117fcr Chain Lightning/Lightning

[theOG22093]

theOG22093's 117Fcr Chain Lightning/Lightning Sorceress Guide

INTRODUCTION: The sorceress is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and usefull classes in the Diablo II scene. I have been playing this class as long as I have been playing D2, and I find the Lightning sorceress to be one of the most effective and fun builds to play. This guide focuses on a 117Fcr build, and will help you to make your very own effective Lightning sorceress.

Table of Contents
Section A: FHR/FCR Tables
Section B: Skill Allocation/ Stat Distribution
SectionC: Gear Selection
SectionD: Mercenary

Section A: FHR/FCR Tables
FHR: This is a PVM type character so FHR isn't necessary, but here's the info anyways. With the suggested gear you will still hit the 86 break point, which is plenty.
00% 15
05% 14
09% 13
14% 12
20% 11
30% 10
42% 09
60% 08
86% 07
142% 06

FCR( or faster cast rate) is how fast you cast your spells.
00% 13
09% 12
20% 11
37% 10
63% 09
105% 08
200% 07
****Don't forget that the break points for inferno/chain lightning/lightning differ****
78% 13
117% 12
194% 11

Fhr isn't a necessity for this build, but as for Fcr i suggest hitting the 117fcr breakpoint.


Section B: Skill Allocation/ Stat Distribution.
Part A: Skill Allocation
Lightning Tree-
Max Lightning
Max Chain Lightning
Max Lightning Mastery
Max Charged Bolt
Max Nova
1 into Telekinesis
1 into Teleport
1 into Static Feild
1 into Thunderstorm

Fire Tree-1 into Warmth

Cold Tree-I usually just choose one of the defensive improving skills or nothing at all from this tree, so I'll leave the decision up to you.

Part B: Stat Distribution

Strength: As with almost all other builds, here you will only need enough to equip all of your items, taking in to mind how much strength each item will add as it is equipped.

Dexterity: Unless you're going for max block,(which isn't suggested), then here you will also only need enough to equip all of your gear taking in to mind how much dexterity each item will add as it is equipped.

Vitality: After you're done adding the right amount of dexterity and strength to your character you will invest all of your remaining skill points into this. Life is one of the more essential parts of a Vitality build. :D

Energy: As with most builds, I strongly suggest you don't invest any points into here, as you will have more than enough mana.


Gear Selection:
This section focuses on the items that you will be using to optimize your performance with your Lightning Sorceress.

Helmet: Harlequin Crest Shako (Shael'd)
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/helms/elite/armor/harlequin-crest.html
Other Options:
Griffons Eye
2Sorc/20 FCR Circlet
3Lightning Skills/20FCR Circlet

Armor: Chains of Honor( Archon Plate or Dusk Shroud)
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/items/1-10-runewords/1-10-runewords/enigma-runeword.html
Other Options:
Enigma in low strength req. armor
Vipermagi
3 Lightning/15% Lightning Damage Ormus Robes

Weapon: Heart of the Oak(Flail)
Other Options:
Eschutas Temper
Occulus
Wizzard Spike


Sheild: Spirit(Monarch) No less than 27 Fcr.
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/ladder-only/items/1-10-runewords/spirit-runeword.html
Other Options:
Ryhme in low strength req. sheild
Stormsheild(For Max Block)
Lidless


Gloves: Magefist Light Gauntlets
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/normal/items/gloves/armor/magefist.html
Other Options:
Trang's
Frostburn's

Boots: Sandstorm Trek Scarabshell Boots
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/elite/boots/armor/sandstorm-trek.html
Other Options:
Waterwalks
War Traveller's

Belt: Arachnid Mesh Spiderweb Sash
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/elite/belts/armor/arachnid-mesh.html
Other Options:
Verdungo's
TGod's
Any rare belt with FHR/Life/Strength/Resists


Amulet: Maras Kaleidoscope
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/amulets/mara-s-kaleidoscope.html
Other Options:
Seraph's
Any amulet with +Sorc skills or +Lightning skills

Rings: 1x Stone of Jordan and 1x Rare 10Fcr/ Other Mods(resitance/life/mana) Ring
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/rings/items/stone-of-jordan.html
Other options:
Nagel's
Ravenfrosts
Any rings with FCR

Charms: Standard Hellfire Torch/Annilus. If you aren't reaching max resistances then try some resistance small charms. Lastly, if you are rich enough i would also suggest getting a few Light skiller grand charms, to boost that damage up.
Other Options:
Any charms that add usefull mods, Strength/Dexterity/Life/Mana/Resists/MF

Mercenary
In most builds the mercenary is a bonus, and not necessarily a necessity. It still somewhat is in this build, but if you want to be able to run your own Chaos/Baal games, then i STRONGLY suggest you use the following set-up on your oh-so helpful mercenary.
With this build we will be using the Nightmare Act2 Defensive Mercenary.

Helmet: A few options here:

Vampire Gaze Grim Helm
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/helms/exceptional/armor/vampire-gaze.html

Andariels Visage Demonhead
http://www.diablo2.com/article/uniques/items/helms/elite/armor/andariel-s-visage.html

Armor:Fortitude(Eth High defense armor)
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/ladder-only/items/1-10-runewords/fortitude-runeword.html


Weapon: Last but certainly not least, the most important part of the mercenary-Infinity(Eth Collosus Voulge or Cryptic Axe)
http://www.diablo2.com/article/runewords/ladder-only/items/1-10-runewords/infinity-runeword.html

With this set-up, your mercenary's infinity aura will break most of the immunes and allow you to shock and nock em' down.

Conclusion:
Well there you have it folks, theOg22093's 117Fcr Lightning/Chain Lightning Sorceress Guide. Thanks go out to Diablo2.com(lol) for the links for all the pictures and statistics on all the items in the Gear Selection Section.
Hope you enjoy it.***************************** Thanks, Joshua Young.

[saracen85]

to tell you the truth, fhr is a pretty important factor even in pvm.

imagine being hit mid-tele with no fhr...

..or struck by one of the dolls..

[2.0]

to tell you the truth, fhr is a pretty important factor even in pvm.

imagine being hit mid-tele with no fhr...

..or struck by one of the dolls..
Shael the helm and you'll be fine.

55 from spirit.

20 from treks

20 from shael'd helm.

=

95, and you really only need 86, any more than that is overkill for pvm.

Or you can use 3 Fhr sc's, instead of a shael.

[theOG22093]

KK i'll edit so the Shako is shael'd. Thanks Guys.

[kwittstruck]

What about lightning immunities?

[theOG22093]

Kwittstruck read the entire section called: Mercenary

[kwittstruck]

I missed the bottom line, but oh well, im used to classic, cant do anything with a merc. Might be something when i get LOD

[theOG22093]

I strongly suggest you just go buy a battle chest, because LOD owns classic ;D.

[kwittstruck]

Yea i know, but even 40$ atm is out of my budget for now... (wait till taxes in the coming month(s)

[theOG22093]

Battle Chest- 20$....we needs quit spam lol. PM me if you want to talk about this more :D

I would really like some more suggestions/opinions on this, thanks.

[Phoenix13]

I would suggest griffan eye for people who can afford it, it adds 25fcr. Upd vipermagi, 30fcr. For a merc secondary armor, if people want to make this, a eth smoke. I got a 4k defense smoke on my merc, since i'm on nl, fort is pretty expensive. For the weapon, secondary suggestion would be a eschuta light, +2 sorce skills and +20% light damage is allways nice to have. In your build don't forget to mention what type of merc would be good, in that case act2 defensive merc for holy freeze or act2 hell defensive for defiance.

[theOG22093]

I would suggest griffan eye for people who can afford it, it adds 25fcr. Upd vipermagi, 30fcr. For a merc secondary armor, if people want to make this, a eth smoke. I got a 4k defense smoke on my merc, since i'm on nl, fort is pretty expensive. For the weapon, secondary suggestion would be a eschuta light, +2 sorce skills and +20% light damage is allways nice to have. In your build don't forget to mention what type of merc would be good, in that case act2 defensive merc for holy freeze or act2 hell defensive for defiance.

Thanks i forgot to mention what mercenary, but all the others:
Griffons: This is a PVM build, and shako is much better, considering i won't even need the fcr becuase im allready hitting the 117 bp.
Eschutas: The resistances are needed for pvm from hoto.
Vipermagi: Again in pvm we need the resistances, and we're allready hitting the fcr bp.
Smoke: Smoke is another great option, just fortitude is my preferance and it's what i use.
Thanks, Josh.

damnit!!! i ****ed it up lol
i have to redo the damn tables becuase i pressed a button when i was editing and it mushed it all together.

[dainbramage]

Any build that relies on an infinity can not be labelled 'versatile'.


Also, vipermagi is far superior to CoH.

[theOG22093]

No where in this guide did i say this build was versatile, i did mention the sorceress was a versatile character though.
And for this build, Coh>Vipermagi, because it offers more resists(which is needed) and we don't need the fcr as we are allready hitting the 117 bp with as little as a 27fcr spirit.
Also the extra skill can't hurt.
arachs-20
magefist-20
spirit-27
hoto-40
fcr ring-10
------------
117

[dainbramage]

Or, you can use vipermagi and have a lot more gear options rather than being forced through something fairly strict. Say if you want to block (no fcr on shield) go ES (preferably no fcr on rings/gloves). CoH locks you into the one vita/non block build.

[cmlogu01]

I'm considering making a sorceress but I have some questions:
*Can I do this fully single player without online runs, without too much difficulty?
*Does it hurt you too much that lightning moves have incredibly low minimum damage?
*Since I don't play online, does is this guide very equipment dependent?
*And last, why don't I need energy? Do you use mana drain weapons(do spells use mana drain from your items?) or just a lot of mana potions?Please reply:)

[Belhemel]

@dain the only prob I see with going with an es build is that you are nerfing your damage which you really need with a light build seeing as how your min dmg has a possible hit of 2dmg. Unlikely that you will do that often but a light build has a much lower range of damage possible than other builds. Using es and its synergies will really lower that damage even more.



@Phoenix, why a +2 eschutas and not a +3. Makes no sense to buy a +2 when a little more will get a +3.

[theOG22093]

Dainbramage: ES is retarded for pvm, vita ftw. And you don't need max block on a sorc, considering my strategy is- tele, cast, tele, cast....etc.

cmlogu01: Hmm, good question. A sp lighning sorc might work, depending on what you would be running, i suggest mephy. And about the damage question, it pretty much balances out becuase it has such a high max damage. For the energy question, some people like to put a little in it, but with your equipment you will have plenty.

[theOG22093]

I'd like to get some more opinions on this please thanks :D
Been offline for a while, made a Blizzard and Bowazon guide will post em soon.

[dainbramage]

Dainbramage: ES is retarded for pvm

What happened the last time your vita/no block sorc blind tele'd into the middle of a might/amp/extra fast frenzytaur pack? I play legit, with no cta/various crap, a pvm vita sorc will end up with ~1.3-1.4k hp.

Halving the damage taken is the difference between tele'ing straight out and getting fhr locked and being forced to chicken, or die if you're not quick enough. I play HC a decent bit as well, and there 1 death isn't a loss of a few million exp, it's a few billion + all the charms you're wearing.

[theOG22093]

Well i actually happen to have a CTA, and i watch where I'm teleing and it works fine for me. You do what you have to do, this one works fine.

[safetypro]

Great Guide theOG22093.
I'm actually in the process of making my Lite Sorc and just now read your guide. I'm glad I did cause I picked up on the idea to shael the helm to reach the 86 FHR BP. My build differs only slightly from what you recommend. I'm using Griffon's, a +2 sorc/10 FCR amulet and 2SoJs. I was fortunate to get a Griffs and can't think of a better use.:)

I have a +6 ES staff on switch though I've pretty well stopped using it since my merc switched from Insight to Infinity. I'll probably change to a CTA/Spirit as soon as I gather the runes.

One area that would be a nice addition to the guide is a section dedicated to the technique or how to play the character. Some additional tips and tricks for specific situations would also be welcome. I'm a melee specialist and am really just learning how to play casters.

Overall, great job. Keep up the good work!

[theOG22093]

Great Guide theOG22093.
I'm actually in the process of making my Lite Sorc and just now read your guide. I'm glad I did cause I picked up on the idea to shael the helm to reach the 86 FHR BP. My build differs only slightly from what you recommend. I'm using Griffon's, a +2 sorc/10 FCR amulet and 2SoJs. I was fortunate to get a Griffs and can't think of a better use.:)

I have a +6 ES staff on switch though I've pretty well stopped using it since my merc switched from Insight to Infinity. I'll probably change to a CTA/Spirit as soon as I gather the runes.

One area that would be a nice addition to the guide is a section dedicated to the technique or how to play the character. Some additional tips and tricks for specific situations would also be welcome. I'm a melee specialist and am really just learning how to play casters.

Overall, great job. Keep up the good work!

Thanks.
Really, my suggestion is to trade the griffons, or keep it and wear shako. For most situations, Shako will add more to your overall damage, and the FCR is not needed, so you can swap that out for DR/Life/Mana.
Btw, its really not hard to play with a light sorc at all. Just simply:
1 Try not to get hit
2 Keep your merc alive
3 Keep dishing out constant CL on groups
4 Keep dishing out constant L on singles.

[Raine]

the links to your equiptment is broken

[theOG22093]

That's because this forum is broken.

[Raine]

haha and why is that

[mephiztophelez]

this is another one of your "writing a guide to help yourself understand the build" efforts isn't it?

i really, seriously hate "guides" that give only one set of gear choices based purely around the authors own personal preference/bias. there are numerous other pieces of gear that can be used in each slot.

see my Fire guide for an idea of what a "guide" should look like and contain.

[theOG22093]

this is another one of your "writing a guide to help yourself understand the build" efforts isn't it?

i really, seriously hate "guides" that give only one set of gear choices based purely around the authors own personal preference/bias. there are numerous other pieces of gear that can be used in each slot.

see my Fire guide for an idea of what a "guide" should look like and contain.


I wanted the guide to have what I think is the best set-up. That's what I listed, and only that. It's not hard at all to know what you can replace what with if you can't afford some of the specified work. Sometimes you just have to do a little work for your-self. I'm pretty sure you know what works and doesn't, but their are some newer members that might not. Just as bad as you hate guides that give only one set of a gear choice, I hate the new-comers that ask questions and don't even consider doing a little research for them selves. For example:
Can I replace a SoJ with a BK?
....................Lol.
Ya, I read your fire guide. It has everything you need to know to make a good Fire Sorceress, it was just a little sloppy. You explained why so, it really doesn't matter.

haha and why is that

Well, IMO, ever since the reset, this forum has been a Ghost-Town. Or rather a WW/Trap-Town, :).

[saracen85]

why not link to other, more established guides? it's certainly easier, and that's what i do instead of writing a guide..

any further questions, the newer people can still ask here and we should be able to provide the necessary help..

this forum having a lack of build guides doesn't necessitate making new ones if there are good ones out there.

[theOG22093]

This guide has been here for a while now......
And this is what I think is the best to go with, so I posted it.

[theOG22093]

*Edited in gear options.