Brand

Brand is a unique runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected created with Jah + Lo + Mal + Gul in 4-socket missile weapons (bows and crossbows). This runeword offers spectacular visual effects and diverse damage types, making it viable for creative bow builds, though it's overshadowed by Faith for pure Bowazon optimization.

Bone Spear Barrage

The signature feature of Brand is its 100% Chance to Cast Level 18 Bone Spear on Striking—every single arrow triggers a magic damage bone spear. At high attack speeds (2-frame strafe breakpoints), this creates a devastating stream of white projectiles that pierce through enemy packs, dealing 168-178 magic damage per spear on top of physical arrow damage.

This makes Brand uniquely effective against physical-immune monsters, as bone spears bypass physical immunity entirely. Necromancers who've invested in Bone Spear synergies (Bone Spirit, Bone Prison) can further amplify this damage, creating "Bowmancer" builds that fire bone spears faster than manually casting them with Faster Cast Rate gear.

Explosive Arrows & Multi-Damage Profile

The Fires Explosive Arrows or Bolts (Level 15) property replicates Exploding Arrow skill effects, adding 86-97 fire damage in a 3.3-yard AoE radius around impact. This fire damage synergizes with Holy Fire aura from Dragon runeword or Enchant from Sorceresses, creating hybrid builds that deal fire and magic damage simultaneously.

Enchantress Sorceresses can weaponize Brand by stacking fire damage through Enchant and Fire Mastery, turning the explosive arrows into screen-clearing firebombs. Paladins using Brand with Dragon armor/shield benefit from Holy Fire aura bonuses to explosive arrow damage.

Amplify Damage Synergy

Brand is the only runeword granting 35% Chance to Cast Level 14 Amplify Damage When Struck. While ranged characters ideally avoid getting hit, this curse procs often enough in practice to provide significant physical damage amplification. When active, Amplify Damage effectively doubles physical damage output by reducing enemy physical resistance to -100%.

The +260-340% Enhanced Damage, Ignore Target's Defense, and 20% Deadly Strike create solid base physical damage that benefits massively when Amplify Damage procs. The +280-330% Damage to Demons makes Brand excel against Act bosses (all demons), further boosted by curse amplification.

Weaknesses vs. Faith

The primary limitation of Brand is lacking Increased Attack Speed, making it harder to reach optimal attack speed breakpoints compared to Faith runeword. Faith provides Level 12-15 Fanaticism Aura, which grants massive IAS, attack rating, and damage bonuses that Brand cannot match.

For pure Bowazon builds focused on physical damage maximization, Faith remains superior. Ice runeword also competes by offering Holy Freeze aura and cold damage synergies for Frost Maiden builds. Brand's niche is diversity—it deals physical, magic, and fire damage simultaneously, making it the most versatile damage bow.

Creative Build Applications

Brand enables off-meta builds that wouldn't work with other runewords. Necromancer "Bowmancers" maximize Bone Spear synergies, then use Brand to fire bone spears at bow attack speed. Enchantress Sorceresses leverage explosive arrows with fire mastery. Paladins combine Brand with dual Dragon (armor + shield) for massive fire AoE clear.

These builds sacrifice raw efficiency for unique gameplay mechanics, making Brand appealing for players seeking novelty over optimization.

Rune Cost Consideration

Requiring Jah and Lo makes Brand expensive, though slightly cheaper than Faith (which requires Ohm + Jah). The visual spectacle of firing bone spears with every arrow makes it worth considering for players who've already crafted Enigma and have spare Jah runes.

Best Bases

For Amazons, use Amazon-specific bows like Matriarchal Bow for +3 to bow skills. Grand Matron Bow offers high base damage. Non-Amazons benefit from Diamond Bow for speed or Crusader Bow for damage. Avoid slow bases that prevent reaching attack speed breakpoints.