Starting up a cold sorc, any tips?

[Bordann]

Hey I just started a sorceress, currently lvl 4. I was looking into mainly doing cold skills. Is there anything I should know, like what skills to put into, or stat points? This is my first sorc so I'm not really sure how to make one. Should I go for Cold/Lightning instead? Any tips are greatly appreciated so i can get this chick started off on the right foot. Thanks

[Speedwrath]

OK, I'll try not to turn this into a guide.

I'll help you out with Stats first. Make sure you don't put anything into Energy. It may seem wrong, but in the end you'll tell yourself "Oh yeah didn't really need any points there."
For Strength, since this is your first, I'd probably put in 100. Just make sure you get enough to wear equipment. Sorceress shouldn't be wearing any heavy armor anyways, so try not to put too much here.
As for Dexterity, it depends if you want to max block or not. If you DO want to max block, get Stormshield and pump dexterity until you have 75% block. If you're not getting Stormshield... well I just don't like the idea of wasting 200 stat points for that. But since Sorcs get such low Life for Vitality points, it's actually not a bad idea.
The rest goes into Vitality. My Lightning Sorceress has 300 of this, and she manages 1000 life at level 85.

As for skills, since you're going the Icy way, you get to pick: Blizzard or Frozen Orb. Blizzard ends up doing more damage, but for crowds it SUCKS! Good for MF though. With Frozen Orb you'll do more damage to crowds, which is good, and looks cooler.
Thing is, with Blizzard you need more synergies for it to be very strong, while with Frozen Orb all you need is 1 synergie. This allows you to pick a second skill (preferably on another tree).
And don't forget. ;) Since you're Ice, no excuses for not getting Shiver Armor (just 1 point will do).

And your Standard 1 points in Static Field, Teleport and Warmth.

If you want 2 elements, I would recommend Ice/Fire, since Ice/Lightning will make your Lightning attacks... well, not so strong. But with Fire you'll be able to get reasonably good damage. I've heard Meterorbs do OK, though I haven't tried them.

Hope I helped.

EDIT: Some damage figures to help you. 20 Cold Mastery, Orb and Ice Bolt. 20 into Fire Wall.

Frozen Orb: 366 - 387 (This is actually bigger than it looks)
Fire Wall: 1284 - 1307

These are at base level 20. If you have +skill equipment, get 1 point in Fire Mastery as well. Your Fire Wall will get a HUGE boost.

I used this web site. You might like to play around with it:
http://diablo2.ingame.de/spiel/skills/calc/index.php?char=sor&lang=en

[Bordann]

Thanks a lot for the input man, it helped a lot in my understanding of sorcs. If you dont mind me asking, what type of sorc do you have?

[Speedwrath]

She's Lightning, and she pwnz! ^_^

My first was Fire (Fire Ball/Meteor). Second was Cold (Blizzard). Third was this one. ^_^ 2nd best character I've made yet. Also 2nd most expensive. Ack! :cry: