a very good levelling item that can help out Amazons greatly in the early game. Perhaps something like a Plague Javelin Amazon will make good use of this Runeword. It has a ton of mana-regenerating effects, such as Mana Steal, Mana After Kill. The only downside is that some of the damage taken detracts from your Mana pool. Like Mist earlier, it also has a Pierce Attack, though is limited to 33% instead of 100%.

Pattern

  • Pattern
  • Tal + Ort + Thul
  • Required Level: 23
  • Assassin Only
  • +30% Faster Block Rate
  • +68% Enhanced Damage
  • 10% Bonus Attack Rating
  • Adds 12-32 Fire Damage
  • Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
  • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage
  • +75 Poison Damage over 5 Seconds
  • +6 to strength
  • +6 to Dexterity
  • All Resistances +15
  • Socketed (3)

While Pattern is not a new Runeword (it has been in the game files since version 1.11), it has been unusable. This Assassin specific Runeword adds a complete set of Elemental Damage. You can burn, shock, freeze and poison your foes all at the same time. As the bonuses are rather small compared to the other Runewords featured today, we can assume that this is a very early game set to be used for levelling an Assassin as well.

25 Years of Diablo

Skill Balance Should be Next

Earlier this month, Blizzard also shared a few interesting statistics on Diablo as it hit its 25th anniversary.

As of January 4, 2022:

  • Characters Created: 19,569,775
  • Games Created: 2,167,586,684
  • Total Time Played: 7,395,027,817.5 Hours
  • Bosses Killed: 1,439,479,438
  • Player Deaths: 437,297,636
  • Total Gold In-Game: 43,601,584,235,336

That is definitely a LOT of Diablo games played, monsters slain, loot looted, and bosses maimed. In fact, that hour time is equivalent to over 308 million hours. What a huge number!

Hopefully, we get to see the Class Changes in the next few weeks. We wonder what will be the best class to play come Patch 2.4.

Class Balance Soon
Class Balance Soon

While waiting, be sure to check out our Diablo 2 Resurrected Complete Beginner Guide or the Diablo 2 Resurrected wiki for more info about the game. Perhaps Diablo 2 Resurrected Farming Guide will be helpful when the new Runewords drop!


For more news, check out Microsoft Sets to Acquire Activision Blizzard in $68.7 Billion Deal and Kingdom Hearts Games Come To Switch Via Cloud Version February 2022.

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