ES/Nova sorc - I don't get the hype

Interesting. Based on my calculations, you will do about 9% less damage to lightning immunes with GG sunder and guardian thunder (-10 light for each), but 36% more damage to non lightning immunes. But then you have to factor that LI you spend 2.5 times as long to kill, so the -9% hurts a bit more there (depending on playstyle and whether you like to skip LI)

Prior to ROTW with the GG jewels and renewed sunder, the difference would be -17% and 26%, which to me in practice seems like it could feel slower, given that more time is spent on each LI kill.

On the benefits outside of the raw damage/neg res tradeoff you have a potential additional 20% FCR on the orb and 35% on the Spirit shield which allows for 105 fcr while using

Frostburn and dual soj without a 2/20 ammy (which hurts your

Battle Orders vs. a maras)

But then on the downside, you have no mediation aura, and a potential delay proc-ing the

Conviction aura.

I agree that the ES sorceress isn't my style. For me, lightning does thousands more damage, clears very fast, and just seems better in every aspect. Except you have to aim, which isn't fun. By the way, is a steam deck considered PC?

For me (the hype) its her speed farming keys and level 85 areas. She kills things fast you don't even need high MF and I find lots of good stuff because she kills monsters fast. I don't have to worry much about her dying only a few mobs Souls and Dolls.

if you have ever run a 200fcr

Nova to farm with you would understand the hype.

Sorry if off-topic. didn't want to open a new thread. Found a curious orb today. Is it any good for leveling? What to socket in it, apart from

Tir ?
lvl req 12
+3

Nova
+6 mana
2 mdr
1 socket

Imo,

Nova is not a good leveling skill. It shines brightly with strong gear, but leveling with it in normal and nightmare is dangerous and slower than other skills.

But if you want to do it, then a

Tir is a good idea. But make sure to get some FCR (Stealth, rings etc)

Heralds have been a bit of a thorn for

Nova sorc. She's still absolutely bonkers fast, but heralds require changing to p1 or they'll take forever.

Nova is highly regarded because it can speed through p8 content extremely quickly and safely when gear is maxed out. There are things it's not great at. It's not great at

Baal runs or nilathak runs unless you do what I did and make a

Nova sorc specifically for those runs (more life than mana). It's also not the best boss killer of any kind. But you know what? That's what makes D2 great, nothing (until warlock) was best at everything. You had specialists in different areas, and

Nova was a great PvM at p8 grinder. Still is, great for spawning heralds, and if you p1 them, it'll cruise through them.

Mana burn is not a big deal. Blood is mana you just don't do unless you're spec'd for it. Bosses are not the point with that character. In my opinion, nothing clears p8 content quite like it currently with the exception of maybe

Blood Boil warlock. Mosaic sin is kinda close but with some clunky management that make it a pain.

lightning sorc can clear any area incredibly quickly, and also do heralds,

Baal, etc.

I don't see the hype either. I tried a few variants, and it's squishy anyway. I dont think it can do tier 5 heralds.

Xarz wrote: 3 hours ago

I don't see the hype either. I tried a few variants, and it's squishy anyway. I dont think it can do tier 5 heralds.

They can handle T5 heralds, I've done many myself. Just gotta be smart and careful about how you take them down.

Knappogue wrote: 3 hours ago

Xarz wrote: 3 hours ago

I don't see the hype either. I tried a few variants, and it's squishy anyway. I dont think it can do tier 5 heralds.

They can handle T5 heralds, I've done many myself. Just gotta be smart and careful about how you take them down.

Well, you have to be really smart and really really careful.