The Spirit Weapon runeword is the counterpart of the Spirit Shield runeword. They use the same Runes but have different properties. The Spirit weapon lacks the resistances of the Spirit shield but adds some extra elemental damage and Life Steal.

Spirit Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths of the Spirit Runeword:

Good Faster Cast Rate

+2 to Skills on a weapon this early is great

Good defensive skills

Weaknesses of the Spirit Runeword:

Life Steal doesn't work if you aren't hitting things with the sword

Ten-point swing on possible Faster Cast Rate, but the runes are common enough that it's easy to remake

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The Spirit weapon is most commonly made by Sorceresses for its +2 to Skills, Faster Cast Rate, extra mana, and additional defenses. While it has a few Physical-damage traits, most of the abilities are more caster-friendly. It often replaces Leaf for Fire sorceresses by mid-Nightmare and is a first Runeword for other Sorceresses. Elemental Druids also adopt Spirit, particularly since they also adopt Shields. In early levels, it's common to pair this with Ancient's Pledge or Rhyme runeword shields.

(The much desired Spirit + Spirit combination isn't possible until Hell levels. The Spirit shield's requirement for a 4-socket shield means it has to wait until you can loot an Elite-quality Monarch (Kite Shield), which doesn't happen until Hell).

Spirit Recommendations

Runewords vary on their suitability for different classes and specs, as well as utility for the various Mercenaries. This next section will discuss what classes and specs can make the most out of Spirit, whether you should consider using Spirit with your Mercenary follower, what base items to consider, and where to acquire Runes.

Best Classes and Specs for the Spirit Runeword

Sorceresses of every type are the most common creators of Spirit weapons. Other casters such as Elemental Druids or Necromancers may consider this, but it's most commonly considered a Sorceress weapon. This weapon can have great longevity for Sorceresses; it's not uncommon to see them using this well into Hell before they find or make something better.

It may be tempting for Trapsins to consider Spirit, but remember that trap-laying speed depends on Increased Attack Speed (IAS), not Faster Cast Rate (FCR).

Some players also keep a high-FCR Spirit weapon on the switch to speed up their Teleports using the Enigma armor Runeword.