All of the Rune Words in Diablo 2 Resurrected patch 2.6

Diablo 2 Resurrected is ringing in the new year with a new 2.6 Patch and a chance to test out new Rune Words in the PTR before they hit live servers. The first testing period has already ended, and we’re waiting for word for future PTR servers. In this patch, Blizzard is introducing eight new Rune Words to use for both the upcoming Season 3 Ladder and offline single-player games. Let’s take a look at what they are, what they do, and how best to use them against the demonic hordes of Hell.

What are Rune Words?

If you’re not familiar, Rune Words are powerful words that, when they are combined, can imbue your weapons and armor with impressive stat increases. Rune Words must be said in order, or else you lose out. In PTR 2.6 these Rune Words will focus on strengthening resistance bonuses, increasing movement speed, and assisting Assassin and Druid builds.

The eight Rune Words

Here are the new Rune Words available in PTR 2.6.

Bulwark

According to the developers, the Bulwark, Cure, Ground, Hearth, and Temper Rune Words are being added to increase specific resistance types in response to the release of the Sundering Charms.

• Rune Order: Shael + Io + Sol
• Items: Helm
• Character Level: 35
• Final Stats:
  • +20% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +4-6% Life stolen per hit
  • +75-100% Enhanced Defense
  • +10 to Vitality
  • Increase Maximum Life 5%
  • Replenish Life +30
  • Damage Reduced by 7
  • Physical Damage Received by 10-15%

Cure

• Rune Order: Shael + Io + Tal
• Items: Helm
• Character Level: 35
• Final Stats:
  • +20% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +75-100% Enhanced Defense
  • +10 to Vitality
  • Increased Maximum Life 5%
  • Poison Resist +40-60%
  • Poison Length Reduced by 75%

Ground

• Rune Order: Shael + Io + Ort
• Items: Helm
• Character Level: 35
• Final Stats:
  • +20% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +75-100% Enhanced Defense
  • +10 to Vitality
  • Increase Maximum Life 5%
  • Lightning Resist +40-60%
  • Lightning Absorb +10-15%

Hearth

• Rune Order: Shael + Io + Thul
• Items: Helm
• Character Level: 35
• Final Stats:
  • +20% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +75-100% Enhanced Defense
  • +10 to Vitality
  • Increase Maximum Life 5%
  • Cold Resist +40-60%
  • Cold Absorb +10-15%

Temper

• Rune Order: Shael + Io + Thul
• Items: Helm
• Character Level: 35
• Final Stats:
  • +20% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +75-100% Enhanced Defense
  • +10 to Vitality
  • Increase Maximum Life 5%
  • Fire Resist +40-60%
  • Fire Absorb +10-15%

Hustle

Hustle is a mobility option for early levels similar to the Enigma Rune Word but without the teleport option.

• Rune Order: Shael + Ko + Eld
• Items: Any weapon or armor
• Character Level: 39
• Final Stats:
  • Armor:
    • +50% Faster Run/Walk
    • +20% Increased Attack Speed
    • +20% Faster Hit Recovery
    • +10 to Dexterity
    • 50% Slower Stamina Drain
  • Weapon:
    • 5% Chance to cast level nine Burst of Speed on striking
    • +30% Increased Attack Speed
    • +130-150% Enhanced Damage
    • +75% Damage to Undead
    • +50 to Attack Rating against Undead
    • +10 to Dexterity

Mosaic

Mosaic is perfect for Martial Arts Assassin builds. According to the developer notes, “it grants a brand-new effect that allows for a chance to not consume the charge when using a finisher move. Note that the effect still occurs but the charge is not removed.”

• Rune Order: Mal + Gul + Thul
• Items: Claw
• Character Level: 53
• Final Stats:
  • +25% chance for finishing moves to not consume charges
  • +2 to Martial Arts (Assassin only)
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed
  • +200-250% Enhanced Damage
  • +20% Bonus to Attack Rating
  • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage
  • Prevent Monster Heal

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is good for shapeshifter Druids as another end-game option that can compete with items like Jalal’s Mane. The bonuses granted by Metamorphosis affect successful Werebear and Werewolf attacks.

• Rune Order: Io + Cham + Fal
• Items: Helm
• Character Level: 67
• Final Stats:
  • Werewolf strikes grant Mark for 180 seconds
  • Mark of the Wolf:
    • +20% Bonus to Attack Rating
    • Increase Maximum Life 40%
  • Werebear strikes grant Mark for 180 seconds
  • Mark of the Bear:
    • +25% Attack Speed
    • +25% Chance of Crushing Blow
    • Physical Damage Received Reduced by 20%
  • +5 to Shape Shifting Skills (Druid only)
  • +50-80% Enhanced Defense
  • +10 to Strength
  • +10 to Vitality
  • All Resistances +10
  • Cannot be Frozen

These Rune Words will go live when the Season 3 Ladder goes live sometime in February. We’ll update our timeline as soon as the official dates are released.

Originally posted January 26, 2023. Updated February 9, 2023.