Diablo 4 Welcomes Back One of Diablo 2's Most Beloved Features

Diablo 4 is Bringing Back a Fan-Favorite Mechanic from Diablo 2

Diablo 4 is gearing up to introduce several new features with its upcoming Vessel of Hatred expansion, including a beloved mechanic from the early days of the franchise. Back when players were still figuring out how to maximize their characters' power in Diablo 2, experimentation was the key to discovering incredibly powerful items. One such beloved feature was Runewords, a crafting system that allowed players to imbue items with specific rune effects. Now, this fan-favorite mechanic is making a highly anticipated comeback.

In a recent official blog post, Blizzard confirmed that Diablo 4 will reintroduce Runewords as part of the Vessel of Hatred expansion. This mechanic will work similarly to how it did in Diablo 2, enabling players to insert a Rune of Ritual and a Rune of Invocation into an item with two available slots. The Rune of Ritual sets a specific condition, such as moving a certain distance, while the Rune of Invocation activates once the condition generates enough Offering, providing the character with a new ability or a temporary stat boost.

The Importance of Runewords in Diablo 2

Runewords were a critical part of perfecting character builds in Diablo 2. While most combinations could significantly enhance any class, certain Runewords were essential for dominating battles. In Diablo 2: Resurrected, some of the top Runewords include Faith, Heart of the Oak, Obsession, and Infinity. The latter, requiring four Runes, grants the user a Level 12 Conviction Aura and 325% Enhanced damage, showcasing the immense power Runewords could bring.

Whether Runewords will reach the same level of potency in Diablo 4 remains to be seen, but the preliminary list shared by Blizzard has some standout options. For example, the Legendary Invocation Rune Vex offers a +3 bonus to all Skills for five seconds in exchange for 500 Offering, potentially turning some classes into virtually unstoppable forces. When combined with a Ritual Rune like Yax, which gives 100 Offering for using a Healing Potion, the possibilities for creating powerful builds in challenging fights are immense.

New Additions Beyond Runewords in Vessel of Hatred

In addition to the return of Runewords, the Vessel of Hatred expansion is set to bring a host of new features to Diablo 4. Among the most exciting is the introduction of the Spiritborn, a brand-new class making its debut in the franchise. The Spiritborn harness the power of Spirit Guardians, offering a versatile playstyle that allows them to absorb heavy damage and deliver powerful attacks when needed.

The return of Runewords, combined with the introduction of new classes like the Spiritborn, suggests that Vessel of Hatred will significantly expand the gameplay possibilities in Diablo 4. Players can look forward to exploring these new mechanics and strategies as they dive into the latest chapter of this iconic franchise.