One of the most important customization options in Diablo 2 Resurrected is adding sockets to your weapons and armor. Sockets allow you to insert powerful D2 runes, gems, and jewels to augment your gear. However, getting the right sockets and socket counts can be tricky.

This comprehensive guide covers all you need to know about adding and maximizing sockets on your equipment in Diablo 2 Resurrected. We'll go over socketing basics, Larzuk quests, Horadric Cube recipes, and more.

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Socketing Gear Basics

Let's first go over some socketing essentials:

  • Sockets allow inserting runes, gems or jewels to add stats and properties.
  • Ideal for high-rune runewords which require specific socket counts.
  • Max sockets depend on the item type, rarity, and item level (ilvl).

An elite paladin shield can have up to 4 sockets, while an elite voulge can have up to 6. A higher ilvl means more potential sockets. We'll cover exactly how you can get the max sockets shortly.

Larzuk Socket Quests

Completing the "Siege on Harrogath" quest will let you use Larzuk to add sockets to an item. Larzuk offers this reward once per difficulty for a total of 3 socketing opportunities.

Here is how Larzuk sockets items:

  • Normal (white) items get max sockets based on ilvl.
  • Magic (blue) items get 1 or 2 random sockets.
  • Rare, crafted, unique, set items get 1 guaranteed socket.

Larzuk is great for getting your desired socket count on white gear for runewords. For example, 4os crystal swords for Spirit runeword.

Horadric Cube Socket Recipes

The Cube also offers socket recipes, but only for white/gray items. These recipes give a random socket count:

  • Weapon - Ral Rune + Amn Rune + Perfect Amethyst
  • Armor - Tal Rune + Thul Rune + Perfect Topaz
  • Helm - Ral Rune + Thul Rune + Perfect Sapphire
  • Shield - Tal Rune + Amn Rune + Perfect Ruby

The Cube is great for repeatable attempts at getting your desired socket count on white bases for runewords.

Finding Bases with High Item Levels

To maximize sockets, you need high item level (ilvl) bases. Here are some tips for finding elite bases with the potential for 5 or 6 sockets:

  • Farm areas in Hell with lvl 85+ monsters
  • Shop vendors in Hell Act towns - they sell high ilvl bases
  • Gamble items from Hell difficulty gamble vendors
  • Trade spare runes/gems for elite bases from other players

Use online ilvl guides and the socket max charts to target the ideal bases for your needs.

Adding Sockets to Unique and Set Items

For elite unique and set gear, Larzuk is ideal to add 1 socket. This allows inserting a rune, jewel or gem to augment the item. Some examples include:

  • Ist rune - Magic Find boost
  • Um rune - All Resistances
  • Perfect Topaz - Magic Find for helm/armor
  • Perfect Diamond - All Resistances for shield

Choose socket fillers that complement your build or shore up deficiencies on those items. This helps take exceptional uniques and sets to the next level.

Prioritize Socketing for Runewords

Overall, focus socketing efforts on elite bases for your planned runeword items. For example, getting 4os flail for Heart of the Oak or 4os armor for Fortitude.

Runewords grant massive boosts, so optimizing sockets on their bases should be top priority early on.

With the right strategies, you'll be socketing up top-tier weapons and armors in no time. Now grab your gems and get crafting some heavy-hitting runewords!