which runes & insignias ?

Im lev 20 - which runes and insignias should I buy for my elementalist, necromancer and monk heroes ?

Don't be lazy, go to wiki and figure it out. Here's a couple of links to get you started.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Rune

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Insignia

None. Don't waste money buying runes/insignias for heroes. Use the stuff that drops for you. Unless you want a specific build to be run, anything can work good enough for PvE. Only thing I'd say is required is a Superior Death rune for a MM hero.

Now, since we only know what classes you want info for, we can't offer anything other than what was already given to you (wiki links). Builds make a huge difference on what runes/insignias you would want.

yeh but the superior death rune takes 75 off hero's health

No kidding. It is also the only way to get level 18 minions and 10 of them. Otherwise you max at 9 minions with lower level - depending on what rune you use. An MM without a Superior Death rune is sub par, and should use a different build.

For me, getting that 1 extra level isn't worth the almost 2 plat investment - I get a major death rune for like 100GP and call it a day.

Thats why I said that in my first post. If a Superior Death rune drops for you, and you use a Hero as an MM, then don't sell it, use it.

never had any decent runes drop for me - only ones i dont need

Why Major Death? You don't hit a minion breakpoint at 15 Death Magic. Either get a Minor or a Superior.

he could go 11+1+2 and he would free up some attribute points.
or he could get the -health for blood of the master, not much but it would make a small differnce

12+1+3 would still be better though.

And the superior vigor gives you 50 back. If you then get a weapon with a max plus health mod, then you'll have more then what you started with. There's also the survivor insignia, which will give you, + 15, 10 and 5, depending on where you put it.

cool thanks for your help guys

Since your heroes are only NPCs, and therefore don't have as good an idea of when to stay out of trouble, it's best to compromise their performance for health. Unlike what some people have said, don't be cheap, if you want your heroes to be as useful as possible, spend the gold to get runes and insignias.

To keep costs down, focus more on a smaller number of Heroes you intend to use the most. (Like the 3 you mentioned)

Get them all Major Vigor - the cost is outweighed by the increase in usefulness, leading to more/better drops and faster recoup of expenses.

Only get a Major Rune for the headpiece of each. (For example, Major Healing Prayers for the monk.) Again, balancing health versus performance. Get minor runes only for attributes you actually need. (For example, for a Necro MM, just get Major Death Magic for the head and Minor Soul Reaping for another slot - you don't need Curses or Blood). Fill the rest of the rune slots with Vitae or Attunement - again with a balance in mind.

For Insignia's, I'd go with 5 Survivors for the Necro (except Bloodstained for one slot if it's an MM) and rely on Soul Reaping for energy. For the Ele and Monk you might consider Survivor on the head, hands, and feet, and Radiants on Chest and legs.

Many people don't fully equip their heroes with runes/insignias and give them crap weapons they have kicking around, and then complain that heroes "suck". Those of us who spend a lot of time doing H&H (1 player, 3 heroes, 4 henchies) know better.