Reluctant to use stat points and skill points?

[Chow Yun Thin]

Right now I'm making a Fireball/Orb sorc and using this thread (http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=367599&page=1) as my guide (bottom of page 1). The problem is, I'm really reluctant to use skill and stat points. I don't want to spend stat points because I might find an ammy or something that will boost my str or dex higher than what my equipment needs (I don't have much right now, just a spectral shard and an SoJ) and those points will be better spent on Life. I don't want to spend skill points because I might not have enough mana to maintain constant use of Fireball/Orb. I really want to take this sorc all the way to Hell Diablo and MF once she's done. I try to convince myself that stat and skill points aren't going to help me if they're just sitting there, but I still can't click those red squares.

[Fearlessone]

This happens to alot of peeps, including me. Some ppl save hundreds of stat points thinking they will need them for future mana or life or ?. Same with skills. A sorc can actually get by with 1 point in orb, one in firewall, one in static, one in warmth, one each in fire/cold mast with a few +skill items and do it well into hell difficulty. Oh, she will suck, but she can still kill. Mages are skill based, so its amusing that this can be done.

How are you using that shard now? That will be all u need and its 51 dex to use it. One way to get around this is to use some crappy ring that has +15 dex and other weak stats (easy for u to find or get), on a temporary basis. If that item you are longing for which covers the remaining spread doesnt materialize by late hell and beyond, then u just have to spend the dex points and put on a good ring with the fcr and mana or the soj. You will probably find one item each with some good stats PLUS either good dex or str. Sometimes you can find both, but those are usually seen on dupes.

Strength. 55 for a nice mageplate, 80 for goldskin, 100 for silks. Many peeps go for a godly breastplate for the low str req. A Ward will give u extra str. A Bladebuckle will give u str/dex. And of course u got 30%fhr. A good Ward isnt too hard to get. Otherwise u may need a 3diamond tower and that is 75 str. If u cant get either or are unwilling to spend that much str, then u wont be able to use gs either. Then u are going to be facing really bad resist probs. By only getting a few 3 resist items such as the boots and belt and armor will save u. Face of Horror is easy to get at this point in the ladder season and has a super str add on. But by late hell u will want a helm that deals out mana or mana regen, perhaps a tarn. These are the realities u know so well...

[stanzaman]

I'm really terrible about this. It's to the point now where I won't build a character without first deciding what piece of gear will go into each slot, then making sure I have every piece ready to go. It's really bugging me because I want to build another WW barb (undecided on what type), but I refuse to do so until I have the weapon in my possession.

Well, here is some advice. If you want to make her a MF sorc, she'll probably use Gull, and thus need no dexterity in her "final" configuration. So I wouldn't use shard for leveling (unless you can get all the needed dex on items) as those skill points would be better off put into vitality. Use a decent necro wand instead. Figure out how much str you need for your heaviest item, and go for that. If you are unsure, just go for 80 as Goldskin is a good armor for MF sorcs (and you can also use Tancreds armor if you want). It will also allow for a 3 diamond tower sheild (75 str) which is another good MF sorc item. Generally, for a MF sorc I wouldn't count on getting any strength from items, so you'll a decent amount of base strength.

[fredsta54]

Where would this sorc mf? Hell chaos? If so, dont use orb//fball.

The best sorc for soloing hell chaos is the orb//ts. Period.

The build?

max orb
max ts//lm
17 cm after + skills
rest to icebolt for synergy
1 cold armr
1 warmth
1 tele

There is debate on what the "best" setup for a pvm hell cs sorc is, but a realistic, cheapish setup that i always use when i play pvm with sorcs-

Twitch
3pdiamond large shield
Tarnhelm
dual sojs
+sorc pris ammy
Hotspurs
Magefist
Shard
Fhr lr//fr belt


Get max light resist, fire will be at 90 with the above gear (light will be at ~60, so get stacked lr on that ammy, or use a rare over tarn :( )

Got to lvl 85 in single player using that gear+ build soloing hell cs at ~4 mins a run. Cold//fire hybrids just cant sora cs like cold//light hybrids do.




A bit OT, im sorry










Fred