Sorcerer Mastery Leveling Build for Last Epoch (Patch 1.1)

Mage is our base class to start this character off with. We use this tree in order to gain valuable Intel, which helps our Ward Retention. This Intel will also eventually give us Ward Decay Threshold, once we get late into our Sorcerer tree. We can also choose to go emergency ward with Reactive Ward or Mage Flurry, depending on if we need more cast speed then what our gear is giving us. We also use this part of the tree to gain valuable Critical Strike Multiplier and Chance.

• 8 points into Arcanist: This gives us a strong base for our Intel Stat, and gives us a head start on our Fire Resistance (We want to be at 150%).
• 1 point into Scholar: We take this point in order to reach the next node.
• 6 points into Reactive Ward: This allows us to have a burst of 6 ward, for every 10 points of max health if you go under 70% HP. (1000 HP = 600 Ward, 1500 HP = 900 Ward, ETC.) This can happen once every 12 seconds.
• 5 points into Knowledge of Destruction: This gives us valuable Critical Strike Multiplier and Chance.

Although we unlock the Sorcerer class, we will immidiately putting 5 points into the Runemaster tree. We do this in order to unlock  Flame Rush, our movement skill, and start to scale the automation between it and  Static Orb.

• 5 points into Unsealed Mana: This give us a welcome gain to our mana and cast speed. Two items we will want when we get closer to the end game.

After investing the 20 points in the Base Mage tree and 5 points into the Runemaster tree, we will be living in the Sorcerer tree. All Remaining points we gain will go here. This passive tree brings brings some welcomed changes in 1.1. Most noteably to our Ward mechanic and base spell damage. The following list is written in the order you should aquire these points in order to gain the appropriate power spikes as you level.

• 5 points into Arcane Momentum: This will give us stacks, up to 5, that give us an increase of up to 25% cast speed.
• 6 points into Calculated Destruction: This gives us Intel, but also gives us an increase to our Critical Strike Chance of 3% per point of Intel that we have.
• 8 points into Essence of Celerity: This works in cohession with our Arcane Momentum with each stack we also gain spell damage and increase our movespeed as well.
• 1 point into Ceraunomancer: This is used to move to our next node.
• 5 points into Rift Bolt: This gives us Lightning Penetration, increasing our damage and life leech from lightning damage. This will eventually stack with our Blessing  Hunger of the Void.
• 5 points into Crackling Precision: We increase our Critical Strike Chance.
• 5 points into Arcane Obliteration: Adds a large Critical Strike Multiplier to our attacks.
• 8 points into Arcane Insight: This adds a good chunk of Intel to our character, and gives us 5 Ward Decay Threshold per point on Intel.
• 5 points into Spell Slinger: This gives us base damage to our spells, and increases our cast speed.
• 5 points into Archmage: This gives us even more base damage to our spell, however, it also will give us a chance to refund mana used. We aim for 300 or more mana to double these values.
• 5 points into Recollection: This decreases the cooldowns of our spells, more specifically  Flame Rush. When scaled, it will reduce the cooldown of Flame Rush by 43% (this assumes 150% Fire Resistance).

 Frost Claw is our primary spam skill that we will use to proc  Elemental Nova. Depending on gear, there are two scaling options. If you notice that mana is a sigificant problem the youll take the 2 points from Hand of Morditas and Volley of Glass instead putting them into Artor's Sceptre. All other points remain the same.

• 3 points into Gift of Winter: Lowers the mana cost and give us a % chance to gain 12 mana when we cast Frost Claw.
• 3 points into Artor's Sceptre: This adds damage to our Frost Claw, but after we convert it to lightning, will also give us a chance to shock.
• 1 point into Frost Beyond Time: After conversion, will increase the duration of shock.
• 3 points into Celestial Conflux: This will give our  Elemental Nova a chance to trigger on the target when Frost Claw reaches the location (per cast, not projectile).
• 1 point into Spark Artillery: Converts Frost Claw to Lightning damage.
• 1 point into Rending Cascade: We take this node in order to move to the next.
• 1 point into Frozen Reign: This decreased the mana cost.
• 1 point into Fen of the Frozen: We take this node in order to move to the next.
• 1 point into Brightfrost: This node increases our cast speed, but also cleanses a random ailment per cast (if you have any on you.)
• 1 point into Hand of Morditas: This adds 2 projectiles, but also adds to the mana cost.
• 1 point into Volley of Glass: This allows the projectiles to hit independently of eachother, significantly increasing the damage. This also adds a massive mana cost.
• 3 points into Shiver Shell: We gain ward every time we cast Frost Claw.

 Elemental Nova is used with Frost Claw, there is no reason to have it on the bar once we have scaled Celestial Conflux. With this, we put  Focus on the bar in order to have access to emergency mana between pack fights. This skill will be constantly critically striking large swaths of enemies and stunning those it does not kill.

• 1 point into Lightning Nova: This enables only Lightning nova, which is all we care about, since its the element we scale.
• 1 point into Spark Charges: We only use this node to move to another.
• 5 points into Overcharge: This gives us a high chance for our Lightning Nova to be Overcharged, a harder hitting version of the nova.
• 4 points into Overload: This makes the overcharged nova hit even harder.
• 2 points into Elemental Expanse: This increases the area of the Lightning Nova.
• 3 points into Charged Destruction: This adds a massive +9% chance for our Nova's to Critical Strike.
• 4 points into Arcana Elementorum: This adds even more damage to the Nova and more area.

 Flame Rush once scaled, will be all that we should need for most packs and monsters. This is because of the automation with  Static Orb. Every cast of Flame Rush, will send and obliterating swarm of revolving porjectiles that will decimate your enemies near and far.

Note:Take only 1 skill point in each node until you reach Beta Decay

• 3 points into Blazing Flux: Flame Rush uses less mana and has a shorter cooldown. The values are double with 150% Fire Resistance.
• 3 points into Runic Eclipse: This node gives you damage reduction, that is even more effective against DoTs.
• 1 point into Lunar Protection: We gain Ward per second while we are in the ball, and a burst once we come out of it.
• 1 point into Energy Equivalence: This node converts our Flame Rush from fire to lightning damage.
• 1 point into Beta Decay: This node will allow us to cast  Static Orb everytime we Flame Rush.
• 3 points into Celestial Guidance: This allows are damage reduction effects from Runic Eclipse to last longer, not just while in the ball.
• 3 points into Solar Rush: This node allows us to move faster and further with Flame Rush.
• 5 points into Smolder and Burn: This will allow us to shred 5 stacks of Lightning Resistance from enemies hit with Flame Rush.

 Static Orb will be our primary DPS skill, however, this comes with automation and reduced mana cost, thanks to Beta Decay. This skill can also be casted manually with no cooldown for boss encounters, but be weary of the mana cost.

• 1 point into Shocking Conduit: This node gives our Static Orb a chance to shock enemies.
• 1 point into Insidious Focus: This disables the pull from our orb, but drastically cuts the mana cost.
• 1 point into Orbital Fulmination: This allows Static Orb to orbit around you, as opposed to being cast away from you. This prevents the orb from shooting out from behind our  Flame Rush.
• 1 point into Forking Surge: This creates additional tendrils that hit enemies that are too far for the orb to directly hit.
• 3 points into Open Circuit: This adds damage, and projectile speed to the Orb.
• 4 points into Scatter Blast: This node will add smaller, but also hard hitting, orbs with the main Static Orb. Totalling to now 5 total projectiles.
• 3 points into Volatile Outburst: This node adds significant damage, as the orb orbits further from you.
• 1 point into Static Armor: This node, will give you Lightning Aegis, a strong defesive and defensive buff, when Static Orb is casted. A strong Damage Reduction (25%) to you, and adding 50% increased Lightning Damage.
• 1 point into Storm Burst: We add more area and damage, but it will cause the orb to destruct after 4 meters. This is fine, as the Orb with orbit us.
• 4 points into Critical Trajectory: Adds 100% Critical Strike Multiplier for Static Orb.

 Flame Ward is the Mage Defensive Standard, and this Leveling Build is no exception. With Flame Ward active, we gain a significant amount of damage reduction while it's active. We also gain a large chunk of ward whenever we cast it. Use this when in danger, or to prep for a dangerous hit.

• 3 points into Dilation: Increases the duration and mana efficiency of Flame Ward.
• 2 points into Stalwart Defense: Gain more ward when we cast Flame Ward.
• 1 point into Desperate Defense: Gain ward based on our missing HP when Flame Ward is casted.
• 2 points into Fuel The Flames: We gain 20% more ward, but increase the cooldown of Flame Ward.
• 1 point into Dual Aegis: We gain an extra charge of Flame Ward.
• 5 points into Barrier: We gain an additional 40% reduction from hits, totalling 70%.
• 3 points into Prismatic Buffer: We will also take 30% less damage from elemental damage when Flame Ward is active.
• 3 points into Shrewd Shielding: Gain more mana efficiency to Flame Ward, further reducing its mana cost.