There are many endgame setups in Diablo 2: Resurrected, and with the Sundering Charms added in Ladder Season 2, some of the builds have shifted. More unique builds have become possible, while some builds remained strong or have become even stronger. Here is the endgame for the Chain Lightning Sorceress.

Chain Lightning Build

The Chain Lightning build has been one of the strongest builds for the Sorceress since the original Diablo 2. With the Sundering Charms, it’s even better. The main skill you’ll be using is Chain Lightning, which is actually all you need, as it flashes through mobs of enemies and kills them all.

As Chain Lightning is one of the heaviest builds, you will need to be at least Lv. 94 to complete the skill tree synergies. The synergies for Chain Lightning are Lightning, Nova, and Charged Bolt. Obviously, you'll have to master Lightning Mastery as well. After you’ve completed the synergies, it’s recommended to use your remaining skill points on Warmth.

Equipment

Helm: Griffon’s Eye / Harlequin Crest

Weapon: Crescent Moon (ShaelUmTir on Axe/Sword/Polearm) / Eschuta's Temper

Armor: Chains of Honor (DolUmBerIst) / Skin of the Vipermagi / Ormus’ Robe

Shield: Spirit (TalThulOrtAmn) / Phoenix (VexVexLoJah)

Gloves: Magefist / Trang-Oul’s Claws

Belt: Arachnid Mesh

Boots: Sandstorm Trek / Aldur’s Advance / Rare resist boots

Amulet: Mara’s Kaleidoscope / Rare FCR +2 skill amulet / Crafted FCR(+20%) +2 skill amulet

Rings: Stone of Jordan / Bul-Kathos’ Wedding Band / Rare FCR ring

Swap: Call to Arms (AmnRalMalIstOhm) & Spirit (TalThulOrtAmn)

Setting up your equipment for the Chain Lightning build could be tricky as you have to fulfill the 117% FCR breakpoint while maintaining high resists because you won’t be using Energy Shield to absorb damage. Still, the addition of Sundering Charms allowed more diversity in the item selection.

The equipment in bold is the most recommended build. One last detail is that you want to add Rainbow Facet jewels that grant 5% lightning damage and -5% to enemy lightning resistance wherever possible. Make sure you fill your inventory with the Hellfire Torch, Annihilus, Lightning skill charms, life/mana charms, and resist charms.

Stats

All stats should go to Vitality as long as you can wear all the equipment. Usually, you need to have 156 strength, including all the additional stats, to wear the Monarch Spirit or Phoenix. If you don’t like having to invest stats on Strength, you’ll need to be satisfied with using the Lidless Wall.

Mercenaries

Act 2 Holy Freeze / Prayer

Helm: Andariel’s Visage / Tal Rasha’s Horadric Crest / Vampire Gaze / Crown of Thieves

Armor: Fortitude (ElSolDolLo) / Treachery (ShaelThulLem) / Gloom (FalUmPul)

Weapon: Infinity (BerMalBerIst)

*Since the durability of the equipment mercenaries use doesn’t wear out, Ethereal equipment is better on your mercenaries.

Utilizing your mercenaries is a must when aiming for the endgame, especially when playing a single-element build like the Chain Lightning Sorceress. The mercenary for the Chain Lightning build starts and ends with the rune word Infinity. The Lv. 12 Conviction aura granted from Infinity reduces 85% of enemy resists, which allows your Sorceress to hunt them down much faster. Although the effect of the Conviction aura is reduced to 1/5 on Lightning immune enemies if you use the Lightning Sundered Charm, it’s still effective on the non-immune enemies.

Infinity is often made on several different base equipment, but since the 2.5 patch, the most popular base is the Mancatcher. It has the fastest attack speed and decent damage. Other than the Mancatcher, recommended bases are Cryptic Axe, Great Poleaxe, Giant Thresher, and Thresher. Note that the -x% to enemy lightning resist isn’t effective when you use Infinity on the mercenary — just keep an eye on the enhanced damage.

There are several choices for the helms and armors, but Andariel’s Visage and Fortitude should always be your no.1 choice. The additional attack speed and life steal from Andariel’s Visage, and the enhanced damage from Fortitude is too big to ignore. Make sure you make a socket on Andariel’s Visage to equip a Ral rune or a jewel with +30% fire resist and 15% attack speed to make up for the -30% fire resist.