Also I forgot to mention it but kicksins like to upgrade boots and smiters will often upgrade a Herald of Zakarum (HOZ) for extra dmg.

Here is a text version of what he said for those who don't want to relisten to this over and over again and can just have a quick reference. Armor: Dusk Shroud Wrymhide Scarab Husk Wire Fleece (Okay) Great Hauberks (Okay) Archon Plate Mage Plate Any Elite armor in Ethereal (Mainly for Merc): Elite Armors Dusck ShroudWyrmhide Scarab Husk Wire Fleece Diamond Mail Loricated Mail Great Hauberk Boneweave Balrog Skin Archon Plate Kraken Shell Hellforge Plate lacquered Plate Shadow Plate Sacred Armor Palidan Shields: Sacred Targe Sacred Rondache Kurast Shield Zakarum Shield (Smiting pvm) Vortex Shields (Smiting pvp) (ethereal) Shields: White Monarch Shield Axes: Berserker Axe (Ethereal or Non Ethereal, 5 or 6 open sockets) Swords: Crystal Swords Phase Blades (5 or 6 open socket) Collossus Blade (Ethereal) Bows: +3 Amazon Skill 4 Open socket Grand Matron Bows Polearms Any Elite (Ethereal) except Ogre Axe (4 Open socket or higher) 4 Socket Flail +2 Necro Skill 2 Open Socket Wand

I decided to make my first character a javazon to farm cows for bases. I figure there'd be plenty of sorcs MF'ing, but fewer folks farming bases. It's been a good niche! But after not playing D2 for years and years, I def needed this refresher. This whole series has been ridiculously helpful, thank you sir!

As someone who has played diablo 2 for like 20 years but took an extensive break, i GREATLY thank you. Was using this goldwrap w/ 3 slots since d2r launch and omg you just made my life 10x better I had completely forgotten

Really great walkthrough, had no idea about the base upgrade and run/walk penalties of armor! Great stuff!

I've beat the game on normal when it first came out, never went to nightmare or hell because I didn't understand it, didn't play it for a while and about 5 years ago saw some of your speed runs, now with d2r you have been my biggest help in understanding this game

This is exactly what I needed, I still need to take notes on your other video(s) I watched, these videos are definitely going in my playlist! Diablo 2 is such a great game, we are the same age and I grew up playing it with my older brothers who were way better than me and now I can enjoy it even more!

i would add a tips to this video. sometimes you find a base that is damaged. low quality. There is a cube recipes to "repair" those, turning them into the normal version of the item. So don't discard an item because it's low quality and it's stats are not the one you wanted. For example, if you find a damaged sacred targe with + 20 all resist. repair it ! because what is actually happening is the cube give you a brand new version of the item, the stats are re-rolled and this time the sacred targe might have +45 all res with a bit of luck. So don't discard El and Eld rune too fast. it's good to have a few on hand as well as chipped gems to repair armor or weapons. And maybe luck out on the re-roll.

This dude can read my thoughts, much needed . thank you

i just picked it up on sale so of course i'm getting acquainted with all you Old Heads and all your advice. it's precious. thank you very much

I was SO looking forward to this one. 😄

Timely, effective, with a touch of fun. As always!

Didn't know about the rare-unique upgrades, especially handy for the belt slots!

Legend swords has maximum 3 sockets, it can never make Oath runeword in it (4 socket requirement) in it, however you can make Lawbringer in that one that offers sanctuary aura and chance to decrepify on hit.

Yo Llama, I'd appreciate a vid on the diminishing returns of high-damage attacks/spells. Chargedins, for example, SHOULD be able to one-shot bosses; yet they can't. I'd like to hear about the numbers behind that.

Killin it with the vids llama, straight broke down 20 years of Diablo in a couple of weeks

I just got my first ever white monarch a few minutes ago.

Love this. I've been playing (again after years) since Resurrected came out on PS4 and have been putting off all this big planning for items, but now with my character over lvl. 60 and all 4 of my town inventories filled to max with items that I might want to use, I think it's past due time here to start figuring it out.

Even before watching this I know this will be one of the most helpful videos to date for a noobie such as myself

The amount of content you're putting out is incredible I'm very thankful but please make sure not to overwork yourself. I wouldn't want my new favorite streamer to burn out

This is exactly what I needed! Thanks!

It's cool, personally, that you explained the difference between normal, exceptional, and elite with the bardiche. My very first unique playing D2 at all was Dimoak's Hew. I've always liked those polearms for that reason.

Another awesome guide that I did not know I needed.

Bardiche > bar-DEESH, broken french pronunciation of "beard-axe" Lochaber Ax > [Loch]-AH-ber, with the Loch of "Loch Ness", due to axe of the people from Loch Abar, a region of Scotland

You are an amazing and great guy mr. lama. i've learned so much. thank you for your dedication

This content is exactly what I was looking for. Being a 'new' player to Resurrected I'm finding out fast the system goes deep, there's a definite learn curve. I wasn't sure what base to get, when, how to etc. Thank you!

What a great game this is. What a great remaster. True artists.

So weird, I was literally thinking last night about learning how to upgrade items and wondered if you had a video on it. And here it is! 🤯

HOLY FUCK, after playing for 20 years on and off I never knew If I upgraded a belt Id get more potion slots. This whole time I've been using the good ol +8 goldwrap lmfao!

I forgot almost everything and you are helping me alot thanks mate! Getting rdy for ladder hehe

Since they dropped Pinhead in Dead by Daylight my first thought of that Kanai's Cube was the Hellraiser configuration cube XD. Thanks for this video!

Had no idea about run penalty?! Wow. Thank you. Been playing a game for 20 years and didn’t know these things.

hey llama, loving the guides. as a new comer to the game they are really helpful and very easy to follow through! in that note can you make a quick video on merc gear progression or something similar to that? rn i have tal helm, insight and smoke on my merc but he never stays alive and im not sure on what to upgrade other than runewords that costs more than my whole loadout. thanks!

My stash will be so much cleaner after this series

Mind reader....was waiting for this guide to come out! Thanks for this!!!

Going over your diablo 2 courses while servers are down, this is useful stuff what I'm always wondering when farming.

I recently found a 15% Ed max defense (603) 3 socket archon plate on my holy grail. Best find I’ve found so far, better than pretty much any hr, or unique so far

I played this game in the 2000's there is so much I didn't know about the game from socket counts for items to cube recipes

I feel like Troll Nests are a fairly good base to watch out for too. While you can't make Spirit in them, you can make a number of other good runewords in them that are endgame usable.

Wow man I always enjoy listening but I'm surprised to hear new stuff, never knew shields also have different weights. I just tend to chose grim shields for my Rhyme base ideally because of the highest block (I figured it may save me at some point - probably doesn't matter with base dex - looks good anyway)...

Watching this while wating allready 60 minutes in login que ^^ Thank you for the information!

Great video. I'm a returning player and had no idea about this stuff. Thank you! SUBBED

I have been looking for a video like this. Thanks!,

Where can I see that item list that you open up? Thanks for the video!

I recently (before Resurrected) did a mostly SSF Zealot playthrough and I used an upgraded Headstriker at the end, worked pretty well. Bosses died super quick.

Thank you for the good insight I am enjoying D2R alot lately.

I think I spend more time deciding what to get rid of to make space in storage than actually playing

One thing worth mentioning regarding bases, not 100% sure it applies to d2r though. People really like superior versions of things. For example a superior archon plate. It can roll up to 15% enhanced defense but on top of that any superior version will start off with the max roll+1 on defense/damage. So any superior version will automatically be at the top level of defense/damage for that particular base. A 15% ed Archon Plate with 3 open sockets will pretty much be the most sought after armor to build an enigma in, and since everyone wants enigmas that puts a lot of demand on that base.

very nice content as always, ty!

Some people like Enhance Defense Armours like 15% ed (white and ethereals) and for weapons 15% enhance damage when making runewords. A 15%ed Archon Plate with 3 sockets is sought after for Enigma and a 4 sockets for Chains Of Honour. Ethereal armors with 15%ed are nice for merc armours like Fortitude or Stone. Those armours might be worth some very nice runes too for trade 😀

Some people listen to music on the way to work, I listen to Mr Llama. Love your content!

perfectly in time to help me out which bases im gonna farm for before going into hell mode :D

Keep the content train rolling my friend 👌🏻

Finally! I've been hoarding six-socket items like a madman (probably a habit from playing POE~)

Sweet, my level 61 barb found a 3 socket mage plate last night, I kept hold of it, glad I did. Wanted to make a duress out of it.

Nice! Exactly the video i was asking for :-*

Awesome video! You're doing God's work.

Over the last two weeks I swear I've become at least 10 times better at playing the game

Hey I'm glad you mentioned Steeldriver because I just blasted through NM on my Mauler using it, and it was pretty insane.

Upping Uniques: (How it works) Normally, items with Enhanced Defense start with their MAX_DEF+1 but after Upping an item, it rolls from the Min-Max of the new items defense, regardless of the Enhanced Defense modifier. Upping a Base item to Exceptional (EXC) doesn't just give you the Required level of the EXC item, it also adds a hidden level requirement of +5. Similarly, EXC upgrading to Elite adds a hidden level requirement of +7. This means upping Base item to Elite adds a hidden level requirement of +12 in addition to the Base items level requirement. As an example, Bloodfist Heavy Gloves Requires level 9 and it becomes Bloodfist Vampirebone Gloves Requiring level 59 (vampirebone gloves 47 +12).

Was thinking this, good stuff

Found EtH archon plate few days ago, need to find runes for Fortitude now.

I was just wondering this, thank you, Mr. Llama B)

I have to mention one more base worth keeping - Eth 6os(or just eth) archon staff - one of the best bases for two hander botd.

23:00 I've been able to upgrade the entire Sigon set in D2R on the battle net. It was kinda useful for sometime, but not for long for different barbs.

I found a ETH Tresher and cubed it to get some sockets. Ended up with 5 and had enough runed (idc from where) for Obedience. My Merc is now a brutal Killing machine :D

You know what would be fucking hilarious to watch? llama, DBrunski, and SweetPhil podcast. WhooaH

Hi! I really love your videos and helped me out on my Hardcore. Could you give us the website that you are using to get those great description for D2r items :)

Great video, thanks. Please could you comment about ettin axe, would that be good for grief? or only phase blade? Thanks

I’ve been so puzzled why people like ethereal items. Thanks lama for clearing this up.

I'm sure that this can apply to any character level, but it would be nice to see some videos that focus more on us players from 20-40-60 level range so that we know how to have the best experience. I'm only able to play maybe an hour a day, so guides for 90+ character things doesn't apply for me personally. Love the content btw and have learned a lot since playing original D2 to D2R.

Hey Llama! I never played a tesladin but im planning on making one. I have what I need for making one out of two Dream runewords including the shield(s). Now I looked at your suggestions but I'm not hearing why the +all res is the best, or missing some information regarding how the +ed scales with player damage. I have a zakarum with 59% ED 116 ARating and a sacred rondache with +45 ARes. Would you go with the latter no questions asked? My thinking is "the best defense is a good offense". Am I wrong, and how?

Every time I see fortitude I think to myself "El Solo Dolo." I can't unsee it.

Ive been searching everywhere online for a comprehensive list that i can refer too while MFing. I will never remember this. Especially a list that includes white items that can be worthwhile to upgrade in cube or with Larzuk.

Did you mention helms? I may have missed it somehow :(

Cryptic Swords are nice because they also have low str requirements (lower than an archon plate). The higher dex requirements are acceptable because most one-handed sword users will already have decent dex for shield block. But then again, they are vastly inferior to phase blades, unless you are filled with +minimum damage stuff. But for spirit runeword, they are good enough.

Very insightful video. hoh man can you doa similar video for sets and uniques that one should keep that arent immediatly obvious? my character stashs are all full because i feel like i gotta keep everything. XD i dont know what ill do when ladder actually comes out.

Best diablo 2 guides I dint watch anyone else

Nice video MrLlama, but you forgot to talk about class specific items : is a 3 sox 3 battle orders helmet worth keeping for example ?

The reverb is genuinely fking me up, But fantastic video, thank you

@MrLlamaSC does the base damage of a weapon affect smite damage? so is it worth to get an ED phase blade for grief ?

Fury is a good sword-axe runeword that doesnt get alot of play... I made a Fury Cryptic Sword on a Zealot n loved it man!!

With all your videos now i have no choice but to Buy D2R and Play again lol. Great vid like all the others

What is the website MrLlama shows at 3:30? I cant find it and it looks super helpful. Thanks in advance!

I was just thinking about this yesterday

Do you think it's worth upping an eth rare Dimensional blade that rolled well? I usually keep an eth dimensional blade lying around for rolling something good. Just need to be a high enough level to roll everything.

Played D2 for damn near 12 years and never knew you could upgrade bases.

A small thing, but it could be nice if they added a 4os exceptional shield, perhaps Kite Shield, so you don't need 156 strength for a Spirit shield. :)

Great video, really makes that more clear for a newb like me. One more question though: What about SUPERIOR items. Should I use my expensive runes only on superior items? I've read somewhere that this greatly increases repair costs, but why should that even matter? Gold isn't even used as basic unit of trading (runes seem to do that), so it doesn't seem to matter much how much gold you have?

Hoto can be made only in maces and staffs. Aside that nicely done.

I finally remembered to like and subscribe

A top 10 list of the most sought after socket able items would be nice

Underrated item, 5 socket double axe, same str req and just as viable for Call to Arms as a 5 socket crystal sword + a great base for a summoner necro's beast runeword.

What happens if you take the regular base upgrade it to an and then socket with larzuk. Like I know depending on clvl / where it's found can dictate this? Like a crystal sword for instance if one had been found in a place which would typically give it only 4os does upgrading the base change this ? Sorry if it's worded badly lol

3os, 4os ETH Cryptic sword, are extremely important. Plague, Lawbringer, Oath (for zerker), and several others.

No mention of bows? What's the best bow base for like faith or harmony ? hydra bow? GMB?

Up'd eth Shaftstop is a decent Merc chest. Same with VampGaze for a cheap mid helm

i just noticed the blessed aim merc, what is the purpose of that over say, a holy freeze merc? i dont think ive seen that before for a sorc?

Cool video thanks for that! Where can I find this amazing item overview page you use at minute 8:33?

My first ever Monarch dropped on Halls Of The Dead