Farming high runes in Diablo II: Resurrected has always been a numbers game. Rune drops are never guaranteed, and no single monster has a “better” chance in isolation. What matters is how many monsters you kill per hour, how safe the area is, and how quickly you can reset runs.
D2R Best High Rune Farm 2026 - Diablo 2 Resurrected Area Tier List 2026
High Runes are the most valuable and sought-after Diablo II Resurrected runes in the game. They are rare, powerful, and form the backbone of endgame progression—both for character power and trading economy. This D2R high rune tier list 2026 focuses specifically on online Battlenet farming, which means Lower Kurast is excluded. Instead, the rankings prioritize monster density, clear speed, danger level, and efficiency when targeting runes like Ber, Jah, Cham, and Zod.F Tier
Tristram
Tristram technically can drop high runes, and yes—people have seen it happen. The problem is density. The monster count is extremely low, making it wildly inefficient compared to almost any other farming route. It’s more of a novelty than a strategy.
Stony Tomb
Stony Tomb is a level 85 area with respectable monster packs, which gives it theoretical value. However, it suffers from two major problems:
It can be annoying to locate
Layout variance slows clear speed
If you’re farming purely for efficiency, there are simply better options.
D Tier
Worldstone Keep
On paper, the Worldstone Keep looks amazing. Massive monster density, level 85, and strong elite packs. In practice, it’s one of the most dangerous areas in the game. Souls, dolls, and nasty aura combinations can turn runs into death screens fast—especially for hardcore or undergeared characters. If you can clear it safely and quickly, it jumps tiers. If not, it’s a liability.
Eldritch & Shenk (Frigid Highlands)
These two superuniques are surrounded by dense monster packs and are quick to access. The downside? Loading screens. Constant resets and travel time eat into efficiency, which keeps them out of higher tiers despite solid rune potential.
C Tier
The Pits
The Pits remain one of the most popular farming zones for a reason:
Level 85 area
Easy to find
Safe for most builds
Decent monster density
While it doesn’t compete with top-tier rune farms in raw numbers, it’s consistent and beginner-friendly, making it a solid mid-tier choice.
B Tier
Arcane Sanctuary
Arcane Sanctuary shines because of ghost-type enemies. Ghosts have a smaller loot table, which increases the relative chance of rune drops. On top of that, the Summoner can drop keys. End tiles contain chests. Straight-line layouts favor AoE builds. If you’re farming efficiently and killing ghosts over open space, this area punches well above its weight.
Forgotten Tower
The Forgotten Tower combines:
Ghost enemies
High monster density
Countess rune potential
While the Countess herself caps at Ist for rune drops, the surrounding monsters can drop up to Lo, making full clears worthwhile rather than boss rushing.
A Tier
Chaos Sanctuary
Chaos Sanctuary is one of the most complete farming zones in the game:
Level 85
Extremely high monster density
Diablo kill at the end
Waypoint access is excellent
Seal popping makes this area especially powerful for high-end builds. It’s fast, repeatable, and rewarding across runes, uniques, and experience.
S Tier
Secret Cow Level
The Cow Level sits alone at the top for one simple reason: numbers. No area in Diablo II offers:
This many monsters
This fast of a clear
This consistent of a reset loop
High rune farming is a probability game, and nothing increases your odds like killing more enemies per run. Cows are relatively safe, tightly packed, and ideal for AoE builds. If your only goal is high runes, nothing beats cows—period.