Diablo 2 Shield Runewords. Tierlist

mobes8876: I’ve always found it dumb that we never got a Shield Runeword that gives Holy Shield. That would actually make more people an option other than Spirit to use.
danielchopper5572: oh no, the exile shield....
manuelkipke5712: In my opinion Rhyme and Splendor are targeting necro builds, especially summon necros.
While Spirit brings all a caster wants (resistence, skills, FCR, FHR, Mana, Vita...), most of them are not that important for a summoner. With good staffmods on your base, Rhyme and Splendor easily excel a Spirit shield. The lack of defensive capabilities (FHR, resistences) are not that important for a summoner - there is no need for defence if you're not getting hit at all. FCR is also not that important, as you usually apply some curses and that's it. In exchange both runewords offer - in comparison to a Spirit - a lot of life (at least 50 points less strength is required that can go to vita instead) and MF - which is always nice.
As you also mentionend, Spirit is more a late game Item due to the required base, only Paladins can access it in an early stage. Rhyme and Splendor are available at a very early stage.
The only problem I see is finding a good base, especially if you go for Splendor.
warblades1337: Splendor is really nice in necro heads
itstomis: I feel like Sanctuary would be looter's LEAST favorite rw since it uses up too many of his precious Ko's
SogaSchmock: Do a dual dream pala run with cheated equip on players 8 with 2 times monsters
zlatanmorrison8182: Can you confirm, is it possible to put 'Rhyme' in an appropriate gray 2 open socket necro head and still get the runeword?
goatunnheim: first
raphbiss1: Phoenix is also best in slot for zealers (because of the 400?). And also blade sins for the same reason. And concentration barbs. And jabzons.
nosterdaye3102: Phoenix's redemption aura is also critical. For e.g., Javazon end-game gear. You are relying on your merc for infinity. Your mana supply and health supply can be a big problem and Phoenix is your solution. Now you don't have to chug potions every second. The cast rate doesn't matter to an amazon whose cast rate frames are atrocious anyways.

Another build is hydra meteor sorc, since her frames are so good, even with no FCR on shield she can still reach decent frames. Hydra Meteor isn't that frame hungry.

Phoenix's up to 400% damage increase is also incredible end-game for bladesin. The blade sentinel and blade fury skill, use enhanced damage calc from off-hand and other gear.

So it might be surprising this runeword is BiS for quite a lot of builds. The only thing make it so much worse than spirit is its horrendous cost. Otherwise, I would rate this as the top shield runeword.
MrProaktyn: Looter mentioned Pog
negativeM: Sanctuary runeword is by far my favorite shield in the game. The 20 dex and added block is just too insane to say "no". Sacred Targe Sanctuary saves a good amount of stat points in comparison to ev Exile. Which that extra defense isn't revelant. ST or SR Exile would be more ideal. ST for block and SR for that .5 average damage higher than the other elite bases.
Josh2021586: Sanctuary had a niche for me in single player. It’s the best budget Uber smiter shield in a high base like sacred rondache just to overcap you for Mephisto
gojeran: Now I want to play Mario paint. Also I’ve never made a shield runeword that wasn’t spirit, rhyme, or ancients pledge.
AzureKev: Exile runes are reasonably achievable, its the elite eth base with a decent amount of resists (say 40 ) that's extremely elusive.
Mothuzad: Dragon looks fun. I've never found a Sur rune or anything that high... but my mom found one. She didn't understand.
bonedog5130: what a depressing outcome
renosstefanidis1090: WAIT A MINUTE!

There are shield runewords other than Ancient's Pledge, Rhyme and Spirit???
GrandToast: Feel like Zarfen was roasted for Kurast farming
ffarkasm: Ancient's Pledge is bad. You might as well put 3 perfect diamonds in the shield and you get more all res if that's what you are looking for.
looter_game: KO rune for shield? Nah.
augustinadriancristea5873: This is not a random 8 minutes and a half video on the internet.
This, this is a documentary about my personal gaming life, a choice of pass-time and decision to invest energy, pixelated blood, sweat and real-life tears into D2!

'Time away from family is time well spent', as the late ancient philosopher Kung-Fu CON Fukius FUK YOUS once said, while on vacation (probably a work-teambuilding far away from home, as he was never seen working from home).

My Deeds of Valor Will Be Remembered
Dawnarow: Splendor: 4 bspear, spirit, LowerRes/Decrep/golem etc. Underrated as 5shields (rares and magic) can't get fcr and necros need 125fcr with white wand ( 8bonespear/6spirit!). Also, stylish as heck if you get the base you like most. Some folks also get the 4skeleton, mastery, boneshield! <-- sold one of these for 10k fg. And those can easily be found in your playthroughs [the more you know]
leeloodallasmultibox6172: Spirit and everything else.
funkyfish1026: The looter special. Double ko
ApathyBM: I liked Sanctuary on my ladder kicksin. The res allowed me to use BoS over Fade. That's probably the only case I would take it over spirit