Diablo 2 Resurrected Runes are a type of item players will find when playing the game. You can use these by themselves to gain bonuses with socketed weapons and armor. However, the more effective way of using Runes is to combine them into a Runeword. This will grant the item powerful stats and magic effects. Some of these runewords are considered as the best gear in the game for specific Builds and Classes in D2 Resurrected. Below we include a Ranking of the Best Runes based on their value in-game, which relates to what Runewords they are used in.
Quickly navigate this All Guide using the links below.
Best Runes in D2R
- S TIERThe Best Runes in D2 and used as late-game currency.
- A TIERVery Strong runes, similar value to S-Tier Choices.
- B TIERGood runes and can be used in useful runewords with the right Class Build.
- C TIERAn Average choice, middle of the pack neither good nor bad.
- D TIERBelow Average, slightly on the weaker side of an average runes.
- E TIERWeak choice and common low level drop.
- F TIERWorst the lowest ranking options in this Diablo 2 Runes Tier List.
You can CLICK/TAP the Runes to view How To Get and what Runewords you can make with the rune.
How To Get Runes in Diablo 2
You can obtain Runes using four methods, first is they can randomly drop in-game in specific difficulty. Second, you can get a higher chance of rune drop rates from the Countess and Hell Forge. Lastly, you can craft runes using recipes in the Horadric Cube, but we do not recommend this method.
- Countess FarmingThe Countess is the objective of The Forgotten Tower (Quest) in Act I. You can repeatedly kill the Countess Boss for Runes, even after you finish the quest.
- Hell Forge RunsHell Forge is the second quest of Act IV. Started by talking to Deckard Cain. In order to complete the quest players need to bring Mephisto's Soulstone to the Hellforge, located within the River of Flame.
- Drop ChanceRandomly dropped by monsters.
- Horadric Cube RecipeUsing a recipe to craft a rune.
Rune | How To Get | What It Does | What You Can Make |
---|---|---|---|
F Tier
![]() El
|
Countess: Normal and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 2
Horadric Cube Recipe: |
Weapon: +50 attack rating, +1 light
Armor: +15 defense, +1 light
Shield: +15 defense, +1 light | |
F Tier
![]() Eld
|
Countess: Normal and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 2
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 El |
Weapon: +75% damage to undead, +50 attack rating vs. undead
Armor: 15% slower stamina drain
Shield: +7% block chance | |
F Tier
![]() Tir
|
Countess: Normal and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 2
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Eld |
Weapon: +2 mana per kill
Armor: +2 mana per kill
Shield: +2 mana per kill | |
F Tier
![]() Nef
|
Countess: Normal and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 2
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Tir |
Weapon: knockback
Armor: +30 defense vs. missiles
Shield: +30 defense vs. missiles | |
F Tier
![]() Eth
|
Countess: Normal and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 3
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Nef |
Weapon: -25% target defense
Armor: +15% mana regeneration
Shield: +15% mana regeneration | |
F Tier
![]() Ith
|
Countess: Normal and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 3
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Eth |
Weapon: +9 maximum damage
Armor: 15% damage to mana
Shield: 15% damage to mana | |
E Tier
![]() Tal
|
Countess: Normal and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 3
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Ith |
Weapon: +75 poison damage over 5s
Armor: 30% poison resist
Shield: 35% poison resist | |
E Tier
![]() Ral
|
Countess: Normal and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 3
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Tal |
Weapon: +5-30 fire damage
Armor: 30% fire resist
Shield: 35% fire resist | |
E Tier
![]() Ort
|
Countess: Nightmare and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 4
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Ral |
Weapon: +1-50 lightning damage
Armor: 30% lightning resist
Shield: 35% lightning resist | |
E Tier
![]() Thul
|
Countess: Nightmare and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 4
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Ort |
Weapon: +3-14 cold damage, 3s chill
Armor: 30% cold resist
Shield: 35% cold resist | |
D Tier
![]() Amn
|
Countess: Nightmare and above
Hell Forge: Normal
Drop Chance: Act 4
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Thul + 1 Chipped Topaz |
Weapon: 7% life leech
Armor: 14 damage returned
Shield: 14 damage returned | |
D Tier
![]() Sol
|
Countess: Nightmare and above
Hell Forge: Nightmare
Drop Chance: Act 4
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Amn + 1 Chipped Amethyst |
Weapon: +9 minimum damage
Armor: damage reduced by 7
Shield: damage reduced by 7 | |
C Tier
![]() Shael
|
Countess: Nightmare and above
Hell Forge: Nightmare
Drop Chance: Act 5
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Sol + 1 Chipped Sapphire |
Weapon: 20% increased attack speed
Armor: 20% faster hit recovery
Shield: 20% faster block rate | |
C Tier
![]() Dol
|
Countess: Nightmare and above
Hell Forge: Nightmare
Drop Chance: Act 5
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Shael + 1 Chipped Ruby |
Weapon: hit causes flee 25%
Armor: replenish life +7
Shield: replenish life +7 | |
B Tier
![]() Hel
|
Countess: Nightmare and above
Hell Forge: Nightmare and Hell
Drop Chance: Act 1 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Dol + 1 Chipped Emerald (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: requirements -20%
Armor: requirements -15%
Shield: requirements -15% | |
B Tier
![]() Io
|
Countess: Nightmare and above
Hell Forge: Nightmare and Hell
Drop Chance: Act 1 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Hel + 1 Chipped Diamond (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: +10 vitality
Armor: +10 vitality
Shield: +10 vitality | |
B Tier
![]() Lum
|
Countess: Hell
Hell Forge: Nightmare and Hell
Drop Chance: Act 2 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Io + 1 Flawed Topaz (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: +10 energy
Armor: +10 energy
Shield: +10 energy | |
B Tier
![]() Ko
|
Countess: Hell
Hell Forge: Nightmare and Hell
Drop Chance: Act 2 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Lum + 1 Flawed Amethyst (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: +10 dexterity
Armor: +10 dexterity
Shield: +10 dexterity | |
B Tier
![]() Fal
|
Countess: Hell
Hell Forge: Nightmare and Hell
Drop Chance: Act 3 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Ko + 1 Flawed Sapphire (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: +10 strength
Armor: +10 strength
Shield: +10 strength | |
A Tier
![]() Lem
|
Countess: Hell
Hell Forge: Nightmare and Hell
Drop Chance: Act 3 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Fal + 1 Flawed Ruby (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: 75% extra gold
Armor: 50% extra gold
Shield: 50% extra gold | |
B Tier
![]() Pul
|
Countess: Hell
Hell Forge: Nightmare and Hell
Drop Chance: Act 4 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 3 Lem + 1 Flawed Emerald (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: +75% damage to demons, +100 attack rating vs. demons
Armor: +30% defense
Shield: +30% defense | |
A Tier
![]() Um
|
Countess: Hell
Hell Forge: Nightmare and Hell
Drop Chance: Act 4 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Pul + 1 Flawed Diamond (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: 25% open wounds
Armor: 15% all resists
Shield: 22% all resists | |
A Tier
![]() Mal
|
Countess: Hell
Hell Forge: Hell
Drop Chance: Act 5 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Um + 1 Topaz (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: prevent monster heal
Armor: magic damage reduced by 7
Shield: magic damage reduced by 7 | |
S Tier
![]() Ist
|
Countess: Hell
Hell Forge: Hell
Drop Chance: Act 5 (Nightmare)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Mal + 1n Amethyst (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: 30% magic find
Armor: 25% magic find
Shield: 25% magic find | |
B Tier
![]() Gul
|
Countess: N/A
Hell Forge: Hell
Drop Chance: Act 1 (Hell)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Ist + 1 Sapphire (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: +20% AR
Armor: 5% maximum poison resist
Shield: 5% maximum poison resist | |
S Tier
![]() Vex
|
Countess: N/A
Hell Forge: N/A
Drop Chance: Act 1 (Hell)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Gul + 1 Ruby (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: 7% mana leech
Armor: 5% maximum fire resist
Shield: 5% maximum fire resist | |
S Tier
![]() Ohm
|
Countess: N/A
Hell Forge: N/A
Drop Chance: Act 2 (Hell)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Vex + 1 Emerald (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: +50% enhanced damage
Armor: 5% maximum cold resist
Shield: 5% maximum cold resist | |
S Tier
![]() Lo
|
Countess: N/A
Hell Forge: N/A
Drop Chance: Act 2 (Hell)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Ohm + 1 Diamond (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: 20% deadly strike
Armor: 5% maximum lightning resist
Shield: 5% maximum lightning resist | |
S Tier
![]() Sur
|
Countess: N/A
Hell Forge: N/A
Drop Chance: Act 3 (Hell)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Lo + 1 Flawless Topaz (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: hit blinds target
Armor: +5% mana
Shield: +50 mana | |
S Tier
![]() Ber
|
Countess: N/A
Hell Forge: N/A
Drop Chance: Act 3 (Hell)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Sur + 1 Flawless Amethyst (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: 20% crushing blow
Armor: 8% physical resist
Shield: 8% physical resist | |
S Tier
![]() Jah
|
Countess: N/A
Hell Forge: N/A
Drop Chance: Act 4 (Hell)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Ber + 1 Flawless Sapphire (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: ignore target defense
Armor: +5% life
Shield: +50 life | |
S Tier
![]() Cham
|
Countess: N/A
Hell Forge: N/A
Drop Chance: Act 4 (Hell)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Jah + 1 Flawless Ruby (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: freeze target +3
Armor: cannot be frozen
Shield: cannot be frozen | |
S Tier
![]() Zod
|
Countess: N/A
Hell Forge: N/A
Drop Chance: Act 5 (Hell)
Horadric Cube Recipe: 2 Cham + 1 Flawless Emerald (Ladder Only) |
Weapon: indestructible
Armor: indestructible
Shield: indestructible |
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