Static / Frozen Orb Sorc.

[clearly]

I glanced through the guides, but I couldn't find a guide on this type of sorc I want to play. I started playing a Lightning sorc, but wasn't enjoying it, so I want to try this route.

Anyhow, I'm thinking something along the lines of:

20 Ice Bolt
20 Frozen Orb
20 Cold Mastery

20 Static Field

and remaining points in pre-reqs and teleport / warmth.

Anyhow, for this build I was also thinking about going max block because I've never built a max block sorc before. How should I distribute skill points? I would imagine min strength for gear (I have no idea how much str I'm gonna need, I have no gear, I'm starting from scratch). How much dex is needed for max block at like lvl 90? And should I put the rest in vita or energy? I would imagine vita, however since I'm not gonna have good gear for a while, is it worth putting some points in energy?

Also, I was thinking that perhaps long run I should look at getting one of those runewords that lower enemy resistance, such as Voice of Reason, Doom, or Ice. These lower resistance's effect immunes if I am correct? Also, which act 2 merc should I get? The NM one with Might?

I'll probably update my post as I go, and perhaps create a guide as I build this char. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Also, this is my first time back to D2 in about a year so limit the use of acronyms, thanks!

- Clear

[fredsta54]

I glanced through the guides, but I couldn't find a guide on this type of sorc I want to play. I started playing a Lightning sorc, but wasn't enjoying it, so I want to try this route.

Anyhow, I'm thinking something along the lines of:

20 Ice Bolt
20 Frozen Orb
20 Cold Mastery

20 Static Field

and remaining points in pre-reqs and teleport / warmth.

Anyhow, for this build I was also thinking about going max block because I've never built a max block sorc before. How should I distribute skill points? I would imagine min strength for gear (I have no idea how much str I'm gonna need, I have no gear, I'm starting from scratch). How much dex is needed for max block at like lvl 90? And should I put the rest in vita or energy? I would imagine vita, however since I'm not gonna have good gear for a while, is it worth putting some points in energy?

Also, I was thinking that perhaps long run I should look at getting one of those runewords that lower enemy resistance, such as Voice of Reason, Doom, or Ice. These lower resistance's effect immunes if I am correct? Also, which act 2 merc should I get? The NM one with Might?

I'll probably update my post as I go, and perhaps create a guide as I build this char. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Also, this is my first time back to D2 in about a year so limit the use of acronyms, thanks!

- Clear

Static in lod is only worth 1 point, 1 pnt+ skills will boost it enough. Go with ES or thunderstorm







Fred

[Flyte]

Like Fred said, Static is just a one-point wonder (as are Tele and Warmth). Personally, I wouldn't even go with ES for an untwinked Sorc; you don't have the items to get a large enough mana pool to sustain yourself. I recommend playing a Meteorb Sorc to start out; FO will obliterate everything in Norm and NM (save the cold-immunes), while Meteor/Fireball have giant killing power later on. You should read the guide for skill point distribution.

When I play untwinked Sorcs, I would allocate at the most 84 Str in the event that I find Tal's Armor, and 75 Dex in case I find Wizspike (quite optimistic, really). As for the max block, since you don't know what kind of shield you'll find (or never find), so I wouldn't max block at all. Just go max Vita; don't bother putting any points in Energy as you can just chug tons of pots. FO and Meteor are both timered, so you won't drain mana like crazy.

As for the Runewords that lower enemy resistance, those do not affect immunes. Only the Lower Resist spell and Conviction aura can break an immunity (and Amp and Decrepify can break physical immunities), and even then, they are only 25% effective. For instance, if Lower Resist lowers an enemy's resistance by 100, it will only lower an immunity by 25, so if the enemy has 126 resistance, you're out of luck.

Don't get a Might Merc; for a new Sorc, I think the best choice is a Holy Freeze Merc. Defiance Mercs are good for Sorcs who mainly run bosses for MF, but require slightly better equipment.

[clearly]

Thanks for the feedback.

I won't overload on Static Field for now. Instead I'm gonna focus on leveling ice bolt / frozen orb for the time being.

I also decided not to go max block for now since I do not have any decent equipment. I'm gonna aim for around 90 str, 100 energy, and the rest in vitality.

More suggestions would be welcomed! I still have a good amount of skill points to spend somewhere. I'm not a fan of meteor however.

[Jackson]

If you don't use energy shield, I think base energy should be "ok". It's relatively easy to find a few 50+ mana Grand Charms, and a pair of Frosties. With that setup (maybe 3 charms?) you should already have near 800 mana.