Old school Lightning Sorc 2020

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Engersion
Sasquatch
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Diaco wrote:Is the dmg increase from base lvls on tempest so low that it is recommended to not max it? Why would you forego maxing your main farming skill?

Pretty much what the other guy said. If you have enough respec potions then respec your points from ice elementals / thunderstone to Tempest to make farming faster.
dant121
Acid Prince
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strong nerf?
mortimer_85
Djinn
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Tempest is a little weaker in the early lvling phase. Now caps projectiles a little later what is not a big deal.

Loosing Familiars is not that big of a problem. Loosing their stun in certain boss fights hurts a little, though.
The Spell Focus change is no big deal for Sorcs overall because they have 50 more flat and 15% of SF on Claw upgrade + Class Charm.

Elemental Children
Elemental Children
(Sorceress Lightning Set)

Elemental Clash
Elemental Fury
Elemental Spirit
Elemental Storm

Set Bonus with 2 or more set items:
-20% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+50 to all Attributes

Set Bonus with 3 or more set items:
75% Cast Speed
+25% to Lightning Spell Damage

Set Bonus with complete set:
+5 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+150 Spell Focus
Blink Cooldown Reduced by 2 seconds
+50% to Lightning Spell Damage
+16 to Blink
+100 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 15%

with Ornate crafts on Belt and Boots + nice rare jewelry will still be super strong. You can def beat any boss besides Witch/Laz/Samael and high Lab content with this Set.

Cookie Healing reduction is totally fine - no big deal.
Engersion
Sasquatch
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dant121 wrote:strong nerf?

Not at all. The only real area that's nerfed is between 120 to when you get BiS and the damage ceiling. If you can do everything in the old patch, you will be able to do everything just fine in this new patch.

The change to familiar is kind of a bummer but nothing that cannot be worked through. Leftover points are now put into Tempest, where they belong.
headhertz
Fallen
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Thanks for the sick guide, just getting back into D2 after 15 years, this mod is fun!

I was wondering what merc goes best with this build and what gear for them I should try to get, got any advice?
Engersion
Sasquatch
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headhert wrote:I was wondering what merc goes best with this build and what gear for them I should try to get, got any advice?


Cant really go wrong with an A5 merc. You'll have to test what exact gear he's going to need. A couple well rounded options can be
Qarak's Will
Qarak's Will
Giant Sword (Sacred)

One-Hand Damage: (150 - 163) to (233 - 246)
Two-Hand Damage: (206 - 225) to (285 - 305)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 480
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
15% Chance to cast level 34 Spike Nova on Melee Attack
6% Chance to cast level 40 Pentagram on Melee Attack
10% Chance to cast level 36 Bloodlust on Kill
+(30 to 60)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
Adds 50-125 Damage
Adds 84-167 Fire Damage
+(26 to 38)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
+(100 to 250) Life after each Kill
5% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
Erawan

Erawan
Body Armors

'LemKoCham'
Runeword Level: 83
15% Combat Speeds
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
(27 to 30)% to Vitality
Physical Resist (13 to 15)%
(15 to 20)% Bonus to Defense
Nephilim
Nephilim
Boots

'ZodThul'
Runeword Level: 85
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+150 Defense
+50 to Strength
(21 to 25)% to Strength
+50 to Vitality
(21 to 25)% to Vitality
Cold Resist +25%
+15 Life after each Kill
Nasrudin
Nasrudin
Barbarian Helms

'ZodTaha'
Runeword Level: 100
80% Combat Speeds
+(9 to 15) to Cautious Strike
+200% Enhanced Defense
+(251 to 300) to Dexterity
+15 Life after each Kill
(26 to 32)% Gold Find
to get started. I didn't use a merc for my playthrough just to make it easier to gauge the strength of the build.
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masochista
Core Lord
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Engersion wrote:
headhert wrote:I was wondering what merc goes best with this build and what gear for them I should try to get, got any advice?


Cant really go wrong with an A5 merc. You'll have to test what exact gear he's going to need. A couple well rounded options can be
Qarak's Will
Qarak's Will
Giant Sword (Sacred)

One-Hand Damage: (150 - 163) to (233 - 246)
Two-Hand Damage: (206 - 225) to (285 - 305)
Required Level: 100
Required Strength: 480
Item Level: 105
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
15% Chance to cast level 34 Spike Nova on Melee Attack
6% Chance to cast level 40 Pentagram on Melee Attack
10% Chance to cast level 36 Bloodlust on Kill
+(30 to 60)% Bonus Damage to Bloodlust
Adds 50-125 Damage
Adds 84-167 Fire Damage
+(26 to 38)% to Fire Spell Damage
+(140 to 170)% Enhanced Damage
+(100 to 250) Life after each Kill
5% Reanimate as: Random Monster
Socketed (4)
Erawan

Erawan
Body Armors

'LemKoCham'
Runeword Level: 83
15% Combat Speeds
5% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
(27 to 30)% to Vitality
Physical Resist (13 to 15)%
(15 to 20)% Bonus to Defense
Nephilim
Nephilim
Boots

'ZodThul'
Runeword Level: 85
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+150 Defense
+50 to Strength
(21 to 25)% to Strength
+50 to Vitality
(21 to 25)% to Vitality
Cold Resist +25%
+15 Life after each Kill
Nasrudin
Nasrudin
Barbarian Helms

'ZodTaha'
Runeword Level: 100
80% Combat Speeds
+(9 to 15) to Cautious Strike
+200% Enhanced Defense
+(251 to 300) to Dexterity
+15 Life after each Kill
(26 to 32)% Gold Find
to get started. I didn't use a merc for my playthrough just to make it easier to gauge the strength of the build.



Simply go for
The Dao of Xiansai
The Dao of Xiansai
Great Sword (4)

One-Hand Damage: (10 - 12) to (27 - 39)
Two-Hand Damage: (17 - 20) to (33 - 46)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 105
Item Level: 29
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+1 to All Skills
15% Attack Speed
15% Hit Recovery
+(15 to 25) to Maximum Damage
(51 to 75)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(18 to 35)% Enhanced Damage
+(101 to 150) Defense
+1% to Experience Gained
Socketed (2)
One-Hand Damage: (28 - 32) to (65 - 78)
Two-Hand Damage: (50 - 55) to (84 - 99)
Required Level: 29
Required Strength: 151
Item Level: 40
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+2 to All Skills
25% Attack Speed
25% Hit Recovery
+(31 to 40) to Maximum Damage
(101 to 125)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(52 to 69)% Enhanced Damage
+(201 to 250) Defense
+2% to Experience Gained
Socketed (4)
One-Hand Damage: (59 - 64) to (123 - 149)
Two-Hand Damage: (114 - 123) to (172 - 201)
Required Level: 49
Required Strength: 291
Item Level: 67
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+3 to All Skills
35% Attack Speed
35% Hit Recovery
+(51 to 70) to Maximum Damage
(151 to 175)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(87 to 103)% Enhanced Damage
+(301 to 350) Defense
+2% to Experience Gained
Socketed (5)
One-Hand Damage: (77 - 83) to (166 - 193)
Two-Hand Damage: (148 - 160) to (228 - 259)
Required Level: 57
Required Strength: 570
Item Level: 85
Strength Damage Bonus: (0.16 per Strength)%
+4 to All Skills
40% Attack Speed
40% Hit Recovery
+(71 to 90) to Maximum Damage
(176 to 200)% Bonus to Attack Rating
+(104 to 120)% Enhanced Damage
+(351 to 400) Defense
+3% to Experience Gained
Socketed (6)
/crafted great sword (200 ed +300 max),
Shroud Royal
Shroud Royal
Full Plate Mail (4)

Defense: (336 - 390) to (676 - 786)
Required Level: 11
Required Strength: 35
Item Level: 29
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01171875%
+(1 to 2) to Vanquish
+(35 to 57)% Enhanced Defense
(3 to 5)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (7 to 10)
(6 to 8)% Gold Find
(6 to 8)% Magic Find
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1082 - 1213) to (2067 - 2318)
Required Level: 28
Required Strength: 70
Item Level: 40
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.015625%
+(5 to 6) to Vanquish
+(81 to 103)% Enhanced Defense
(9 to 11)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (15 to 18)
(10 to 12)% Gold Find
(10 to 12)% Magic Find
Socketed (4)
Defense: (2707 - 2983) to (5055 - 5570)
Required Level: 46
Required Strength: 245
Item Level: 67
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.01953125%
+(9 to 10) to Vanquish
+(126 to 149)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 17)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (23 to 26)
(14 to 16)% Gold Find
(14 to 16)% Magic Find
Socketed (5)
Defense: (4043 - 4401) to (7534 - 8200)
Required Level: 54
Required Strength: 490
Item Level: 85
Additional Strength Damage Bonus: 0.0234375%
+(11 to 12) to Vanquish
+(149 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
(18 to 20)% to All Attributes
Physical Damage Reduced by (27 to 30)
(18 to 20)% Gold Find
(18 to 20)% Magic Find
Socketed (6)
,
Thunderdome
Thunderdome
Assault Helmet (4)

Defense: (118 - 134) to (174 - 198)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 8
Required Strength: 30
Item Level: 19
2% Chance to cast level 10 Tempest on Kill
Adds 1-(3 to 5) Lightning Damage
-4% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(41 to 60)% Enhanced Defense
(7 to 10)% to Strength
+3 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (2)
Defense: (391 - 435) to (542 - 602)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 25
Required Strength: 60
Item Level: 36
2% Chance to cast level 20 Tempest on Kill
Adds 1-(9 to 18) Lightning Damage
-8% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(71 to 90)% Enhanced Defense
(15 to 18)% to Strength
+5 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (2)
Defense: (952 - 1090) to (1294 - 1481)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 43
Required Strength: 210
Item Level: 59
3% Chance to cast level 30 Tempest on Kill
Adds 1-(43 to 50) Lightning Damage
-12% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(101 to 130)% Enhanced Defense
(23 to 26)% to Strength
+10 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (3)
Defense: (1631 - 1755) to (2201 - 2367)
(Barbarian Only)
Required Level: 51
Required Strength: 420
Item Level: 85
3% Chance to cast level 40 Tempest on Kill
Adds 1-(131 to 150) Lightning Damage
-16% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+(151 to 170)% Enhanced Defense
(27 to 30)% to Strength
+18 Mana after each Kill
Socketed (4)
,
Visegrip
Visegrip
Light Gauntlets (4)

Defense: 29 to 56
Required Level: 6
Required Strength: 30
Item Level: 10
5% Chance to cast level 5 Crucify on Melee Attack
+(3 to 4) to Maximum Damage
(21 to 50)% Bonus to Attack Rating
(4 to 5)% to Strength
2% to Dexterity
Socketed (1)
Defense: 120 to 176
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 60
Item Level: 31
6% Chance to cast level 10 Crucify on Melee Attack
+(6 to 7) to Maximum Damage
(75 to 100)% Bonus to Attack Rating
(8 to 9)% to Strength
(3 to 4)% to Dexterity
Socketed (2)
Defense: 273 to 381
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 210
Item Level: 51
7% Chance to cast level 19 Crucify on Melee Attack
+(8 to 9) to Maximum Damage
(105 to 125)% Bonus to Attack Rating
(12 to 13)% to Strength
(5 to 7)% to Dexterity
Socketed (3)
Defense: 375 to 522
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 420
Item Level: 77
8% Chance to cast level 30 Crucify on Melee Attack
+(9 to 10) to Maximum Damage
(130 to 150)% Bonus to Attack Rating
(14 to 15)% to Strength
(8 to 10)% to Dexterity
Socketed (4)
,
Deadfall
Deadfall
Heavy Belt (4)

Defense: (135 - 159) to (178 - 210)
Required Level: 7
Required Strength: 36
Item Level: 19
2% Chance to cast level 2 Shower of Rocks on Kill
1% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(24 to 46)% Enhanced Defense
+(16 to 25) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(11 to 15)%
Socketed (1)
Defense: (485 - 551) to (616 - 700)
Required Level: 24
Required Strength: 62
Item Level: 36
2% Chance to cast level 4 Shower of Rocks on Kill
2% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(69 to 92)% Enhanced Defense
+(36 to 45) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(21 to 25)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1270 - 1400) to (1595 - 1758)
Required Level: 41
Required Strength: 218
Item Level: 51
2% Chance to cast level 8 Shower of Rocks on Kill
3% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(115 to 137)% Enhanced Defense
+(56 to 65) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(31 to 35)%
Socketed (2)
Defense: (1918 - 2095) to (2403 - 2626)
Required Level: 50
Required Strength: 436
Item Level: 85
2% Chance to cast level 12 Shower of Rocks on Kill
4% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(138 to 160)% Enhanced Defense
+(66 to 75) to Strength
Lightning Resist +(36 to 40)%
Socketed (2)
,
Nephilim
Nephilim
Boots

'ZodThul'
Runeword Level: 85
+(144 to 171)% Enhanced Defense
+150 Defense
+50 to Strength
(21 to 25)% to Strength
+50 to Vitality
(21 to 25)% to Vitality
Cold Resist +25%
+15 Life after each Kill
,
Scarab of Death
Scarab of Death
Amulet

Required Level: 40
Item Level: 70
50% Attack Speed
50% Cast Speed
50% Hit Recovery
Elemental Resists +25%
Physical Resist -5%
5% Reanimate as: Random Monster
or
Angel Heart
Angel Heart
Amulet

Required Level: 40
Item Level: 40
+(1 to 2) to All Skills
(5 to 10)% to Strength
(5 to 10)% to Dexterity
(15 to 25)% Bonus to Defense
+(3 to 5) to Light Radius
. I usually socket sword with sha runes/ 15% ias Ber crafted jewels so he can swing faster, rest are Ko runes for strength. MO with %res and flat str. He is pretty much invincible except for Arrowsides in TA and barrels in Dunc
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shnurr214
Ice Clan
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pretty good guide, basically facerolled all the ubers up til 125 with the elemental children set, however belial is really giving me a hard time. Any videos of people doing belial with not super optimal gear on a light sorc? Its an absolute nightmare of a fight for me right now.
Engersion
Sasquatch
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shnurr214 wrote:pretty good guide, basically facerolled all the ubers up til 125 with the elemental children set, however belial is really giving me a hard time. Any videos of people doing belial with not super optimal gear on a light sorc? Its an absolute nightmare of a fight for me right now.

Right, so I did a couple of runs with the
Elemental Children
Elemental Children
(Sorceress Lightning Set)

Elemental Clash
Elemental Fury
Elemental Spirit
Elemental Storm

Set Bonus with 2 or more set items:
-20% to Enemy Lightning Resistance
+50 to all Attributes

Set Bonus with 3 or more set items:
75% Cast Speed
+25% to Lightning Spell Damage

Set Bonus with complete set:
+5 to Sorceress Skill Levels
+150 Spell Focus
Blink Cooldown Reduced by 2 seconds
+50% to Lightning Spell Damage
+16 to Blink
+100 to all Attributes
Physical Resist 15%

and Ornate crafted sash & Eerie crafted lvl 1 boots. I respec-ed to Fire as my second tree instead of Cold for more damage. Max Living Flame & 1 point Fire Dance. Every socket filled with Yul Runes except the boots for the MO space to hit defensive breakpoints. The setup put me at 8200 sheet damage for Thunderstone before Firedance, 137% Lightning Pierce and all the recommended speed breakpoints. Resists at 80%. A big part of the fight now is figuring out where to stand so you can attack without getting gibbed by his phalanx or magic shotgun. Since his Phalanx will always be aimed to the South & East, that's where we start the fight. Then gradually work our way up the North West walls. The rest of the fight is more about staying alive rather than actively taking the fight to him. Buff with Fire Dance, retreat to the North West once your area is compromised, flee to the West if there are too many projectiles in the main arena to give yourself some breathing room. Return once the Phalanx are gone. Don't try to properly aim your Thunderstones. As long as they land near the boss that's good enough. You are relying on the stray charged bolts from the stone to slowly chip away at his health rather than big chunks of damage that you'll normally do. Don't be afraid to flee if you even have an inkling you are unsafe.

Image

Start from the Red X, then work your way up North. The Yellow X'es are where you'll likely be standing when you need to flee and wait for Phalanx to expire.
antonius
Azure Drake
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I kindly ask the use of bringing the shoes to level 1? In addition to not being able to put jewels or runes, because the difference goes back to the level of the inserted object, many statistics are lost and the main ones are significantly lower. Obviously I'm missing a step and I would like to understand more, thanks in advance