Been a while since I played and can’t remember if 4os even drops on normal for things like insight and spirit based or does it need to be nightmare difficulty.

Also what are some good low level uniques to use that might drop in normal?

Yes they do drop. Go for act 1 countess ( tower ) for runes for low level runewords.

I wasn’t asking about the runes more of the 4os based required for them wasn’t sure if 4os can drop in norm or if max for norm is 3 os

You will never find a 4os on norm. You can find white bases in norm cows check an ilvl guide.

Countess on Norm will only get you upto a Ral. I suggest making a sorc or JavZon. Sorc will be crucial when you get into nm for easier runs on countess, and javzon makes quick work of cows.
Now with that being said, you can get crystal swords and rando socket with cube. Ral Amn P Amethyst. Same with the polearms. Bill's are one of the few with Shenk that will get you a 4os.
I usually will rando socket crystal swords found in a3-5 tbh, and same with the polearms.

If you have an Android phone I recommend downloading Tome of D2, its a handy lil app!

Also good thing about cows, finding the grim helms, grim shields and light plates for them stealths, ancient pledges, rhymes, splendors, and lores. I used Lore War Hat, Stealth Lightplate, Spirit sword, Rhyme for a hot minute! then worked up to a Smoke, and splendor, then found gear for my javzon, then ran thru with her to and got bumped thru to hell. Sorc with that gear set up can farm nm. I always did an Orber tbh, with blizzard as a first cast, then orb, rinse and repeat, also hitting with glacial for mob control.

dont sacrifice kill speed for magic find.

This post was edited by DabbinDragon91 on Jun 26 2023 09:49pm

In normal, you must know which monster dropped the weapon in order to determine how many sockets it gets from larzuk. I will post more relevant links and information later. Just make a note of trying to remember which monster drops items you want to socket and use for runewords.

In nightmare and hell, area level is used instead of monster level.

Here you can check the item's sockets based on level on monster or area it is found:

https://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Sockets

http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/

Use ctrl + f to find the item you search for. Example:

Poleaxe =

Level 1-25 = 3 sockets

26-40 = 4 sockets

41+ = 5 sockets

Meaning:

In normal mode, if a level 1-24 monster drops a poleaxe, it will get 3 sockets from larzuk. If a level 25-40 monster drops it, it will get 4 sockets. Level 41+, 5 sockets.

In nightmare/hell, area level is the going factor.

https://diablo2.diablowiki.net/Area_Level



If cube recipe is used, a random number is given, but only up to the maximum level of available sockets based on the item's level.


All items and item maximum levels and sockets:

http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/items/normal/polearms.shtml

This post was edited by Taurean on Jun 27 2023 12:12pm

To answer you question directly, white bases in normal cows is the only way to get spirit or insight bases for the reasons people listed above from normal difficulty.

This

White Crystal sword and broad sword gets 4 soc from cows normal.... (Handy at ladder reset)
Have yet to check for polearms soc's number

How can I check the monsters drop level?