Wrath

Wrath is a niche runeword in Diablo 2 Resurrected created with Pul + Lum + Ber + Mal in 4-socket missile weapons (bows and crossbows). While offering interesting curse-casting capabilities, this runeword is rarely used due to its prohibitive Ber rune cost and underwhelming damage output compared to alternatives like Faith or Brand.

Curse Casting & Support Role

The defining feature of Wrath is its curse procs: 30% Chance to Cast Level 1 Decrepify on Striking and 5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Life Tap on Striking. Decrepify slows enemies and increases physical damage taken, while Life Tap provides powerful life leech for the entire party. These curses activate frequently enough to provide consistent support, making Wrath one of only two runewords granting Decrepify (the other being Lawbringer).

The Cannot Be Frozen property eliminates the need for Raven Frost, freeing a ring slot for additional damage or magic find. 20% Crushing Blow helps against high-health bosses, while Prevent Monster Heal stops regeneration.

Damage Problem & Off-Weapon ED

The critical flaw of Wrath is its damage calculation. The +375% Damage to Demons and +250-300% Damage to Undead are calculated as off-weapon enhanced damage, meaning they don't multiply with on-weapon ED or strength bonuses. This results in significantly lower actual damage than the percentages suggest, making Wrath deal far less damage than bows of similar rune cost.

Against demons and undead (which includes all Act bosses and most regular monsters), damage is respectable. However, against non-demon/non-undead enemies like beasts in The Secret Cow Level, Wrath offers no enhanced damage bonuses whatsoever, crippling farming efficiency in key areas.

The Adds 85-120 Magic Damage and Adds 41-240 Lightning Damage provide some baseline damage, but these flat additions pale compared to the multiplicative damage from runewords like Faith's Fanaticism aura or Brand's massive fire damage.

Limited Viability

The only realistic use for Wrath is on Act 1 Rogue Scout mercenaries, who can leverage the curse procs for party support while the player handles primary damage. Even here, Faith provides far superior team benefits through its Fanaticism aura, making Wrath a questionable investment.

Some Bowazons use Wrath as a weapon-swap option alongside Faith, switching to Wrath for physical-immune monsters or situations requiring Crushing Blow and curses. The added magic and lightning damage helps against physical immunes that would otherwise be unkillable. However, this situational utility doesn't justify dedicating a Ber rune.

Specialized Use: Diablo Clone

A niche application for Wrath is fighting Diablo Clone (Uber Diablo). The Decrepify curse slows the boss and amplifies physical damage, while Crushing Blow shreds his massive health pool. The magic and lightning damage bypass physical resistance issues. Still, dedicated Smiter Paladins remain far more efficient for this encounter.

Why Wrath Is Rarely Made

The Ber rune required for Wrath is better invested in Infinity, Enigma, or Chains of Honor. For Bowazons specifically, Faith provides game-changing Fanaticism aura and superior damage at similar cost. The curse-casting functionality is interesting but insufficient to justify the investment when cheaper options like Harmony provide better mobility and Windforce unique bow outperforms in damage.

Best Bases (If Making It)

If experimenting with Wrath, use Matriarchal Bow for Amazons (superior IAS breakpoints) or Grand Matron Bow for maximum base damage. Hydra Bow offers a balanced option with good damage and speed. Avoid slow bases that can't reach proper attack speed breakpoints.