The Sorceress stands out as an Intelligence-centric class in Path of Exile 2, emphasizing elemental magic prowess. Unlike the Witch class, which specializes in Chaos and Necromancy, the Sorceress unleashes various elemental spells. Expect to hurl fireballs, summon meteors, and discharge lightning at foes, showcasing the archetypal mage’s abilities.
Leveling up with a Sorceress is relatively straightforward, especially when compared to other classes like the Monk or Warrior. While she embodies a glass-cannon playstyle susceptible to damage, the right build can significantly enhance her survivability and damage output. Below, we outline one potent leveling build that effectively balances AoE and single-target damage capabilities.
Arc Sorceress Leveling Build
This build harnesses Lightning damage, with Arc serving as the primary damage dealer for both boss encounters and groups of enemies. As you progress, structure your skill bar as follows:
| Arc Sorceress Leveling Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skill | Support Gems | Notes |
| Arc |
|
Utilize for general mobbing and boss battles. |
| Spark |
|
Best when surrounded by numerous small enemies. |
| Orb of Storms |
|
Effective against bosses and stronger enemies. |
| Flame Wall |
|
Enhances Spark’s performance. |
| Ice Nova |
|
Useful for freezing foes. |
| Conductivity |
|
Utilize to lower enemy Lightning resistance. |
| Where is Tempest |
|
Ideal for fighting bosses. |
| Lightning Conduit | Attach to Cast on Shock for added passive damage. | |
| Cast on Shock | Begin with Mana Remnants until obtaining Cast on Shock. | |
| Raging Spirits | Swap out for Archmage later on. | |
As you progress through the acts with this build, be mindful that swarms will pose a significant threat. Utilizing Spark and Flame Wall, paired with the Raging Spirits buff, will be crucial for survival. In the event of overwhelming enemy numbers, deploy a Flame Wall and unleash Spark until the threat subsides. Once you acquire Lightning Conduit and Cast on Shock, managing large packs becomes much easier.
Your damage potential will greatly increase upon obtaining the Archmage buff, which boosts Lightning damage based on maximum mana, although it also raises mana costs. If you haven’t unlocked this skill yet, continue leveraging Raging Spirits for the time being.
Sorceress Leveling Build Passives
Focusing primarily on Lightning skills means prioritizing passive nodes enhancing Lightning damage and Shock duration. For improved survivability, consider picking up Energy Shield passives. Key passive nodes to pursue while leveling include:
- Raw Power
- Practiced Signs
- Open Mind
- Pure Energy
- Path of Storms
- Potent Incantations
- Lightning Quick
- Drenched
- Electric Amplification
- Pure Power
Utilize the Passive Skill Tree Filter to locate these nodes efficiently.
This build provides versatility, allowing transitions into either the Stormweaver or Chronomancer Ascendancies. However, it synergizes more effectively with the Stormweaver. If you’re set on continuing with Arc, the Stormweaver is your best bet.
For players encountering difficulties during Cruel difficulty and early Atlas maps, consider the Mind over Matter passive. This ability turns a portion of your mana into additional health, an advantageous trade-off for a mana-intensive class like the Sorceress.
Recommended Gear
Gear selection is crucial since there are limited Support Gems that directly enhance Arc’s damage. It’s essential to focus on passive skills alongside acquiring appropriate gear stats. As you select items, prioritize the following modifiers:
- Gain % Damage as Lightning Damage
- Increased Lightning Damage
- Increased Spell Damage
- Increased Elemental Damage
- +Level of All Spell Skills
- Energy Shield
- Where
- Mana Regeneration
Reserve stats like Movement Speed and Critical Hit chance for your endgame gear. Remember that Arc and other spells are classified as Spells, not Attacks. Therefore, any gear that adds elemental damage to attacks will not enhance your spell damage.
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