With the release of Vessel of Hatred, Diablo 4 Season 9 has drastically reshaped the way players farm legendary runes. Between new mechanics, drop rate changes, and powerful farming methods, runes have become central to late-game progression and crafting. Whether you're aiming to create high-end mythic Diablo IV items or just upgrade your build with powerful legendary rune bonuses, this guide covers the best methods for acquiring legendary runes in Season 9.
1. Tribute of Harmony & the Kurast Under City – Best Rune Farming Method
The most efficient and reliable source of legendary runes in Season 9 is the Kurast Under City, which can be accessed using a Tribute of Harmony. These tributes are mostly obtained from Pit runs, particularly in groups. The best part? Only one player in the group needs to use a Tribute of Harmony to open the instance—everyone else can benefit from the run, making it extremely efficient for group farming.
Once inside the Kurast Under City:
· Defeat enemies and interact with objects to fill the progress bar. Special mobs carrying hourglasses will extend your timer.
· Goblins and other elite monsters may drop bonus chests, some of which contain runes.
· Progress Rank 4 gives the best rune drop rates—aim to reach this every time for maximum rewards.
· The final boss of the district can drop multiple legendary runes, making each run a valuable opportunity.
2. Cave District Rune Bug (PC Only) – High-Yield Exploit
There's currently a bugged method to farm multiple boss drops per run in the Cave District of the Kurast Under City (PC only). This advanced trick allows players to get the loot multiple times from a single boss fight by:
· Timing a death just before the boss dies.
· You'll be teleported out while still receiving the loot.
· The boss respawns, allowing you to repeat the process.
This works best with builds like the Hydra Sorceress, where your hydras can kill the boss while you control your health. Other districts technically allow this too, but the Cave District has the highest consistency for the bug.
3. Lair (Coven) Boss Farming – Steady Rune Income
The next-best farming method for legendary runes is Lair Bosses, sometimes called Coven Bosses. These bosses drop runes based on their tier and difficulty level:
· Billay: Offers the highest drop rate of legendary runes.
· Tier 2 Bosses: Includes Harbinger of Hatred, Duriel, and Andariel – solid drop rates.
· Tier 1 Bosses: Urivar, Van – decent if you're clearing them quickly.
To farm these bosses:
· Collect or craft the summoning materials.
· Target specific bosses that drop gear or runes you need for efficiency.
Running these consistently while focusing on your rune goals makes the grind much more efficient, especially if you're looking to complete rune sets.
4. Group Play – Multiply Your Tribute Value
Season 9 heavily incentivizes group play for rune farming. Running Pit dungeons or Kurast Under City with others allows you to:
· Share the rewards from a single Tribute of Harmony.
· Split the farming duties for summoning materials and tribute acquisition.
· Coordinate repeat runs using only one tribute per group entry, massively boosting efficiency.
Whether you're farming for legendary runes or tribute currencies, bringing a team makes a major difference.
5. Rune Conversion System – Upgrading to Legendary Runes
Legendary rune drops aren't the only way to build up your supply. Season 9 also includes a conversion system at the Jeweler, where you can:
· Combine 3 rare runes (same type) to craft another random rare rune, with a 15% chance to turn into a legendary rune.
· Combine magic runes into rares, then use the above method to convert them into legendaries.
This system rewards long-term farming and smart inventory management. Key conversion tips:
· Stockpile at least six of each rune type—especially if you're planning to craft mythics later on.
· Don't ignore duplicates—they're your fuel for crafting higher-tier runes.
· Use rune conversion to supplement your farming from bosses and Under City runs.
Final Thoughts
With the addition of new mechanics, bosses, and exploits in Diablo 4 Season 9, legendary rune farming has become a diverse and strategic pursuit. Whether you're leveraging the Kurast Under City, using tribute-sharing in groups, or crafting through conversions, there are efficient paths for every playstyle.
If you're a dedicated farmer, try rotating through Tribute runs, Lair bosses, and conversion crafting to maintain a steady influx of legendary Diablo 4 runes.