What is Monarch[4S] in Diablo 2 Resurrected & Is It Good?

In Diablo 2 Resurrected, a Monarch with the affix "4S" is a shield that has four sockets, allowing you to enhance its properties with gems, runes, or jewels. It does not have any other affixes or bonuses, and therefore does not provide any enhanced defense or other attributes.

While a Monarch[4S] may not be as powerful or desirable as one with additional bonuses like enhanced defense, it is still a valuable item. The four sockets provide ample opportunity for customization and enhancement, making it a good option for characters who want to optimize their gear setup with specific attributes.

In particular, a Monarch with "4S" is often used as a base for runewords, which are powerful items created by combining specific runes in the Horadric Cube. Many runewords require a shield with four sockets, making the Monarch with "4S" a popular choice for these builds.

Overall, while a Monarch with the "4S" affix may not provide any immediate bonuses or enhanced defense, it is still a valuable item for players who want to customize their gear setup with specific gems, runes, or jewels.

Best Characters or Builds for Monarch[4S] in D2R

The Monarch with the "4S" affix is primarily used as a base for runewords, making it a useful item for many character builds. Here are some examples of character builds that can benefit from a Monarch with four sockets in Diablo 2 Resurrected:

Hammerdin Paladin: The Hammerdin is a popular Paladin build that focuses on dealing damage with the Blessed Hammer skill. A Monarch with "4S" is a great choice for a Hammerdin, as it can be used to create the Spirit runeword, which provides a variety of helpful bonuses including +2 to all skills, increased mana regeneration, and faster cast rate.

Fishymancer Necromancer: The Fishymancer is a Necromancer build that focuses on summoning undead minions to do the fighting. A Monarch with "4S" can be used to create the White runeword, which provides bonuses to necromancer skills, faster cast rate, and increased damage against undead enemies.

Wind Druid: The Wind Druid is a Druid build that focuses on dealing damage with elemental spells like Hurricane and Tornado. A Monarch with "4S" can be used to create the Spirit runeword, which provides bonuses to druid skills, increased mana regeneration, and faster cast rate.

Bowazon Assassin: The Bowazon Assassin is a hybrid character build that combines the ranged combat of an Amazon with the martial arts skills of an Assassin. A Monarch with "4S" can be used to create the Lionheart runeword, which provides increased defense, enhanced damage, and bonuses to resistances.

Overall, a Monarch with the "4S" affix is a valuable item for many different character builds in Diablo 2 Resurrected. By using it as a base for runewords, you can greatly enhance your character's abilities and effectiveness in combat.