List of Most Useful Mercenary Runewords
Discover what runewords will keep your mercenary alive
Runewords for a mercenary are usually picked to improve survivability or to provide a supporting function to the player. The best runewords that improve survivability are Treachery, Fortitude, and Chains of Honor. The most popular runewords that support the player passively are Insight, Infinity, and Faith. These runewords provide very useful auras that can normally only be obtained by a Paladin.
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. Infinity
Infinity takes a top spot as Overpowered Runeword because it is the best Mercenary Runeword for characters that deal elemental damage. The Conviction Aura granted by this Aura Runeword reduces enemy defenses and lowers enemy cold, fire, and lightning resistances.
Even though the Runeword provides additional reduced Enemy Lightning Resistance, this only applies for the wielder of the polearm. So when using this for your mercenary, this will only boost the Chain Lightning procs from the Runeword. When using Infinity for a mercenary, the best base is an ethereal (Giant) Thresher.
The high cost of 2 Ber runes makes this a very rare Runeword.
Patch 2.4: Infinity, Obedience, and Pride can now be made in Spears and Amazon Spears.
- 50% Chance To Cast Level 20 Chain Lightning When You Kill An Enemy
- Level 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped
- +35% Faster Run/Walk
- +255-325% Enhanced Damage (varies)
- -45-55% To Enemy Lightning Resistance (varies)
- 40% Chance of Crushing Blow
- Prevent Monster Heal
- +(0.5*Clvl) To Vitality (Based on Character Level)
- 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
- Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30 Charges)
- socketed (4)
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 12-17 Meditation Aura When Equipped (varies)
- +35% Faster Cast Rate
- +200-260% Enhanced Damage (varies)
- +9 To Minimum Damage
- 180-250% Bonus to Attack Rating (varies)
- Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
- +75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
- +1-6 To Critical Strike (varies)
- +5 To All Attributes
- +2 To Mana After Each Kill
- 23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
- socketed (4)
3. 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.
4. Bulwark
Bulwark offers a solid defensive package for mid-game characters in Diablo 2 Resurrected. Its life steal, additional vitality, and physical damage mitigation provide valuable tools to enhance survivability on the battlefield.
Mercenaries and non-caster classes, in particular, can greatly benefit from this Runeword's attributes.
5. Chains of Honor
Chains of Honor is the best all-purpose choice for nearly any build. Even though its Life Leach gears it slightly towards physical builds, the +2 to All Skills and massive bonus to All Resistances makes it a great choice for all types of builds.
The best base for Chains of Honor is an elite light armor (Dusk Shroud, Wyrmhide, Scarab Husk, Wire Fleece, Great Hauberk and Archon Plate). A Dusk Shroud requires the lowest strength, while an Archon Plate has the highest defense.
The required Ber rune makes it an expensive armor, albeit much less expensive than Enigma
6. Fortitude
Fortitude can be made in both weapons and armor. Because of the high cost of a Lo rune, and many better alternatives in the weapon slot for that price, Fortitude is usually only made in the armor slot. The best armor to make Fortitude in is a high-defense Archon Plate. For a mercenary, the best armor should be ethereal and ideally be superior. If you have a low level mercenary, it's best to also go for an Archon Plate. If you have a high level mercenary (lvl 90+), you can opt for a Sacred Armor, given the high strength requirement.
Because of its high Enhanced Damage, Fortitude is most useful for physical damage characters like Smiter Paladin, Bowazon, Kicksin, or Frenzy Barb. When created in an ethereal base, this is also a perfect armor for any physical damage mercenary.
Enhanced Damage on an armor does in fact work and increases physical damage. First all weapon damage modifiers are applied, secondly all offhand damage modifiers are applied. This means that if you have f.e. +200% Enhanced Damage (damage x 3) on your weapon and +300% Enhanced Damage (damage x 4) from Fortitude, you will multiply your damage by 12 in total.
On top of this ability to massively enhance physical damage, it also provides many benefits to survivability like Enhanced Defense and All Resistances. However you should be careful when selecting this armor for defensive purposes, as Chains of Honor could be a better alternative in some cases.
- 20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armor when Struck
- +25% Faster Cast Rate
- +300% Enhanced Damage
- +200% Enhanced Defense
- +((8-12)*0.125*Clvl) To Life (Based on Character Level) (varies)
- All Resistances +25-30 (varies)
- 12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
- +1 To Light Radius
- Weapons
- +9 To Minimum Damage
- +50 To Attack Rating
- 20% Deadly Strike
- Hit Causes Monster To Flee 25%
- Armor
- +15 Defense
- Replenish Life +7
- +5% To Maximum Lightning Resist
- Damage Reduced By 7
- socketed (4)
7. Faith
Faith is one of the highest physical damage missile weapons in the game. Along with Beast, it is the only Runeword granting the Fanaticism Aura to its user. When used on an Act 1 mercenary, it will grant this aura to you and your team without having to sacrifice an item slot on your main character.
When this weapon kills an enemy, there is a 10% chance it will return as an allied Returned skeleton.
- Level 12-15 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped (varies)
- +1-2 To All Skills (varies)
- +330% Enhanced Damage
- Ignore Target's Defense
- 300% Bonus To Attack Rating
- +75% Damage To Undead
- +50 To Attack Rating Against Undead
- +120 Fire Damage
- All Resistances +15
- 10% Reanimate As: Returned
- 75% Extra Gold From Monsters
- socketed (4)
8. 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.
- +40% faster hit Recovery
- +10-20% Enhanced Damage (varies)
- Adds 37-133 Cold Damage
- 15% Chance of Crushing Blow
- 33% Chance of Open Wounds
- +150-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
- -20% Slower Stamina Drain
- Cold Resist +45%
- Lightning Resist +15%
- Fire Resist +15%
- Poison Resist +15%
- socketed (3)
9. 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
- +370% Enhanced Damage
- -25% Target Defense
- Adds 3-14 Cold Damage
- -25% To Enemy Fire Resistance
- 40% Chance of Crushing Blow
- +200-300 Defense (varies)
- +10 To Strength
- +10 To Dexterity
- All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
- Requirements -20%
- socketed (5)
What do you think is the strongest mercenary runeword?
Summary of the top 9 mercenary runewords
Runeword | Sockets | Allowed Bases | Runes | Level | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infinity (1.10) | 4 Sockets | Polearm, Spear | 63 | 50% Chance To Cast Level 20 Chain Lightning When You Kill An EnemyLevel 12 Conviction Aura When Equipped+35% Faster Run/Walk+255-325% Enhanced Damage (varies)-45-55% To Enemy Lightning Resistance (varies)40% Chance of Crushing Blow (  )Prevent Monster Heal ( )+(0.5*Clvl) To Vitality (Based on Character Level)30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items ( )Level 21 Cyclone Armor (30 Charges) | |
| Insight (1.10) | 4 Sockets | Polearm, Staff, Missile Weapon | 27 | Level 12-17 Meditation Aura When Equipped (varies)+35% Faster Cast Rate+200-260% Enhanced Damage (varies)+9 To Minimum Damage (  )180-250% Bonus to Attack Rating (varies)Adds 5-30 Fire Damage ( )+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds ( )+1-6 To Critical Strike (varies)+5 To All Attributes+2 To Mana After Each Kill ( )23% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items | |
| Treachery (1.11) | 3 Sockets | Armor | 43 | ||
Bulwark (2.6) | 3 Sockets | Helm | 35 | ||
| Chains of Honor (1.10) | 4 Sockets | Armor | 63 | ||
| Fortitude (1.10) | 4 Sockets | Weapon, Armor | 59 | 20% Chance To Cast Level 15 Chilling Armor when Struck+25% Faster Cast Rate+300% Enhanced Damage+200% Enhanced Defense+((8-12)*0.125*Clvl) To Life (Based on Character Level) (varies)All Resistances +25-30 (varies)12% Damage Taken Goes To Mana+1 To Light Radius (  )Weapons+9 To Minimum Damage ()+50 To Attack Rating ()20% Deadly Strike ( )Hit Causes Monster To Flee 25% ( )Armor+15 Defense ()Replenish Life +7 ()+5% To Maximum Lightning Resist ()Damage Reduced By 7 () | |
| Faith (1.10) | 4 Sockets | Missile Weapon | 65 | Level 12-15 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped (varies)+1-2 To All Skills (varies)+330% Enhanced Damage (  )Ignore Target's Defense ( )300% Bonus To Attack Rating+75% Damage To Undead ( )+50 To Attack Rating Against Undead ()+120 Fire DamageAll Resistances +1510% Reanimate As: Returned75% Extra Gold From Monsters ( ) | |
| Duress (1.10) | 3 Sockets | Armor | 47 | ||
| Obedience (1.10) | 5 Sockets | Polearm, Spear | 41 | 30% Chance To Cast Level 21 Enchant When You Kill An Enemy+40% Faster Hit Recovery+370% Enhanced Damage-25% Target Defense (  )Adds 3-14 Cold Damage ( )-25% To Enemy Fire Resistance40% Chance of Crushing Blow+200-300 Defense (varies)+10 To Strength ( )+10 To Dexterity ( )All Resistances +20-30 (varies)Requirements -20% ( ) | |
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Did I miss any important runewords for the mercenary? What runeword would you add to this list?
