Lore

Lore is the premier early-game helm runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected for caster builds. Created with Ort and Sol runes in any 2-socket helm, it's available at level 27 and provides +1 to All Skill Levels at a fraction of the cost of unique alternatives.

Essential Skill Boost

The defining feature is +1 to All Skill Levels, which increases damage, duration, and effectiveness of every skill your character has. For casters, this is invaluable during leveling. The +2 to Mana After Each Kill helps sustain your casting, while +10 to Energy provides a small mana pool boost. The +30% Lightning Resist is useful throughout the game, and Damage Reduced By 7 adds minor physical mitigation.

Class-Specific Base Optimization

While any 2-socket helm works, Barbarian Helms and Druid Pelts can roll with +1-3 to specific skills naturally. If you find a Druid Pelt with +3 to your main skills and 2 sockets, making Lore in it gives you up to +4 to those skills (+3 from base +1 from Lore). Shop 2-socket helms from Normal Charsi in Act 1.

Rune Farming and Longevity

Ort is given as a quest reward from "Rescue on Mount Arreat" in Act 5, or can be cubed from 3 x Ral. Sol drops from Nightmare Countess or can be cubed from 3 x Amn + 1 Chipped Amethyst. Despite being obtainable in early Nightmare difficulty, Lore remains viable through Nightmare and even into Hell. Replace it with Harlequin Crest (Shako) when you find one, or continue using Lore if Shako never drops—it's that good for its cost.