Der Kunstler said:
newbie question - Is there a way to add sockets to existing weapons, and - is there a way to unsocket your old weapons and reuse the gems?
Yes there is a way to add sockets to existing weapons and armor, but it varies depending on the weapon/armor type. If its a unique, rare or set you want to add the sockets too, you'll only get 1 socket. If it's a magical, you have a chance of getting 1 socket, or 2 sockets.
One way to add sockets to an item is to use the Act 5 Quest 1 reward (similar to the Act 1 imbue quest, but adds sockets to an item).
The other way is to use the cube, though the following recipes:
1 Tal Rune + 1 Thul Rune + 1 Perfect Topaz + Normal Body Armor = Socketed Body Armor of same type
1 Ral Rune + 1 Amn Rune + 1 Perfect Amethyst + Normal Weapon = Socketed Weapon of same type
Ral Rune + 1 Thul Rune + 1 Perfect Sapphire + Normal Helm = Socketed Helm of same type
In all the above recipes, the item must not be socketted already, and the amount of sockets you will get is random (1-4 for armor, 1-6 for weapon, 1-3 for helm and 1-4 for shield).
You can unsocket an item by using the cube recipe:
1 Hel Rune + Scroll of Town Portal + Any Socketed Item = Unsocket that item
However, you will not get the items back that were socketted. The only thing this recipe does, is clear the sockets so you can socket something else in them. The items that were in the sockets are lost.
