nova sorc is my favorite character. unfortunately, ive tried all "budget" builds such as using the crescent moon runeword. also unfortunately, the AI guide is exactly wrong - "exactly" as in, literally, the opposite is true - when it comes to nova sorc being a "starter" or "budget" or even affordable build. the reason behind it is because, as the commenter above noted, you MUST have a self-wielding infinity - most use scythes - an extremely expensive runeword. but that is not all. in order to build a nova sorc that isnt really squishy you need enough plus to skills to bring your energy shield up to 95%. at the same time you need to hit the 105 fcr breakpoint in order to move with ample speed. these two constraints limit considerably the items a good nova build will use: with a self-wielld infiinty as weapon - griffons + vipermagi + magefists + arach mesh + 10 more fcr from rings and amulet. griffons is also necessary to kill at the "S-tier" level the nova sorc is classified under.
long story short, she is very expensive. however, i must say, her play style is fairly simple. a cheaper very powerful character is the new warlock class using the echoing-blade build. if you love sorcs like i do then the cold sorc is the best affordable starter option. the hammerdin is also a very good build achievable on a modest budget.
as far as sunders go, they were introduced in D2R and make monster's that were immune to a certain damage type no longer immune - setting their resistance from 100+% to 95%. but even with broken immunity the damage type is mostly negated unless you have "-enemy resistance" from your items. this is why the self-wielding iinfinity on the nova is so important - it not only gives -50 or so negative enemey light resists but also has a conviction aura when equipped. griffons also gives some -resists.
anyways, if you want build tips for the nova still, and again, my favorite character, see the equipment listed above and build it like this:
stats: enough str/dex to wear your gear, everything else into energy
skills
- max telekinesis
- put enough points into energy shield so that, after all the plus to skills coming from your equpment you can reach 95%
- max static field
- max nova
- max lightning mastery
- 1 point into frozen armor
- the rest of your points into warmth
misc:
- you are aiming to hit 105 fcr or more - i use 2 sojs and a 10 fcr amulet
- put lightning facets into your griffons and viper magi
- resistances do not matter very much to energy shield sorceresses -- EXCEPT POISON
- poison matters - you want to limit the amount of time you are poisoned and put some res into it - i use sandstorm treks
- you NEED lightning skill grand charms
- DO NOT FORGET TO CAST ENERGY SHIELD
- play-style goes like this: tele into/beside packs -> cast static field 2-3 times -> spam nova until everything is dead
merc:
- act 2 merc is a MUST - prayer merc recommended
- insight runeword polearm is a MUST
- cure runeword helmet recommended
- armor needs to have life leach although i use treachery a lot too
- you NEEED your merc
feel free to msg me if you have any questions or just respond in the thread, good luck!