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 Fire Sorceress For Good mannered Sorc Vs Sorc dueling. So, with my substantial background knowledge in Diablo 2, along with a significant amount of trial and error, I devised my own build. I’m not some self proclaimed genius, nor do I claim that I am the best Fire Sorceress on East. I have simply discovered a Fire Sorceress build that works wonderfully for Svs. However I will not be giving budget options, simply put, this is not a budget build, and I will provide the statistics of my Fire 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
Fire Bolt - 20 points
Fire ball - 20 points
Meteor - 20 points
Fire Mastery - 20 points
Inferno - 1 point
Blaze - 1 point
Firewall - 1 point
Inferno - 1 point
Lightning Skills:
Lightning Mastery - 5 Points
Telekinesis – 1 point
Teleport – 1 point
Static - 1 point
Nova - 1 point
Thunder Storm - 5 points
Charged Bolt - 1 point
Lightning - 1 point
Chain Lightning - 1 point
Cold Skills:
Ice Bolt - 1 point
Ice Blast - 1 point
Frozen Armor - 1 point
Shiver Armor - 1 point
Chilling armor - 1 point
Section III: Equipment
There are several routes you could take here. Regardless of what equipment you decide to use, you must always hit 200% 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.
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
20fcr/2sorc/30str/51life/2'os diadem (Jah/Jah) - Vs Fire
20fcr/2sorc/22str/44life/40Lr/2'os (Jah/Lo) - Vs Light
20fcr/2sorc/23str/16energy/40Cr/2'os (2x 7fhr/37Cr/9dex/10@) - Vs Cold
Orbs
3/20/20/30 Eschutas Eth (7fhr/40Fr/10@/- 15 Req) - Vs Fire
3/20/20/30 Eschutas Eth (7fhr/40Lr/10@/- 15Req) - Vs Light
3/20/20/30 Eschutas Eth (7fhr/37cr/9dex/10@) - Vs Cold
Scepter
6/6/4, 3/3/3 Scepter (Cta)
Shields
Spirit of Phoenix - Vs Fire/Light
2x P Spirit Mon's - Vs Cold/Bo
Amulet
Armageddon Fletch - Vs Fire/Light/Cold
Armor
1x P Up'd vMagi, Jah - Vs Fire/Light
1x P Up'd vMagi, 7fhr/8str/4rep/30Cr - Vs Cold
Gloves
98 Mages (Perfect, double up'd) - Vs Fire/Light
Belt
P Arach - Vs Fire/Light/Cold
Boots
P Eth Treks - Vs Fire
30/10/11life/10Rep/40Lr - Vs Light
30/10/14life/8rep/40Cr Battle Boots - Vs Cold
Rings (Square Blue)
10/3Ll/22str/52life/10@Res (Crafted) - Vs Fire/Light
10fcr/1Ll/25str/50life/30fr (Crafted) - Vs Fire
10fcr/1ll/20str/55Life/30Lr (Crafted) - Vs Light
10fcr/18str/40Cr/10@res/Minor mods (Rare) - Vs Cold
10fcr/16str/40Cr/11@/Minor mods (Rare) - Vs Cold
Inventory
9x 45 Life Fire Monsters
20/20/10 Anni
20/20/25 Torch
10x 20/5, FootBalls
1x 5/5 Sc Football
Mb/Zero Dex Setup (105/86, 50Dr)
Weapon
P Eth Eschutas 7/9/9/10
Helm
3Fire/100life/2'os (2x 7/9/9/10)
Armor
P Up'd Twitch (7/9/9/10)
Belt
P Dungos
Gloves
98Mages
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 Fire Gcs
4x 20/5's + 6x 5/5 Scs
Obviously, depending on what you can afford, your gear and flexibility will vary. Reaching 200% 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 Fire 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 Fire 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, 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', I don't use left click. The Right Click hotkeys are as follows.
Q – Battle Commands
W – Battle Orders
A – Chilling armor
S – Thunder Storm
Z – Teleport
X - Meteor/Fire Wall
C - Fire Bolt
V - Telekinesis
Space Bar - Weapon Switch
Meteor, and Fire wall can deal immense damage, and also has the advantage of catching opponents off guard. It is widely beneficial when stomping opponents (discussed next), Tk is helpful as well. When dueling, if you find yourself chasing down an opponent with low life, Fire wall may be your best option in finishing them off. Fire wall 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.
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 Metoer/Firewall/Tk, 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, right click for Fire Bolt while keeping your mouse steady on their toon. If you lose the namelock, it is probable that your Fire Bolts 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, Casting Fire Bolt to the right (regardless of having them namelocked) will knock them out in a few short seconds. Fire Bolt has the benefit of stunning opponents, so once you have your adversary stomped, it’s pretty much game over.
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 Teleport while remaining namelocked and you will land 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
Vs. Paladins:
-Vs. a Hammerdin: These guys can be tough. I use FB/tele as my right click. If you're using a 200% fcr build it's a little easier once you get used to it. If he's desynching, just tele outside of his desynched area and spam at him. Duel will take forever, but there's not much you can do about it. If he's teleing, make yourseful vulnerable. Shoot at him a few times. Wait for him to tele on top of you. Get of a shot or two before he does then tele away. Eventually you will work his life down to zero. Just make sure you tele before he has a chance to hit you.
If you're using 105% fcr, tele a lot and shoot in his general direction. You will get good at figuring out where he is in relation to you by looking at your minimap.
-Vs. a V/t: These guys are even harder; especially with their charge glitch. Just keep your distance. Some of them can take a lot of hits, but they're not invincible. Stay a few screens away and shoot in their direction. If it seems like they aren't moving, tele tele tele. You don't want to get caught off guard by a charge. Just stay far away and shoot at him.
-Vs. a FOH: Tele on top of him. NL him with your tele. Tele right next to him and shoot. The only challenge here is if he charges around. Just time your NL tele so that he's not in the act of charging while you tele. If you can get a phantom tele* do it.
*When a paladin charges he leaves a shadow where he started. If your mouse is on top of him when he starts charging so that you can lock his phantom (shadow), then when you tele you will tele to where he is and not where is phantom was. This can be very effective (and they will accuse you of AA, which is always heartwarming).
Vs. Druids:
-Vs. a Windy: Windy druids are one of the easiest chars to duel against. Just get a namelock and wait for him to tele on top of you. Once he does he's finished. Just keep attacking and he will die in no time. If he's avoiding teleing on you then tele around and shoot at him. Just always beware that he's looking for his chance to jump on you. Try to keep a NL if you can. This will ensure his death if he jumps you. Don't worry about his summons or oak because they will die from splash damage on FB when he teles on you.
-Vs. a Melee: Keep your distance and get the easy kill. He can't tele, so it should be easy enough to kill him without him even getting close to hurting you.
Vs. Amazons:
-Vs. a CS zon: If she's not FC then do the same you did vs. melee Druids. If she is FC, take away her advantage by teleing on top of her. These can be tough. Start out as far away as you can so she's not expecting you (come from a WP if you have to). Tele close enough to see her on your minimap then tele away. Now you know where she is. Tele really quickly right on top of her and attack. You have to get the kill quickly or else she'll get you.
-Vs. a Bowzon: Stay far enough away that she cannot NL you. Throw a few shots in her direction. Never tele near her while she's shooting. Once she starts to run, tele right on top of her and shoot shoot shoot. Her Dodge will create and FHR lock once you get your first hit in and from then on it's all over for her.
Vs. Necros:
-Vs. a Bone Necro: Be wary of IBS trains. If he's BMing with Fire Immune summons then there isn't really much you can do. If he's playing nice then it isn't too difficult. Tele by him and give him a few FBs then tele away. Repeat. All you have to do is avoid his Spirits while you tele by. If he's being offensive and using Spear then wait til he teles at you to shoot, tele right behind him, and unload.
-Vs. a Poison Nova Necro: These guys aren't too tough. You're faster than they are, and you can see their attack coming. All you have to do is avoid their nova and you're set. If they try to tele close to you, fake a defensive maneuver. Tele 2 or 3 teles away to get them to chase you then tele on top of them and wreck them. If you want to play defensive then just stay a screen away and shoot at them.
Vs. Barbarians:
-Vs. a BvC: These guys can be very tough. It will take a long time to kill some of them, but you can do it! Timing takes a little while to get used to, but once you do it's pretty basic. Stay at least a screen away. They will chase you. Spam at them so that they tele at you. When the start to Whirlwind, tele so that they're WWing away from you and then unload a few shots. Once their WW is over, tele a few screens away again. Repeat the process until you have them dead.
Vs. a BvA: Same as BvC.
Vs. Assassins:
-Vs. a Trapsin: Trapsins are pretty basic to kill. Just keep your distance and snipe them with your minimap. Most are defensive and just sit in their traps so it shouldn't be that tough. If you put the point in Hydra, you can use it to manipulate them into vulnerable positions. If not, don't worry about it, they're still pretty easy. If you're facing an offensive trapsin, lure her in. Spam a bit and then tele away. She will chase you. Lucky for you, it takes her time to lay her traps, AND it takes time for her traps to activate. When she chases you, turn around, tele on top of her and let your FBs loose. You can usually handle a few trap hits before its time to get away. If she gets only 1 trap out then just sit it out on top of her because your FBs will kill her before her trap kills you. If she gets a bunch then get as many hits in as you can before they activate and then tele away and repeat the process.
-Vs. a WWsin: Treat as a BvC.
Vs. Sorceress:
-Vs. Light Sorc: Light Sorcs are very easy with FB. FB has greater range than lightning, so they will have to come close to get their hits in. If they stay far away, feel free to go after them. If they come after you, let them get close. Once they're near you, tele behind them and unload your FBs. If you are 105% FcR, your damage will be sufficient to kill them in a few hits. If you are 200% FcR, you have enough FcR to FhR lock her and she won't be able to attack you back.
-Vs. an Orb Sorc: Orb is an easy attack to avoid. It comes out slowly, and all of the attacks that spawn off of the orb are predictable. Just stay away from the orb (similar to a Nova Necro), and you'll be fine. Spam at the sorc. If she charges you, run. You don't want to receive the hit of a full orb. While you're running away, if she still charges after you, do similar to what you do vs. a Light Sorc. Let her get near you, tele behind her, and unload. The most effective thing is being right next to her, but you don't want to be the one getting in close. Let her come to you, then jump on her backside and she'll be dead in no time.
-Vs. a Blizz Sorc: Blizz is also an easy attack to avoid. You can see it coming down before it has a chance to hit you. Obviously, if there is a blizz above your head, get the hell out of there. If she is being defensive and blizzing over her head, keep a screen away and snipe her. Tele by her and let a few shots loose, but don't tele on top of her because her blizz wil get you. If she is being offensive, lure her in as you did the other sorcs. Tele away. Throw a few FBs in the direction that you're going to tele so that if she tries to meet you there she'll get hit. If she tries to get the jump on you, again, tele behind her and let it loose.
-Vs. a Fire Sorc: These are, in my opinion, some of the most fun duels. Try to avoid a spam war because that defeats the purpose of the duel. If your opponent is defensive then rush her. Try to NL tele and get on top of her. If she is too worried about getting away from you then you will have her dead easily once you're on top of her. Just try to get next to her and she'll be dead. If she is offensive then try the lure technique. Leave a few FBs in the direction you're going to tele. Tele there (away from your opponent to make her think you're running). When she comes to chase you, reverse your tele and tele behind her. Get a NL and let your FBs loose to wreck her. She won't know what hit her.
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 (200/86)
Vs Fire - 10 Max Fire/5Max Light, 3900+ Life, 200+ Fr
Vs Light - 10Max Fire/Light, 3800 + Life, 200+ Lr
Vs Cold - 3200 + Life, 440 + Cold Res
I wish you the best of luck in building your Fire Sorceress.
Best regards, Stories
This post was edited by Stories on Sep 3 2014 12:06pm