I’ve tried leveling a zealot on P8 before and I just get stuck at around act 4 where it feels like I’m doing no damage. This was with a twinked alt even. If I try again with an untwinked alt how do I do damage at the end of norm?

What level are you and what skills have you invested in? You can probably get away with something quick socketed with Rals if you can’t find a decent set/rare. I usually just gamble for a nice weapon at that level.

2 handed maul

I usually like doing norm and nm with holy shock + zeal, and switching to fanat/zeal once you find a butchers or equivalent. Early on it gets pretty weapon dependent with zeal/fanat

steel in fastest weapon base possible
max holy fire+synergy
respect after getting butchers from nm andy (fana)

Get a pruby and craft blood axe, i had no trouble doing normal on p8 that way , halfway through act 5 i gambled a nice war axe with 71 %ed and ctc amplify damage, the only good thing was amplify, in nightmare i am using the same thing a gambled rare naga or you can craft a blood axe.

I also have a nice steeldriver maul i use againts boss on nigjtmare i upped it once and the damage is decent 3k zeal

Get a Black rw if you can, crushing blow alone will melt enemies for you for a good while