14 replies to this topic

[REP]

READ THIS BEFORE READING THE GUIDE:
This guide may not be the most strategically sound as of now (6/9/08). It was written years ago, before the advent of new strategies and popular new dupes/rare items. There may now exist better alternatives to the gear listed. Any questions? Contact me via EMAIL at jzhang91@gmail.com - it is the ONLY thing that I check regularly. AIM: not so much, Realmgaming: only when I have time, JSP: only when I'm in a D2 mood.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to build a basic MF Sorceress, by REP

1. Introduction:
I have seen many guides with high-end PvP Gear/VERY expensive budgets that a lot of people cannot build, so I decided to introduce a character that could do well with Low, Medium, or High End Budgets, and make you a lot lot richer... I have decided to write a guide on the Magic Finding Sorceress. This guide will be providing information on the necessary equipment for a low budget, a medium level budget, and a higher budget equipment choices, as well as strategies when MFing and Merc Gear and more. There are many choices as to which type of Sorceress you can make. I have decided to introduce the Light Sorceress to you, because there are less Light Immunes when you MF in Hell. Some of you may wonder “Why does he only have about 200-300 magic find in his recommended gear?” Well this is because research has shown that higher amounts of magic finding gives diminishing results (just like the Amazon’s Dodge skill, it helps a lot for the first 10 skill points added into it, but for the last 10, it only gives you .5-1%, it is the same with the Barbarian’s Natural Resistance).

This guide contains:
1. Introduction
2. Stats
3. Skills
4. FCR/FHR Tables
5. Low Budget equipment
6. Middle Budget equipment
7. Higher Budget equipment
8. MFing strategies
9. Conclusion

-----
2. Stats:
Strength: Enough for gear
Dexterity: Enough for gear
Vitality: Rest in here
Energy: None, unless you have serious mana problems, then you can pour maybe 25-50 in here

-----
3. Skills:
Prerequisites/Other Skills Recommendation: 1 Point Each, 6 Total
Prerequisite Skills: Warmth, Thunderstorm, Static Field, Teleport, Telekinesis, Energy Shield (you decide if you want ES or not)

Lightning Recommendation: 20 Points
Why? Because it is your main attack, duh

Chain Lightning Recommendation: 20 Points
Why? Because it’s a synergy to your main attack, Lightning, and it is an effective crowd controlling attack

Charged Bolt Recommendation: 20 Points
Why? Because it’s a synergy to your main attack, Lightning, and it is an effective crowd controlling attack

Lightning Mastery Recommendation: 20 Points
Why? Because it adds a passive bonus to your main attack

Nova: Max after the rest
Why? Because it’s another synergy to your main attack, Lightning

-----
4. FCR/FHR Breakpoints:
FCR and FHR Breakpoints are often ignored on basic magic finding Sorceresses, but I’ll just list them for fun anyways
FCR Breakpoints:
13: 0
12: 9
11: 20
10: 37
9: 63
8: 105
7: 200
Side note: Lightning FCR Breakpoint is 117

FHR Breakpoints:
15: 0
14: 5
13: 9
12: 14
11: 20
10: 30
9: 42
8: 60
7: 86
6: 142
5: 280

-----
5. Low Budget Gear Suggestions:
Weapon: Blade of Ali Baba
Why? Because it has Magic Find :\ (socket w/ 15 Res Jewel, because although this build gives you ample Magic Find, it lacks Resistances)

Armor: Ethereal Skullder’s Ire Russet Armor
Why? Has +Skills, MDR, MF (socket w/ Um or 15 Res Jewel, because although this build gives you ample Magic Find, it lacks Resistances)

Shield: Lidless Wall Grim Shield
Why? Because it has +Skills, Increased Max Mana, 20 FCR, and Energy (socket w/ Um or 15 Res Jewel, because although this build gives you ample Magic Find, it lacks Resistances)

Helm: Harlequin Crest Shako
Why? The basic Magic Finding helm, the +2 Skills, 50 MF, Life/Mana, and DR really help (socket w/ Um or 15 Res Jewel, because although this build gives you ample Magic Find, it lacks Resistances)

Amulet: Eye of the Etlich
Why? +1 Skill Levels

Rings: 2x Nagelrings
Why? For the Magic Find

Boots: War Traveler Battle Boots
Why? For the Magic Find

Belts: Goldwrap Heavy Belt
Why? For the Magic Find

Gloves: Magefists Light Gauntlets
Why? For the FCR and Mana Regeneration

Charms: Try getting Small/Large/Grand Charms with the following mods: Magic Find, Life, Mana, Resistances, Faster Hit Recovery

Mercenary:
For this build, I suggest using the Act 2 Nightmare Defensive Polearm Mercenary. I chose Act 2 NM Defensive because it has the Aura “Holy Freeze” which Freezes and slows down your enemies, and it can wield polearms
Weapon: Eth Bonehew Ogre Axe
Why? High damage (socket with %ED Jewels or 2x Amns for Life Stolen Per Hit)

Armor: Ethereal Skullder’s Ire Russet Armor
Why? MF and decent Defense (socket with a PTopaz)

Helm: Vanpire Gaze Grim Helm
Why? Because Life Stolen Per Hit keeps your Merc alive. Also, the DR helps, socket this with an Ist or PTopaz

-----
6. Middle Budget Gear Suggestions:
Weapon: The Oculus Swirling Crystal
Why? +3 Sorc Skills, 20 Res, 20 Vita, 20 Energy, 50 MF, 30 FCR, what’s not to like about this Orb? (socket with Ist)

Armor: Tal Rasha’s Guardianship
Why? Because it has Resistances, Magic Find, MDR, and it gives a 10% FCR bonus in conjunction with 1 other Tal’s piece and a 65% MF Bonus in conjunction with 2 other Tal’s pieces

Shield: Spirit Monarch
Why? +Skills, Life, Mana, FHR

Helm: Harlequin Crest Shako
Why? Because of +Skills, Life, Mana, 50 MF, DR (socket this with an Ist, PTopaz, Um, or Resistance Jewel)

Amulet: Tal Rasha’s Adjudication
Why? Because it has +2 Sorc Skills, Life, and Mana

Rings: 1x FCR Ring, 1x Soj
Why? Because you need it to hit the 105 FCR Breakpoint, Soj provides a +Skill/Huge Mana Boost

Boots: Sandstorm Trek Scarabshell Boots
Why? Life, Strength, FHR, Psn Res

Belt: Tal Rasha’s Fine-Spun Cloth
Why? Because it has Mana, Dex, MF, and gives +10% FCR in conjunction with 2 other Tal’s pieces

Gloves: Magefists Light Guantlets
Why? FCR and Mana Regen

Switch Weapon/Shield: Call to Arms/Spirit Monarch
Why? Easy Life/Mana bonus, duh

Charms: Sorceress Torch, Anni, 4-5x Light GCs, Life SCs
Why? Obvious reasons

Note: The middle-budget gear focuses more on FCR, Resists, FHR, and +Skills.
It hits the 105 FCR Breakpoint and the 60 FHR Breakpoint

Mercenary:
For this build, I suggest using the Act 2 Nightmare Defensive Polearm Mercenary. I chose Act 2 NM Defensive because it has the Aura “Holy Freeze” which Freezes and slows down your enemies, and it can wield polearms
Weapon: Ethereal Insight Cryptic Axe
Why? Because this weapon has the Meditation Aura, which I find helpful to Sorceresses who lack Mana

Armor: Ethereal Chains of Honor Archon Plate
Why? Because it has decent defense, while also giving a huge 65 Resists Bonus, Life Stolen Per Hit, and an always appreciated Damage Reduction bonus

Helm: Vanpire Gaze Grim Helm
Why? Because Life Stolen Per Hit keeps your Merc alive. Also, the DR helps, socket this with an Ist or PTopaz

-----
7. Higher End Gear Suggestions:
Weapon: 40% Heart of the Oak Flail
Why? Resists, Skills, 40 FCR, gawdly

Armor: Enigma Mage Plate
Why? Strength, Skills, Magic Find, and DR

Shield: 35 FCR Spirit Monarch
Why? Skills, FCR, Life, Mana, FHR

Helm: Harlequin Crest Shako
Why? Skills, Life, Mana, DR (socket this with an Ist or PTopaz)

Amulet: Armageddon Fletch Amulet
Why? Skills, FCR, Strength, Life, Mana, Resists

Rings: 1x Soj, 1x FCR Ring
Why? Because you need it to hit the 117 FCR Breakpoint, Soj provides a +Skill/Huge Mana Boost

Boots: Ethereal Sandstorm Trek Scarabshell Boots
Why? More Def, Strength, Life, FHR

Belt: Arachnid Mesh Spiderweb Sash
Why? FCR and +1 Skills

Gloves: 40% Chance Guards Chain Gloves
Why? Because you already hit the 117% FCR Breakpoint, you don’t need Mages, so use this for more MF

Switch Weapon/Shield: 6 BO Call to Arms/Spirit Monarch
Why? Easy Life/Mana Bonus

Charms: Sorceress Torch, Anni, 4x 40 Lifer Lightning GCs, 1x FHR Lightning GC, 4x 5 Res All/7 MF SCs
Why? Obvious reasons, you need the FHR GC to hit the 86% FHR Breakpoint

Note: The higher-end budget gear focuses A LOT on FCR, FHR, Resists, and unwasted Stat points (strength from Enigma), and not so much on Magic-Finding equipment, however, you still obtain at least 200% MF with the suggested gear, while also hitting the 117% FCR Breakpoint, 86% FHR Breakpoint, and also Max Resistances in Hell.

Mercenary:
For this build, I suggest using the Act 2 Nightmare Defensive Polearm Mercenary. I chose Act 2 NM Defensive because it has the Aura “Holy Freeze” which Freezes and slows down your enemies, and it can wield polearms
Weapon: Ethereal Infinity Cryptic Axe
Why? Because this weapon has the Conviction Aura, which will get rid of most Light Immunities.

Armor: Ethereal Defense Glitched Fortitude Archon Plate
Why? Because it has high defense while also giving 300% Enhanced Damage, LPL, and resists.

Helm: Ethereal 08 Gaze
Why? Because Life Stolen Per Hit keeps your Merc alive. Also, the DR helps, and 08 Gazes have 5% more DR than normal Gazes. Eth for more Defense. Socket this with a 40/15 IAS Jewel.

-----
8. Magic Finding Strategies:
Before you go into battle, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS cast BC/BO.
Basic Strategies: Tele to boss, kill it
Good places to MF: Act 1 Pit, Countess, Andarial, Summoner (Hell only, for Keys), Mephisto, Diablo, Shenk/Eldritch, Pindle, Nihlathak (Hell only, for Keys), Baal
Low-End Budget people should do: Nightmare Countess, Andarial, Mephisto, Diablo, Shenk/Edtritch
Middle-End Budget people should do: Nightmare Baal, Hell Pit, Countess, Andarial, Summoner, Mephisto, Shenk/Eldritch, Pindle
Higher-End Budget people should do: Hell Pit, Countess, Summoner, Nihlathak, Mephisto, Diablo, Baal (I find the other runs do not give good items for the higher-end budget people)

-----
9. Conclusion:
Well, that’s my guide, 6 FULL pages on Microsoft Word. I’m open to criticism/comments (just don’t overdo the criticism). If you need to contact me with questions about this build, you can PM me, post here, whisper me on battle.net *Vegetarian@USEast or IM me @ ImTallAndAsian. Thank you for taking your time to read this. Enjoy.
Here’s the link to a very useful Magic-Finding thread: http://diablorealm.n...showtopic=17363

Edited by REP, 09 June 2008 - 03:34 AM.

[ducko]

If I were to start Ladder or play another Realm, I would rather use a Blizz Sorc. Cold helps alot, and together with a Merc, they can Rape. This is just my opinion.

[cheddar420]

I find it easier just to out right pump your energy to 75. Some suggest 100...and will i find that works to..you cn do withjust 75. Remember this is a pvm sorc...not pvp. with base energy as a light sorc...you might be spending more money on mana pots that you'd like. Just felt like i'd point that out....even though its already in your guide lol.

kk...end ofmy spam for today.

oh yeah...and for the low budget part...if they can offord skuldders ire...and war travs...and goldwrap...don't you think they can get a better helm that tarn? just something that caught my attention as i was reading it. While the helm is defenitly low budget, I don't classify any of the other gear in the same field lol...tarnhelm belongs with gear like 3Os mage plate with ptopaz's, and things like that....again just my insight. But your the guide guy for a reason lol. Good job. lol

[Scholz]

If your sorc has 1 into warmth and uses hoto+soj, you wont run out of mana. Your merc doesn't need to use insight. And you're a lightning sorc. Why isn't he using Infinity? It takes forever to kill meph with a lightning mf sorc if your merc doesnt have infinity.

[REP]

gatsbysamericandream, on Mar 18 2006, 09:06 AM, said:

If your sorc has 1 into warmth and uses hoto+soj, you wont run out of mana. Your merc doesn't need to use insight. And you're a lightning sorc. Why isn't he using Infinity? It takes forever to kill meph with a lightning mf sorc if your merc doesnt have infinity.

Because Infinity isn't exactly low/middle budget gear. If you look at high-budget gear, you'll notice an Infinity.

cheddar420, on Mar 18 2006, 08:56 AM, said:

oh yeah...and for the low budget part...if they can offord skuldders ire...and war travs...and goldwrap...don't you think they can get a better helm that tarn? just something that caught my attention as i was reading it. While the helm is defenitly low budget, I don't classify any of the other gear in the same field lol...tarnhelm belongs with gear like 3Os mage plate with ptopaz's, and things like that....again just my insight. But your the guide guy for a reason lol. Good job. lol

Suggestion taken

Edited by REP, 18 March 2006 - 07:14 AM.

[Scholz]

Or wealth?

[hanguk-fire]

Great work.

[BigInjan]

Yet another good guide by REP... keep them coming, they're pretty helpful ;)

[ggpwntthxbai]

I wouldnt really classify that as low budget gear... its a pretty decent guid but if your low budget i wouldnt really choose a light sorc cuz with a blizzy u can kill hell meph with MUCH lower budget gear than that... with a blizz sorc meph is ez if ure naked.

when i first saw this i thought it would have some gear reccomendations for people just starting a new ladder or something... like tarnhelm/ goldwrap/ walth/ tarnhelm... mebbe adding a starting from scratch section would be helpful to some people... meh

[ghettopimp]

how about this, you take the gear from this guide, and add it to blizzard sorc skills?

and if you're starting from scratch, you should be more worried about doing nm untill you get good enough gear to do hell, and not focusing on getting exact gear.

[ggpwntthxbai]

"how about this, you take the gear from this guide, and add it to blizzard sorc skills?"
dont understand what you mean

"and if you're starting from scratch, you should be worried about doing nm until you get good enough gear to do hell, and not focusing on getting exact gear."
IMHO i would never mf nm to get better gear, hell meph is as easy as it gets and you could do it naked so why bother with anything else?

ps- i never use guides neway cuz its so ez just to think about what skills/stats/equip you need it takes longer to look for a guid than to just use ure brain

[ghettopimp]

what i meant, is if you wanted a blizzard sorc guide for mf, take a blizzard guides skill section and add it to the gear listed in this guide.


you kill him naked?

do you tele there naked

are you able to take any hits from the council with -100 resists?

resists and fcr are essential to a good sorc build and when naked there is no point to mfing unless you like magic items

[ggpwntthxbai]

i obviously dont do it naked nor do i do it at all nemore... i was just saying you could without much trouble do it naked... sure u might die a lil but imo its faster than nm.

like when i start ladder id be wearing some junky armor with some ptops in it and mebbe some crappy orb i got from anya or something and with the 2nd fcr breakpoint and like 100 mf and -XX all res its still pretty damn easy to do hell meph and its better than nm by far

[Player 01]

This would be a very good example for one of those guides that we could make a char for from zonfire, and post it on site, so people can see if they like it and if they do to build it. You could post all three, low budget, medium budget, and high budget. People could pick wichever, run it on SP and see if they like it, and if they do they can build it. I know this was kinda off topic, sorry.

Here i'll make it on topic:

Good guide REP.

[solo]

well thanks to thossr and ghetto pimp i was able to mix this guide up i think a occy for low end would be better tho..... and i like the skills and stats but the gear is a little mixed up for low end ppl can get shako if not please quit thats low end but a gg helm IMO. Well when they say bot nm its cuz of the higher sojs drop rates for the bosses i think im over killing it but i got 295 mf and 15k lighting hopefully this will get me some better gear thanks rep thossr(mike and ghetto (alex sorry rep i forget ure name alot. u all helped me get started on lad i want some lad only runewords b4 this shit restarts jsp here i come.