What Is Heart of the Oak Runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected?

In Diablo 2 Resurrected, Heart of the Oak is a powerful Runeword that can be created by socketing Ko, Vex, Pul, and Thul runes into a weapon to get a unique set of properties and bonuses. Heart of the Oak is a popular choice among spellcasting characters who are looking for a weapon that can increase their spellcasting speed, damage, and survivability. It is commonly used by Sorceresses, Druids, and Paladins who rely heavily on spellcasting abilities to deal damage and control the battlefield. However, Heart of the Oak runeword can also be used by other characters who are looking for a powerful weapon that can provide a variety of useful bonuses.

How to Use Heart of the Oak Runeword for D2R Paladin?

The Heart of the Oak Runeword can be an excellent choice for a Paladin in Diablo 2 Resurrected. Here are some tips on how to use it effectively:

- Choose the right weapon base: For a Paladin, the best weapon base is typically a Flail or a Grand Scepter. These bases offer good damage and attack speed and can be used with a shield for additional defense.

- Prioritize Faster Cast Rate: The Heart of the Oak Runeword provides a significant boost to Faster Cast Rate (FCR), which is essential for a Paladin who relies on casting spells like Holy Bolt or Fist of the Heavens. Aim for at least 105% FCR to reach the next breakpoint, which will allow you to cast spells faster.

- Use the Oak Sage and Raven charges: The Heart of the Oak Runeword provides charges for the Oak Sage and Raven spells, which can be very helpful for a Paladin. The Oak Sage provides a boost to life, while the Raven can distract enemies and absorb damage.

- Boost your resistances: The Heart of the Oak Runeword provides a significant boost to all resistances, which is important for surviving in D2R. Make sure to stack additional resistance bonuses from items and charms to maximize your defenses.

- Consider other equipment: You can use other items that can complement its strengths, such as a shield with high resistance, boots with Faster Run/Walk, and gloves with Crushing Blow.

Where and How to Get Heart of the Oak Runeword in D2R?

To create the Heart of the Oak runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected, players need to find the required runes and a suitable 4-socket staff or mace to socket them into. Here's how to obtain each component:

Required Runes: The Heart of the Oak runeword requires the Ko, Vex, Pul, and Thul runes. These can be obtained from various sources in the game, such as by killing monsters, opening chests, or trading with other players.

Suitable Staff or Mace: The staff or mace to socket the runes into must meet the following requirements. It must have exactly four sockets. It can be any type of staff or mace, including wands, scepters, and staves.

Once you have the required runes and a suitable staff or mace, follow these steps to create the Heart of the Oak runeword:

Insert the Ko rune into one of the sockets of the staff or mace.

Insert the Vex rune into another socket of the staff or mace.

Insert the Pul rune into another socket of the staff or mace.

Insert the Thul rune into the remaining socket of the staff or mace.

If the staff or mace has any remaining sockets, you can add additional runes or gems to further enhance its stats.

Once all desired runes and gems are socketed, the staff or mace will become a Heart of the Oak runeword staff or mace.

It's worth noting that obtaining the Ko, Vex, Pul, and Thul runes can be difficult, as they are all relatively rare. Players may need to farm monsters or trade with other players to obtain them. However, once you have the necessary components, creating the Heart of the Oak runeword can greatly enhance your character's spellcasting abilities and survivability.

What is the Best Base for Heart of the Oak Runeword?

The Heart of the Oak runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected can be created in any 4 socket staff or mace, including wands, scepters, staves, and even some unique items. However, some bases are better than others depending on the character's needs. Here are some of the best bases for the Heart of the Oak runeword:

Crystal Sword: The Crystal Sword is a one-handed sword that can be used by Sorceresses and other caster classes. It has a fast attack speed and can be used with a shield for additional defense. However, it has a lower damage range than other base types, so it is not ideal for melee characters.

Feral Claws: The Feral Claws are a pair of unique claws that can be used by Assassins. They have a fast attack speed and provide additional bonuses to Assassin skills and damage, making them a good choice for an Assassin that relies on spells and melee attacks.

War Scepter: The War Scepter is a one-handed mace that can be used by Paladins and other classes. It has a moderate attack speed and damage range, making it a good all-around choice for characters that want a balance of offense and defense.

Archon Staff: The Archon Staff is a two-handed staff that can be used by Sorceresses and other caster classes. It has a slower attack speed but provides a higher damage range and can be used with two-handed spells like Meteor or Blizzard.

Overall, the best base for the Heart of the Oak runeword depends on the character's needs and playstyle. Characters that prioritize spellcasting and a faster cast rate may prefer a Crystal Sword or Archon Staff, while characters that need a balance of offense and defense may prefer a War Scepter. Assassins may prefer the unique Feral Claws base for its additional bonuses to their skills and damage.

Is Heart of the Oak Runeword Good in D2R?

Yes, the Heart of the Oak runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected is considered one of the best runewords in the game for its powerful caster stats and bonuses to resistances. The +3 to All Skills provided by the runeword is particularly valuable for spellcasting characters, as it greatly improves their damage and effectiveness in combat.

Additionally, the Heart of the Oak runeword provides a significant boost to Faster Cast Rate (FCR), which is a crucial stat for spellcasting characters that rely on fast casting speeds to maximize their damage output. The increased maximum mana also provides characters with a larger mana pool to draw from, allowing them to cast more spells before running out of mana.

The Heart of the Oak runeword also provides valuable bonuses to resistances, which can help protect characters against elemental attacks. The runeword provides bonuses to fire, cold, and lightning resistances, which are some of the most common types of elemental damage in the game.

Overall, the Heart of the Oak runeword is a very strong choice for spellcasting characters, particularly Sorceresses, who rely heavily on spells and casting speed in combat. Its combination of increased skills, casting speed, and resistance bonuses make it a powerful tool for any spellcasting character.