D2R Firewall Hybrid Sorc Guide

Introduction

This guide focuses on the Firewall / Frozen Orb Hybrid Sorceress build in D2R. This build combines the raw damage of Firewall with the impressive crowd control of Frozen Orb, making it ideal for both PvM and PvP. It's an excellent choice for players who enjoy unique builds, with multidimensional damage sources. We'll delve into the skills, gear, and mercenary choices to ensure you're fully equipped to survive in Hell difficulty while maintaining efficient farming times. 

Skills

The skill distribution for this build focuses on maximizing the damage output of Firewall and Frozen Orb, as well as synergies and utility skills. Something to note here is that given Firewall's lack of effective synergies (warmth being decent, and inferno being a weak synergizer (+1% damage), it is unnecessary to invest more than around 60  points in Firewall, Synergies and Fire Mastery. Frozen orb is similar, with only one synergy and mastery making it a great secondary damage and cc spell.

• Fire Spells:
1. Fire Bolt (1 point): Pre-requisite
2. Fireball (1 point): Pre-requisite
3. Firewall (20 points): Primary fire damage spell.
4. Warmth (10+ point): Mana regeneration skill and a new synergy to Firewall in D2R (+4%)
5. Inferno (1 point): weak synergy to Firewall (+1%)
• Cold Spells:
1. Ice Bolt (1+ point): Pre-requisite and synergy
2. Ice Blast (1 point): Pre-requisite 
3. Frost Nova (1 point): Pre-requisite 
4. Glacial Spike (1 point): Pre-requisite 
5. Blizzard (1 point): Pre-requisite 
6. Frozen Orb (20 points): Primary cold damage spell.
7. Cold Mastery (10+ points): Increases cold damage by lowering enemy resistances. This caps out at -150 resistances, so don’t skill the ability past this.
• Lightning Spells:
1. Static Field (1 point): A must-have for all sorceresses, reducing enemy health by a percentage.
2. Telekinesis (1 point): Pre-requisite for Teleport.
3. Teleport (1 point): A vital mobility skill.

Remaining skill points can be placed into Fire Mastery to further boost Firewall's damage or Ice Bolt for additional Frozen Orb damage.

Stat Allocation

• Strength: Enough to equip gear (typically around 110 to 120).
• Dexterity: Enough for max block if using a shield like Stormshield, otherwise leave at base.
• Vitality: All remaining points.
• Energy: Base, as your gear should provide sufficient mana.

Recommended Gear:

Helm: 

Harlequin Crest (Shako) socketed with an Um rune or a 5/5 Fire Facet.

Crown of Ages is a Hardcore optioning offering superior survivability at the cost of strength investment

2/20FCR circlet to reach higher teleport FCR (note your primary abilities have spell cast delay)

Armor:
Chains of Honor (Dusk Shroud or Archon Plate base). Enigma is also viable, and saves teleport skill points. Vipermagi or Ormus can be viable if FCR is opted for. 

Weapon 1: 

Heart of the Oak (Flail base) for +3 all skills, resistances, and 40FCR. Eschutas, Occulus, or Death’s Fathom can be viable but lack the well roundedness of Hoto.

Weapon 2: 'Call to Arms' runeword in a Flail or Crystal Sword for the pre-buff.
Shield 1: Spirit Monarch for FCR, mana, and resistances.
Shield 2: Spirit Monarch for pre-buff.

Gloves: Magefist for FCR and mana regeneration. Or Trangoul’s if you prefer Cold res.
Belt: Arachnid Mesh for FCR and skill bonuses.

Boots: Sandstorm Trek, War Traveler, or Waterwalk for a mix of stats and survivability.

Amulet: Mara's Kaleidoscope for +2 to all skills and resistances.

Rings: Stone of Jordan for +1 to all skills and mana, and a Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band or a rare/crafted ring with FCR, resistances, and life/mana.

Charms: Your standard anni/torch and fire skillers should make up the majority of your inventory. If you require any FHR to hit your desired breakpoints, consider investing in small charms. Otherwise, focus on finding life and fire resistance charms to offset the Fire Sunder you should be using. Do not use cold as well unless you are sure you can survive. It is very difficult to try and offset -100 resistances as well as an additional -140 from 2x Sunder Charms.  

MF Alternative build

If you are opting into an MF build, here are some item choices you can consider. Remember, that you’re a hybrid, and your individual damage sources are already suboptimal. Be careful that you don’t sacrifice too much damage for MF in case you become less efficient.

• Helm: Shako (Ist rune)
• Armor: Enigma (Huge str and MF boost)
• Weapon: Oculus with Ist 
• Shield: Spirit Monarch
• Gloves: Chancies
• Belt: Goldwrap (upgraded for extra potion slots)
• Boots: War Travellers
• Amulet: 2/10/MF Amulet
• Rings: FCR rings with life, mana, and resistances and MF, or Nagelrings, or magic rings with +40%MF
• Gheeds

Mercenary

 Act 2 Mercenary:

The Act 2 Nightmare Defensive (Holy Freeze) or Offensive (Might) Mercenary is the best choice for this build. The Holy Freeze aura helps with crowd control, while the Might aura increases your mercenary's damage output. Given you already have Frozen Orb, it is recommended you opt into Might. Prayer can also be useful although the life regen is minor.

Gear Recommendations:

• Weapon: Infinity runeword in an ethereal Thresher or Giant Thresher for the Conviction aura, which lowers enemy resistances, greatly improving your elemental damage for both damage sources. 
• Helm: Andariel's Visage (socketed with a Ral rune or 15% IAS jewel) for life steal, increased attack speed, and +2 to all skills. 15ias jewel is required to hit the maximum attack speed breakpoint when wielding a thresher. 
• Armor: Fortitude runeword in an ethereal elite armor for enhanced damage, resistances, and life.

If Infinity is not attainable due to its high D2R Runes cost, consider using Insight  for the Meditation aura, which helps with mana regeneration, or Obedience for high damage and resistances.

Playstyle and Tips:

• Start by casting Frozen Orb from a safe distance to slow and damage groups of enemies.
• Cast Firewall under slowed or stationary enemies for massive fire damage.
• Use Static Field on high health enemies, especially bosses, to reduce their health quickly.
• Teleport around the battlefield to maintain a safe distance and position yourself strategically.
• Make sure to maintain your Battle Command and Battle Orders buffs from 'Call to Arms.'
• Switch to your secondary weapon setup to pre-buff your skills and cast your buffs before switching back to your primary setup.
• Keep your mercenary alive, as his Conviction aura from the Infinity weapon greatly enhances your damage output.
• Use full rejuvenation potions you find along the way, and don't forget to repair your gear regularly.

This Firewall / Frozen Orb Hybrid Sorceress build provides a versatile and powerful playstyle, suitable for both PvM and PvP. It’s fun, unique and visually stimulating while being extremely effective.Your spells have cast delay do require some time to get used to, but together provide a good layering of dual sourced elemental damage.