Posted by Last night while trading in Diablo II, someone swindled me out of my hard-earned “Sur Rune” by swapping it for a piece of junk gear.
Only after the trade did it hit me—I’d just been ripped off!
I looked it up online and discovered this rune was actually worth a pretty penny, but I was clueless at the time and just handed it over like a fool.
In that moment, I was furious with myself: “How could I be so stupid? Didn’t even know how to check prices?”
So the next day, I made up my mind: I won’t rely on others—I’ll figure out how to check item prices myself!
My First Online Search Almost Drove Me Crazy
My first instinct was to open Google and search:
- “Diablo 2 item prices”
- “Diablo 2 trading guide”
- “How much is a Sur rune worth?”
The result? My head spun even more!
Different sites listed wildly different prices:
- Some said a Sur rune = 2 Ber runes
- Others claimed a Sur rune = 1 Ber rune
- Some insisted it depended on the season, server, or version…
The more I looked, the more confused I got. I felt like I’d fallen into a maze of numbers with no way out.
I even considered downloading some “advanced calculator” or “database tool”—but those things are way too complicated for me to understand.
Forget it!
A Flash of Inspiration: Why Not Just Watch Others Trade?
I stopped relying on websites and guides and decided—**I’d jump into the game and see firsthand how players trade items. **
I entered a crowded “Trade Room,” did nothing but sit there watching the chat window.
Like watching a live stream, I observed what others posted, what they traded, and how they negotiated prices.
What I discovered:
- Someone traded a “Shako” for a “Pul Rune”
- Ten minutes later, another person traded a ‘Shako’ for a “Gul Rune”
- Someone else traded an “Um Rune” for a “Perfect Gem”
The prices were all over the place!
But—this actually made one thing clear:
In-game prices aren’t fixed—they’re “negotiated by the community.”
Instead of memorizing website numbers, watch “what people are willing to trade right now.”
My “brute-force method”: Open a notepad and jot things down while watching
I set myself a small task:
✅ Find a busy trading channel
✅ Sit for over an hour (sipping coffee while watching)
✅ Open a text document and record the trades I see
I mainly noted two types of items:
- High-Rare (HR) Runes: e.g., Pul, Um, Mal, Ist…
- Popular gear: like Shako, Cryptic Axe…
Whenever I saw a bid or trade, I’d jot it down:
“Pul rune → traded for 3 Perfect Gems”
“Um rune → traded for 1 Pul rune”
“Mal rune → traded for 2 Pul runes”
“Ist Rune → Trade for 1 Mal Rune”
“Shako → Some want Um, some want Mal”
I discovered a “universal key”: Treat Pul Runes as “1 unit”
After logging dozens of trades, I suddenly noticed a pattern:
Almost all runes can be converted using “Pul Runes” as the base unit!
For example:
- Um = 1 Pul
- Mal = 2 Pul
- Ist = 1 Mal = 2 Pul
- Gul = 2 Mal = 4 Pul
- Vex = 2 Gul = 8 Pul
Equipment fits the pattern too:
- Military Cap ≈ 1 Mal (equivalent to 2 Pul)
- Military Knife ≈ 1 Um (equivalent to 1 Pul)
This way, I don’t need to memorize dozens of prices—just remember “Pul=1,” and everything else can be calculated.
For example:
Someone wants to trade a “Military Cap” for an “Ist Rune”?
→ Military Cap is worth 2 Pul, Ist is also worth 2 Pul → Fair trade, go for it!Someone wants to trade a “Military Cap” for a “Sur Rune”?
→ Military Cap is worth 2 Pul, Sur is worth 4 Pul → You’re losing out, don’t trade!
Real-world Test: This time I didn’t get ripped off!
After memorizing this “Pul=1” conversion method, I headed back to the trading room to test the waters.
A player offered: “I’ll trade you one Military Cap for one Ist Rune. How about it?”
Old me: Wow! Military Cap for Ist? Sounds good, let’s do it!
New me: Hold up… let me calculate.
→ Ist = 1 Mal = 2 Pul
→ Military Cap ≈ 1 Mal = 2 Pul
→ 2 for 2, fair!
I replied: “Sure, but I want Mal runes, not Ist.” (Because Mal is more versatile)
The other player hesitated, but eventually agreed.
Trade successful! I didn’t get ripped off! I actually negotiated!
That feeling of “Finally getting it” was incredibly satisfying.
The “3-Step Price Check Method” for Newbies (No memorization needed, just use it)
No need to download tools or study complex charts. Just follow these three steps:
Step 1: Enter the game and find a “Trading Room”
- Choose a time when the server is busy (like evenings)
- Enter rooms with names like “trade,” “交易,” or ‘买卖’
- Don’t speak; first review 30 minutes of chat logs
Step 2: Open a notepad and record only “common trades”
Don’t log every item—focus on these:
- Runes: Pul, Um, Mal, Ist
- Shako, Cryptic Axe, Archon Plate
- Perfect Gems (Pgems)
When you see a trade, note: “A → traded for B”
Step 3: Treat Pul as “1” and convert everything else to “Pul value”
Remember this simple chain:
Pul = 1
Um = 1 Pul
Mal = 2 Pul
Ist = 1 Mal = 2 Pul
Gul = 2 Mal = 4 Pul
Vex = 2 Gul = 8 Pul
Equipment reference prices:
Military Cap ≈ 1 Mal (2 Pul)
Military Knife ≈ 1 Um (1 Pul)
Enigma Base ≈ 1 Ist (2 Pul)
From now on, whenever you see a trade, convert it to “Pul” first—you’ll instantly know if it’s fair!
Important Reminder: Prices fluctuate—don’t memorize them rigidly
This method isn’t “absolutely correct” because:
- Prices vary across seasons
- Server customs differ
- Rare items can spike unexpectedly
But—For new players, knowing “rough values” already avoids 90% of pitfalls.
You don’t need to be a “price expert.” You just need to:
✅ Know basic conversions
✅ Learn to observe current market trends
✅ Dare to say “No, this price is off”
My Real-World Insight: Watching Others Play Is More Useful Than Reading Guides
I used to think “checking prices” meant scouring websites, memorizing data, or using tools.
Now I realize—the most accurate prices are right in the game, right in the player chat logs.
You don’t need to understand economics or know how to code.
You just need:
- Patience (spend an hour watching chat)
- A good memory (remember common exchange rates)
- Courage (dare to reject unfair deals)
Then in Diablo 2, you won’t be taken for a sucker or a pushover.
One final piece of advice (from me)
“Don’t memorize price lists—check in-game; Don’t trust universal prices—calculate them yourself; Don’t fear failed negotiations—learn to say no—and you too can become a savvy trader.“
Next time someone tries to trade junk for your good stuff,
you can smile and reply:
”Buddy, based on Pul, this isn’t enough.”
Then—walk away with style.
🎮 You will never again be the one getting ripped off like I was.
