Principle

Principle is a niche Paladin runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected designed around the 100% Chance to Cast Level 5 Holy Bolt on Striking mechanic. Created with Ral + Gul + Eld in 3-socket body armor, this runeword received significant buffs in D2R when Holy Bolt was changed to damage all demons and undead rather than just undead.

The Holy Bolt Synergy

What elevates Principle from mediocre to situationally powerful is its interaction with Fist of the Heavens (FoH) builds. Hard points invested in FoH provide up to +1,000% synergy damage to the Holy Bolt procs, transforming the weak level 5 bolts into 440-528 damage projectiles that pierce through demons and undead. With fast attack speed from Smite or Zeal, these synergized Holy Bolts add significant area-of-effect damage in demon and undead-heavy zones like Chaos Sanctuary and The Pit.

Core Stats

Beyond Holy Bolt, Principle offers +2 to Paladin Skill Levels, +100-150 to Life, +50% Damage to Undead, Fire Resist +30%, and +5% Maximum Poison Resist. The 15% Slower Stamina Drain is largely irrelevant at endgame. While the defensive stats are modest compared to Enigma or Chains of Honor, the skill boost and life make it functional for melee Paladins.

Best Use Cases

FoH Smiter Hybrid

Principle shines on hybrid Paladins using both FoH and Smite. The constant Holy Bolt procs add clearing power in demon-heavy areas while maintaining single-target boss damage. This works particularly well in Chaos Sanctuary where every enemy is either demon or undead.

Base Selection

• Scarab Husk - Low strength requirements (65) with decent defense make this the optimal base for most Paladins
• Dusk Shroud - Slightly higher defense with manageable strength requirements for well-geared characters
• Archon Plate - Higher defense (410-524) with moderate strength requirements (103), offering a good balance for endgame Paladins

Limitations and Alternatives

The Gul rune cost is steep for a specialized runeword that only excels in specific farming zones. Most Paladins prefer Treachery for attack speed, Smoke for resistances, or save runes toward Enigma. Principle's effectiveness drops to near zero outside demon/undead areas and against Uber bosses where the Chilling Armor reflect can be lethal. Only craft this if you're committed to a FoH hybrid build farming Chaos Sanctuary repeatedly.