Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion will introduce a revamped Runeword system reminiscent of Diablo 2.
Blizzard, in a long livestream, unveiled these Runewords while discussing upcoming class changes and tweaks to difficulty and leveling. The highlight was definitely the new Runewords feature, which lets players mix runes to craft abilities their class wouldn’t normally possess.
To make a Runeword, you need to put together a Rune of Ritual and a Rune of Invocation. Think of the Rune of Ritual as something that generates a resource when you do a specific action, like casting a skill with a cooldown. This generates an Offering, which you then use with the Rune of Invocation to activate the Runeword. If you have more Offering than needed, you get Overflow, which boosts the Runeword’s effects.
You can only use two Runewords at once, and they take up the same slots as gems. You can’t equip the same one twice. There are three different rarities for each rune, with higher rarities being stronger. You can find runes throughout the expansion or farm them in The Undercity.
Runewords can give you all kinds of powers. One might let you use the Sorcerer’s Teleport ability. Another could give you the Druid’s Petrify skill, stunning enemies and making them take more damage. Each class will have two skills and one Legendary Aspect in the pool of possible Runewords.
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You can also craft with runes. Combining three identical runes creates a new one that might be rarer. Using runes with a Resplendent Spark lets you craft Mythic Unique items, giving players another way to get top-tier gear.
Runewords are just one part of what’s coming on October 8 with Diablo 4’s Vessel of Hatred expansion. There’s also going to be a unique endgame dungeon, a brand-new Spiritborn class, Mercenaries returning, and changes to leveling and difficulty.
