Hardcore Orb/TK Blind-Teleporting Budget MF Sorceress der=0>

**MaStAViC** · 05-07-2007, 00:08

Great guide. I have been following it for about a week now, and my softcore sorceress is now level 83. What "Rhyme" shield should I be using? Grim shield? I haven't played D2 in a while and am trying to remember.

Thank you,
Victor Ly

**Socialism** · 05-07-2007, 05:45

Shanks broseph.

Both Bone and Grim have 2 sockets max and run with 40% base blocking. Run with Bone until you find
a 2 socket Grim, then switch over. All information pertaining to shield / armor / etc specifics is readily
available from the Arreat Summit.

The only difference is a bit of strength (shouldn't matter anyway, playing untwinked) and ~100 ish defense.

**asdfgah** · 05-07-2007, 14:58

This guide looks like a really good and fun one. Good read, I have to try it out :smiley:
/goes back to reading

**MaStAViC** · 07-07-2007, 21:01

Socialism, you really have done a tremendous job with this guide, and with answering all of the questions that have been asked. I see plenty of guides around, both on Diabloii.net as well as other sites, and many are just overviews and such, but you get really in depth here, and I appreciate that.

I understand that this is a "budget" build, but there are times when I find better items and am not sure if I should use them to trade them away for the specific items you have pointed out. For example, if I can get ahold of say, Chains of Honor Armor, should I use that or stick with the Vipermagi? I think it would be helpful if you throw in the best gear this build can get in addition to the budget items so people can continue making their Sorceresses stronger.

Thank you very much,
Victor Ly

**MaStAViC** · 08-07-2007, 01:45

I don't mean to double post, but can't seem to edit my thread above anymore because it has been several hours since I posted it.

Can someone enlighten me about what I should socket into my gear? For now, I am trying to figure out what to socket into my Visceraturant.

Thank you,
Victor Ly

**MaStAViC** · 08-07-2007, 14:38

Originally Posted by Socialism

Here you go.
Shield blocking percentages can be found at the Arreat Summit.

The formula takes level and shield type (and bonus) into account, so it's doubtful that anyone
can give you a solid answer right off the bat. Easy version: for the shields suggested here? You
probably need around +150-200 dex at ~level 90 ish. Ballpark, I'm too lazy to calculate it.

I'm level 88 and it looks like I need 235 to get 75% blocking. I've never tried max blocking on a Sorceress without using a Stormshield or Whitstan's Guard before, so this seems very, very high.

To upgrade my Visceratuant, I would use the following formula, right?
1 Ko Rune + 1 Lem Rune + 1 Perfect Diamond + Exceptional Unique Armor = Elite Version of Armor

Thank you.

**Socialism** · 09-07-2007, 16:53

I've already established my suggested baseline breakpoint minimums for effective survival and
murder (damage). Every well-engineered hardcore sorceress should have a decent balance of
+skills, life, FCR, FHR, etc. Re-read the "A “safe” rudimentary hardcore MFer progression" section
for a quick summary.

There are an enormous number of equipment combinations that can accomplish this, some better
than others - it's up to you to try to maintain a balance that works for you. You want to put on
Chains of Honor instead of Vipermagi? Great. Make sure you get your resists (50 max on an Um'd
Vipermagi) and FCR get replaced elsewhere. Besides, every other guide/"PLZHELPMEWITH
EQIUP SORK MAX ORB DMG" post has plenty of excellent suggestions equipment wise.
This is a budget guide for legit players. No Chains of Honor dupeword suggestions here.

I can't imagine anyone in their right mind socketing a Visceratuant (or any non-runeword shield,
really) with anything other than a perfect diamond/Um/15-allres jewel.

Blocking and upgrade formulas look about right.

**PhatTrumpet** · 09-07-2007, 20:06

Besides, the main point of this build is to acquire wealth, not to tie it up in a build that can function just about as well with cheaper gear. If you get some really nice stuff you might as well trade it away or use it on one of your other characters.