Hey everyone,
I wanted to throw an idea out there that could add a fresh layer of depth to Diablo 4’s itemization while bringing back a beloved feature from Diablo 2—Runewords! Instead of just copying the old system, what if we integrated it into Diablo 4’s gear design in a way that works across all equipment slots?
How Runewords Could Work in Diablo 4
- Socketed Gear: Various gear pieces—helmets, chest armor, gloves, boots, weapons, and even belts—could have socket slots for runes, similar to how gems work.
- Runeword Activation: Like in Diablo 2, placing specific runes in the correct order would activate a runeword effect.
- Expanded Rune Combinations: Instead of being limited to just two runes, Diablo 4 could allow multiple rune slots per item, leading to more complex and varied runewords.
- Rune Affixes: Each rune could have a small individual effect, but when combined in a valid runeword, they’d unlock a unique, powerful bonus.
- Scaling with World Tiers: The strength of runewords could scale based on the rarity of the item and the tier of the runes, keeping them relevant in endgame content.
Potential Benefits to the Game
- More Build Customization: Players could chase and experiment with runewords across different gear slots to enhance their builds.
- Deeper Theorycrafting: With more rune slots per item, players could explore a greater variety of rune combinations, leading to even more diverse builds.
- New Endgame Goals: Farming rare runes and gear pieces with ideal stats would add more long-term progression.
- Ties into Diablo’s History: Runewords were a huge part of what made Diablo 2’s itemization so engaging, and this would modernize them for today’s ARPG audience.
What Do You Think?
Would you like to see runewords return in Diablo 4? And how do you feel about the possibility of multiple rune slots per item to allow for more complex customization? Let’s discuss ways this system could be balanced and improved!
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!