- Socketed items dropped in Normal have maximum 3 sockets, while those dropped in Nightmare have maximum 4 sockets and those dropped in Hell have maximum 6 sockets. However, maximum sockets of low (Cracked, Crude, Damaged or Low Quality), normal, or high quality (Superior) items without sockets which have them added by Larzuk as reward for stopping Siege on Harrogath, or use of Horadric Cube recipes for normal quality items without sockets, are dependent on item type and item level (regardless of difficulty setting):
- Maximum sockets can be lower for individual items within those types: for example, while five sockets can be added to ilvl < 26 staves, only a War Staff, Rune Staff and Archon Staff can have five sockets added since those are the only individual staves to allow that maximum.
- Maximum sockets for individual items is listed in the Sockets column on the individual pages of the Arreat Summit's Weapons and Armor page (divided into Normal, Exceptional, and Elite grade).
- Maximum sockets at a given ilvl is determined by item type (listed above) and individual item (Sockets), whichever is lower.
- Magic quality items can have 1-4 sockets as the result of Mechanic's (1-2), Artisan's (3) or Jeweler's (4) prefix, or granted by certain Horadric Cube recipes (1-2). The aforementioned maximum values (according to item type, ilvl, individual item) still apply (if lower).
- Rare quality and crafted items can have 1 or 2 sockets as the result of Mechanic's prefix, although some are restricted to 1 by either item type and ilvl (as above) or individual item (Sockets).
- A particular Horadric recipe will add one (1) socket to any rare quality item which allows sockets and is not already socketed. Mainly used in Classic Diablo II (no socket prefixes, no Act V).
- Several set and unique items spawn sockets as one of their magic properties (see the tables below).
- The Siege on Harrogath quest reward may be used to add sockets to any magic, rare, crafted, set or unique item which allows sockets and is not already socketed, thus making it socketed.
Helm
Value
|
Source
|
Min Rlvl
|
Min Alvl
|
(1-2)
|
Mechanic's helm
|
7
|
10
|
3
|
Artisan's helm
|
25
|
33
|
4
|
Jeweler's helm
|
47
|
55
|
Pelt
Primal helm
Body armor
Value
|
Source
|
Min Rlvl
|
Min Alvl
|
(1-2)
|
Mechanic's body armor
|
7
|
10
|
3
|
Artisan's body armor
|
25
|
33
|
4
|
Jeweler's body armor
|
47
|
55
|
Weapon
Value
|
Source
|
Min Rlvl
|
Min Alvl
|
(1-2)
|
Mechanic's weapon 1
|
7
|
10
|
3
|
Artisan's weapon 1
|
25
|
33
|
4
|
Jeweler's weapon 1
|
47
|
55
|
1 Excluding thrown weapon (javelin, throwing axe, throwing knife).
Axe
Bow
Crossbow
Hammer
Mace
2 Jagged Star is capped at 3 sockets, so there is a 1:4 (25%) chance of 2 sockets and a 3:4 (75%) chance of 3 sockets.
Polearm
Scepter
3 Mighty Scepter is capped at 2 sockets, so there is a 1:3 chance of 1 socket and a 2:3 chance of 2 sockets.
Spear
Sword
4 Tulwar is capped at 2 sockets, so this item always spawns exactly 2 sockets.
Shield
Value
|
Source
|
Min Rlvl
|
Min Alvl
|
(1-2)
|
Mechanic's shield
|
7
|
10
|
3
|
Artisan's shield
|
25
|
33
|
4
|
Jeweler's shield
|
47
|
55
|
Auric shield
|