Beast

Beast is a specialized runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected created with Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum in 5-socket axes, hammers, or scepters. While expensive, this runeword serves three distinct purposes: providing Fanaticism aura for summoners, enabling Werebear transformations for any class, and serving as an offhand weapon for specialized Barbarian builds.

Fanaticism Aura for Summoners

The primary use of Beast is providing Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped to classes that lack access to this powerful buff. The aura grants +186% Enhanced Damage (self) and +93% Enhanced Damage (party and minions), plus +80% Attack Rating and +29% Increased Attack Speed.

For Summoner Necromancers, Beast is transformative. While Arm of King Leoric provides more skill levels, the Fanaticism aura dramatically increases skeleton and revive damage output, attack speed, and hit chance. The aura affects all minions and the mercenary, turning summon armies into devastating forces. Summoner Druids using bears and wolves similarly benefit from the massive damage and speed boost.

Werebear Sorceress Build

An unconventional but powerful use of Beast is enabling Werebear transformations for Sorceresses. The runeword grants +3 to Werebear and +3 to Lycanthropy, allowing Sorceresses to transform despite lacking Druid skills. Combined with Lightning Mastery boosting elemental damage on melee attacks, a Werebear Sorceress can deal tens of thousands of damage per hit while maintaining massive life and defense bonuses from the transformation.

This niche build sacrifices ranged casting for incredible melee survivability and damage, synergizing with auras like Holy Shock from Dream runeword. While not meta, it's exceptionally powerful and entertaining for players seeking unique playstyles.

Barbarian PvP & Utility

Frenzy Barbarians sometimes use Beast as an offhand weapon paired with Grief. The Fanaticism aura helps reach higher IAS breakpoints, while the weapon's stats complement dual-wielding builds. In PvP contexts where Grief is banned, Beast becomes a primary damage dealer with respectable +240-270% Enhanced Damage, 20% Crushing Blow, and 25% Open Wounds.

An often-overlooked trick: Beast provides +25-40 to Strength, allowing players to "strength bug" gear by weapon swapping to meet equipment requirements, then allocating saved points to vitality.

Rune Cost & Base Selection

The Ber rune requirement makes Beast expensive but worthwhile for dedicated builds. For summoners and Werebear Sorceresses, use low-requirement bases like Double Axe or War Axe to minimize strength investment. Barbarians prefer Berserker Axe for optimal damage and speed, ideally with superior enhanced damage rolls.