best stat build for meteorb mfer?

[coshi]

I'm talking about a meteorb mf sorc for the new ladder season. starting from scratch, with no items to aim for.
How would you distribute your stat points?
Keep strength relatively low? or aim for that stormshield?
Pump dex for block? or Pump vita for life? or balance both?
Anything to energy?

[melianor]

I would either go blocking and use a more simple shield like "Visceratuant", which can easily be found and has decent blocking after upgrade, and trade a Stormshield later. Those will be expensive at ladder start.

Other option would be to go Vitality route and get a "Spirit" sword and later shield.

[Dr Elmer Jiggle]

I generally fall strongly on the blocking side of the blocking vs. vitality war, but for a ladder reset, I'm fairly convinced by experience with both options that vitality is a much better choice. The problem with blocking is that it really limits your options in terms of what shields you can use, and during a ladder reset when you have nothing, can you really afford to be that choosy? I spent hours during the last ladder trying to find myself a Moser's so I could get myself decent blocking and resistances and survive in Hell.

Dual Spirits are really amazingly powerful when you consider price vs. performance, and you can just as easily use any other shield you find (including the blocking ones) until you get yourself a nice Spirit monarch. Resistance problems are solved trivially with any 3 socket shield or with a 4 diamond monarch once you find one.

My preference is to go for vitality for my initial character(s) (I plan on both Blizzard and Meteorb) and then rebuild one or both later when I have better equipment available.

[stephan]

Start of the ladder isn't really in favor of block or no-block. No-blockers can always intend to get Spirit, blockers can get a rhyme shield pretty easily.

I'm not much in favor of block sorcs though, certainly not with a Stormshield.

[Dr Elmer Jiggle]

Start of the ladder isn't really in favor of block or no-block. No-blockers can always intend to get Spirit, blockers can get a rhyme shield pretty easily.

For me, the difference is that Rhyme / blocking isn't as likely to take you to a Hell mode level of resistances and 63% faster cast rate. Spirit doesn't offer a whole lot more resistance than Rhyme (35% but no fire vs. 25% all), but you have dirt cheap alternatives like a 3 or 4 diamond shield. If you want a shield with both resistance and blocking, you're pretty much limited to Moser's or Stormshield (see below) or maybe Gerke's Sanctuary. Getting your hands on one of those can be tough at the beginning of the ladder, because everyone wants one.

The faster cast rate and +2 skills of Spirit are similar -- they give you more options and flexibility on your other equipment. If you want to reach 63% faster cast rate, you can use a Spirit shield and get some resistances from your armor (ex. Smoke) or you can use a Stealth armor and get some resistances from your shield. With Rhyme, you pretty much need a Vipermagi because wearing a Stealth armor for faster cast rate gives you no resistances from your armor and only 25% from your shield.

Resistances probably aren't a huge issue if all you're doing is moating Mephisto, but your typical Meteorb usually gets a workout in a more diverse set of areas where resistances do come into play.

I'm not much in favor of block sorcs though, certainly not with a Stormshield.

Stormshield is definitely a really questionable choice for a ladder reset. In general it's the obvious top choice for a blocking sorceress, but you spend so many points on strength and dexterity that it's really only viable if you have some bonuses to save some points. Plus, how long is it going to take you running around with your Rhyme grim shield before you find one? So, again, you're making your sorceress really equipment dependent at a time when you have no equipment available.

[stephan]

For me, the difference is that Rhyme / blocking isn't as likely to take you to a Hell mode level of resistances and 63% faster cast rate.
It's easy enough to farm NM meph and there is a lot to be gained there. He has one of the best chances to drop Trangs gloves, Magefists and Skin of the Viper Magi (better than Hell Meph). Gamble or keep your eye out for an FCR ring or two and together with a Spirit sword the 63% BP is easily reached. A caster belt is also an option for FCR. You certainly don't need to wait with MF untill you are in Hell. :smiley:

I don't really get the moat trick, so I kill meph with static, and then running while throwing FOs at him and Rhyme is superior there with CBF. For me the res is a nice bonus together with the MF. :smiley: