Top 9 Budget Runewords
Best budget runewords you can make for less then a Mal rune
A lot of runewords are well known for being real powerhouses, but most of the popular runeword come with a hefty rune cost. This guide lists really good runewords that can be made for less than a Mal rune. Some of these runewords are often overlooked, but are definitely worth a try.
With the first ladder season in sight, these runewords can put you at a huge advantage to other players, without having to empty your pockets. All runes for the following runewords can be farmed from Nightmare or Hell Countess.
Use the advanced search to find specific runewords based on its properties. Use the runeword calculator to find out which runewords you can make with the runes you own.
1. Duress
Duress is a budget Runeword and a decent option for melee characters. It's biggest selling point is its high Chance of Open Wounds and moderate Chance of Crushing Blow. Besides its offensive bonuses, it also provides a decent defense and resistance boost.
2. Insight
Insight is mainly used for its Meditation Aura, providing nearly unlimited mana for casters. This Aura Runeword is almost exclusively used as Act 2 Mercenary Runeword, but can also be consumed by Necromancer's Iron Golem, both will activate the Meditation Aura for the team.
The most common mistake people make when making Insight, is using a spear instead of a polearm, causing the Runeword to not work. It is easy to mistake some spears for polearms, but only the bases listed below, qualify for the Insight Runeword.
Patch 2.4: Insight can now be made in Bows and Crossbows.
- Level 12 to 17 Meditation Aura When Equipped
- +35% Faster Cast Rate
- +9 to Minimum Damage (All)
- 180 to 250% Bonus to Attack Rating
- Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
- Adds 154 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
- +1 to 6 to Critical Strike
- +5 to all Attributes
- +2 to Mana after each Kill
- 23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
- +200 to 260% Enhanced Damage
- socketed (4)
3. Melody
Even though Melody doesn't add much enhanced damage, it does give +3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills, which can be increased to +6 when made in an Amazon bow with auto mods. For the low rune requirements, it is a great budget option for starting Bowazons.
Another overlooked mod on this Runeword is Knockback, as a ranged based character you actually want to knock enemies away from you, so you have to spend less time kiting.
- +3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)
- +20% Increased Attack Speed
- +300% Damage to Undead
- +9 to Critical Strike (Amazon only)
- Knockback
- +10 to Dexterity
- +50% Enhanced Damage
- socketed (3)
4. Obedience
Obedience is a powerful but cheap Runeword that perfectly fits the act 2 mercenary. It boasts a huge damage boost with 370% Enhanced Damage, 40% Crushing Blow, and a chance to cast level 21 Enchant when killing an enemy.
Besides its offensive bonuses, it also provides great defensive stats like up to +30 to All Resistances and up to 300 Defense.
Patch 2.4: Infinity, Obedience, and Pride can now be made in Spears and Amazon Spears.
- 30% Chance to cast level 21 enchant when you Kill an Enemy
- +40% Faster Hit Recovery
- -25% Target Defense
- Adds 3-14 Cold Damage
- -25% to Enemy Fire Resistance
- 40% Chance of Crushing Blow
- +200 to 300 Defense
- +10 to Strength
- +10 to Dexterity
- All Resistances +20 to 30
- +370% Enhanced Damage
- Requirements -20%
- socketed (5)
5. Rhyme
Rhyme is a popular shield Runeword due to its Cannot be Frozen mod. It is one of the only budget ways to this bonus reliably, as other uniques rely heavily on luck to obtain. Cannot be Frozen is almost a necessity for most melee characters, so this Runeword is an easy choice for low level players.
- +60% Faster Block Rate
- Regenerate Mana 15%
- All Resistances +25
- Cannot Be Frozen
- 50% Extra Gold from Monsters
- 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
- socketed (2)
6. Spirit
A Spirit sword is a massively overpowered Starter Runeword, given its low level requirement and cheap rune cost.A spirit shield on the other hand is an great end-game caster Runeword. The exceptional +2 to All Skills bonus, up to +35% Faster Cast Rate, and massive up to 112 Mana increase, makes it a dream for any starter character and endgame caster build.
A Spirit shield is almost exclusively made in a Monarch, because it is the shield with the lowest strength requirement (still high for casters) that can still get 4 sockets. Because of the cheap runes, it can be recreated many times, to get the +35% Faster Cast Rate, which is required ror many builds to reach an FCR breakpoint.
The Spirit shield is also a popular item to use on switch alongside Call to Arms, as it is the only shield to grant +2 to All Skills. This way CTA's Battle Orders are boosted by another two levels, increasing the life and mana boost it provides.
The first non-Paladin shield that can roll 4 sockets is the elite Monarch shield. This shield can only drop in Hell difficulty. So even though the Spirit Runeword has a level requirement of 25, you'll only be able to wear a Spirit shield from level 54. Paladin shields on the other hand can always roll (drop depends on the monster level) 4 sockets. So a Paladin can benefit from a Spirit shield early on.
- +2 to All Skills
- +25 to 35% Faster Cast Rate
- +55% Faster Hit Recovery
- +250 Defense vs. Missile
- +22 to Vitality
- +89 to 112 to Mana
- Magic Absorb 3 to 8%
- weapons
- Adds 154 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
- Adds 3-14 Cold Damage
- Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
- 7% Life stolen per hit
- shields
- Poison Resist +35%
- Cold Resist +35%
- Lightning Resist +35%
- Attacker Takes Damage of 14
- socketed (4)
7. Treachery
Even though Treachery was originally intended for Assassins, any class can benefit from the chance to proc Fade and high bonus to Increased Attack Speed and Faster Hit Recovery.
Because of its cheap cost and high boost to survivability , it is one of the best armors for mercenaries when created in an ethereal elite armor.
8. Unbending Will
The Unbending Will Runeword is a mid level sword Runeword released in patch 2.4. It is a great mid level and budget melee weapon that offers a huge boost to Enhanced Damage.
It is comparable to other melee Runewords like Black, Death, and Oath. It looks like this Runeword will fit as a Runeword specifically for the Act 5 mercenary after the mercenary balance changes.
With a relatively high chance to proc Taunt, you will have a consistent way of debuffing your enemies. Keep in mind that Taunt is a single target war cry. When used on an Act 5 mercenary, he will only cast Taunt on the enemies he is already targeting.
Taunt level breakdown Taunt level 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 decreased damage 23% 25% 27% 29% 31% 33% 35% 37% 39% 41% 43% decreased attack rating 23% 25% 27% 29% 31% 33% 35% 37% 39% 41% 43% - 18% Chance to cast level 18 Taunt on striking
- +3 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
- +20 to 30% Increased Attack Speed
- +9 to Maximum Damage (All)
- +50 to Attack Rating
- +75% Damage to Undead
- +50 to Attack Rating against Undead
- 8 to 10% Life stolen per hit
- Prevent Monster Heal
- +10 to Strength
- +10 to Vitality
- Damage Reduced by 8
- +1 to Light Radius
- +300 to 350% Enhanced Damage
- Requirements -20%
- socketed (6)
9. White
Wands can have up to 3 auto mods specific to Necromancers spells ranging between +1 and +3 to skill level. Therefore, you should look for a 2 socket wand with at least some +skills that your build uses. An easy way to quickly find a good wands is to shop with Drognan in act 2. You can reset his shop by exiting and re-entering town.
An overview of the 9 best budget runewords
Runeword | Sockets | Bases | Runes | Level | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duress (1.10) | 3 Sockets | Armor | 47 | ||
| Insight (1.10) | 4 Sockets | Polearm, Staff, Missile Weapon | 27 | Level 12 to 17 Meditation Aura When Equipped+35% Faster Cast Rate+9 to Minimum Damage (All) (  )180 to 250% Bonus to Attack RatingAdds 5-30 Fire Damage ( )Adds 154 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds ( )+1 to 6 to Critical Strike+5 to all Attributes+2 to Mana after each Kill ( )23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items+200 to 260% Enhanced Damage | |
| Melody (original) | 3 Sockets | Missile Weapon | 39 | ||
| Obedience (1.10) | 5 Sockets | Polearm, Spear | 41 | 30% Chance to cast level 21 enchant when you Kill an Enemy+40% Faster Hit Recovery-25% Target Defense (  )Adds 3-14 Cold Damage ( )-25% to Enemy Fire Resistance40% Chance of Crushing Blow+200 to 300 Defense+10 to Strength ( )+10 to Dexterity ( )All Resistances +20 to 30+370% Enhanced DamageRequirements -20% ( ) | |
| Rhyme (original) | 2 Sockets | Any Shield | 29 | ||
| Spirit (1.10) | 4 Sockets | Sword, Any Shield | 25 | +2 to All Skills+25 to 35% Faster Cast Rate+55% Faster Hit Recovery+250 Defense vs. Missile+22 to Vitality+89 to 112 to ManaMagic Absorb 3 to 8%WeaponsAdds 154 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds ( )Adds 3-14 Cold Damage ()Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage ( )7% Life stolen per hit ( )ShieldsPoison Resist +35% ()Cold Resist +35% ()Lightning Resist +35% ()Attacker Takes Damage of 14 () | |
| Treachery (1.11) | 3 Sockets | Armor | 43 | ||
| Unbending Will (2.4) | 6 Sockets | Sword | 41 | 18% Chance to cast level 18 Taunt on striking+3 to Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)+20 to 30% Increased Attack Speed+9 to Maximum Damage (All) (  )+50 to Attack Rating ( )+75% Damage to Undead ( )+50 to Attack Rating against Undead ()8 to 10% Life stolen per hitPrevent Monster Heal+10 to Strength ()+10 to Vitality ( )Damage Reduced by 8+1 to Light Radius ()+300 to 350% Enhanced DamageRequirements -20% () | |
| White (original) | 2 Sockets | Wand | 35 | ||
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