What gear should I get next?

[goatsonfire]

So I started playing again (US east SC ladder) a couple of weeks ago after several years off, and I'm starting from scratch. I made a meteorb sorc, and I mainly just want to be able to MF/pvm in as much of hell mode as possible. I get bored MFing the same boss over and over. She's pretty good in acts I-III now, but IV and V are still a struggle. This is what I have:

Shako (gonna put P topaz, haven't gotten around to getting socket quest on another char yet)
Occy
Vipermagi (27 res, gonna P topaz when I get another socket)
Spirit Monarch
Magefist
Goldwrap (upped)
War Travs (45 mf)
Ammy - rare with +1 sorc, 3 str, 31 life, 36 light res, 8 other resists
Rings - Nagel (29 mf) and Manald
Gheeds (35% mf)
Merc: Insight CV (not eth), stealskull, lionheart chaos armor

I found a vex today, and I have some other lower runes and pgems and stuff, and I was just looking for some input on what equipment to get next. I don't think hoto is that much better than occy, so I'm thinking I'd get more out of the rune by trading it. I obviously need an ammy, can I get a mara's for vex? If so how much resists? Or would a torch be a better investment? I'm not sure how much sorc torches go for. Other possibles I'm considereing (some will take more to trade for obviously): Soj (will it disappear on me?), ani, arachnid's, CoH, or infinity/fort/andy's for the merc.

Any of this will help me, I was just curious what others thought the best upgrade would be for the cost, since I'm pretty poor, or maybe someone has other suggestions. Thanks!

[Nefyr]

I am in the same situation as you - my sorc even has a lot of the same gear. I just got an Arach's and the fcr helped, but didn't make a huge difference. I'd be interested to see what others think.

[mrhuat]

yea a touch would be nice...but why malad ring? just put on another nagel :)

[Pyrotechnician]

I'm not really sure if you trying to maximize damage or maximize magic find, as the setups vary significantly.

If you don't have a torch thats probably one of the best investments you can make in terms of damage that isnt insanely expensive. The +3 skills is a big help and it frees up more attribute points that you can put into vitality instead of strength.

Maras is a nice add with skills res and stats. Sometimes a nice rare with 2 to skills works better in your favor if you dont use Call to Arms.

Hoto isn't really that much of a step up, heres a comparison:

Hoto: 3 skills, 30-40 resistance (ranges) 40 Faster cast rate
Occy: 3 skills, 20 resitance, 30 faster caste rate, 50 magic find (since you magic find this is important)

Some people don't appreciate the 25 chance to teleport when struck so maybe this bothers you maybe it doesn't.

Anni is insanely expensive for the small benefit it gives, its just like a torch but with 2 less skills and an experience boost. If that experience boost is really important to you (5% never seems to make much difference to me) then go for it.

Infinity wont really help you as much as it could as it can normally only break lightning immunes and some dual immunity monsters, not only that it is typically more expensive. But for non immune monsters it will provide a nice damage boost.

Remember in your gear selection for faster cast rate though, if you don't make the next breakpoint the gear isn't paticularlly worth it unless you change multiple items.

I haven't really gotten into this ladder season, so I'm not familiar with ladder prices but I know that there are usually some price guides available in the trading forums section of this site.

[Petzl]

If you can somehow wrangle up an Infinity and change to full Lightning then that would probably be your best choice. It makes running hell a ton easier and a torch would be good also but a low sorc torch is not worth a vex.

[snowdown]

you can get another Nagel ring and a 3cold/xxmf xl (3/35 is best) not Mara
if money left, you can get some 7mf small charms.