Help plz, ive got death problems.

[Pyratheon]

Right, ive recently started hardcore. My problem is that i cant seem to get past around level 12 without dying. Ive decided to make a sorceress, as its my favourite type. Was gonna make a pure fire as its my favourite type, but decided id go for something different. Eventually settled on blizzard, since that should be decent survivability, with high pvm damage etc.

Skills will be blizz and all syns and maybe orb OR blizz and ice blast, then es and tk.

Yet i seem tp keep dying. I can safely trist till level 12-15, but after that there seems 2 be no tomb runs going, and i seem to be levelling slow in other games.

My main problem seems to be that i'm unsure where to allocate my stat points. Vitality? Mana if i go es? Dex for good block?

Any advice or help would be appreciated. Also what equip would be good, and how much ish should it be. Nightveils and

[Tarantella]

Dont use spells for the first 12 levels, throw javelins. :cool:

If you are running through solo, stealth in a breastplate, leaf in a +3 firewall or fireball staff will get you comfortably through to lvl 24 with 0 points investment, with a staff or orb with static/teleport/frozen armour on swap maybe. Items with mana after kill are good.Nadir helm maybe. Keep an eye out for useful orbs and shop for a bone shield of deflecting in act 2 whilst your shopping for a staff. Level up to 18 in act one repeating countess for runes at 10-15. level up to 24 before taking on Duriel, your act 2 merc will appreciate it:)

If you're worried about diablo run the countess till you can make ancients pledge in a large shield.

Keep an eye out for 4 socket crystal swords in act 5 past shenk and 4 socket polearms and run nm countess to get the runes you need for spirit and insight.

[dyolf]

seems like you dont invest enough in vita early on. stat point distribution is very similar for most caster builds:
- str for equipment, around 80 allows you to wear some nice gear, but depends on what you want to wear of course
- dex enough for max block, if you choose that route
- vita rest, or even more ;)
- energy nothing
so, early on invest in vita, you cant go wrong.

since you seem to be starting, i can recommend socialisms mf orb/es guide. very durable lady, which can mf hell meph and hell andy (with a slowing poker) easily. also useful for rushing, but will of course have problems with cold immunes.

[Ilikestuff]

A friend of mine gave me some sound advice when i first started HC. he said "you've got to sacrifice some of that uber damage you go for on softcore, for survivability" and he's not wrong.

Just take your time with lvling. if you find it easier to lvl in act 1, join a game with alot of people in, and trist on your own. just be careful of pkers.

[Hp_Sauce]

Seems to me like your main problem is that you're playing HC like your still in SC. If you're just starting out you wont necessarily have the gear to level to a high level instantly. Spend some time questing and finding some gear first, don't rush things. Get used to your character, learn when to run and when to stay and fight, keep your merc up front.

As for stat points. I usually put 5 or 10 into strength so I can wear some decent armour, then I try to make sure I have over 100 vit by the time I get to act 4, so lots into vit! You can throw some into Str and Dex as you need it, but life is everything. Of course, don't forget about your resists they are just as important as Life. If you can't find gear that gets all your resists up then carry stuff in your stash to swap out depending on what you're fighting.

-hps

[AgentMarth]

Seems to me like your main problem is that you're playing HC like your still in SC.

I think thats it as well. If you don't break that mentality, HC won't be kind to you.

I know it sounds rude, but I don't see how you can't make it past level 12. It shouldn't be to hard to get that high even untwinked in HC. Your best bet is to just take it slow and don't rush things.

One thing that may help, is to make a summon for a first char, use him to gather some basic stuff (Runes for like stealth, leaf, insight, spirit, etc) then switch to making the Sorc you want.

[Turbocannon]

Actually, I found that the opposite is true. Try to force yourself to play like SC, don't worry about deaths, just be careful.:scratchchin:

[Nyii]

Coming from someone who just started back again and has absolutely nothing - drink lots of potions. Even if you are just starting to get hit pop a health potion. You can always get more if you run out... it is better then starting over!