suicide branch is really good but not worth using when you have spirit. lose a skill, mana, fhr

Been running since I posted, just found a SOJ... lol cant remember the last time I found one of these

Upgrades are:

Merc got Rattlecage and Steal Skull Casque

I got Magefists (110 fcr now) / Rockstopper / Soj

I'll keep MFing andy until I get vmagi at the very least so I can use my soj and keep 105 fcr bp, along the way an SOE would be pretty helpful

Appreciate all of the help from you all!

Mosers will help your early progress a lot!
I ended my p8 sorc with some of the gear you are planning on use.
It was a blizz sorc kind of lacking in gear but with cool tankiness with maxed res + cool dr

rockstopper
hoto
stealth (lol)
mosers 2x pd
2 sorc ammy
mages
2x fcr rings
string
wws

you would get similar stats with a spirit + viper and even higher with soj. I think you will be fine to farm some andy/meph/lk in hell once you get some levels.
try to get a duriels/treachery + tal mask/gaze/cot for your merc and upgrade your insight to an elite base once you reach hell.