The biggest change is that Plague currently uses 3 socketed swords instead of the general weapons. Another change is that -1 is added from All Skills, and the removal of D2R Items +strength since Fal will no longer be in use. Damage has been increased, which is a big gain for raw damage. The other stats are basically identical.
Plague appeared strange at beginning, but eventually it found its own uses, possibly for casters; YouTuber Drunski125 notes the fact that Plague is restricted to swords only is an error.
"If you could it in the form of scepters. For example, imagine having a plus 3 Fist of Heavens scepter that you roll Plague in, it gives you cleansing aura and an extra skill point; a further incentive to choose something different from Hoto. If, for instance, you're given a +3 light sentry or the death claw, you could roll Plague, get +4 to traps, cleansing aura--again, more incentive to use something other than Hoto. "Blizzard hasn't yet announced when Diablo 2 Resurrect's v2.4 is coming out.
D2r 2.4 Release Date & time Diablo 2 Resurrected
The designers of Diablo volume two Reanimated Blizzard have officially confirmed the time stamp for the D2r 2.4 update. The game will receive a slew of cheap D2R ladder items notifications as consequence of this new surface.