Eternity

Eternity is a defensive runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected created with Amn + Ber + Ist + Sol + Sur in 5-socket melee weapons. While offering solid utility stats, this runeword is rarely used due to its prohibitive rune cost and underwhelming damage output compared to alternatives like Death, Oath, or Breath of the Dying.

Defensive Weapon Concept

Eternity prioritizes survivability over raw damage. The Indestructible property allows safe use in ethereal bases for increased damage, while Cannot Be Frozen eliminates the need for Raven Frost. The combination of 20% Crushing Blow, Slows Target by 33%, and 7% Life Stolen Per Hit creates a sustain-focused weapon that keeps melee characters alive through continuous combat.

The +260-310% Enhanced Damage is respectable but falls short of top-tier damage runewords. Replenish Life +16 and Regenerate Mana 16% provide passive recovery, while 30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items adds modest magic find value.

Limited Practical Application

The core problem with Eternity is cost versus performance. Requiring both Ber and Sur runes, it's more expensive than Death or Oath while offering significantly lower damage. The Hit Blinds Target modifier is actively detrimental—it overrides crucial curses like Life Tap or Amplify Damage on normal monsters, reducing overall effectiveness. Unique monsters and bosses are immune to the blind effect, making it useless when it matters most.

The Level 8 Revive (88 Charges) is a novelty feature allowing melee characters to summon revived monsters, but the charges deplete quickly and are irreplaceable on ethereal weapons—a critical drawback since ethereal is ideal for maximizing damage on Indestructible weapons.

Potential Niche Uses

The only scenario where Eternity gains viability is Uber Tristram farming, where Crushing Blow and Slows Target provide utility against high-health bosses. However, dedicated Smiter Paladins using Grief or specialized setups vastly outperform Eternity in this role.

Some players consider Eternity for Act 2 mercenaries, leveraging the defensive stats and crushing blow in a cheap ethereal polearm base. Even here, Insight, Infinity, or Obedience provide far better value and performance.

Why Eternity Is Rarely Made

The rune investment required for Eternity (Ber + Sur) can instead create Infinity, contribute toward Enigma, or be saved for endgame builds. The defensive benefits don't justify the cost when cheaper runewords provide similar or superior results.

Players seeking Cannot Be Frozen simply equip Raven Frost. Those wanting crushing blow and life leech use Death or unique weapons like Tomb Reaver. Eternity fills no critical role that isn't better addressed by more accessible options.

Best Bases (If Making It)

If creating Eternity for experimentation, use an ethereal Berserker Axe for maximum damage and speed, though note this prevents repairing Revive charges. Non-ethereal bases like Phase Blade maintain charge repairability but sacrifice damage potential.