How do Runewords work in Diablo 4? (patch 2.0)

Diablo 4 Runewords have been announced for the upcoming patch 2.0 update. This is a new power scaling system that players can use to upgrade their characters alongside other things, like skill points and gear. Runewords had a previous incarnation in Diablo 2 but are being reworked and added to the newest game in the franchise.

Blizzard's Diablo 4 has been out for a some time now, so it's no surprise that an expansion is on the horizon. The game's new addon, Vessel of Hatred, will introduce its own content and implement a host of updates. One of the most prominent new additions coming with it will be a class called the Spiritborn.

In this article, we're going to examine Runewords and how they'll work in patch 2.0 of Diablo 4.

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What Diablo 4 Runewords will do in patch 2.0

There are too many possible Rune combinations for us to list (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

In the newest slated update for Diablo 4, patch 2.0, the Runeword system from Diablo 2 will be reworked and added to the game. This will act alongside gear, skills, and other in-game mechanics to help players expand on their power.

The way these runes work is through the combining of one of two types. The two kinds of runes a player can find are Runes of Ritual and Runes of Invocation.

Runes of Ritual are the first part of the combo and state an action that must be taken by the player. Runes of Invocation are the second part and decide what happens when the player takes the afformentioned action.

Knowing how Offering works is also essential to understanding the Runeword system. When your character meets the need of the Rune of Ritual, they will generate an amount of Offering for the related Runeword. The connected Rune of Invocation will require a certain amount of Offering before it can be used.

This system will be a new avenue of player power (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

If you gain more Offering than is needed for your Rune of Invocation, you can activate an Overflow effect. This is an empowered version of your normal Rune of Invocation ability.

Runes can be slotted into any two socket gear piece, such as two-handed weapons, chests, or legs. When a Rune of Ritual and Rune of Invocation are slotted into the same armor piece, they combine to create a Runeword.

Upon the release of patch 2.0, there will be 17 Runes of Ritual and 28 Runes of Invocation available in three rarities; Magic, Rare, & Legendary. All of these runes and some of their combinations are available on the patch 2.0 Blizzard blue post if you would like to check them out yourself.