Lightning Sorceress Build for Diablo 2 Resurrected

Last updated on Feb 16, 2023 at 08:00 by MrLlamaSC 6 comments

The Lightning Sorceress is the fastest Chaos Sanctuary clearing character in the game, known for her extremely high damage output and mobility. While fragile, when you pair this Sorceress up with an Infinity Mercenary there are very few places she cannot clear quickly.

1.

Introduction

This Sorceress is decently solid but really starts to pick up in damage once Infinity becomes available to her. Conviction Conviction Aura is known for best breaking Lightning Immune Monsters, leaving them vulnerable to the extremely high damage of the Light Sorceress. Once this item is obtained she can virtually farm any area in the game without concern.

You can check the viability of this build in PvM by consulting our PvM Tier List.

2.

Lightning Sorceress Skill Build

The following section shows the core skills for the Lightning Lightning Sorceress. For a detailed breakdown of all core and optional skills as well as the recommended order for allocating skill points, refer to the Skills page of this guide.

  1. 1 point to all prerequisites
  2. 20 points to Lightning Lightning — max first, required
  3. 20 points to Chain Lightning Chain Lightning — max after Lightning, required
  4. 20 points to Lightning Mastery Lightning Mastery — max after Chain Lightning Chain Lightning, required
  5. 20 points to Charged Bolt Charged Bolt — max after Lightning Mastery Lightning Mastery, required
  6. 20 points to Nova Nova — max after Charged Bolt Charged Bolt, required
  7. 1 points to Teleport Teleport — skill right at level 18, required
3.

Lightning Sorceress Stat Points and Attributes

Strength Dexterity Vitality Energy
Enough for gear Enough for gear Everything or nothing (if Energy Shield Energy Shield) Nothing or everything (if Energy Shield Energy Shield)

You can read more details about the Stats and Attribute requirements for this build on our Skills page.

4.

Lightning Sorceress Gear

The following section shows some of the most important Items for the Lightning Lightning Sorceress. For a detailed per-slot breakdown of all Lightning Lightning Sorceress Items and alternative builds, refer to the Gear page of this guide.

5.

MrLlamaSC's Lightning Sorceress Video Guide

We also have a video guide that goes over the build, if you prefer that instead of or in addition to our written guide.

6.

Lightning Sorceress Breakpoints

In Diablo 2, stats that affect action speed (known as frames) for attacking, casting, blocking, and recovering from a hit can almost never be taken literally. For example, gaining 10% Increased Attack Speed from an item will not necessarily translate into 10% faster attacks. To achieve faster actions, certain breakpoints must be reached, which vary for every class. The tables below list how much of a given stat is required to actually improve the action speed of the class for the stated action.

6.1.

Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints

Faster Hit Recovery Breakpoints
Frames to perform action 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5
Faster Hit Recovery required to reach frame 0% 5% 9% 14% 20% 30% 42% 60% 86% 142% 280%
6.2.

Faster Cast Rate Breakpoints

Faster Cast Rate Breakpoints
Frames to perform action 13 12 11 10 9 8 7
Faster Cast Rate required to reach frame 0% 9% 20% 37% 63% 105% 200%
6.3.

Faster Cast Rate Breakpoints (Lightning/Chain Lightning)

Faster Cast Rate Breakpoints (Lightning/Chain Lightning)
Frames to perform action 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
Faster Cast Rate required to reach frame 0% 7% 15% 23% 35% 52% 78% 117% 194%
6.4.

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints

Faster Block Rate Breakpoints
Frames to perform action 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
Faster Block Rate required to reach frame 0% 7% 15% 27% 48% 86% 200%
7.

Lightning Sorceress Mercenary

You can either choose a Defensive (Holy Freeze Holy Freeze) or Offensive (Might Might) Act 2 Nightmare Mercenary here depending on if you want a slower and safer pace, or want your Mercenary to have added damage to help take care of Light immunes. We prefer a Holy Freeze Holy Freeze mercenary.

8.

Lightning Sorceress Early Leveling

This is one of the best early leveling ways to progress until ready to move into Lightning.

  1. 5 points to Charged Bolt Charged Bolt
  2. 1 point to Static Field Static Field at level 6
  3. 6 points to Charged Bolt Charged Bolt at levels 6-11
  4. All points to Nova Nova from levels 12-16
  5. 1 point to Telekinesis Telekinesis at level 17
  6. 1 point to Teleport Teleport at level 18
  7. All remaining points to Lightning Lightning

For more comprehensive leveling advice, please refer to our Sorceress Fastest Leveling Build.

9.

Changelog

  • 16 Feb. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 2.6.
  • 28 Apr. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 2.4.
  • 30 Sep. 2021 (this page): Added video guide embed.
  • 31 Aug. 2021 (gear page): Page added.
  • 31 Aug. 2021 (skills page): Page added.
  • 31 Aug. 2021 (this page): Build added.
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