Summary: Diablo 2 has a vast array of items and runes that players can collect to upgrade their characters’ abilities. One of the most popular runewords is Steel, which can be used to create a powerful weapon that serves as a great starter item for new players. In this article, we’ll explore what the Steel runeword is, its benefits and drawbacks, and tips on how to obtain the runes required to make it.
1. What is the Steel Runeword?
The Steel runeword can be created by adding the Tir and El runes to a two-handed sword, two-handed axe, or polearm. When completed, it provides the following bonuses: +25% Increased Attack Speed, +20 to Attack Rating, +3 to Minimum Damage, +3 to Maximum Damage, and 50% Chance of Open Wounds. For low-level characters, this makes Steel a fantastic choice because it significantly enhances the damage output and the chances of enemies bleeding out.
However, since its primary use is to improve attack speed, it is not recommended for characters who rely heavily on spells or ranged attacks. The damage output may not be worth the investment in those cases. Moreover, while the Steel runeword is useful early on, it eventually becomes overshadowed by more potent weapons as the game progresses.
If you’re planning to use Steel, it’s crucial to match the weapon type to the character’s stats. For instance, Amazon characters benefit from using polearms, while Barbarians are better off using an axe or sword.
2. Pros and Cons of Steel Runeword
Aside from its benefits and drawbacks of Steel, the cost-benefit analysis also needs to take into account the effort and resources required to obtain the necessary runes. Tir and El runes are among the more common runes found in the game’s early levels, which eases their acquisition. However, the difficulty increases when hunting for the runes as they become rarer. This may require players to invest significant time and effort into farming for the required runes, which can be challenging for those who want to finish the game quickly.
Another aspect to consider is that Steel’s usefulness will eventually wane as characters upgrade and progress through the levels. As a low-level runeword, it can enhance the player’s character’s performance. However, at higher levels, Steel would likely not be enough to satisfy players looking for stronger weapons to tackle tougher opponents. Moreover, once the player has reached a higher level, getting the runes to create this runeword could become not worth it, leaving players with an unnecessary financial burden.
Nonetheless, during the early stages of the game, Steel Runeword’s benefits outweigh its drawbacks, especially for those seeking to make it through the game relatively quicker.
3. Where to Find the Required Runes
To create Steel, you need the Tir and El runes. Tir is relatively easy to find since it drops in the early acts of the game or can be purchased from Charsi in Act 1. You can also transmute three Tir runes in the Horadric Cube to make an El rune. Alternatively, you can obtain El by killing monsters in Act2 Normal and Advanced versions.
Beyond Charsi, it is also possible to purchase runes from NPCs in the game. Akara, for example, also sells El and Tir runes at times, while Fara in Act 2 can sell the El rune. Lysander in Act 3 can also sell both the El and Tir Runes, making him another potentially valuable resource for obtaining them if farming for the runes prove less productive.
You can also try to find the runes by killing specific monsters that drop them. For example, you can obtain the Tir rune from Fallen, Zombies, and Fallen Shamans, while the El rune is commonly dropped by Skeleton Archers, Carvers, and Dark Ones.
Conclusion:
The Steel Runeword is one of the most popular runewords in Diablo 2, offering significant benefits for low-level characters. It boosts attack speed and damage output while also inflicting Open Wounds on enemies, making it vital for those who want to progress quickly through the game’s early levels. However, the effort required to obtain the necessary Tir and El runes, as well as the fact that Steel becomes outdated as players progress past early levels, must be considered when deciding whether to invest time and resources into creating Steel. Nonetheless, obtaining the necessary runes can be straightforward, as they can be found in early game levels and purchased from NPCs.
