PvM Light/CL Sorceress V1.1

[theOG22093]

PvM Lightning/CL Sorceress V1.1
http://www.battle.net/images/battle/diablo2exp/images/classes/sorceress-history.jpg


This guide was created to help you make your very own Pvm pure Light Sorceress. Some people avoid this build due to the fact that it's a single-element based character, but we have multiple ways to take away the immunes. This build will focus on more than one gear set-up, due to some complaints on previous guides only focusing on one set of items. I have been playing this build for about 2 years now. I have tried many different set-ups, and there are a few that I prefer over all the others, and those are the ones I'll list.

*Note: This build is not recommended for SP use, due to the lack of high rune drops, which are required to make an Infinity.





Table of Contents

1. Stat Distribution
2. Skill Allocation
3. Gear Selection (Merc Included)
4. FHR/FCR/FB Tables
5. Guide to Leveling
6. Special Thanks



1. Stat Distribution

Starting Attributes:

~Strength: 10
~Dexterity: 25
~Vitality: 10
~Energy: 35

Starting Stats

Hit Points: 40
Stamina: 74
Mana: 35

Gain Each Level

Life: +1
Stamina: +1
Mana: +2
1 Vitality point gives 2 Life
1 Vitality point gives 1 Stamina
1 Energy point gives 2 Mana

General Stat Distribution

~Strength: Only enough to equip all of your items, while calculating how much strength each of your items/charms add when equipped.

~Dexterity: Only enough to equip all of your items, while calculating how much dexterity each of your items/charms add when equipped. If you plan on going max block (not recommended), only invest enough in dexterity to achieve max block with all your setups on.

~Vitality: Considering this is a vitality build,(with ES your damage would be extremely low, and ES isn't good for PvM due to mana burn), invest all of your stat points here after equipping all of your items.

~Energy: Again, this is a Vitality build, so none here.




2. Skill Allocation

Lightning Skill Tree:

20 into Lightning
20 into Lightning Mastery
20 into Chain Lightning
20 into Charged Bolt
1-20 into Nova (Max Nova last.)
1 into Telekinesis
1 into Teleport
1 into Thunderstorm
1 into Static Field

Fire Skill Tree:

1 into Warmth

Cold Skill Tree:

Some people like to put one point into a Cold sheild skill, but it's all about preference. I personally don't.

Skill Explanation:

~Lightning- One of your main skills. Only use it versus single enemies.
~Chain Lightning- One of your main skills. Use it for crowd control.
~Nova: Terribly under-rated. I find it a great skill, for most situations.
~Charged Bolt: Great for Boss-kills. Teleport on top of them, and cast like a mad man.
~Teleport: Main source of transportation. You won't find yourself running much.
~Thunderstorm: Helps add some almost constant damage. Recast it if it goes out.
~Static Feild: Great for Boss-kills. Similiar effect as crushing blow.




3. Gear Selection (Merc Included)


~Basic gear options
-Helmets-
Shako- Nice +Skills/Life/Mana/ And even some DR
Griffons- +1Skill and Nice %increase light damage/-light resistances
Tals Helm- Only use with full set
Circlet- If you want to use a circlet look for one with nice mods like: 2Sorc/Fcr/Life/Resis/Stats/2Sockets

-Armors-
Vipermagi- +1Skill/Fcr/Resists
CoH- Mass Resists/+2Skills and even some DR
Enigma- +2Skills/Strength/MF per level and some DR
Tals Armor- Only use with full set

-Weapons-
Hoto- +3kills/Fcr/Resists and even some oak sages
Spirit- +2Skills/Fcr/Fhr
Occulus- MF/+3Sorc skills/fcr
Wizzardspike- Mass Resists/Fcr/Mass mana
Tals Orb- Only use with full set

-Sheilds-
Spirit- +2Skills/Fcr/Fhr/Resists
Lidless- Cheaper version of spirit, less skills/fcr/no fhr
Storm Sheild- For maxblock setup, nice %ctb/Mass DR

-Gloves-
Magefists- Fcr/Mana Regen
Trang Oul's- Fcr/Cold Resists

-Belts-
Arachnids Mesh- +1Skills/Fcr
Goldwrap- Mf is about all this belt has going for it
Tals Belt- Only use with full set

-Boots-
Treks- Fhr/Frw/Psn Resists/Str/Vita
Travs- Str/Vita/Mass mf
Rares- Resists/Fhr/Frw/Stats

-Amulets-
Maras- +2Skills/Resists/Stats
Rare Amulet- Look for good mods like: +Skills/Fcr/Resists/Life/Stats

-Rings-
Soj/BK- +1Skill with mana (SoJ) or Life (BK)
Nagel- +MF
Rares- Look or mods like: +Fcr/Stats/Resists/Life (Only use if you need the fcr)

-Charms-
Torch- +3Skills/Stats/Resists
Annihilus- +1Skill/Stats/Resists
Others- If you decide to use more charms, Skiller GCs and Life SCs are the way to go, but remember this is a Pvm build so leave some room.



Switch Weapon/Sheild Set-up
-Weapon- CTA Crystal Sword or Flail
-Sheild- Spirit Monarch
This set-up allows you to recieve a great boost in Life/Mana.



~Infinity Merc Build: (Only for Non-Infinity using builds)

-Helmet-Andys/Vamps/Rockstopper
-Weapon-Eth CA/CV Infinity
-Armor-Fort Armor/Smoke/ Eth Shaft


~Insight Merc Build: (Only for Infinity Build)

-Helmet-Andys/Vamps/Rockstopper
-Weapon-Eth CA/CV Insight
-Armor-Fort Armor/Smoke/ Eth Shaft




4. FHR/FCR Tables

Faster Cast Rate
FCR %
0 13frames
9 12frames
20 11frames
37 10frames
63 9frames
~105 8frames
200 7frames

Lightning / Chain Lightning / Inferno Faster Cast Rates
FCR %
0 19frames
7 18frames
15 17frames
23 16frames
37 15frames
52 14frames
78 13frames
~117 12frames
194 11frames

Hit Recover Rates - Sorc and conveniently Act 2 merc's
FHR %
0 15frames
5 14frames
9 13frames
14 12frames
20 11frames
~30 10frames
42 9frames
60 8frames
86 7frames
142 6frames
280 5frames

Faster Block Rates
FHR %
0 9frames
7 8frames
15 7frames
27 6frames
48 5frames
86 4frames
200 3frames

~ = What we'll be aiming for.


5. Guide to Leveling

Classic Leveling

Normal Difficulty
1-15: Tristram Runs
15-20: Tomb Runs
20-25: Cow Runs
25-26: Ancients
26-40: Baal Runs

Nightmare Difficulty
40-41: Ancients
41-60: Baal Runs.

Hell Difficulty
60-61: Ancients
61-80: Baal Runs
80-XX: Chaos/Baal runs.( I prefer Chaos, but its really not too much of a difference.)

One of the best places to run for Exp. with your Sorceress will be the Chaos Sanctuary. It's great for Exp. and item drops, and not nearly as boring as Baal runs, so do all of your runs there.


Glitch Rush

Get a freind to glitch rush you to Act4 Hell.(Rush through Act1-5 Normal, and find a baal for quest game, and glitch off some one who can get the quest by being in his party when baal is killed. Repeat in Nightmare. Get rushed from Hell Act1-4.)
After you have recieved the rush to Hell Act4, begin chaos games.
1-25 is kind of slow, but after that it definetly picks up the pace.

1-60 Hell Chaos Runs.
60-61 Hell Ancients
61-80 Hell Baal Runs.
80-XX- Chaos/Baal Runs. ( I prefer Chaos, but its not really too much of a difference.)


6. Special Thanks

I have been playing this build for a while now, and I consider it one of my favorites. It's extremely fun and effective. Some people prefer the cookie-cutter hammerdin, but this one can be just as effective.

Special thanks to:
www.diablo2.com for the great forums.
www.diabloii.net for the fhr/fcr/fb tables
And everyone who reads and gives inputs.

*Edited in Pros and Cons of gear set-ups. Edited in Switch Weapon/Sheild. v1.1
*Edited, changed the gear setup sections. v1.2

[®@þþ3¬]

~Strength: Only enough to equip all of your items/charms, while calculating how much strength each of your items/charms add when equipped.

-Gloves-Magefists (You'll desperatly need the Regen.)

What charms needs str req?

I wont notice the 15% added mana reg anyway so... The 15% mana reg is added to your wamth. Lets say you have a lvl 15 Warmth (adds 198% mana reg) the 15% from Magefists will be added to that. So you will have a total of 213%. I will bet you you cant feel a difference from 198% to 213% mana req ;)

Anyway, nais layout and an okay run through of the besics of the build :)

[theOG22093]

Yea, I need to edit that. Accidently put the */charms after both of them, instead of just the last part.
The mana regen definetly helps.
What did you think of my very own Shako/Wizzy max block build?

[®@þþ3¬]

Yea, I need to edit that. Accidently put the */charms after both of them, instead of just the last part.
The mana regen definetly helps.
What did you think of my very own Shako/Wizzy max block build?

~Shako/Wizzardspike/Stormsheild Build:

That you should fix the typo(s) ;)

Anyway, looks okay, but I would use an Eld'ed Visentaunt if I was going for max block on a sorc... which reminds me :)

[theOG22093]

~Shako/Wizzardspike/Stormsheild Build:

That you should fix the typo(s) ;)

Anyway, looks okay, but I would use an Eld'ed Visentaunt if I was going for max block on a sorc... which reminds me :)

Fixed all that I seen. With stormsheild you can hit 50DR with nigma/shako.
Don't you think the pic really beefs up the appearance?

I'd like some more inputs on this please.

[mephiztophelez]

well, it's a step up from your previous effort.

a few points:
1: +% Lit Skill Damage (eg: from eschutas, facets and griffs) just adds in with your mastery bonus. so ultimatly, they're pretty underwhelming for mass damage boost. check my fire guide, someone did the math and found an eschutas will add a mighty ~50pvp damage over a HotO (thats fire, not lit obviously). basically, +%skill damage isn't something i'd chase in any huge way.

2: enigma has NO PLACE on a sork. ever. never, ever, ever. there are much better items to use in the armour slot. your eni/SS build is going to be hurting for resis.

3: instead of listing each build, why not list each equipment slot with a brief discussion of the pros and cons of each. such as:
Helms:
Griffons: 25% fcr, the highest available, +1 all skills which is useful for BO.
Shako: +2 all skills, DR, MF. only downside is the lack of fcr
etc, etc...

4: you only suggest Viper in one of your options. personally, i rekons it's the best sork armor in the game. all sorks (except possibly melee sorks) can benefit from a viper. using my suggestion in #3, you can explain WHY each armour is useful....
eg:
Armors:
Viper: +1 skill, 30%fcr, nice res boost
CoH: +2 skills, huge res, useful %DR and a splash of MF
Enigma: +2 skills, str boost, mf and FRW. should never be used on a sorc, ever

5: you have the fcr/fhr tables at the bottom of the guide. why not add in a small section at the top called: Goals, basic and advanced build goals.

overall, not a bad effort. certainly a big step up from your previous attempt. just flesh it out a little and give some explanations as to WHY certain bits of gear are useful.

overall, 5/10.

[theOG22093]

well, it's a step up from your previous effort.

a few points:
1: +% Lit Skill Damage (eg: from eschutas, facets and griffs) just adds in with your mastery bonus. so ultimatly, they're pretty underwhelming for mass damage boost. check my fire guide, someone did the math and found an eschutas will add a mighty ~50pvp damage over a HotO (thats fire, not lit obviously). basically, +%skill damage isn't something i'd chase in any huge way.

2: enigma has NO PLACE on a sork. ever. never, ever, ever. there are much better items to use in the armour slot. your eni/SS build is going to be hurting for resis.

3: instead of listing each build, why not list each equipment slot with a brief discussion of the pros and cons of each. such as:


4: you only suggest Viper in one of your options. personally, i rekons it's the best sork armor in the game. all sorks (except possibly melee sorks) can benefit from a viper. using my suggestion in #3, you can explain WHY each armour is useful....
eg:


5: you have the fcr/fhr tables at the bottom of the guide. why not add in a small section at the top called: Goals, basic and advanced build goals.

overall, not a bad effort. certainly a big step up from your previous attempt. just flesh it out a little and give some explanations as to WHY certain bits of gear are useful.

overall, 5/10.

I strongly disagree with your hatred of nigma on a sorc lol. In certain situations, as long as you can make up for the resists, Nigma is a top-notch choice for Pvm.

As for the resists with a Nigma/SS build:
Wizzy 15resist Facet'd~90 resist
Shako Um'd~ 15resist
Any resists from rare/crafted ammy
Any resists from rare/crafted rings
Resists from storm sheild
10-20 from torch
10-20 from annihlus

Easily solid resists there, throw in a few resist charms and you could max out.

[mephiztophelez]

disagree all you like.

the fact remains: enigma is a ****ty sork armour. basically, it's +2 skills and a wodge of strength. the only peeps i've seen make it work had some pretty gosu other kit.

now, here's my fire sorks viper:
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8541/sorcviperou0.jpg
imho: that viper > enigma on any sork. (fyi: jool is 14res-all/9str found by a mate)


edit: go look at my comment in the Holy Freeze Pally thread.... (http://www.diablo2.com/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=3492)

[theOG22093]

I have a 35/13 on a mule at all times.
You forgot to mention:
Damage Reduction
Magic Find

[Bladezfire]

ty very much, this guide will help me out ALOT when i make my Light sorc, and i have to mention, i love how you went into detail about everything, very professional if i may say so myself

[theOG22093]

ty very much, this guide will help me out ALOT when i make my Light sorc, and i have to mention, i love how you went into detail about everything, very professional if i may say so myself

Thanks for the constructive input bro. If you need help with anything at all, or have anything to add to the guide, PM me. Mephy is one of the best on these forums with most crap, so PM him too if you need to.

[XvX]

do i have to hit 117fcr or can i go higher and it would still work?

[saracen85]

people would usually aim for 117 for their light sorcs as the bare minimum.. otherwise, you can go 200 for the insane static/teleport as well as the faster bp.

[theOG22093]

people would usually aim for 117 for their light sorcs as the bare minimum.. otherwise, you can go 200 for the insane static/teleport as well as the faster bp.

Only time I would see that as being needed is in Pvp, in Pvm I would strongly recommend not doing it.

[saracen85]

^^naah.. i have a 200fcr charged boltress and she totally rocks!

and i only play sp (ie pvm all the way).

if you're equipment allows it, i don't see why having a higher fcr bp can be bad for either pvp or pvm..

[theOG22093]

^^naah.. i have a 200fcr charged boltress and she totally rocks!

and i only play sp (ie pvm all the way).

if you're equipment allows it, i don't see why having a higher fcr bp can be bad for either pvp or pvm..

You can end up losing some other things if you opt for a 200fcr build. I personally prefer a simple Max Resists/117/86/VERY high damage set-up over all. My last sorc(and my last Pvm build) was hitting over 50k.

[saracen85]

it's all abt preference.. something like the 75/125 fcr debate on a hammerdin..

[theOG22093]

it's all abt preference.. something like the 75/125 fcr debate on a hammerdin..

Again, for Pvm, I would stick with the 75 and a Hoto/HoZ/Shako build. Classic Hammerdin.

[Aridaeus]

Nice guide. How do you deal with lightning immunes?

[Seriously_Evil]

Nice guide. How do you deal with lightning immunes?


You teleport really really fast :D

[theOG22093]

Nice guide. How do you deal with lightning immunes?

Infinity and merc.

[Darthruneis]

I don't know if theres any science or fact to this, but I found that ~43-60 at Nightmare Chaos Runs was EXTREMELY fast. Still haven't done ancients either lol

[theOG22093]

I don't know if theres any science or fact to this, but I found that ~43-60 at Nightmare Chaos Runs was EXTREMELY fast. Still haven't done ancients either lol

There's a xx-25 slump in HELL chaos runs, and after that it's smooth sailing, I have no idea on NM though.

[cmlogu01]

its a good build. best character ive ever made at least. id be able to get farther with mine but i dont have the runes to make an infinity spear for my merc, and i dont have an insight for me either(only need a sol for that one though)even without those though, nightmare's pretty easy. when i actually decided to try and beat act 4, it took about a half hour.(dunno how long act 5 took, it hasa lotta quests)

[theOG22093]

its a good build. best character ive ever made at least. id be able to get farther with mine but i dont have the runes to make an infinity spear for my merc, and i dont have an insight for me either(only need a sol for that one though)even without those though, nightmare's pretty easy. when i actually decided to try and beat act 4, it took about a half hour.(dunno how long act 5 took, it hasa lotta quests)

Hands down, Hammerdin is the BEST build for pvm. I really just got tired of them, Light sorcs are much funner to play. I think Bryant has one unless that mystery person took that too rofl.

[theOG22093]

Edited the layout for gear, and centered all text. Changed the pic too ^^
Lmk wat you guys think.

[cmlogu01]

Hands down, Hammerdin is the BEST build for pvm. I really just got tired of them, Light sorcs are much funner to play. I think Bryant has one unless that mystery person took that too rofl.

but would a hammerdin good on SP? a guide on hammerdins had some cons listed on it that sounded pretty bad, but it works? i never made one but wanted to make a pally

[theOG22093]

but would a hammerdin good on SP? a guide on hammerdins had some cons listed on it that sounded pretty bad, but it works? i never made one but wanted to make a pally

Well, personally I like the speed of teleporting when MFing/Pvming. Considering how tough it is to cube/find those runes, I'd have to say no. This guide was intented for B.net use, so that's why I mentioned the hammerdin. In SP, Sorcs would be your best choice IMO. Tal's set is not too hard to find, and a good hybrid sorc with a tals set> most of Pvm.

[latexraza]

LOL!!!!!!! Hey I have a light sorc and I do 14 k is this good or bad? How do I get to do more dmg?

[cmlogu01]

sounds great to me, mine is at...I forget now, but i don't think its past 6k. then again im only on SP and still haven't got any lightning charms, or infinity

[theOG22093]

sounds great to me, mine is at...I forget now, but i don't think its past 6k. then again im only on SP and still haven't got any lightning charms, or infinity

Well thats fine, you're level 70 on SP ^^

[music.]

bad build.

On SP, you want 2 different tree's.

and on bnet, well, if pure legit pvm, you still want 2 tree's.

[theOG22093]

bad build.

On SP, you want 2 different tree's.

and on bnet, well, if pure legit pvm, you still want 2 tree's.

This isn't made for single player, and I liked Chaos runs in pvm, so this was the build I chose because it's the fastest.

[cmlogu01]

bad build.

On SP, you want 2 different tree's.

and on bnet, well, if pure legit pvm, you still want 2 tree's.

I got my lightress to level 72 on SP so far. Obviously it can make it if I got to that point. you might adapt what gear you use on SP, but the general skill and stat distribution is the same.

[theOG22093]

I got my lightress to level 72 on SP so far. Obviously it can make it if I got to that point. you might adapt what gear you use on SP, but the general skill and stat distribution is the same.

You can make it work in sp, just there are better builds.

[hairymastadons]

i made this just the other day and am very pleased with results thanx

[theOG22093]

i made this just the other day and am very pleased with results thanx

Uh oh spaghetti-O's

[raistlin]

so quick question...you dont put ANY points in energy? just wondering because im 65 right now with like 250 mana and i get drained faster than i can buy mana pots haha xD. so how do you counteract that - with frostburn/soj? i can afford frostburn but soj are out of my league...on account of me quitting d2 and releveling a char a few times xD. insight would work on the mana regen but you would want to upgrade to infinity once you have the runes though. just wondering =)

[Veneteaou]

I don't see why this build isn't recommended for single player. I fail to see how using Zonfire to obtain Infinity is any different from trading for duped ones on the realms. A legit Infinity is so rare that (dupes aside) nobody would plan for one in their build otherwise.

Gonna have to agree with everything Me-fisto-fell-aweful-eze said. And I would love to see any argument for Enigma on a sorc... It is a relatively weak armor even on non-sorc builds, and gets rolls on Sorcs by Viper, CoH, and even Enlightenment.

Also, Damage calculations lead me to believe that, in Hell, a Tal's lightning sorc would kill faster than any other build without Infinity.

[SexdUp]

This is the only pvm guide i have, almost forgot about it. Gonna revamp it soon.


lol

[BadTeddyBearXx]

I have a level 90 Meteor sorc, and she does 24-26k :]I have no idea how she does it but she does, lol. How can I possibly make that better? The only equip she's wearing is things a friend gave to me.

[SexdUp]

I have a level 90 Meteor sorc, and she does 24-26k :]I have no idea how she does it but she does, lol. How can I possibly make that better? The only equip she's wearing is things a friend gave to me.

Meteor generally does a lot of damage, because it's DoT. 26k is kinda low iirc.

[Shaumbs]

Looks great, im going to try it out as my starting character.

[BadTeddyBearXx]

Meteor generally does a lot of damage, because it's DoT. 26k is kinda low iirc.



Well I did feel special.. but you ruined it.. lol.
My other sorc at lvl 87 does 300 dmg at most.. I don't know how but it does, so this was a big step.. Now my specialness just.... vanished... bye byes.. lol

[SexdUp]

Well I did feel special.. but you ruined it.. lol.
My other sorc at lvl 87 does 300 dmg at most.. I don't know how but it does, so this was a big step.. Now my specialness just.... vanished... bye byes.. lol

I'm guessing it's Frozen Orb? I'd take 300 FO over 2Xk Meteor, FO is just more ideal to begin with.

[N V]

Well I did feel special.. but you ruined it.. lol.
My other sorc at lvl 87 does 300 dmg at most.. I don't know how but it does, so this was a big step.. Now my specialness just.... vanished... bye byes.. lol

It's not bad at all imo. Don't bother what others say, if it's special to you it is special! ;)

Like me way back when, I first reached 1k dmg on my pala. I was SO proud back then :clap:

I'm guessing it's Frozen Orb? I'd take 300 FO over 2Xk Meteor, FO is just more ideal to begin with.

That's personal preference. Besides meteor is better for bosses if your merc can tank him. Drop a meteor, spam fireball, drop meteor, spam fireball etc etc etc. This is ofc after static field. FO is more of an area clearing spell, and often used as backup.

[Hrdly]

yea i dreamed to make good light sorc and this guide helped me very much.. ty man :)

[Omnicide]

yea i dreamed to make good light sorc and this guide helped me very much.. ty man :)Interesting...

Hi everybody,
i am goingto make my introduction here.. i am elite player of D2,coming from czech unofficial servers to official realms.. dont worry,you will hear about me soon :)

see you soon :cool:

[mekanizm]

http://diabloexile.com/?page=tree&class=Sorceress&build=0100000000k11kkk110k0100000000

Is this Right?

[SexdUp]

http://diabloexile.com/?page=tree&class=Sorceress&build=0100000000k11kkk110k0100000000

Is this Right?

Seems fine.