Intro
Most of you know me as Stories/Chris, and everyone knows I Love Svs, and with that being said I have played every build imaginable, Fire, Light, Cold, Pure vitality, vitality with max block, Energy Shield, and more. After testing several different builds, I knew I wanted to make an Blizzard Sorceress capable of standing up with the rest in Svs, and Pubs alike. So, with my substantial background knowledge in Diablo 2, along with a significant amount of trial and error, I devised my own build. After keeping the build a secret for a short time, I am now willing to impart my knowledge. I’m not some self proclaimed genius, nor do I claim that I am the best Blizzard Sorceress on East. I have simply discovered a Blizzard Sorceress build that works wonderfully for Pvp, and Svs alike. However I will not be giving budget options, simply put, this is not a budget build, and I will provide the statistics of my Blizzard Sorceress, Stories, at the end so that you have something to compare to. Enjoy.
Section I: Stats
Strength: Enough str to wear your Gear (In all setups)
Dexterity: None
Vitality: Everything
Energy: None
Section II: Skills
Fire Skills:
Warmth – 1 point
Lightning Skills:
Telekinesis – 1 point
Teleport – 1 point
Cold Skills:
Ice Bolt – 20 points
Ice Blast – 20 points
Frost Nova – 1 point
Glacial Spike – 1 points (Max this last!)
Blizzard – 20 points
Frozen Orb – 20 point
Cold Mastery – 20 points
Section III: Equipment
There are several routes you could take here. Regardless of what equipment you decide to use, you must always hit 105% Faster Cast Rate and 86% Faster Hit Recovery (as displayed by the charts above). Depending on the gear you use, your damage will vary, as well as your life, mana, and resistances. As I stated in the introduction, This is not meant to be a budget build. Stories' has all 100% perfect gear, but I understand that most Diablo 2 players cannot afford such quintessential paraphernalia.While some say Facets are unnecessary, this does not hold true for the impeccable Cold Sorceress, as piercing an enemies resistances is her primary means of taking down even the most resilient opponents. One should note that while resistances may have no bearing on a 95% Energy Shield Sorceress, they are crucial to your survival if you choose to utilize this build.
Break Points
Faster Cast Rate:
FCR% FPS
0 13
9 12
20 11
37 10
63 9
105 8
200 7
Faster Hit Recovery:
FHR% FPS
0 15
5 14
9 13
14 12
20 11
30 10
42 9
60 8
86 7
142 6
280 5
My Setup
Diadems
3Cold/100life/2os, 2x 5/5 Cold Die Red, Diadem - Vs Fire
3Cold/20fcr/2'os 2x 5/5 Cold die Red, diadem - Vs Light
3Cold/100life/2'os 2x 7fhr/8str/4rep/30Cr Red - Vs Cold
Weapons
2Sorc/20fcr/3Cold Mastery/3Blizzard/3 Thunder Storm/10 Energy/29 Life/2'os Glowing Orb/Death Gyre
P Doom Zerker 15/3
Scepter
6/6/4, 3/3/3 Scepter (Cta)
Shields
Spirit of Phoenix - Vs Fire
2x P Spirit Mon's - Vs Cold/Light/Bo
Amulet
Armageddon Fletch - Vs Fire/Light/Cold
Armor
100 Life/4'os, Wire Fleece 481, 4x 5/5 Cold Die Red - vs Fire/Light
100 Life/4'os, Wire Fleece 481, 4x 7fhr/8str/4rep/30Cr - Vs Cold
Gloves
88 Bfists - Vs Fire/Light
P Trangs - Vs Cold
Belt
P Arach - Vs Fire/Cold
P Tgods - Vs Light
Boots
P Aldurs - Vs Fire
30/10/11life/10Rep/40Lr - Vs Light
30/10/14life/8rep/40Cr Battle Boots - vs Cold
Rings (Square Blue)
10fcr/1Ll/25str/50life/30fr (Crafted) - Vs Fire
10fcr/1ll/20str/55Life/30Lr (Crafted) - Vs Light
1x Perf Bk's - vs Fire/Light
1x Perfect Raven - Vs Cold
Inventory
[I]9x 45 Life Cold Gcs
20/20/10 Anni
20/20/25 Torch
10x 20/5, FootBalls
Mb/Zero Dex Setup (105/86, 35Dr)
Weapon
2Sorc/20fcr/3Cold Mastery/3Blizzard/3 Thunder Storm/10 Energy/29 Life/2'os "Glowing Orb/Death Gyre"
P Doom Zerker 15/3
Helm
3Cold/20Fcr/2'os (2x 5/5 Cold)
Armor
P Up'd Twitch (7/9/9/10)
Belt
Arach
Gloves
98Mages/74 Trangs
Boots
P Dancers
Shield
P Storm Shld (Eld)
Rings
10fcr/21str/12dex/12life/74mana Square Blue
10fcr/19str/14dex/76mana/37Pr/8@ Square Blue
Amulet
2/10/30str/20dex/68Mana/13Cr Amulet/Fletch Gfx
Inventory
20/20/25 Torch
20/20/10 anni
9x 45 Cold Gcs
4x 20/5's + 6x 5/5 Scs
Obviously, depending on what you can afford, your gear and flexibility will vary. Reaching 105% Faster Cast Rate and 86% Faster Hit Recovery are absolutely essential. The way in which you achieve these goals is entirely up to you. If you don’t want to use a Faster Hit Recovery Grand Charm, put 7% Faster Hit Recovery jewels in your Armor, and/or Helm. There are literally endless ways to set up your Blizzard Sorceress, depending on your budget and the availability of equipment. How you reach the breakpoints is up to you, but once you reach those breakpoints, you’re going to want to actually use your Sorceress. Thus, I shall end this guide with a section on dueling strategies.
Section IV: Dueling Strategies
There are a few things you need to know before taking your Blizzard Sorceress into the Blood Moor to wreak havoc on other players. Hotkeys are essential. If you are still using the “F” keys as your hotkeys while facing adversaries, it’s time for a change. Also, it is vital to note that while this is, in fact, a Blizzard Sorceress, the Blizzard attack is by no means your primary means of taking down opponents. In this section, I will provide you with a functional hotkey set-up, and an overview of your individual attack methods and their uses, and strategies for dueling particular builds.
Hotkeys
The following is Stories' hotkey set-up. This is what works for me, and should not be considered your only option. Any variation of this set-up would work fine. It depends on what you are comfortable with. For Stories', Left Click is always Orb. The Right Click hotkeys are as follows.
Q – Battle Commands
W – Battle Orders
A – Chilling armor
S – Thunder Storm
Z – Teleport
X - Blizzard
C - Ice Blast
V - Telekinesis
Space Bar - Weapon Switch
Ice Blast is the cold version of Fire Bolt. It can deal immense damage, and also has the advantage of stunning opponents. It is widely beneficial when stomping opponents (discussed next), and is basically your main offensive attack. Frozen Orb is helpful as well. When dueling, if you find yourself chasing down an opponent with low life, Frozen Orb may be your best option in finishing them off. Blizzard is highly injurious, though it is not always your chief assault. It can be used both offensively and defensively. Telekinesis is your version of Mindblast, though sadly, it isn’t nearly as annoying. Versus opponents with low Faster Hit Recovery, it can be immeasurably profitable. Weapon Switch is important when on the defensive. I will discuss why next.
Attack and Defense Methods
These are some attack methods that many players either use improperly or do not know how to use at all. I will explain how they are done, and when I get to the actual strategy portion, I will let you know when they are appropriate. Some of them are difficult to perfect, though with time and practice, they become second nature.
Invisible Blizzard – This is similar to the Paladin’s Desynch, which allows him to seemingly disappear from your map and then reappear unnoticed. Invisible Blizzard is achieved quite simply. While immobile, cast Blizzard in any of the four corners of your Diablo 2 screen. After casting Blizzard, quickly switch to Teleport and move in the opposite direction as quickly as possible. That is to say, if you cast Blizzard in the upper right hand corner, teleport towards the bottom left hand corner. This will not only make your Blizzards invisible on your opponents screen, but also invisible on their Maphack if they use one.
Namelocking – This is done by placing your mouse over your opponents character. Once you have a hold on them and their character name is visible, left or right click and their name will remain in your casting array. Especially with attacks like Blizzard, namelocking will have opponents thinking you are using an Auto Aim hack.
Stomping – This is probably the most useful method of taking down other casters. Stomping is done by namelocking an opponent and teleporting onto their character. Once you have teleported directly onto your opponent, left click for Ice Blast while keeping your mouse steady on their toon. If you lose the namelock while switching to left click, it is probable that your Ice Blasts will hit them anyway, so long as you are facing them. For example, if you stomp an opponent and your Sorceress appears to their left, Ice Blasting to the right (regardless of having them namelocked) will knock them out in a few short seconds. Ice Blast has the benefit of stunning opponents, so once you have your adversary stomped, it’s pretty much game over.
Self Blizzard – Self explanatory, really. Put your mouse over your character and cast Blizzard. Casting Blizzard on yourself, self Blizzard. Duh.
Trailing – Trailing is easy. All you do is Self Blizzard, teleport once in any direction, and repeat. It’s called trailing because you leave a trail of Blizzards in your wake. Again, self explanatory.
Telekinesis Switch – This is just what it sounds like. As I stated, Telekinesis is the Sorceress’s version of Mindblast. If you namelock an opponent, use Telekinesis to stun them. Then, switch to Blizzard while remaining namelocked and the Blizzard will cast directly on top of them.
Weapon Switch Glitch (WSG) – This can be hard to master, but it’s vital to your survival while facing Trapper Assassins and speedy Bowazons. If you find yourself trapped in an Assassin’s Mindblast, press your weapon switch hotkey rapidly while walking or running away. You will quickly be out of your Faster Hit Recovery lock and able to Teleport to safer ground.
Now that I’ve discussed the necessary dueling techniques, it’s time to move on to specific strategies versus popular Player versus Player builds. This is the closing of my guide, and should not be taken lightly. There are a variety of ways to deal with individual opponents, but those I will provide you with will enhance your knowledge, and at least give you a basis on where to start. Everyone plays differently, so these may not always work; you must practice using your Sorceress and find the methods that best suit you.
Strategies
Amazons
Bowazons – Bowazons are one of your main problems as a Sorceress. Any good ones are fast… really fast. Your best bet here is to keep your distance and cast Frozen Orb from afar. As long as you’re not namelocked, their Guided Arrows will simply fly by you. If you notice a halt in the buzzing by of Guided Arrows, it is most likely because you’ve locked them in Dodge, Evade, or Avoid. This is your chance. Keep casting Frozen Orb as you inch up on them. Once they’re on your screen, stomp and Ice Blast. They should be dead within one or two hits.
Javazons – These characters are a joke, They will most likely try to run towards you, in which case you simply trail and wait for them to kill themselves. If they are playing defensively, that is, waiting for you to come to them, tempt them with some close range Ice Blasts. Once they start coming towards you, namelock and hold Ice Blast. They will be dead before they get a chance to use Charged Strike. If they are a Teleporting Javazon, they are equally easy. Once you see they have you namelocked, self Blizzard and avoid them. They will Teleport into an ice storm in be dead in seconds.
Assassins
Trappers – These will, undeniably, be your hardest opponent.Mindblast is very difficult to overcome. With your Tgods a single trap will not do very much damage, but you may find yourself slowly withering away under their grasp if you get caught in a set of five. My best advice is to play defensively. Trail and pray they teleport into an invisible Blizzard. Stomping a Trapper is not, I repeat, is not a good idea. You will get locked, and you will die. Keep your distance. It may take quite some time, but slowly chipping away at their health with Frozen Orb may cause them to play more aggressively, in which case trailing becomes much easier. If you get caught in a mess of Mindblasts and traps, WSG to break the Faster Hit Recovery lock and Teleport away as quickly as possible. Trappers are certainly tough, but they are not impossible to defeat. With Fade on top of stacked resistance, using your Doom may be necessary. In this case, however, I do not recommend you remove your Chains of Honor.
Whirlwind Assassins – Whirlwind Assassins are, for the most part, pretty easy to deal with. Whether they are a Hybrid Assassin or a pure Ghost, the method is the same. As a hybrid, their traps will do practically no damage, so don’t worry about dying to a lightning storm. Wait for them to start using Dragon Flight or Teleport in attempt to Whirlwind your character into oblivion. When they do, self Blizzard and they should be finished in no time. Again, if Fade is proving difficult to deal with, using Doom is a viable option.
Kickers – The purest of melee Assassins. Don’t get caught, or you will be dead in no time. Play defensively and avoid them as best as possible. Trailing here is important; a few slip-ups and said kicker will be slain.
Necromancers
Bone – Though Bone Necromancers can be difficult to catch, they are pretty easily dealt with once you’ve mastered stomping. Their Clay Golem will most likely be immune to your attacks, but thankfully there is a method of coping with this abhorrence.The only time you’re really in trouble versus a Bone Necromancer is if you get caught in an array of Bone Spirits. A fat swarm of them can take away a substantial amount of life. Avoid the Bone Spirit swarms. As for the Necromancer himself, I suggest trailing and casting invisible Blizzard as much as possible. Once they’re on your screen, stomp and cast Ice Blast. If their Golem is in the way, use Glacial Spike, as the explosive damage will slap them pretty hard. It is in this situation that you would have Glacial Spike on Left Click as opposed to Frozen Orb.
Poison – Poison Necromancers are simple. If you do get hit with a Poison Nova, you’re done, but thankfully a Poison Nova’s range is fairly acute. Avoid getting too close; don’t stomp. Trail and use invisible Blizzard to your advantage. If they get close enough for you to namelock them, use either Blizzard or Telekinesis switch. Fire Golems are not immune to your attacks, so their use as a protective shield is outmoded.
Barbarians
BvC – Barbarians versus Caster. This build is explicitly designed to take you down. They have a mess load of life, and usually, pretty high resistances. Luckily, they are not really a threat, and the method to their defeat is simple. Avoid getting caught in their Leap Attack, although, even if you do, your Faster Hit Recovery should be high enough for it not to completely stun you. When they get close, self Blizzard. They will teleport onto to you and get caught in your Blizzard attack. Keep in close range; they don’t have any long distance attacks. Self Blizzard, teleport away, rinse, wash, and repeat. Though it may take a few minutes, you should be able to take them down without getting hit… and even if you do, with 2,000 life and 3,500 mana, one Whirlwind won’t be enough to kill you. If they start a berserker craze, stay as far away as possible; the attack strategy remains the same. Stacked resistance? Doom is a plausible option. Once a well rounded BvC slaps on two Ravenfrost Rings and a +160% to Cold Resistance shield, it might be time to Save and Exit.
Melee Barbarians – Any melee class doesn’t stand a chance. Simply trail, self Blizzard, and wait. They’ll forfeit hastily.
Paladins
Hammerdins – Hammerdins can be tough, but nowhere near impossible to take down. If they are playing defensively, as in casting hammer fields and running away, you should be fast enough to get in front of them and cast a Blizzard on their next destination. If they are playing offensively, as most do, trail until they come into your view. Once they do, there’s no doubt they’ll try to stomp you. Watch for the moment of hesitation; they are trying to namelock you. Namelock them first, and simply hold Ice Blast. They will Teleport into an assortment of icy death, and along with being stunned, be dead in seconds. If they’re using a ton of Cold Resistance, using your minus resistance gear could be your best option.
Smiters – No problem here. Trail, self Blizzard, invisible Blizzard, and they should self destruct. If they get too close, try namelocking them and using Ice Blast. They should be dead before they get close enough to smite you. If they are a Vindicator/Templar build, their Fist of Heavens won’t harm you enough to be considered a threat. Charging can be a means of defeat for your Sorceress, as Smite Paladins often have intensely high Charge damage. If you get locked in a Charge, WSG and get away as quickly as possible. Then, refer back to the previous method. Stacked resistance? All minus resistance gear is feasible.
Chargers – See the second half of the above solution.
Fist of Heavens – Due to your Sorceress having stacked resistances, Fist of Heavens will not do much damage to you, especially if you don’t get within range of their Conviction Aura. Keep your distance. Telekinesis switch can be useful here, as well as namelocking with a pure Blizzard. Stomping can also prove handy, as long as you’re good at it. First timers? Don’t try stomping just yet.
Sorceresses
Fire – As I mentioned earlier in this guide, even a high damage Fireball from a Fire Sorceress will not do much damage to your life. Trail and invisible Blizzard, and try hard not to get stomped. If you see that they have namelocked you and are simply spewing Fireballs in your direction, Teleport in a circular motion around them (avoiding the Fireballs) until they are visible on your screen. Then, stomp and Ice Blast. Boom, dead.
Cold – Cold Sorceresses are probably my favorite opponent to duel. They can prove tricky, but when it all comes down to it, the winner of this battle will be the one with more skill. Trail and invisible Blizzard. If they get too close, you can do one of two things; Telekinesis switch, or stomp. Either one is effective, though the ladder a bit more so than the former. Deciphering whose Blizzard is whose can be difficult. Just remember where you cast yours. Avoid getting stomped, and you should be the victor.
Lightning – Do no stomp a Lightning Sorceress! The outrageously high damage from their Lightning attack will stun you, and if you get caught, it will be the death of you. Trail and invisible Blizzard. Eventually, they will get caught in a storm, and they will suffer the consequences.
Nova – These characters are no match for your Blizzard Sorceress. Their Novas will do very, very minimal damage, and with 86% Faster Hit Recovery, getting stunned… well, it just doesn’t happen. Namelock them when they start moving in for the Nova swarm, and cast Ice Blast. They will die in a short period of time. As for their Thunderstorm? If it has a high damage output, try to keep a bit of space between the two of you. Trail and watch them fall.
Druids
Windy – Windy Druids can be tough, but are by no means impossible. If they are playing defensively, use Frozen Orb to diminish their wolves and Oak Sage. Then, when they Teleport away to recast, run up on them, stomp, and Ice Blast their ass into demolition. If they are playing offensively, the strategy is quite different. Trail and self Blizzard, and avoid getting caught in a flock of Tornadoes. Once they’ve Teleported into one of your Blizzards, they will most likely move away from you to recast their minions. At this point, it’s time for you to take the offensive. Stomp and tear’em down. Druids, for the most part, usually have pretty bad Faster Hit Recovery as well. Telekinesis switching is not a bad method.
Shapeshifting – Whether they are Rabies, Fury, or Fire Claw, all Shapeshifting Druids will have to actually hit you to do any damage. Thus, the strategy is simple. Self Blizzard and trail. They are quite easy to overpower. If a Fury Druid has a gigantic amount of Faster Run Walk and you can’t seem to trail quickly enough, simply namelock and repeatedly smother him with Ice Blast. With the stun, he won’t be able to get close enough to hit you.
Closing
First and foremost, I would like to thank all the readers for taking the time to look through it in its entirety; I know it’s lengthy, but I was trying to be as thorough as possible. While some of you may disagree, I believe that if you try this build you will find it quite effective. Your satisfaction is important to me! If you have any questions, comments, or observations that you’d like to share, please don’t be afraid to send me a Personal Message. I think you will find I am quite friendly, and awfully forgiving. If you need help with anything, whether it be gear set-ups, dueling strategies, or simple tips, I will be there to assist you. as said at the top, I would leave me stats at the end for you to compare, so here you go
Stories (105/86)
Vs Fire - 10max Fire 3800+ Life, 200+ Fr ( -295 Cr, 8.5k Ib, 10k Blizz, 1.2k Orb)
Vs Light - 10max Light 3500+ Life, 200 + Lr ( - 290 Cr, 8,5k Ib, 9.5/10k Blizz, 1.2k Orb)
Vs Cold - 398Cr + Raven, 3500+ Life ( -265Cr, 32Life Rep, 6.5k Ib, 7.5k Blizz, 900 Orb)
I wish you the best of luck in building your Blizzard Sorceress.
Best regards, Stories
This post was edited by Stories on Sep 3 2014 10:55am