Choosing Sorc. Build..

[Celeops]

I am way far behind with knowing the new patches inside and out, I haven't played D2: LoD in years until about a week ago.

Goal: I want to make a Sorc that can MF so I can get back on my feet.

So my question is pretty much.. which Build is the most recommended or which ones are better for what runs?

Meteorb? Blizzard? I have no idea what builds are the strongest. Keep in mind that I have very limited items to work with, my best item is a Wizspike.

Please include what points to put things into w/ what Build you suggest, I know there's a lot of variance to them.

[icharius]

Each build will have its own pro's and con's. Your best bet is to read the stickied Sorc Build Guides thread - read through the different builds and see which one suits you best.

I've only really played a meterorb lately - way back in .09 I had nova sorcs but haven't tried them since. I like my meterorb now though - I have problems with Chaos and that's about it.

[DayDream]

Meteorb is areas like the pits, pindle, the two frigid bosses. (Can kill andy)
Blizzard are bosses like andy/meph/ancient sewers
Which do you prefer?

I would like to mention that if you have some average gear (You can easily purchase on these forums with pgems) like.. duriels, tals mask,reapers/bonehew for merc and vipermagi,any spirit monarch,peasant, and whatever else for yourself, you'll be able to mf anyplace in hell with a blizzard sorc and would also be able to clear baal easier than a meteorb with the same items.

Before going into it too much, would like to see a response :p are you also playing ladder or non ladder?

[Celeops]

Thanks for the quick responses. I read deeper into some builds, I decided to go with a Blizzard Sorc it sounds like they are easier to use with "budget" items, which fits where I am currently. I play USEast Ladder.

Now the next part that I really need help with, is skill distribution. Now as a given I already know:
1 Warmth
1 Static Field
1 Telekinesis
1 Teleport

The cold tree is where I have problems. In what order should I max what skills on this tree to maximize my damage. (Max damage can be @ the end, not for each and every level of course)

[Celeops]

Ok, so far this is what I've worked up to.. anyone have any suggestions on what skills to invest more in, take out, add all together? Details please too!

Fire Tree:
1 Warmth

Light Tree:
1 Static Field
1 Telekinesis
1 Teleport

Cold Tree:
20 Ice Bolt
1 Frozen Armor
1 Shiver Armor
1 Nova
20 Ice Blast
20 Blizzard
20 Cold Mastery

Stats:
STR- Enough for Gear
DEX- Base
VIT- Rest of Stat Points
NRG- Base

[Road Ratt]

I usually put my points into ice blast first then when i get blizzard I max it, then I go back and max ice blast, then put points into cold mastery (you don't need to max it, like 10 points or so, any plus skills you get should get it to a good level), then max glacial spike and ice bolt in any order you choose.

[Jek]

Blizzard/Fireball, it works great untwinked and it's has one of the best growth rates from items/levels in the game. Plus it can run everything and is a blast to play. :-)

[DayDream]

Don't max cold mastery since you are mfing, it's useless

Since you are untwinked, you need 7 hardpoints? or was it 12.. Somebody will appear and correct/confirm

[Celeops]

I think it is 7, please correct me if I am wrong.

Ok so here is my updated plan, you guys are extremely helpful please critique this as well..

(Remember untwinked)

Fire Tree:
1 Warmth

Light Tree:
1 Static Field
1 Telekinesis
1 Teleport

Cold Tree:
20 Ice Bolt
1 Frozen Armor
1 Shiver Armor
1 Nova
20 Ice Blast
20 Blizzard
7 Cold Mastery

Stats:
STR- Enough for Gear
DEX- Base
VIT- Rest of Stat Points
NRG- Base

Questions:
In what order should I increase the various cold-skills?

So far I am planning: Ice Blast until Blizzard accessible, Max Blizzard, 7 Pts into Cold Mastery, Max Ice Blast, Max Glacial Spike.

Also, I do have a Wizspike (my only good item). Should I put enough hard points into Dex to be able to use it? I wasn't planning on being a blocking sorc, although I could if it is reccomended.

[Jek]

17 is considered the most important break - max damage against 0 resist monsters. Considering untwinked, you should easily be able to obtain:
+4 from Spirit sword+shield
+1 Helm
+1 Ammy
+1 Armor

So a base level of 10 should be good. Points above 17 is not wasted, as most bosses and monsters do in fact have more than 0 resist.

I wouldn't go for wizard spike on a blizz sorc, it's all about the damage just use teleport defensively in between casts and you shouldn't need resist nor block. Dual spirit will help much more - gain FCR for teleporting/static/glacial/iceblast and much needed FHR to get out of stunlocks.

Personally I would max glacial spike before ice bolt - the ability to control monsters and the splash damage is very very nice.

As on every single element sorcerers, the mercenary's gear is almost more important. Here's a cheap setup that works great.

Prayer merc with:
Insight
Guil's Face
Duriel's Shell
It'll give insane health regen to the both of you, and let you have a near unlimited mana supply. Guil's Face will let him take down strong monsters with relative ease (another great cheap helm is Tal's Face for 10% LL) and Duriel's Shell provides both resist an a very important merc mod: CBF.