Chains of Honor

Chains of Honor is a premium all-around runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected created with Dol + Um + Ber + Ist in 4-socket body armor. While expensive due to the Ber rune requirement, it offers the highest resistance bonus of any armor runeword, making it an excellent choice for builds that don't require teleport from Enigma.

Resistance & Defensive Powerhouse

The signature stat of Chains of Honor is its massive All Resistances +65—the highest of any armor runeword in the game. Combined with Physical Damage Reduced by 8%, +70% Enhanced Defense, and +20 to Strength, this creates an exceptionally tanky armor piece. The Replenish Life +7 provides constant regeneration, while 8% Life Stolen Per Hit benefits physical attackers.

For characters struggling to cap resistances or facing heavy elemental damage, Chains of Honor solves gear issues single-handedly, freeing up ring, amulet, and charm slots for offensive stats or magic find.

Best Uses & Builds

Chains of Honor shines for builds that already have teleport or don't need it. Smiter Paladins tackling Ubers benefit immensely—the +200% Damage to Demons and +100% Damage to Undead boost Smite damage against Mephisto, Diablo, and Baal, while the resistances counter Uber Mephisto's devastating Conviction aura. The life leech ensures survival during prolonged boss fights.

Sorceresses with built-in teleport can use Chains of Honor as an alternative to Enigma when resistances are critical, though many prefer Skin of the Vipermagi for the faster cast rate. Shapeshifter Druids (Werewolf, Werebear) appreciate the defensive stats without needing teleport mobility.

The +2 to All Skills benefits every class, providing a universal damage and utility boost alongside its defensive prowess. The 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items makes it viable for magic find builds seeking both survivability and loot efficiency.

Uber Tristram & Mercenaries

A specialized use for Chains of Honor is on Act 2 mercenaries for Uber Tristram runs. Uber Mephisto's Conviction aura raises the resistance soft cap to 300, making the +65 all resistances essential for mercenary survival. The +2 to All Skills boosts the mercenary's offensive aura (Holy Freeze, Might, etc.), while life leech ensures sustainability. Pairing ethereal-bugged Chains of Honor in a Sacred Armor with ethereal Kira's Guardian and The Reaper's Toll creates an unkillable mercenary setup.

Value vs. Alternatives

While Chains of Honor is undeniably powerful, its Ber rune cost positions it awkwardly. Enigma uses the same rune but provides game-changing teleport. Fortitude offers superior damage for physical builds at similar cost. Budget alternatives like Skin of the Vipermagi with an Um rune provide +50 all resistances and FCR at a fraction of the price.

Chains of Honor excels in scenarios where resistances are paramount, teleport isn't required, and the character lacks FCR dependency. It's best-in-slot for Ubers, high-value for certain Sorceress setups, and viable for any build prioritizing defense over offense.

Best Bases

Archon Plate offers the best balance of defense and strength requirements (103). Dusk Shroud and Wyrmhide work for low-strength builds, while Sacred Armor provides maximum defense for ethereal mercenary setups.