Having the shield instead of the sword means other classes can get better attack bonuses with other weapons. The Spirit Shield is favored over the Spirit Sword as it's an off-hand piece of equipment that doesn't need to be actively used to reap the most benefits.

The Spirit Shield has stats that speak for themselves. A Normal white shield or sword with 4 sockets is required to hold the runes. Players need four sockets in order to insert the runes Tal, Thul, Ort, and Amn to make the Spirit Runeword.

This can be done with either the Monarch, Aegis, or Ward shields, but Monarch is preferable since it has the lowest strength requirement. Making the Spirit Runeword is core to most character builds. This update to the guide has made the information easier to find by placing the specific answer to the question up front and moving the exposition about the shield to the end. That problem has persisted and made this guide more important than ever. But, frankly, many players are farming in areas that will never yield the shield at all. With a whole community frantically looking, it often seems like a matter of luck to get one to drop. Updated on December 16th, 2021 by Hodey Johns: The four-socket Monarch shield is something almost every build will be trying to farm up at some point.

This guide will help players find a four-socket shield as early as possible. This very useful piece of equipment adds a multitude of perks that can help out most classes and builds in a big way. RELATED: Diablo 2: Resurrected - How To Build The Wind Druidįinding a four-socket shield in Diablo 2: Resurrected is needed to create a Spirit Shield.

This includes the rules surrounding socketed items and drop rates.

Why is a 4-Socket Shield Needed in Diablo 2?ĭiablo 2: Resurrected might have updated visuals and some slight gameplay tweaks, but its systems work the same way as the original version.

Diablo 2 getting a 4 socket shield