Rift: Weapon Rune Word - Diablo 2
Rift is another one of the weapon Rune Words that doesn't have a home in any of the popular builds or classes of Diablo 2. This Rune Word offers no bonuses to +% Enhanced Damage and doesn't offer the Indestructible affix which means you can't put it into an Ethereal weapon and still use it. What Rift does offer is a lot of elemental damage in the form of a Tornado and Frozen Orb proc as well as Fire and Magic damage on each hit.
If you're going to use Rift seriously placing it into a very fast weapon will get you the most damage output since more attacks = more Tornados and more Frozen Orbs. Rift also works as a Mercenary weapon, if you decide to go that route then you can put it into an Ethereal Weapon since it will not break when used by a Mercenary.
Keep in mind that all Rune Words you create will retain any pre-existing bonuses found on the item. If you find a 'Superior' piece of armor with +Enhanced Defense, a Superior Weapon with +Enhanced Damage or a Helm/Weapon that has +Skill bonuses for a certain class, all of these will remain on the final Rune Word that is created. It's also possible to 'ebug' a piece of Ethereal Armor that you find which will increase the Defense bonuses by 50%, check out my Ebugging Guide for more information.
Farming High Runes: Out of all locations in the game one stands above the rest for farming specifically High Runes, the Countess during Act 1. The Countess has a guaranteed chance to always drop a High Rune and can even drop more than one. Check out my The Countess Farming Guide for more information.
Required Runes:
Level Req: 53
Other Req: Ladder Only
Slots: Polearms & Scepters
20% Chance To Cast Level 16 Tornado On Striking
16% Chance To Cast Level 21 Frozen Orb On Attack
20% Bonus To Attack Rating
Adds 160-250 Magic Damage
Adds 60-180 Fire Damage
+5-10 To All Attributes (varies)
+10 To Dexterity
38% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
75% Extra Gold From Monsters
Level 15 Iron Maiden (40 Charges)
Requirements -20%
Rift Rune Word in War Scepter.