The most significant change is that Plague currently uses 3 socketed swords instead of general weapons. A further change is the -1 bonus in All Skills D2R ladder items, and the removal of +strength since Fal has been removed from the game. A boost in damage has been added this is a huge bonus to raw damage. The other stats are basically the same.
Plague was odd at beginning, but it also had its use, possibly for casters. YouTuber Drunski125 suggests that Plague's use being limited to swords is a mistake.
"If you could put it into scepters. Imagine an 3 Fist of Heavens Scepter that you roll Plague in, it gives you a cleansing aura as well as an additional skill point; again incentive to go with something other than Hoto. If, for instance, that you gain the +3 light sentry, or 3 death claw, you can roll Plague and get +4 to traps, cleansing aura--again, more reason to go with something other than Hoto. "Blizzard hasn't yet announced the date Diablo 2 Resurrect's v2.4 is going to be available.
The designers of Diablo volume two Reanimated Blizzard have officially confirmed the exact date for the D2r 2.4 updates Diablo 2 Resurrected buy items. The game will get numerous notifications as due to this surface.