Welcome to IGMeet's guide about D2R Ladder Runes , this guide covers the basics about Runes, including how to use and Farming Areas for Runes

What are Runewords in Diablo II: Resurrected

Runes have a minimum character level (cLevel). If your character is below the cLevel of that rune, that character cannot use that rune, nor use any gear item where this rune is in place. Socketing a cLvl 21 rune into a cLvl15 item will increase the item's level to cLvl 21 to match the rune. However, the reverse isn't true; you can't lower an item's cLvl by inserting a lower-level Rune into a socket.

Runes have different properties based on whether they are inserted into armor, shields, or weapons. Armor effects for individual Runes apply to both Chest Armor and Head Armor.

How to Use Diablo 2: Resurrected Runewords

Before applying Runewords to your gear, you’ll need to gather them. For example, crafting the Runeword Ancient’s Pledge requires you to place the Runes Ral, Ort, and Tal into a Shield with three sockets. Once done, the Runeword will activate and grant a powerful effect. Not all Runewords are equally powerful, so look for those with more potent effects.

The most important thing to remember about Runewords is to place the Runes in the correct order to activate them. Additionally, you must set the Runes into the specific item or items that it supports, and you must choose an item with the number of sockets you need. So, while Ancient’s Pledge can be used in shields with three sockets, making the Runeword Beast requires an axe, a scepter, or a hammer with five sockets. You’d then need to play the runes Ber, Tir, Um, Mal, and Lum into the item in that exact order to activate the Runeword.

You won’t be able to use Runewords meant for Body armor in anything but items worn on your torso. Likewise, Runewords that require melee weapons won’t be useable in orbs or ranged weapons of any kind. Also, be mindful of names. Just because the item says axe (or something similar) in the name doesn’t make it an axe. Make sure the item type matches the kind of Runeword you are trying to create.

Diablo 2: Resurreected - Best Farming Areas for Runes

Runes drop while fighting your way through Sanctuary, but some areas are more bountiful in drop rates than others. The most common area by far that players will farm runes is by fighting The Countess in Act 1, but we've included a list here of all the best places to farm runes, and which quests guarantee rune rewards.Act 1 - Black Marsh - Forgotten Tower - The Countess is located on level 5 and will drop between 1-3 runes upon defeat.

Act 2 - Arcane Sanctuary - The ghosts here have a limited loot table, making them a prime target for rune farming, and there are numerous chests.

Act 3 - Travincal - High spawn rate of unique enemies here, specifically the Council Members, make this a popular farming spot for high-value runes.

Act 3 - Lower Kurast - This area has many super chests that have a high chance of dropping runes, especially high runes.

Act 4 - Hellforge - Smashing Mephisto's Soulstone guarantees a rune.

Act 4 - Chaos Sanctuary - This area is where you face off with Diablo and is a great loot-farming area for both runes and gear due to the high spawn rate of Elites.

Act 5 - Mount Arreat - Complete the 'free 15 Barbarian Warriors' quest for a guaranteed 3 runes.

Act 5 - Worldstone Keep - This area has a high monster density and a high level, making it a good place to find runes and other items.

Act 5 - The Pits - This is a level 85 area that can drop any item in the game, including Zod runes.

Act 5 - Ancient Tunnels - This is another level 85 area that can drop any item in the game.

Secret Cow Level - opened using a Horadric Cube recipe, has a high rune drop rate due to enemy spawn levels.

How to get Runes?

Runes can drop pretty much anywhere in Diablo 2: Resurrected, from monsters to chests, regardless of the selected difficulty. However, the higher the difficulty, the higher-level Rune you will find. Keep in mind that Magic Find does not affect Runes drop in any way.

There are specific areas/bosses you can farm to increase the rate of which they drop, but that will be explained further on, so keep reading! Once you have acquired Runes, you can:

Socket them into a weapon or armor piece to obtain a desired perk

Keep them to create a Runeword

Sell/trade them

Use them to repair damaged items. (x1 Ral Rune + damaged item)

Learning Runewords and how to use them can take a bit of getting used to. But, if you follow the outlines above, you should be able to get a start with using these powerful and unique craftables to power up your gear. If you decide to play through the game on harder difficulties, learning the way of Runes and Buy D2R Ladder Items from https://www.igmeet.com/D2r-ladder-Items can make your life a lot easier.