Last Updated on by Samuel Franklin
Knowing how to add sockets to your Diablo 2 (or D2R) items optimises gear and unlocks crafting your own runeword item bases. Players can add sockets through cube recipes and a quest although there are different rules that apply to obtain the desired number of sockets.
In this item socket guide I detail how to access these two socket options, how they work and recommendations to use them effectively based on my decades of experience with Diablo 2. Players should save runes during a playthrough used in the D2R socket recipes; weapon (Ral/Amn/Perfect Amethyst), armour (Tal/Thul/Perfect Topaz), shield (Tal/Amn/Perfect Ruby) and helm (Ral/Thul/Perfect Sapphire).
Table of Contents:
– Diablo 2/D2R Socket Overview
– Horadric Cube Recipe Sockets
– Larzuk Quest Sockets
Diablo 2 Socket Overview
Socketed items allow jewels, gems and runes to be added into items (helmet, body armour, shield and weapons) for additional stats or transform them into runewords by using specific rune orders. These powerful runewords are particularly useful for a playthrough on your character or mercenary gear.
Every item in Diablo 2 has a different number of max possible sockets depending on:
- The item type (a buckler will never have more than 1 socket)
- The rarity of an item (normal, magic, rare, set or unique)
- The item lvl (ilvl) of the item
A summary of the two socket options which are further detailed on this page:
| Socket Method | Use Cases | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
 Horadric Cube Recipes |
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 Larzuk Quest |
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Diablo 2 Add Sockets Recipe (Horadric Cube)
The Horadric Cube can add sockets to items with the D2R add socket recipe unchanged from Diablo 2.
Attempt To Create A Runeword Base
The main use of the Horardric Cube is attempting to create runeword bases as the number of sockets are random with this method. The recipe varies based on the item type and only works with normal or ethereal white items, it cannot be used for low quality or superior items:
| Item | Socket Recipe |
|---|---|
| Weapon |    Ral Rune + Amn Rune + Perfect Amethyst |
| Armour |    Tal Rune + Thul Rune + Perfect Topaz |
| Shield |  Tal Rune + Amn Rune + Perfect Ruby |
| Helm |  Ral Rune + Thul Rune + Perfect Sapphire |
There is a 1 in 6 (16.67%) chance for each socket number outcome (1, 2, 3, 4 ,5 and 6) and where an item has less than 6 maximum number of sockets this chance is added to the max socket outcome:
| Max Item Sockets | 1 Socket % | 2 Sockets % | 3 Sockets % | 4 Sockets % | 5 Sockets % | 6 Sockets % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Socket | 100% | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2 Sockets | 16.67% | 83.33% | – | – | – | – |
| 3 Sockets | 16.67% | 16.67% | 66.67% | – | – | – |
| 4 Sockets | 16.67% | 16.67% | 16.67% | 50% | – | – |
| 5 Sockets | 16.67% | 16.67% | 16.67% | 16.67% | 33.33% | – |
| 6 Sockets | 16.67% | 16.67% | 16.67% | 16.67% | 16.67% | 16.67% |
These recipes are the best method to add sockets to weapons, armour, shields and helms as it is relatively cheap and repeatable if you can find sufficient base items as the required runes and gems can be farmed from The Countess in Act 1.
Add Sockets To End Game Gear (Rare Only)
A rarely used recipe in Diablo 2 due to the expensive Stone of Jordan requirements and limitations to rare (yellow) items which are not common in end game builds. If players do have an end game rare item though such as a powerful Diadem Helm with no sockets this can add a single socket:
| Item | Socket Recipe |
|---|---|
| Yellow (Rare) Item |   3 Perfect Skulls + Stone of Jordan |
Diablo 2 Socket Quest – Larzuk Socket Guide
Larzuk will add sockets to items after completing the first quest of Act V (Siege of Harrogath). This quest reward is available once per charcter per difficulty (Normal, Nightmare and Hell) and is useful to create runeword bases or add sockets to end game equipment.
The requirements for the Larzuk add socket method are:
- Cannot be used on an item that already has sockets.
- Unique (Gold), Set (Green), Rare (Yellow) and Crafted items (Orange) will always gain a single socket.
- Normal (White) always receive the maximum amount of sockets for that item type and item level (ilvl).
- Superior items can gain sockets with Larzuk for potential min-maxing of runewords.
Create The Perfect Item Base For A Runeword
The Larzuk quest can be used to create runeword bases to help solo progression or guarantee a perfect runeword base for a high end runeword. In order to achieve this players must find an item with the correct ilvl range for the desired sockets which can be found here.
ilvl is an advanced and hidden Diablo 2 mechanic which is based on the monster level (mlvl) that requires consideration of difficulty, area and monster type which you can learn more about in this hour long video. For simplicity in this Diablo 2 add socket guide I’ve outlined popular socket required item bases and where to find them:
| Runeword (Sockets Required) | Item | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Runeword (4) |  Crystal Sword |
Secret Cow Level (Normal) |
| Spirit Runeword (4) |  Monarch Shield |
Any Location |
| Insight or Infinity Runeword (4) |  Colossal Voulge |
Any Location |
As the Larzuk quest is limited it should be used sparingly on key build defining items that will significantly help your character.
Add Sockets To End Game Gear
The Larzuk quest can add sockets to end game equipment for a single rune, jewel or gem. This is the best option to empower your Set (Green) or Unique (Gold). Popular items depend on your Diablo 2 character build but these items are my recommendations:
- Shako
- Skin of the Vipermagi
- The Oculus
- Tal Rasha’s Guardianship
- Death’s Fathom
- Nightwing’s Veil
- Herald of Zakarum
- Griffon’s Eye
- Guillaume’s Face
Choosing what to place into these new sockets depends on the build, your purpose (PvM or PvP) and if you want the item to have some flexibility on other characters. Possible options include:
- Perfect Topaz (magic find for armour/helm)
- Perfect Diamond (all resistances for shield)
- Ist rune (magic find for armour/helm/shield)
- Um rune (all resistances for armour/helm/shield)
- Rare jewel (useful stats for your particular build)
- Rainbow Facet jewel (boosts damage and reduces enemy resistance to a single element)
