The Reign of the Warlock expansion launched for Diablo 2 Resurrected in 2026, completely revamping the possibilities for gear planning and build creation across all classes. With more than 30 new items, including runewords, class-specific uniques, and cross-class gear, the horizon for endgame and leveling options has expanded noticeably. Here we will review all of the D2R new runewords in the 2026 DLC, how to use and get each of them!

D2R New Runewords in Reign of the Warlock & Season 13

Reign of the Warlock introduced an impressive array of gear: powerful class shields called Grimoires, expanded staff and dagger mods, rare charms, new belt/ring/amulet designs, and sets. Most impactful, however, is the set of new runewords that immediately started drawing attention from the community. These new rune words offer improved casting abilities, elemental and physical damage, survivability, and fresh playstyle options for almost every class.

Runes for these runewords drop throughout Hell difficulty, with certain high runes (like Zod and Ohm) now having a tangible chase factor for crafters and loot hunters.

D2R Best New Runewords

Let’s go over all the new runewords and see which classes benefit the most, ideal builds for each, and requirements for crafting.

1. Void (Dagger: Thul + Zod + Ist)

Void has quickly made a name for itself, attracting attention across multiple classes. With two to all skills, 40% faster cast rate, and +11% magic skill damage, Void is now poised to rival HotO and Spirit for many magic-based characters. It even comes packed with charges of Abyss as an O-skill, making it useful for experimenting on non-Warlock builds. Plenty in the community are already calling dual Void best-in-slot for dual-wielding casters, especially Singer Barbarians who now gain both the damage and FCR boost.

Best Classes & Builds To Use Void:

1. Paladin (Hammerdin) - The 13% extra magic damage can easily outperform a simple skill boost, making Void a candidate to replace HotO, especially in higher density areas.

2. Warlock (Magic/Eldritch builds) - For magic and hybrid builds featuring Abyss or other Chaos skills, Void gives a meaningful boost to clear speed.

3. Sorceress - Especially on builds like Lightning or Nova, the faster cast and skill damage line up very well.

4. Barbarian - Dual wielding Void on a Singer Barb can result in top-tier clear speeds, with many already predicting dual Void/Spirit set-ups.

5. Sorceress & Druid - For builds that scale with magic skill% such as Nova, Blizzard, or Wind Druid - the high FCR and skill effects let you optimize damage over classic options.

How to Get Void:

• Runes Required: Thul, Zod, Ist

• Base Requirements: 3-socket dagger (can also use ethereal for a "no weapon look" while casting, as pointed out by players)

• Drop Strategy: Zod remains rare, so focus on high-level boss farming in Hell, terror zones, or trade.

2. Ritual (Dagger: Amn + Shael + Ohm)

Ritual combines high enhanced damage, attack rating, huge damage to demons, life leech, and a unique teleport attack called Blade Warp. Its on-strike proc triggers an area-damage explosion. Ritual stands out for builds that target demons or want a hybrid of survivability and offense.

Best Classes & Builds To Use Ritual:

• Warlock: The skills and blade interplay blend extremely well in Demon and hybrid builds, especially for those engaging in both melee and magic.

• Assassin: For players seeking a change from Claw builds, Ritual’s life leech and attack rating provide a unique edge.

• Barbarian: Certain frenzy or niche builds can put Ritual to use in demon-heavy areas.

How to Get Ritual:

• Runes Required: Amn, Shael, Ohm

• Base Requirements: 3-socket dagger, preferably high damage/attack speed base

• Drop Strategy: Ohm drops from Hell Forge, Countess, or boss runs.

3. Coven (Helm – Ist + Ral + Io)

Coven provides a flexible headgear upgrade with +1 to all skills, 20% FCR, solid vitality and fire resist, 30% fire resist, life after kill, strong MF, and a slowing ground proc. This makes mid-game progression much smoother and gives spellcasters time to farm for rare circlets. Many Druids and Sorceresses are already using Coven as an interim or even late-game circlet replacement for FCR builds.

Best Classes & Builds for Coven:

• Druid: Tornado and elemental Druids lift damage, resilience, and casting speed—without sacrificing survival stats.

• Warlock/Necromancer/Sorceress: Any caster looking for FCR and vitality before endgame circlets.

How to Get Coven:

• Runes Required: Ist, Ral, Io

• Base Requirements: 3-socket helm, typically a circlet/coronet

• Drop Strategy: Ist can be crafted via lower runes or traded.

4. Authority (Armor: Hel + Shael + Ral)

Authority is a classic leveling runeword: +2 to Warlock skills, hit recovery, enhanced defense, fire resist, and reduced requirements. Chance to proc miasma chain and psychic ward when struck helps survival. It’s a great rollover pick for Warlocks progressing through Normal/Nightmare/Hell before late-game uniques.

Best Classes & Builds for Authority:

• Warlock: All leveling builds benefit, especially those lacking in resist gear or needing a stat buffer moving through difficulty levels.

How to Get:

• Runes Required: Hel, Shael, Ral

• Base Requirements: 3-socket armor, ideally low strength for leveling; easily dropped in Nightmare/Hell

• Drop Strategy: Regular runes; use drops from Countess or gem upgrades.

5. Vigilance (Shield/Off-Hand: Dol + Gul)

This is a flexible defensive runeword that can be created in shields with two sockets, including Warlock Grimoires and necro heads. It offers block rate, all resistances (34%), extra life/mana, and block recovery. Some users note it’s perfect for slotting into a well-rolled necro head or Warlock tome for early- or mid-game resistance stacking.

Best Builds:

• Necromancer: Protective option for Summoners or hybrid casters, especially when low on resistances before Spirit.

• Warlock: Slot into Grimoires for FCR and resists.

How to Get:

• Runes Required: Dol, Gul

• Base Requirements: 2-socket shield (Grimoire, Necro Head, Paladin Shield)

• Drop Strategy: Gul from Forge quest, Dol is common in Nightmare-Hell Countess.

How To Get These New Runewords in D2R Reign of the Warlock & Season 13?

All recipes need certain base items with the required number of sockets:

• Daggers: For Void/Ritual, farm cows, act bosses, or high-density areas for white or grey elite daggers. Use Larzuk or cube recipes for sockets.

• Shields/Helms/Armors: Use Normal/Nightmare/Hell cows, Baal, Nihlathak, or terrorized zones.

• Runes: Combine runes from Countess, Nihlathak, Forge, and area 85 zones (Pit, Ancient Tunnels, Chaos, etc). Mule or trade as needed for Zod, Ohm, Gul, Ist, and other high runes.

• Tips: Manipulate game mode and difficulty to target drop rates for your target runes or base types.

Class & Builds Rankings for Per Runeword

Let’s recap which classes and builds get the biggest value from these upgrades:

Void:

1. Paladin (Hammerdin)

2. Warlock (Magic DPS, Eldritch, Abyss-focused)

3. Barbarian (Singer, dual-wield caster)

4. Sorceress/Druid (Magic-scaling builds)

Ritual:

1. Warlock (Hybrid Melee/Caster, Demon Tree, Bane builds)

2. Assassin (Hybrid dagger build)

3. Barbarian (Frenzy, Demon Hunter situational)

Coven:

1. Druid (Elemental, Tornado, Wind builds)

2. Warlock, Necromancer, Sorceress (Caster, leveling, hybrid builds)

Authority:

1. Warlock (All builds, leveling through Normal-Hell, hybrid spell/summon builds)

Vigilance:

1. Necromancer (Summon/Hybrid, early-mid game shield)

2. Warlock (Leveling, pre-Spirit defensive slots)

Some of the rarest runes (Zod, Ohm, Ist, Gul) now have real chase content, and the new Uber Ancients fight rewards rare socketables and gems. Charms and new cube recipes (like Sunder renewals) further individualize gear progression.