This page is for the new Rune Words for Diablo 2 Resurrection Patch 2.4. This unprecedented rune is naturally the rune that will give you the effects and benefits you need. You will find the runes you need to get D2R ladder.

Blizzard has just announced that skill and mercenary balance changes are planned for patch 2.4. To complement its balance changes, new rune words will be added to Diablo 2 Resurrected, and a large number of rune words will be unlocked with the upcoming ladder season.

The New Rune Words of Patch 2.4

Pattern Rune Word

The Patternis the same as Plague but is not a new rune word, it has been in the game files since the original release of Diablo 2, it was just never made available to players. It's specifically an Assassin-specific Rune Word that can be used for Assassin's Scissor Cutter weapon, and that's about it. It is a pretty widely useful rune word.

• +30% Faster Block Rate

• +40-80% Enhanced Damage (varies)

• 10% Bonus to Attack Rating

• Adds 17-62 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

• Uses Tal + Ort + Thu (3 Sockets)

It adds a ton of functionality to Assassin players for a relatively small rune cost - the block rate and extra resistances it grants can make it easier for your Assassin to survive, while the damage buffs and extra fire, thunder, cold damage, and poison damage over time are attractive for offensive output.

Plague Rune Word

This is another old Rune Word that was never implemented before patch 2.4. Plague is a sword Rune Word that has a lot going on.

• 20% Chance to cast level 12 Lower Resist when struck

• 25% Chance to cast level 15 Poison Nova on striking

• Level 13-17 Cleansing Aura When Equipped (varies)

• +1-2 All Skills

• +20% Increased Attack Speed

• +220-320% Enhanced Damage (varies)

• -23% To Enemy Poison Resistance

• 0.3% (0-29.7) Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)

• +25% Chance of Open Wounds

• Freezes Target +3

• Uses Cham + Shael + Um (3 Sockets)

This has multiple uses - a Barbarian or Paladin can use it to go to town, for example, and it increases attack speed, damage, and lethal strike, but it works on anyone - its mode is not class-restricted, and all players can use the sword in-game. Some people talk about using it with a Necromancer who have proper mercenaries, essentially turning the Necromancer into a support class and thus lowering everyone's poison resistance.

Flickering Flame Rune Word

Flickering Flame is the first new rune word in patch 2.4. It's not in the original file, it's a new helmet rune word built around flame damage and flame resistances. Wowhead says it's probably best for Fire Druids, and I guess I have to agree with them - Fire Amazons would probably benefit more from Wisdom, and the relative lack of non-fire defenses in Rune Word would cause wizards to turn elsewhere. Still, it's worth a look if you fire a lot.

• Level 4-8 Resist Fire Aura When Equipped (varies)

• +3 To Fire Skills

• -10-15% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies)

• +30% Enhanced Defense

• +30 Defense Vs. Missile

• +50-75 To Mana (varies)

• Half Freeze Duration

• +5% To Maximum Fire Resist

• Poison Length Reduced by 50%

• Uses Nef + Rul + Vex (3 Sockets)

The Resist Fire Aura applies to anyone in range, and it has to be said that it's attractive, so mercenaries and summoned creatures will benefit. Penalties to enemy flame resistance, bonuses to flame skills, reductions to freeze and poison length, and enhanced defense are all solid, although in most cases you'll want to replace this rune word before attempting higher difficulty levels.

Mist Rune Word

This rune text is five-hole and can be used for bows and arrows, and can appeal to Amazon players or people using mercenaries equipped with bows and arrows. Honestly, a lot of people argue that it's not too useful for Amazon, but I think it will definitely be useful.

• Level 8-12 Concentration Aura When Equipped (varies)

• +3 To All Skills

• 20% Increased Attack Speed

• +100% Piercing Attack

• +325-375% Enhanced Damage (varies)

• +9 To Maximum Damage

• 20% Bonus to Attack Rating

• Adds 3-14 Cold Damage

• All Resistances +40

• Freeze Target +3

• +24 Vitality

• All Resistances +40

• Uses Cham + Shael + Gul + Thul + Ith (5 Sockets)

This is a powerful early stump rune word for Bowazon players. It may not be the best choice after you get deep into the stump, I'll grant you that, but getting the rune is fairly easy and I can say that +327% Enhanced Damage doesn't have much of a negative impact.

Wisdom Rune Word

 Another new Rune Word for the head slot, Wisdom is specifically for the Diadem.

+33% Piercing Attack

+15-25% Bonus to Attack Rating (varies)

4-8% Mana Stolen Per Hit (varies)

+30% Enhanced Defense

+10 Energy

15% Slower Stamina Drain

Cannot Be Frozen

+5 Mana After Each Kill

15% Damage Taken Goes to Mana

Uses Pul + Ith + Eld (3 Sockets)

A Piercing Attack essentially allows you to shoot or throw a long-range weapon attack through the first target's body and hit the enemy behind it to deal full damage. On its own, this makes this rune word perfect for Amazon players or any niche build based on long-range weapon attacks. Damage taken as a Mana effect is added to Mana after each kill, meaning that using this rune correctly can give a character longer Mana, especially when combined with killing 5% of Mana per hit. For Amazon players, even fire Amazon players, I definitely think I prefer wisdom over the flickering flame.

Unbending Will Rune Word

About Unbending Will, it’s not Oath, but honestly if not for the six runes needed for Unbending Will vs. Oath’s four, we can put the two up as near equals.

• 18% Chance to cast Level 18 Taunt on striking

• +3 To Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)

• +20-30% Increased Attack Speed (varies)

• +300-350% Enhanced Damage (varies)

• +9 To Maximum Damage

• +50 To Attack Rating

• +75% Damage to Undead

• +50 Attack Rating Against Undead

• 8-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)

• Prevent Monster Heal

• +10 To Strength

• +10 To Vitality

• Damage Reduced By 8

• +1 Light Radius

• Requirements -20%

• Uses Fal + Io + Ith + Eld + El + Hel (6 Sockets)

Oath wins because it can be used on Void weapons that cannot be repaired properly and have reduced durability. Since Oath embeds it into Ethereal Weapons, it effectively removes the major limitation of Ethereal Weapons. However, for non-Ethereal weapons that use characters, a great big honking 2h sword with indomitable will gains increased Attack Speed, Enhanced Damage, Life Stolen per Hit, +10 Strength and Vitality, Damage Reduction, and bonuses to undead creatures, as well as the opportunity to taunt on hit. Even for the hefty cost of six sockets, it's a pretty solid rune word.

Because it's essentially a barbarian-focused rune word, and the best and easiest way to get six slots is through a quest, I think we'll mostly see it in the hands of barbarians looking for a more tank role.

Obsession Rune Word

This is another new Runic Word that makes it indestructible for any weapon. Since it only applies to quintuplets and provides massive lifestyle, Mana, and resistance gains, it's a very solid rune word when you're trying to get ready for higher difficulties.

• Indestructible 

• 24% Chance to cast level 10 Weaken when struck

• +4 To All Skills

• +65% Faster Cast Rate

• +60% Faster Hit Recovery

• Knockback

• +10 To Vitality

• +10 To Energy

• Increase Maximum Life 15-25% (varies)

• Regenerate Mana 15-30% (varies)

• All Resistances +60-70 (varies)

• 75% Extra Gold from Monsters

• 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

• Uses Zod + Ist + Lem + Lum + Io + Nef (6 Sockets)

This is a rune word for Sorceress players with +65% faster casting speed that other professions use to farm, all of which bonuses Vitality, Increased Maximum Life, Mana recovery, a huge boost to resistances, and all the extra chances of gold and magic item drops.

This covers patch 2.4 of Diablo 2 Resurrected's new rune word. Hopefully, there's something here to help you make a splash in the ladder season.