Heart of the Oak

Heart of the Oak (HOTO) is the definitive caster weapon runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected and arguably the most important mid-tier runeword in the game. Created with Ko + Vex + Pul + Thul in 4-socket maces or staves, HOTO delivers the perfect combination of offensive and defensive stats that casters need to dominate Hell difficulty.

The Perfect Caster Trinity

HOTO's power lies in three cornerstone stats: +3 to All Skills, +40% Faster Cast Rate, and All Resistances +30-40% (variable roll). This combination hits every critical caster breakpoint while solving the resistance problems created by wearing Enigma armor. The +40% FCR is fixed, guaranteeing you reach important cast rate thresholds with minimal gear juggling.

Supporting Stats That Matter

Beyond the core trinity, HOTO provides 15% Increase Maximum Mana, +20 Replenish Life, 7% Mana Stolen Per Hit, and +10 Dexterity. The mana scaling synergizes beautifully with items like Frostburn or Silkweave. Level 4 Oak Sage charges provide a temporary 45% life boost for dangerous encounters, while the Raven charges offer utility. The +75% Damage to Demons helps against Act Bosses.

Universal Caster Dominance

Best-in-Slot Builds

• Hammerdin - The quintessential HOTO user. Combined with Spirit shield reaches 125 FCR breakpoint effortlessly while +3 skills amplifies Blessed Hammer damage
• Wind Druid - Tornado and Hurricane scale perfectly with +skills. HOTO's Druid theme includes Oak Sage charges
• Sorceress - All elemental builds (Blizzard, Meteorb, Lightning) benefit equally. Alternative exists in Eschuta's Temper for specialized builds or Death's Fathom for cold, but HOTO's versatility wins
• Necromancer - Summoners use it while summoning (+3 all skills), then can swap to Beast for Fanaticism aura

Special Mention: Singer Barb

War Cry Barbarians can dual-wield two HOTOs for +6 All Skills, 80% FCR, and up to 80 All Res. The 30% Increase Maximum Mana from two runewords compensates for Barbarian's poor energy scaling.

Base Selection and Crafting

The Flail Standard

Flail is the overwhelming favorite base requiring only 41 Strength and 35 Dexterity. Finding a 4-socket flail: use Larzuk quest on white flails from Act 4 Normal or earlier, or cube recipe (Ral + Amn + Perfect Amethyst) with 50% success rate. Flails from later difficulties get 5 sockets from Larzuk, forcing cube gambling.

Staff Alternative

Sorceresses can make HOTO in a staff for up to +3 additional skill bonuses to individual skills. However, losing a Spirit shield's +2 Skills, FCR, and resistances makes this rarely worthwhile.

Progression and Value

The Vex rune is the bottleneck—farmable from Hell Travincal Council, Lower Kurast super chests, or cubed from two Gul runes. HOTO is typically the first major caster upgrade after Spirit sword, and remains best-in-slot until you acquire class-specific endgame uniques. At level 55 requirement, it's accessible once you hit Hell difficulty. For anyone running Enigma for teleport, HOTO's resistance roll becomes crucial—aim for 35+ all res to maintain Hell-viable survivability.