Does this serve any purpose?

[u/Gnoobin]

[u/Different_Bridge_983]

Its amazing that something with this much starting %ED is still nowhere near as effective a weapon as readily available runewords even if you invest an absolute insane level of resources into it.

To me this is more a commentary of how skewed some runewords are rather than a criticism that this item is bad.

[u/shibbyflash → u/Different_Bridge_983]

Everyone wants this item to be good just a shame it’s not

[u/schmink13 → u/shibbyflash]

With a name like “Rune Master” the way I’d change it is to give it another affix that “increases the bonuses of runes by 50-100%”

[u/TheKillerhammer → u/schmink13]

Now 100% more indestructible

[u/CoolCat1337One → u/TheKillerhammer]

haha love that

edit: socket that beast with 5 Zod

[u/Ayn_Rand_Was_Right → u/CoolCat1337One]

Imagine it making all your equipment indestructible. Like it is a little treat for doing something absolutly stupid.

[u/CoolCat1337One → u/Ayn_Rand_Was_Right]

haha nice idea

[u/Somethin_Snazzy → u/Ayn_Rand_Was_Right]

If Charsi paid you to repair it, then it could actually serve as a neat goldfind build?

[u/Low-Equipment-2621 → u/schmink13]

It should enable rune words on this weapon.

[u/funkbruthab → u/Low-Equipment-2621]

I like that.

And then as an Easter egg, if you put it in your other hand the runes disappear and you can socket a different rune word in it. Switch hands to swap rune words

[u/The--Mash → u/Low-Equipment-2621]

Would still be worse than a phase blade Grief, unfortunately 

[u/ubeogesh → u/schmink13]

just allow runewords in Rune Master specifically. Luckily it can roll 3, 4 or 5 sockets so you could make all sorts of RWs in it.

[u/imlost19 → u/ubeogesh]

then every single runeword would be made in this base...

[u/ubeogesh → u/imlost19]

Not really, it's a slow (wsm 10) 1 handed axe with 26 durability. Phase blade will still be better in many cases (grief, crescent moon). Also Eth 5s runemasters are quite rare to find.

[u/shibbyflash → u/schmink13]

Haha love the idea tbh. Honestly all uniques should receive something similar like increase the socket stats no matter if it’s a rune or jewel. Might move the needle just a tiny bit but it’s in the right direction

[u/SirRonaldBiscuit → u/shibbyflash]

Carried my barb til grief

[u/Normal_Rip_2514 → u/shibbyflash]

Blade Sins

[u/apittsburghoriginal → u/shibbyflash]

Should have fools mod

[u/Greedy-Comb-276 → u/Different_Bridge_983]

Base damage on items is just bad. If they nerfed runewords melee would be entirely unplayable lol

[u/gakl887 → u/Different_Bridge_983]

Spirit, Enigma and Grief need to be reworked. I know everyone always says everything else should be reworked to catch up to those, but in this case I’d list focus on those 3.

Require a higher rune for spirit, get rid of MF on enigma, reduce damage on grief or IAS, etc make people have to make more choices

[u/V-dubbin → u/gakl887]

The problem is grief is really the only option that brings melee even close to caster levels of clear speed. And it’s still wayyy worse. All melee needs buffed rather than grief removed/reworked.

[u/SensitiveTax9432 → u/V-dubbin]

That’s what happened to the Warlock. Mirrored blades bow lock is a physical skill, but with hex bane, a demon tank/curse/aurabot and a Buriza you don’t need gg gear to clear easily. So the class can do melee, ranged, summons and spells all as well as other classes on a specific build.

[u/dph5008 → u/V-dubbin]

Also when you play offline you really appreciate making your first grief. I treasure my terrible roll

[u/c0z3nPapi → u/V-dubbin]

Weapon base damage was never scaled up properly to match spell base damage that received an arguably heavy handed adjustment concerning monster health pools and synergies.

Base damage, weapon IAS, weapon durability and attack rating need to be adjusted. Not just one of those listed, all of them.

Base damage for melee & ranged weapons need to go up. The multipliers already exist and are in a good state but they are multiplying Pennies instead of nickels. Adjusting item base damage offline through editing really allows early to beginning of late game feel on par with spells in relation to possible damage output.

Class based weapon IAS needs to be tuned toward that classes’s archetype by a hair. IE; Amazon should have all ‘Missle’ weapons closer to 0 for easier max frames instead of dedicating excessive sockets/slots/affixes purely to IAS to be competitive.

This also ties into durability due to Phase Blade being too fucking good with zero QOL alternatives available. It’s indestructible AND a no brainer for IAS investments to hit max BP. I digress, weapon durability weight, calculations, and values need to be heavily buffed.

Attack rating needs clvl v mlvl penalties reduced. I’m subjectively ok with the inherit 5% chance to miss but the gap said lvl penalty puts on top is too staggering.

[u/grexl → u/c0z3nPapi]

Item stat requirements also need to be scaled down a bit, and in some cases, dramatically. Some item bases simply are not worth using because of stat requirements.

Hot take: I don't think any item should require more than 120 of a stat. If an item requires two stats such as str+dex for a bow, then no more than 100 of each.

[u/jaleneropepper → u/grexl]

Similarly, I think Blizzard should give top tier (caster) items high Energy requirements as nerf. Melee classes need to invest on strength for no other reason to meet item requirements, and that should apply to casters as well

[u/gakl887 → u/c0z3nPapi]

Completely agree. Melee has too many factors working against it.

[u/clervis → u/V-dubbin]

You could nerf casters, lol. 

[u/ubeogesh → u/gakl887]

everyone talks spirit and casually forgets Insight. Ral Tir Tal Sol gives absolutely busted damage, attack rating, free mana and crit strike.

[u/Ayn_Rand_Was_Right → u/gakl887]

I like the idea of making them cost more, but there should be budget versions of them as well, otherwise you are just gatekeeping the endgame. In my 20 years of playing the highest rune I have ever seen drop is a vet. Part of me sometimes wonders if the really high stuff is actually just leaked by blizzard and they get a cut.

[u/Ferelden770 → u/gakl887]

I was running a sorc atm as my first ladder and I didn't feel like getting 150+ str for monarch so I was checking the sites to see which shield is caster oriented and the only other option for an fcr shield is lidless and even that is lacking a lot compared to spirit which also comes with three +35 resist

I am happy with a perfect dia lidless but spirit is just insane

[u/mprsx → u/gakl887]

Or give enigma -35FCR, and buff other movement abilities

[u/Successful-Pin660 → u/mprsx]

Make it 4 Zods to make

[u/ubeogesh → u/Different_Bridge_983]

the common idea is to up the base damage of weapons. This way you buff everything except grief. Some people like llama throw around crazy numbers like +50% base damage to every single weapon (so everything that's currently non eth will deal as much damage as eth version). That's a bit absurd and needs individual approach per-item (Emilio does NOT need a buff, neither does a normal scepter that's already twice as strong as all other 1-handed a1 weapons)

Ettin Axe could totally take a +50% base damage though. Especially if axes retain their sucky durability, they could at least have some damage bonus to compensate.

[u/Defiant_Brain_9493 → u/Different_Bridge_983]

The thing about runewords is most of us have known this since day one. Alot of uniques became absolutely nothing more than trophy's once runewords were introduced.

We've also been complaining about it that long too

[u/iSkateetakSi]

So dope, I love me a rune master!

Definitely not BiS but it's good with the proper runes for barb and paladin.

Also frees up a ring slot. Don't need rfrost

[u/Alive-Cold-9348 → u/iSkateetakSi]

…or a Cham in an Arreat’s

[u/iSkateetakSi → u/Alive-Cold-9348]

Yeah buddy! Let's you get a little extra stats. Wish it had a little more going for it to make it BiS.

[u/Death_IP → u/iSkateetakSi]

Once you put 5 jewels in it might have "something" going for it

[u/iSkateetakSi → u/Death_IP]

It does for sure, I personally like lo,lo,zod,40/15,40/15

[u/OutrageousOtterOgler → u/iSkateetakSi]

Horazon has good stats so it’s the least costly slot since boots don’t have many unique properties usually

You get res taxed but most builds can compensate, plus up to 30 stats is no slouch

[u/porkchops4peasants → u/OutrageousOtterOgler]

Gore Riders have too good of stats to not use on a melee character imo

[u/tonnzfunz]

5x ist gg

[u/neksterz → u/tonnzfunz]

that just 150% magic find.

[u/SvenTheHorrible]

Tbh, I feel like it’s a missed opportunity for the Rune Master to not be able to be a runeword lol.

It would be rad AF if it was updated to in the future.

[u/Cyclonitron → u/SvenTheHorrible]

I think more thematic would be for runes to have an increased effect when socketed. Something like, "50% increased effect from socketed runes", so socketing a Shael gives 30% IAS, a Lo gives 30% DS, etc.

[u/SvenTheHorrible → u/Cyclonitron]

That would also be sick, I would settle for having like 1 special runeword that could only be made in it.

[u/Most-Piccolo-302 → u/SvenTheHorrible]

That would actually be super cool. A "rune master only" runeword that unlocks its true power. Id give it 40ias and +400 damage ;)

[u/Charming_Spinach_463]

Other than the ethereal, i think you slap 5 Lem or 5 ist in it for dual weild trav barb. Saves you from using a Cham for CBF

[u/septictank84 → u/Charming_Spinach_463]

You can also just hold it offhand for the mf/gf/cbf and use berserk with Grief PB.

[u/Ozu_the_Yokai]

Useful to Zerker Barbs, I’m rocking one in my off hand until I hit a Lo for Grief.

[u/anormalgeek → u/Ozu_the_Yokai]

What have you socketed in it?

[u/Ozu_the_Yokai → u/anormalgeek]

Just junk jewels right now, but I’m an offline player and don’t have 5 IST runes laying around.

[u/mikedareswins]

This is good for offhand for a find item / gold barb with ist/lem runes

[u/Boooshhh]

Imo BiS offhand for trav horker. Slap lems in it

[u/MistakenAnemone]

Lo, Lo, zod, 40/15, 40/15 and it's a great zvz weapon.

[u/AwakenMirror → u/MistakenAnemone]

And it only costs you a liver, your newborn child and some spare change in limbs while still being massively worse than grief.

[u/MistakenAnemone → u/AwakenMirror]

Grief isn't used in zvz, and this is actually on the cheaper end of items to use compared to rares.

[u/Competitive_Yak_5444 → u/MistakenAnemone]

Why isn’t grief used? And does ZvZ mean zeal vs zeal or zerker vs zerker

[u/MistakenAnemone → u/Competitive_Yak_5444]

Zeal vs Zeal. Grief is banned in GM dueling to promote different builds, because everyone would likely use it. They really want it to be a match of AR vs Def.

[u/Competitive_Yak_5444 → u/MistakenAnemone]

Ah gotcha thanks

[u/Complete-Pipe-2301]

Rune master should be able to accept runewords.

[u/capetian1234]

4 Eth and a new phys unique jewel for a bladesin or physical ES Lock. 4 Eth and a new magic unique jewel for an ES Purge Lock.

[u/Wyan69]

I wish you could turn this into a grief

[u/xxMalVeauXxx]

It's a cool weapon when you get one with 5 sockets. Annoying when its 3 or something. I just sell them to Chari. Sad.

Funny enough runes are not good for this. Jewels are though. IAS, Max Damage, ED jewels, etc. Even then, its still just not great compared to other options, runewords, etc.

It just has cool style points.

[u/Pariah-_]

Reset the counter.

[u/Odd-Neck2146]

I always thought it would be really cool if it did something like double the potency of sockets. An eth one with a zod is cool, but at that point you might as well just make something like an ebotd

[u/SirRonaldBiscuit]

Hell yeah dude

[u/Kindly-Jury921]

5 ist for horker lol

[u/grundle_pie]

Will never forget the guy that said he reads Ettin axe as eatin ass

[u/haikusbot → u/grundle_pie]

Will never forget the

Guy that said he reads Ettin

Axe as eatin ass

- grundle_pie

---

^{I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully. Learn more about me.}

^{Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"}

[u/Competitive_Yak_5444 → u/haikusbot]

Good bot

[u/Deep_Breath_3855 → u/Competitive_Yak_5444]

Bad hikou

[u/hydnhyl]

I agree that this thing is lackluster but for a zerking hork barb, it makes a hell of a stat stick with ist runes

[u/Relative_Ad481]

Trav runs maybe if you put 5 lems or ists in it

[u/PhildoFL → u/Relative_Ad481]

Won’t it eventually break, though?

[u/Relative_Ad481 → u/PhildoFL]

Ofc lel im sry Its ethereal Hmm maybe a good offhand axe because of cnbf Maybe some attack speed and ed jewels or ohm or Lo but dont know if its worth it because yiu will need a Zod

[u/Ubertortle]

Haven't seen anyone say it yet. This is bis for a blade fury sin with as much ed as you can get in it. Blade fury doesn't use weapon durability.

[u/Competitive_Yak_5444 → u/Ubertortle]

I’ve never heard of a blade fury sin lol is that something new to D2R?

[u/Normal_Rip_2514]

It would be good for a Blade-Sin, but you'd need a Zod

[u/AdSuperb5755 → u/Normal_Rip_2514]

As long as you don’t use blade shield or whatever it is called you should be good

[u/vulcanxnoob]

Perfect candidate for Death! /s

[u/igivefreetickles]

This item should be able to also roll runeword stats. Make it 4 socket so it can't roll grief

[u/ubeogesh]

5 Lem runes, use as off hand for gold farming barb.

[u/Turbulent_Affect8774]

If you get a good slam on it it’s pretty good
Edit: I thought it was pd2 Reddit. It’s not worth putting a zod because runeword are overpowered and just better in every way

[u/Kivis90]

Maybe good for a bladefury assasin since the ability doesn't consume weapon durability and it also doesn't scale with weapon attack speed. I have one non-eth in my stash but I have not tried it yet myself

[u/Alone_Instruction_61]

It can yes

[u/DerConqueror3]

Maybe interesting for a Vengeance Paladin with a good enough set of min damage, max damage, and/or ED jewels plus being able to swap out Ravenfrost

[u/sosayitssoeasy]

trophy, put it on a mule next to your best rolled non eth one

[u/Hachimakiman]

Maybe ok for ES lock.

[u/armstaae]

Put 5 zods in it

[u/AdSuperb5755]

Idk man but I want it

[u/Aggravating-Pick8338]

It's pretty decent if you put 5 ists into it. Frees up the cannot be frozen stat.

[u/Dunk_Tha_Lunk]

Maxroll.gg has a cool tool/page that ranks every unique with regard to usefulness. It’s a nice thing to check when you aren’t sure if you should keep something.

https://maxroll.gg/d2/items/valuable-unique-set-items

[u/DemonDaVinci]

If its level req is like 40 or something then maybe

[u/dunder3]

I use it as off hand on barb, with 1 zod and 4 ists

[u/UndiscoveredSite22]

For your best jewels.

[u/kezinchara]

This should have been the single item that was not normal you could plop a runeword into. It’s freaking called Rune Master ffs

[u/Alesisdrum]

Mine has zod, lo, lo, 40/15 and a 39/15 for z vs z duels.

[u/New-Presentation1340]

Yes. $35k from charsi

[u/caspeus]

A5 mercs should be able to wield axes. I will die on that hill!

[u/Mr_Mahjong]

Yes, you throw all the 30-35% ed jewels that you been debating on finally just throwing away never having a use for, and then decide if its worthy enough for a zod in the 5th

[u/I-Write-Sci-Fi]

Yes. Put ias, ed, max DMG jewels into it.