What's the best attack skill to compliment energy shield build (1.12)?

[Jaqen]

I'm making a pure energy/energy shield/telekinesis sorc for fun with some friends over lan play. I did read the guide linked on here but I think it's a bit outdated and I wanted some more ideas. I had a few ideas in mind:

Nova since it doesn't depend on any synergies and then lightning mastery (I just think nova is a fun skill but costs so much mana but since I'm pumping so much energy it'd work).

Inferno and then I'd have an excuse to pump more than 1 point into warmth but not sure how that'd be with fire immunes in hell and all that. I guess merc+static could potentially handle them. Never done this but think it could be fun if I find a way to deal w/fire immunes. Plus you can get like +9 inferno using leaf I think so that'd be sweet.

I guess the last choice would be frozen orb since it doesn't need very much in cold mastery to do well. It rapes up to hell but after that I think it'd get a little weak if it's the only attack I have.

Or any other options I'm missing? Since a lot of my points are going into energy shield/telekinesis I shouldn't do too much that depends on synergies. Also don't want to have to get past around level 80-85 to make the build work.

Thanks.

[sirpoopsalot]

Here's how I'd rate them:

1a. Nova. Really shines with great gear, but without that gear, it's probably slightly behind....

1b. Frozen Orb. It does just fine in hell. That 2% synergy doesn't look like much, but it can really add up when you're getting ~10 bolts hitting per cast. Go for level27 cold mastery (after +skills) and then start pumping IceBolt with whatever's left.

2a. Fireball. Your attack will be weaker than most FB sorcs, but that doesn't mean ~50 point FB isn't a strong attack.

2b. Firewall. Nice power, but too tedious to use as a primary attack skill, in my opinion.

3a. Lightning or Charged Bolt. Both really need that 3rd synergy, in my opinion, so I wouldn't choose one of these.

...

47e. Inferno. It's bugged to do ~35% of the listed damage - and the listed damage is pretty crappy to begin with. If you want a serious challenge, this is the option for you. If you want to be able to kill anything in Hell in less than 5-10 seconds, then it's not.


If you decide on a non-lightning attack, use Static Field & Telekinesis and a strong merc to dispose of immunities. If you decide on a lightning attack, get Infinity (hence my recommendation for great gear).

And don't forget that level40 Energy Shield is maximized (any additional points only add to the duration, which is plenty long already). So if you have enough +skills, you may be able to pull a few points out of Energy Shield and spend them to help your attack.

[Scudstorm]

3a. Lightning or Charged Bolt. Both really need that 3rd synergy, in my opinion, so I wouldn't choose one of these.

Nitpick for Poops :)

Charged Bolt only has 1 synergy, so I'd put it right on top as 1c.

[sirpoopsalot]

Technically yes, LM isn't a synergy. But since it also boosts damage, I count it as such. So IMO that's two - and maxing the primary skill makes it a 3rd.

... however, I didn't say that very well the first time. :p


I'd still keep CB in the 3a. slot unless you want to spend the 60 points.

[droid]

How about Enchant? :)

Enchant ES sorcs are pretty strong against non-manaburners...try it with Passion/Dream/Dream :D