'''Runes''' in [[Diablo 3]] are small items that are can be socketed, - one each, - into every single any [[skill]], but not into [[traits]] or into [[item]]s , as they were could runes in Diablo II. Diablo III's skill runes grant special bonuses to the skill skills with which they are socketed intoused, altering their effects and generally enhancing them, improving the although runic enhancements may dramatically alter a skill's function in various ways. Runes are always an improvement over the plain skill, and almost always desirableutility. Even if you do not want to use a particular rune, they're always worth [[salvage|salvaging]], and may provide rare [[materials]]. <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-on-items-itamz-and-iteems/ @Diablo tweet] - IncGamers.com, January 2011</ref>

There are 5 five types of runes, each of which can be found at 7 and seven levels of increasing rune quality/rarity. Each Some type of rune provides a general sort bonus or alteration is typical of bonuseach one, such as the [[Crimson Rune]]'s +added damage/fire, though these vary quite a bit between different skills, and are slightly randomized in order to make all of the runes desirable.

The names of the runes have ' naming scheme has changed several times during game development. The final (?) name change current iteration was made devised in early 2010, and made public in May 2010 when [[Bashiok]] <ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/new-skill-rune-names-revealed/ Bashiok forum post] - Blue Tracker, May 2010</ref> revealed the rune names as [[Crimson]], [[Indigo]], [[Obsidian]], [[Golden]], and [[Alabaster]]. Considerable, but not total, This change coincided with considerable changes to their bonuses came with that name changeeffects.

All seven levels of runes each rune can be found<ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/runestone-info-galore/ Bashiok forum post] - Blue Tracker, January 2011</ref> from dropped by [[monstermonsters]] drops; unlike with gems, [[crafting]] upgrades with the by [[Artisans]] are is not required to create the highest level quality runes. This may change during further development, of coursealthough it is doable.