Blizz Sorc Question(s)

[Antifate]

Hi Sorc section.

I'm a bit of a newb, but I've heard that a blizz-sorc is a good way to go for a new ladder season.

Well, I'm at a bit of a dilemma.

Firstly, I'm unsure as to what weapon to use. I'm ridiculously poor by your standards. Basically, my two choices are:

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/2546/screenshot006vc0.jpg

And.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9696/screenshot005dy9.jpg

As you can see, neither is exactly high class. I need your opinion on which to use. I've been using the first one, as it makes for more blizzard damage. However, the second one adds just 1 less + to blizzard, but adds to cold mastery, and all my other skills. And the FCR is welcome.

Secondly, I'm at 42 strength at level 62. Would it be worth it to pump ridiculous amounts into strength, and be able to use a Spirit Monarch at like, level 85? Or should I just use Moser's?

Thirdly (yes there's more), I plan on using the bugged Hell Meph trick. I've got a bunch of skill points to use, but I'm not sure where to put them in to do the most damage at the least level to Hell Meph, as it becomes tough to level later on without going into act 4/5 of Hell.

Right now I have.

7 Ice Bolt.
20 Ice Blast.
1 Glacial Spike.
20 Blizzard.
1 Cold Mastery.

Where should I invest to do the most damage to Hell Meph?


Thanks in advance. I hope you don't get frustrated with all the questions. :smug:

[Fallen_62]

First, I would use that rare orb. Gives you more CM which will take hell meph's resistances down some more. I'm not sure if this will help you do more damage, that is just my opinion (I'm not one for figuring out the resistances and -resistances with damage, etc, so I can't tell you which one is better)

I'm not sure about #2, as I am kinda in the same boat.

3. Go for Blizzard synergies. So your Ice bolt or Glacial spike (they all add 5% damage per level, so it doesn't matter which one you put them into). I prefer Glacial Spike just because then you have a nice secondary attack if you need it...

[Antifate]

1. Ah I see, I was thinking about switching for it too. After all, the FCR and Cold Mastery would probably even out the blizzard damage.

2. I think Monarchs look ugly anyway. <.<

3. What about Cold Mastery, when should that come?

(I'm a paranoid jackass who doesn't want to remake his character).

[Fallen_62]

You really don't need much in CM. I have 1 point... For a Meph runner, IIRC 10 is plenty, maybe even too much (Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). With the +skills on your orb, you should be sitting pretty good.

[Locke07]

IMO you should max Cold Mastery now. I think, to mephisto especially, will cause higher damage. I'm not sure of the actual math, but I believe that to be the case, and IMO have always been true of my experience.

Investing only 1 into Cold Mastery is severely limiting the amount of damage blizzard can actually do. The one and only reason Blizzard outdoes a Fire sorc for mephisto is due to cold mastery.

[Relativity]

Hell mephisto has 175 resistance to cold, so anything past Clvl 32 (after + skills, and without -res from facets) is a waste.

If you imagine having +20 to your cold tree eventually, then around 10 hard points would serve you well (for mephisto, anyway).

Also use the rare orb as others have said.

[-=Slaye]2=-]

If you're starting ladder and this is your first sorc, then don't worry about investing too much in CM. Since you have no gear you have no way of knowing when you'll reach lvl 32 CM. So maxing CM is not a waste when starting ladder. Max Blizzard and CM first.

I've got lvl 36 CM now, but I got lucky drops. I think it's a bad idea to refrain from putting points in CM just because you hope to get +x skills someday. And with lvl 20 CM you will still kill Meph fast even when packed with MF gear.

[aquaman]

As you can see, neither is exactly high class. I need your opinion on which to use. I've been using the first one, as it makes for more blizzard damage. However, the second one adds just 1 less + to blizzard, but adds to cold mastery, and all my other skills. And the FCR is welcome.

That is a factor that should not be overlooked.

One other question: how did you get to level 62 without making a Spirit weapon? It's ridiculously cheap ( Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn ) and you get all these goodies:

+2 To All Skills
+25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage 3 Second Duration (Normal)
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+22 To Vitality
+89-112 To Mana (varies)
+3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)