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Runeword Shields

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Popular shields to make runewords in are lighter elite shields, or Grim Shield/Trolls Nest, for the lighter weight (they don't slow running speed like Tower and Ancient shields), lower strength requirements, and competitive blocking %. Paladins always go for their class-specific shields, for the higher blocking and inherent damage or resistance bonuses.

To Make a Runeword

  1. Items used for Runewords must be gray text items, normal, exceptional, or Elite. Low Quality, Superior, and Ethereal can be used, but you can not use magical, Rare, Set, Crafted, or Unique items, even if they have the correct number of sockets.
  2. The item must be of the correct type.
  3. The item must have exactly the correct number of sockets -- no more.
  4. You must socket the Runes in the correct order.

Notes:

  • The Runes fill the sockets in numerical order automatically, i.e. in the order 1, 2, 3, .... For example, trying to place the third Rune of a Runeword into the third socket while sockets 1 and 2 are empty will result in the Rune filling socket 1, contrary to intentions. As mentioned elsewhere, it is possible to remove an item from a socket, but the item is destroyed in the process.
  • The Runeword Preparation Recipes tune equipment for receiving Runewords.
  • Check the Rune FAQ for further help.


Alphabetical List of Shield Runewords

RunewordStatsCommentsActive In
v1.11+v1.10v1.09
Ancient's Pledge

RalOrtTal
Ral (8) + Ort (9) + Tal (7)
Shields {3}
Clvl Required: 21

+50% Enhanced Defense

Cold Resist +43%
Lightning Resist +48%
Fire Resist +48%
Poison Resist +48%
10% Damage Taken Goes to Mana

Recipe is given by Qual-Kehk as a reward for completing the second quest in Act Five.

Bonuses will stack on top of a Paladin's inherent shield properties.

See it here.

YesYesYes
Dragon

SurLoSol
Sur (29) + Lo (28) + Sol (12)
Armor, Shields {3}
Clvl Required: 61

Both

20% Chance to Cast Level 18 Venom When Struck
12% Chance To Cast Level 15 Hydra On Striking
Level 14 Holy Fire Aura When Equipped
+360 Defense
+230 Defense Vs. Missile
+3-5 To All Attributes (varies)
+(0.375*Clvl) To Strength (Based on Character Level)
+5% To Maximum Lightning Resist
Damage Reduced by 7
Armor
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Shields
+50 To Mana

Ladder OnlyYesYesNo
Dream

IoJahPul
Io (16) + Jah (31) + Pul (21)
Headgear, Shields {3}
Clvl Required: 65

Both

10% Chance To Cast Level 15 Confuse When Struck
Level 15 Holy Shock Aura When Equipped
+20-30% Faster Hit Recovery (varies)
+30% Enhanced Defense
+150-220 Defense (varies)
+10 To Vitality
+(0.625*Clvl) To Mana (Based On Character Level)
All Resistances +5-20 (varies)
12-25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)
Headgear
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Shields
+50 To Life

Ladder OnlyYesYesNo
Exile

VexOhmIstDol
Vex (26) + Ohm (27) + Ist (24) + Dol (14)
Shields {4}
Clvl Required: 57

15% Chance To Cast Level 5 Life Tap On Striking

Level 13-16 Defiance Aura When Equipped (varies)
+2 To Offensive Auras (Paladin Only)
+30% Faster Block Rate
Freezes Target
+220-260% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Replenish Life +7
+5% To Maximum Cold Resist
+5% To Maximum Fire Resist
25% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items
Repairs 1 Durability every 4 seconds

Paladin Shields only. Inherent Paladin shield bonuses remain active.

See it here.

YesYesNo
Phoenix

VexVexLoJah
Vex (26) + Vex (26) + Lo (28) + Jah (31)
Weapons & Shields {4}
Clvl Required: 65

Both

100% Chance To Cast level 40 Blaze When You Level-up
40% Chance To Cast Level 22 Firestorm On Striking
Level 10-15 Redemption Aura When Equipped (varies)
+350-400% Enhanced Damage (varies)
-28% To Enemy Fire Resistance
+350-400 Defense Vs. Missile (varies)
+15-21 Fire Absorb (varies)
Weapons
Ignores Target's Defense
14% Mana Stolen Per Hit
20% Deadly Strike
Shields
+50 To Life
+5% To Maximum Lightning Resist
+10% To Maximum Fire Resist

Ladder OnlyYesYesNo
Rhyme

ShaelEth
Shael (13) + Eth (5)
Shields {2}
Clvl Required: 29

+40% Faster Block Rate

20% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +25
Cannot be Frozen
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

One of the more useful, inexpensive runewords. Popular for javazons, sorceresses, necromancers, and others not in need of massive defense.

See it here.

YesYesYes
Sanctuary

KoKoMal
Ko (18) + Ko (18) + Mal (23)
Shields {3}
Clvl Required: 49

+20% Faster Hit Recovery

+20% Faster Block Rate
20% Increased Chance of Blocking
+130-160% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+20 To Dexterity
All Resistances +50-70 (varies)
Magic Damage Reduced By 7
Level 12 Slow Missiles (60 Charges)

See it hereYesYesNo
Spirit

TalThulOrtAmn
Tal (7) + Thul (10) + Ort (9) + Amn (11)
Shields & Swords {4}
Clvl Required: 25

Both

+2 To All Skills
+25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+22 To Vitality
+89-112 To Mana (varies)
+3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)
Shields
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Swords
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage (3 Sec,Normal)
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
7% Life Stolen Per Hit

Ladder OnlyYesYesNo
Splendor

EthLum
Eth (5) + Lum (17)
Shields {2}
Clvl Required: 37

+1 To All Skills

+10% Faster Cast Rate
+20% Faster Block Rate
+60-100% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+10 To Energy
Regenerate Mana 15%
50% Extra Gold From Monsters
20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+3 To Light Radius

-YesYesNo


List of Shield Runewords by Rank

RunewordStatsCommentsActive In
v1.11+v1.10v1.09
Phoenix

VexVexLoJah
Vex (26) + Vex (26) + Lo (28) + Jah (31)
Weapons & Shields {4}
Clvl Required: 65

Both

100% Chance To Cast level 40 Blaze When You Level-up
40% Chance To Cast Level 22 Firestorm On Striking
Level 10-15 Redemption Aura When Equipped (varies)
+350-400% Enhanced Damage (varies)
-28% To Enemy Fire Resistance
+350-400 Defense Vs. Missile (varies)
+15-21 Fire Absorb (varies)
Weapons
Ignores Target's Defense
14% Mana Stolen Per Hit
20% Deadly Strike
Shields
+50 To Life
+5% To Maximum Lightning Resist
+10% To Maximum Fire Resist

Ladder OnlyYesYesNo
Dream

IoJahPul
Io (16) + Jah (31) + Pul (21)
Headgear, Shields {3}
Clvl Required: 65

Both

10% Chance To Cast Level 15 Confuse When Struck
Level 15 Holy Shock Aura When Equipped
+20-30% Faster Hit Recovery (varies)
+30% Enhanced Defense
+150-220 Defense (varies)
+10 To Vitality
+(0.625*Clvl) To Mana (Based On Character Level)
All Resistances +5-20 (varies)
12-25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)
Headgear
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Shields
+50 To Life

Ladder OnlyYesYesNo
Dragon

SurLoSol
Sur (29) + Lo (28) + Sol (12)
Armor, Shields {3}
Clvl Required: 61

Both

20% Chance to Cast Level 18 Venom When Struck
12% Chance To Cast Level 15 Hydra On Striking
Level 14 Holy Fire Aura When Equipped
+360 Defense
+230 Defense Vs. Missile
+3-5 To All Attributes (varies)
+(0.375*Clvl) To Strength (Based on Character Level)
+5% To Maximum Lightning Resist
Damage Reduced by 7
Armor
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Shields
+50 To Mana

Ladder OnlyYesYesNo
Exile

VexOhmIstDol
Vex (26) + Ohm (27) + Ist (24) + Dol (14)
Shields {4}
Clvl Required: 57

15% Chance To Cast Level 5 Life Tap On Striking

Level 13-16 Defiance Aura When Equipped (varies)
+2 To Offensive Auras (Paladin Only)
+30% Faster Block Rate
Freezes Target
+220-260% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Replenish Life +7
+5% To Maximum Cold Resist
+5% To Maximum Fire Resist
25% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items
Repairs 1 Durability every 4 seconds

Paladin Shields only. Inherent Paladin shield bonuses remain active.

See it here.

YesYesNo
Sanctuary

KoKoMal
Ko (18) + Ko (18) + Mal (23)
Shields {3}
Clvl Required: 49

+20% Faster Hit Recovery

+20% Faster Block Rate
20% Increased Chance of Blocking
+130-160% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+250 Defense vs. Missile
+20 To Dexterity
All Resistances +50-70 (varies)
Magic Damage Reduced By 7
Level 12 Slow Missiles (60 Charges)

See it hereYesYesNo
Splendor

EthLum
Eth (5) + Lum (17)
Shields {2}
Clvl Required: 37

+1 To All Skills

+10% Faster Cast Rate
+20% Faster Block Rate
+60-100% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+10 To Energy
Regenerate Mana 15%
50% Extra Gold From Monsters
20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+3 To Light Radius

-YesYesNo
Rhyme

ShaelEth
Shael (13) + Eth (5)
Shields {2}
Clvl Required: 29

+40% Faster Block Rate

20% Increased Chance of Blocking
Regenerate Mana 15%
All Resistances +25
Cannot be Frozen
50% Extra Gold from Monsters
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items

One of the more useful, inexpensive runewords. Popular for javazons, sorceresses, necromancers, and others not in need of massive defense.

See it here.

YesYesYes
Spirit

TalThulOrtAmn
Tal (7) + Thul (10) + Ort (9) + Amn (11)
Shields & Swords {4}
Clvl Required: 25

Both

+2 To All Skills
+25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+22 To Vitality
+89-112 To Mana (varies)
+3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)
Shields
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Swords
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage (3 Sec,Normal)
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
7% Life Stolen Per Hit

Ladder OnlyYesYesNo
Ancient's Pledge

RalOrtTal
Ral (8) + Ort (9) + Tal (7)
Shields {3}
Clvl Required: 21

+50% Enhanced Defense

Cold Resist +43%
Lightning Resist +48%
Fire Resist +48%
Poison Resist +48%
10% Damage Taken Goes to Mana

Recipe is given by Qual-Kehk as a reward for completing the second quest in Act Five.

Bonuses will stack on top of a Paladin's inherent shield properties.

See it here.

YesYesYes


View all the Runewords, or see them sorted by item type.