I think There is room for both D2 and D4 runeword systems… i didnt like most of the stand alone powers of runes in D2, but when mixing them they became cool.
I think Runewords should Not be endgame Items.
I think Runewords shouldn’t contain Affixes/stats, only effects, that would make them stand out as there own kind of item…
and they could make 3rd Rune Type Called something like Empower Runes.
That totally changes the effect rune.
types like
Sacrifice : Boost Effect but at life Cost
Flow : adds speed/Slow to the abillity at the cost of cooldown to the trigger
Rage : Buff x second followed by x second off debuff
Vision : Adds Aoe(or bigger AOE) Effect but with Delayed Activation.
Zealous : Multiply Effect ( Repeating every x seconds x times ) af Resource Drain
Heres 2 other Resent Runeword post…
https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d3/t/d4-runewords-and-theyre-place-among-the-stars-xd
https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/d3/t/runewords-are-very-possible-within-the-new-system