Ill start of by saying I wanna run Brand runeword, I dont wanna opt for a Demon Machine or Kuko Shukaku

What is the best base to make Brand? And do I need IAS and if so how much?

As far as gear goes it seems that I would run/need

Flickering Flame
Razortail
Magefist
1x SOJ

As far as armor goes I assume I need a Vipermagi. That way I hit 65FCR together with Magefist and 1xFCR ring or preferably 10FCR amulet.
Plus this provides a socket for an IAS jewel if needed.

So yeah, what base do I use for brand? Iso help please

Call me a nab, but why should you trade 99% pierce (demon machine+razortail) for, well, nothing?

Point is that amp and ED don't matter since you do close to zero phisical dmg (amp proc is not gonna make zero a bigger number), and lvl 18 bone spear is at best 180avg dmg per hit as well (goes without saying that is, again, zero), since you can't boost his sinergies like a meme necro with brand could, plus the other mods on brand seems underwelming at best anyway, unless I'm really missing smthing here.


Answering your topic, just check on d2 char planner your basic attack to see ias breapoints. I would start from using a -10 base and see how you can handle the bp yourself.


Considering how hard would be to skip vipermagic for the fcr to tele, the only likely option would be, at least for theorycraft brainstorming, perf viper with 15/15 jool and 20ias amulet (most likely Hlord for +1 to enchant)


This would leave you at a wopping 35ias, good for 12frame bp on a -10bow vs, again, capped 11frame of demon machine with only 8ias from gear required, +66 pierce and a huge boost to attack rating that you heavily need in order to connect with your basic attack and then roll for the pierce.


This build has been hyped on d2r since they fixed elemental dmg working on ranged weapons in this patch, but pvm community from "old" d2legacy days has seen it decades ago (and pvp one as well with the old meme zealer/widowmaker soso variation), it's nothing new, and you don't have a better ranged option in pvm vs that stupid xbow, not on a sorc at least.

This post was edited by Banjoco on Mar 5 2023 02:24pm

Let me start by saying tyvm for all the info!

Honestly the only reason I didnt wanna opt for Demon Machine is because I wanted to use runewords that I never use PLUS it seemed, in theory, visually cool :< LVL 15 Explosive arrow goes BOOM sprinkled with some PEW PEW bonespear Provide merc with some Fana runeword and lets go

I just thought with how ridiculously strong this is for a gimmicky build, I could go with Brand and still have a decent dmg output.

Would Brand work or do you think its just better to go with Demon Machine?
And in Case Brand works do I just use the best bow I can wield with my gear or should I invest in DEX and run some higher bow?

Yeah, while I was writing the whole thing I had fana aura in my mind for better bps, but I wanted to know why u wanted a bow 1st.


If you want to go for faster bp to make the sorc thing cooler, I think it's a legit option. Ice is also a pretty gucci bow for the crown cntrll (and at least comes with 20 in build ias that is usefull)

but honestly, at this point, I would just self use faith since infinity on the merc is such a good QoL to have, plus faith does feel to have some sinergies given the 120 fire damage and attack rating boots.


with a -10 blade bow (12-13 fana roll require 40 ias, 14-15 37 -> fana roll doesn't matter) so loh (also pretty good to cover sunder -70) plus highlord you are good to go at 9 bp (max for sorc)

rest of fixed gear would be: razortail, 1 raven (cnb and a gazilion attack rating required to hit and roll for pierce)

headslot you can use flickering OR you can put in on the merc and use some combination of 2/3os circlet with facelet, it depens how much fcr you want on switch (most likely you will tele on switch side) with either lidless or spirit (156str)

It also depends how much you want to bother pre buffing enchant, but that's a whole different topic. If you don't want to go crazy with it, most likley the better switch side could be a 6os crystal sword with 6x facelet or, if u need fcr, eschuta with 1 facelet. Again with spirit/lidless.

You can ofc make never ending switches to pre buff enchant in town if you want to use cta. I do find any sort of prebuffing tedious in pve, that's why I never play sum necro (has to summon) or anything of that sort (no thx mosaic)


edit, here we go: 110fcr on switch (no pre buff) full vita or vita/energy shield mix if you like it, infinity / coh / flickering on emilio (blessed aim + infinity will make you hit stuff with 33% pierce)

https://maxroll.gg/d2/d2planner/ld01062q

I left the boots empty couz nothing has heavy sinergy with her (most likely 3res) and sc depending if you want to use all the insane amount of free skill points for ES or not.


re-edit: actually between 300%ar of faith, enchant and infinity you can skeep blessed aim aura on merc for w/ever you like.

This post was edited by Banjoco on Mar 5 2023 04:03pm