Blizz (item find) sorc advice

[DudSpud]

After a recent HC re-start and multiple Bowie/Meteorb/CLOrb/Trapsin/Hdin deaths, I decided to make a Blizz sorc to run NM Meph to find items - my first non-questing MFer. I have so far been relatively pleased, and am becoming more so after finding Skulder's/Trav's/34 MF Chancie's/Ali Baba's (250 MF on switch). She is lvl 80 after running Baal - no block, 1K HP, using Spirit Crystal/pD Lidless/Ort-Iratha's Helm and ammy (yes, I am that poor) and str charms/rings for the Str to use Skulder's and Travs. In this kit she p7's NM Meph in a minute or so. However, I am getting cocky after having just finding a Cat's Eye and gambling this in the same run...

Telling of Beads
Amulet
Required Level: 30
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0xf2f5f819
Cold Resist +18%
Poison Resist +42%
Attacker Takes Damage of 9
+1 to All Skill Levels

Woot! My first gambled unique. My initial plan was to keep running NM Meph until I got a ViperMagi (one socket quest left, I figured a Ral/Ort depending on how the Hell res'es shook out with gear), then heading p1 Hell'ing. My question is this - should I continue running NM Meph, even beyond a Viper, assuming that even with the best NM Meph finds I am ill equiped to push on to p1 Hell MF'ing spots, or should I consign her to NM Meph running in the hopes of getting the gear to build a solid Bowie/Barb/whatever fits the finds? She has 1.1K and 30/60-ish F/Lres in Hell with non-MF, non-Viper gear. Merc is A2 Might with Insight Partizan and Blood Templar/one upped Undead Crown for leech. 20 (24 with gear) Blizz/IBlast/GSpike/CM, one in cold pre-reqs and TK/TP/Static, 2 unspent.

Thanks in advance,
DudSpud

[Skinhead On The MBTA]

Your initial plan seems solid to me - I reckon you should be OK in Hell, if you can find a way of killing CIs - for a pure Blizzard sorc this usually means merc, and if you can get your hands on a Cryptic Axe (or similar, I like CA because it has the highest average damage, while still having reasonable speed) for another Insight you should be fine.

Telling of Beads is a Set item, not a Unique

[DudSpud]

Your initial plan seems solid to me - I reckon you should be OK in Hell, if you can find a way of killing CIs - for a pure Blizzard sorc this usually means merc, and if you can get your hands on a Cryptic Axe (or similar, I like CA because it has the highest average damage, while still having reasonable speed) for another Insight you should be fine.I have been hunting/cubing many PA's for a better weapon to make the Insight in. I have cubed several Exceptional and Elite PA's with 1-6, some are even Eth, but no 4 sockets... yet. Your suggestion of a CA sounds solid.

Telling of Beads is a Set item, not a UniquePicky, picky... It's still a ToB! For a big fan of the full disciple Strafer, it's HUGE. OK, so it is my first gambled set item.

Thanks,
DudSpud

[DaveW]

Your build looks OK for Hell Meph. If resists are a prob, score a 3os Shield and put PDiamonds in. Change the merc to HF and give him some life leech. (Tals Mask) As for weapon, Meph is pwned with a Kelpie cause of 75% Slow. The major obstacle I can see is the Claw Viper Temple tho a fast tele in, score Ammy and S&E should suffice. If Hell Meph proves hard, level up in ATs. And make use of the moat trick ... with that trick you don't even need a Merc. A Wizspike for FCR and resists in Hell wud be desireable as well. Good luck.

[Skinhead On The MBTA]

An extenison on the moat trick idea - I actually find that a merc is more of a hinderance that a help. The whole point of the moat trick is that you are far enough away from Meph to stop him casting spells, but you cans till cast spells on him, and the merc will go up to the edge of the moat and make him cast sstuff on him, including his lightning and charged bolt, which will also go through the merc and potentially hit you.

[Jaedhann]

Change the merc to HF and give him some life leech. (Tals Mask)

You can't leech from hell mephy. So a rockstopper might be better. Good resist and damage reduce.