Instructions on how to locate four socket shields in Diablo 2: Resurrected

 

Finding runes is a straightforward process; either the monster or container from which you obtain loot has a high enough Monster Level (mLv) or is located in an area with a high enough Area Level (aLv) to generate a rune, or it isn’t, depending on your circumstances. Rune drops have a higher ceiling when the difficulty is higher or the Act is later, according to a general rule of thumb.

 

Socketed equipment operates on a similar principle, but it is less obvious because the relationship between the number of sockets in D2R items and the rarity of the runes is not as clear as it is with other types of equipment. When playing on Normal difficulty, Act 2, you can purchase 3-socket weapons and shields, so it may be reasonable to anticipate that 4-socket weapons and shields will drop shortly after. However, this is unfortunately not the case.

In the early game, both 4-socket 1-handed swords and 4-socket 2-handed shields are desirable due to the Spirit runeword, which has similar properties whether created in a sword or a shield: +2 to all skills, +25%-35% faster cast rate, +22 Vitality, and +89-112 Mana when created in either of the two weapons. With a relatively low level requirement of 25, you’re simply not going to find anything better at the time, or in the case of shields, you may not find anything better at all. But depending on your luck, you may have to wait much longer to obtain the socketed base item itself.

The Best Weapon in D2R

The Best Weapon in D2R

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This is determined by the item’s Item Level (iLv), which is an invisible stat that is usually the same as the monster level that dropped it (or the aLv of the container) and the maximum number of sockets it can have

When it comes to shields with four sockets, your options are limited

If you’re a Paladin, that’s fantastic

A 4-socket Paladin shield can be obtained relatively quickly and easily – even the smallest (2×2) shields can have four sockets if the iLv of the shield is high enough

Make a Spirit out of the first rune you come across because the Diablo 2 ladder runes are inexpensive enough to throw away

You’ll want to find a shield with a high (50%+) base Block Chance as well as a base +20-30 to All Resistances if you want to be the most effective

 

The process will be much more painful if you are not a Paladin, as you will be in this case. There are only three shields that can spawn with four sockets: the Monarch, the Aegis, and the Ward, and only the Monarch has a Strength requirement that is even remotely reasonable (and even then, it’s a hefty 156), and of the three, only the Ward has a Strength requirement that is even remotely reasonable (and even then, it’s a hefty 156). Even worse, these are all elite shields, which means you won’t be able to find one until you reach Hell difficulty.

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A Monarch can only be obtained by destroying a large amount of volume. Kill enemies (especially the minions of Unique monsters) and loot weapon racks to gain experience points. If you’re serious about getting a Monarch, keep your Magic Find low; finding a magical Monarch simply means you missed out on a potential base for Spirit.

If you do manage to track down a Monarch, you’ll want to make sure it’s a natural 4-socketed specimen. Unfortunately, this is extremely unlikely, and the first worthwhile Monarch shield you’ll come across will almost certainly be an unsocketed example of the type. The combination of Tal and Amn plus Perfect Ruby plus any Shield results in a socketed Shield.

If you use the formula above, a random number of sockets will be added to your shield based on the maximum number of sockets that can be held by the shield and the iLv of the shield. It’s not a big deal in the Monarch’s case because any Monarch that drops can have up to four sockets and has enough iLv to carry those sockets, so it’s not a big deal. It is important to note that this formula will only work with shields of normal quality; low-quality, superior, socketed, magical, or rare shields will not work. Aside from that, because the number of sockets added is determined at random, you should anticipate that it will take several attempts before you obtain the 4-socketed Monarch you require.

In spite of the fact that it’s exciting to blow up a boss and see golden items drop, many of the game’s most powerful weapons are not unique items; rather, they are runewords, and the best runewords are composed – at least in part – of high runes. It is not an exaggeration to say that a player’s wealth can be measured by the number of Ber runes he or she possesses, and players who want the most powerful endgame builds will need to collect a large number of high runes, such as Ist, Vex, Ohm, Lo, Ber, and Jah, among other things.