My HC sorc build

[ppk]

Just started playing d2 again and I want to make sure this will viable build to mf in hardcore and get some gear together for other chars.


stats

str = probably around 75, might augment if i find something really worth wearing that takes more than that
dex = base
vit / ene = 2/3 ratio after unmodified str is at 75, and then all into vit once I have enough mana OR an insight merc.

skills

orb = 20
mastery = 20
prereqs / armor spells = 7
cold tree total = 47

fireball = 20
mastery = 20
firebolt = 4
warmth = 1
fire tree total = 45

static / teleport / tk = 3
lightning tree total = 3

So basically, a heavy reliance on frozen orbs with some fireball support agaisnt cold immunes. hopefully merc will be strong enough to tackle dual fire/cold immunes. Am I missing something? I Haven't played this game in a solid two years! I considered raising dex for blocking but then figured it would be hard to find a low str req shield with high block since I'm starting from scratch and will be forced to go untwinked until I can farm meph in NM.

[theShockeR]

I'm still new too,and I have a sorc but my goal is to go something along the lines of

orb = 20
ice bolt = 20 (syn for orb)
mastery = 15
prereqs / armor spells = 7
cold tree total = 62

Firewall = 20
mastery = 20
warmth = 1
prereqs = 3
fire tree total = 44

static / teleport / tk = 3
lightning tree total = 3

Going orb firewall and yes I know that in order to have this build I would need to be level 99. But I am going to just use orb as main skill and then slowly get fire skills going. Probably one point in FW and FM then once cold is done start putting points in to firewall until it is maxed and then slowly do the mastery.

[sirpoopsalot]

@ppk, your plan is very viable (almost exactly what I'd take for this build), but I wouldn't put (m)any points into energy - it's not fatal if you run out, and 4-socket polearms for Insight aren't that hard to find. Also, use static field to help your merc against Cold & Fire immune bosses, and he'll do fine.


@theShockeR, points in IceBolt will help a little tiny bit, but those same points will help your Firewall A LOT more - I'd boost FW before IB, and then switch back to a few more in FM. And good luck getting to level99, btw.

[KremBanan]

In my experience, the 20pts in Cold Mastery isnt needed. 1pt is enough and let +skills to the rest. I would focus more on pumping Fireball synergies, because I found myself using that skill alot more than Orb. And Orb does well enough with the 20pts invested. And with 105FCR you will be firing those balls of yours fast.

[sirpoopsalot]

In my experience, the 20pts in Cold Mastery isnt needed. 1pt is enough and let +skills to the rest. I would focus more on pumping Fireball synergies, because I found myself using that skill alot more than Orb. And Orb does well enough with the 20pts invested. And with 105FCR you will be firing those balls of yours fast.

were you doing it untwinked though? My recent experience with an untwinked sorc is that it was difficult enough to get +7 skills and 63 FCR and still keep my resistances & life reasonably high. That means that a 20 point FO is decent, but it still comes up somewhat short on its own.

As a result, a few points in Cold Mastery isn't a bad idea to help Frozen Orb. Admittedly, 20 points might be an overkill, but ~10 is almost assuredly well spent.

[theShockeR]

I actually changed my build from what I listed. My sorc is now 67 I think and so far this is my skills

20 fireball
20 meteor
10 or so fire mastery i'm not sure exactly.

1pt in static, tk, tele

1pt in all of the cold skills (every skill) I use Chilling armor.

Now my questions is. Should I finish maxing fire mastery, then max firebolt then move to frozen orb. Or should I max forzen orb now, then move back to fire mastery, then remaining points in to firebolt?

[AgentMarth]

Getting block isn't to hard, and if you plan to farm NM Mephy before going to hell, either a Whistan's or a Visc should drop to help you out. If you ever plan to be teleporting around in hell in HC, block is king.

It sounds to me that you are just going to be using her to MF, in which case, I would recommend the Orb/TK build. IMO, there really isn't a need to have a second element on a sorc for MFing, unless you want to do everything, but even then, i'd rather be safe. Last season my Orber got so well gear in the end she could run everything, given wave 2 in throne was a bit slow, she could still do it.

Going no ES and no block is only a matter of time before deeds. You should at least have one or the other if not both.

Going untwinked, which it sounds like you are just doing till NM Mephy, isn't extremely hard unless you actually are going untwinked through the game. If not, something like a Spirit sword, Insight Merc, Stealth BP, Lore helm, Ancients Pledge, Rhyme isn't to hard too get. All cheap and all can be found in normal even save for a 4 soc weapon dropping rather then having to Larzuk it. Or just visit Countess till she puts out.

I highly recommend reading this -
http://forums.diabloii.net/showthread.php?t=557123

@theShockeR - Personally, I woulda maxed Orb right as I got it, it plows through NM with ease, then afterwards I would max other skills. But you took a different route, so i'd recommend maxing it now so you have a back-up for hell.

[theShockeR]

I got rushed all the way through hell mode. So i'm in hell act 5 right now and the person who rushed me, gave me an occy and some other stuff, which i'm very happy about. So now i'm going to start doing NM meph runs and maybe some NM baal runs if possible.

Gear:

Peasent crown
+2 fire skills + life + resistance ammy
Occy
Spirit monarch
Stealth hard leather armor
Frost burns
Manald heal ring
10% fcr ring with a lot of good mods
Blade buckle belt
Sanders boots

I chose to go fire first because deep down, even though this is just giong to by mainly my MF / rush character, I really want a fire sorc, even though cold is probably better for the job. I just wanted this character.

So i'll probably max orb just because, then go back to fire mastery, then as much in to firebolt as I can. Either that or i'm only going to get orb up to 20 with my skills. So when it reads level 20 on the skill screen is when i'll stop putting points in to it.