April 12, 2021
-Build created

January 12, 2022
-Build updated for Season 4 

ATTRIBUTES

1. Strength - All you want, in terms of Strength, is enough of it to equip everything you will want to use on your character 
2. Dexterity - you can increase your Block Chance by adding extra Dexterity, though I wouldn't personally spend too many here
3. Vitality - all the remaining Points should go into Vitality to boost your survivability
4. Energy - no Points needed here. If you play Energy Shield and you feel like you could use some extra Mana, you definitely could though

COLD SPELLS

Obviously, this is your primary Skill Tree where most of your core Spells come from including Frozen Orb, its' synergies, Cold Master, and Shiver Armor. Shiver Armor requires no more than 1 Point allocated in it, but it's simply mandatory to have it there

Skills:

1. Cold Enchant [1/20] - a prerequisite for Shiver Armor
2. Shiver Armor [1/20] - the best Sorceress defensive Spell that boots your Defense Rating. The damage it deals on hit is negligible but the extra Chill may come in handy
3. Ice Bolt [20/20] - Frozen Orb's synergy which increases its' damage
4. Ice Blast [20/20] - again, allocate 20 Points here to increase the damage of your Frozen Orb
5. Glacial Spike [1/20] - prerequisite only
6. Frost Nova [1/20] - prerequisite only
7. Blizzard [1/20] - prerequisite only
8. Frozen Orb [20/20]  - primary Spell used in this build, so you are obviously looking to max it out as soon as possible. It requires some practice to cast it properly so that it does its' maximum damage, hitting the same target with as many shards as possible (usually you need to cast directly at the enemy moving your way from a medium distance)
9. Cold Mastery [20/20] - Boosts your Cold Damage and adds Cold Resistance Penetration

LIGHTNING SPELLS

A lot of important and even more useful Utility Spells can be found here. Both Static Field and Energy Shield are optional but for just 1 Point each makes your life so much easier. If you don't feel like using them (or just don't like to switch between Skills that much) you can just skip them and allocate just Telekinesis/Teleport from this Tree

Skills:

1. Telekinesis [1/20] - Teleport's prerequisite
2. Teleport [1/20] - the best mobility Spell in Diablo 2 which makes the Sorceress such a popular character class
3. Static Field [1/20] - a great utility Spell against Cold immune monsters and Bosses. It reduces the Maximum Life of enemies in radius by 25% making it easier to  finish off Bosses or greatly helping your Merc to take down immune monsters
4. Energy Shield [1/20] - a great defensive Spell that boosts your defenses by redirecting some of the incoming damage to your Mana pool. It works best if you have all the recommended gear with extra Mana and Mana Regeneration, Tal's Belt, and extra Points spent on Warmth Passive

Just one Passive Skill is needed from this Tree - Warmth. It's extremely important not to forget to allocate at least one point in it, or you may run into some serious Mana Management issues

Skills:

1. Warmth [10/20] - increases your Mana Regeneration Rate. You need at least 1 Point here, and preferably around 10 or more if you are using Energy Shield (or simply if you don't have enough regen on your gear to constantly recast Frozen Orb)

As always, you want to increase the level of All Skills/All Sorc Skills or Cold Skills to the highest level possible. In terms of DPS, the second most important stat is Faster Cast Rate (FCR) - realistically you should be able to get to the 105% FCR one with the recommended gear. You should also try getting Sockets on all your items wherever possible and place some Ists inside for extra Magic Find. 

HELMETS

[BIS] Harlequin Crest (Shako) - the best option for the Helmet Slot which adds a ton of extra MF stat, and +2 to all Skills

• Defense: 98 to 141
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 12
• Required Level: 62
  • +2 to All Skills
  • +1-99 to Life(1 per character level)
  • +1-99 to Mana(1 per character level)
  • Damage Reduced By 3-5% (varies)
  • 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
  • +2 to All Attributes

Nightwing's Veil (Spired Helm) - offers the highest possible DPS bonus bot no bonuses to Magic Find. You could still try getting some sockets on it and put extra Ists for the MF, but the same goes for Shaco

• Defense:303 to 352
• Required Strength: 96
• Durability: 40
• Required Level: 67
  • +2 to All Skills
  • +5-15% Cold Skill Damage (varies)
  • +10-20 to Dexterity (varies)
  • +5-9 Cold Absorb (varies)
  • Half Freeze Duration
  • Requirements -50%
  • -(5-10)% to Enemy Cold Resistance (varies)

WEAPONS

[BIS] The Oculus (Swirling Crystal) - a great and inexpensive Sorceress Orb which adds up to 3 Skills, high FCR, and a very high MF bonus. If you want to max your MF this is basically the only viable option here

• One-Hand-Damage: 18 to 42
• Required Level: 42
• Durability: 50
  • +2-3 To Sorceress Skill Levels (varies)
  • +5 To Mana After Each Kill
  • All Resistances +10-25 (varies)
  • 2% Chance To Cast Level 1 Teleport When Struck
  • +30% Faster Cast Rate
  • +20 To Vitality
  • +20 Energy
  • +20% Enhanced Defense
  • 50% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items

Death's Fathom (Dimensional Shard) - An undisputed top choice for damage. It's rather expensive and does not provide any MF, however. 

• One-Hand-Damage: 30 to 53
• Required Level: 73
• Durability: 100
  • +3 to All Skills 
  • +30% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +[20-30]% to Cold Skill Damage (varies) 
  • Lightning Resist +[25-40]% (varies) 
  • Fire Resist +[25-40]% (varies) 
  • +[2-5] Life after each Kill (varies) 

Call to Arms (Rune Word) - this Rune Word consisting of Amn • Ral • Mal • Ist • Ohm runes should be used on Weapon swap. You can cast the Warcries to buff your stats and return to your regular Weapon. The bonus stats are a great help on Hell difficulty. Can be used in a 5 socket Double Axe or some other low-level one-handed melee weapon with low stat requirements. To maximize the effect, you should use CtA with a +2 Skills shield (a Lidless Wall, for example). 

• Defense: Depends on base Weapon 
• Required Level: 57
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon ​​​​​
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Amn • Ral • Mal • Ist
  • +1 to All Skills 
  • +40% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +250-290% Enhanced Damage 
  • Adds 5-30 Fire Damage 
  • 7% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • +2-6 To Battle Command 
  • +1-6 To Battle Orders 
  • +1-4 To Battle Cry 
  • Prevent Monster Heal 
  • Replenish Life +12 
  • 30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items 

SHIELDS

Splendor (Rune Word) - a great and inexpensive option. It grants +1 to all Skills, high FCR, and up to 30% Magic Find. +2 Skill Lidless with open sockets will be better, but surely more expensive. Splendor is best created by socketing the required Eth and Lum Runes in a Grim Shield or Troll Nest which offer decent defenses and have a low Strength requirement

• Defense: Depends on base Shield 
• Required Level: 37
• Required Strength: Depends on base Shield ​​​​​
• Durability: Depends on base Shield
• Eth + Lum
  • +1 To All Skills
  • +20-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
  • +20% Faster Block Rate
  • +60-100% Enhanced Defense (varies)
  • +10 To Energy
  • Regenerate Mana 15%
  • 50% Extra Gold From Monsters
  • 15-30% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)
  • +3 To Light Radius

Lidless Wall (Grim Shield) - Lidless wall is a good choice for Weapon swap, FCR makes you cast Warcries faster, and +2 to Skills will increase their bonuses. With extra sockets and Ists it could be technically used as your Main Shield as well

• Defense: 271 - 347
• Required Level: 41
• Required Strength: 58
• Durability: 70
  • +80-130% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +1-2 to All Skills (varies) 
  • Increase Maximum Mana 10% 
  • 20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +4-6 to Mana After Each Kill (varies) 
  • +10 to Energy 
  • +1 to Light Radius 

AMULETS

[BIS] Tal Rasha's Adjudication - a pretty much mandatory Amulet for this setup. It grants +2 to All Skills, other valuable bonuses, and a high MF bonus if you are using three parts of the Set (which is recommended in this particular setup)

• Required Level: 67
  • +2 To Sorceress Skill Levels
  • Lightning Resist +33%
  • Adds 3-32 Lightning Damage
  • +32-52 To Mana (varies)
  • +40-60 To Life (varies)
  • +10% Faster Cast Rate (4 Items)

ARMORS

[BIS] Tal Rasha's Guardianship (Lacquered Plate) - this Armor provides a very high bonus to Magic Find and by using the three recommended parts (Amulet, Belt, Chest) you get an additional 20% FCR and 40% Magic Find

• Defense: 833-941 (varies)
• Required Strength: 84
• Durability: 55
• Required Level: 71
  • +400 Defense
  • Requirements -60%
  • Magic Damage Reduced By 10-17 (varies)
  • Cold Resist +40%
  • Lightning Resist +40%
  • Fire Resist +40%
  • 60-100% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items (varies)
  • +10% Faster Cast Rate (2 Items)

Enigma (Runeword) - You can't go wrong with an Enigma on a MF build. It's great for damage, mobility, survivability, and magic find. 

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 65 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base Armor 
• Jah + Ith + Ber  
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • +25% Faster Run/Walk 
  • Level 1 Blink* (5/5 Charges)
    Replenish 1 Charge in 3 Seconds
  • +500-775 Defense (varies) 
  • +[0-74] to Strength (+[0.5-0.75] per Character Level) (varies)
  • Increase Maximum Life 5%
  • Damage Reduced By 4%
  • 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
  • [0-74]% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items ([0.5-0.75]% per Character Level) (varies)

RINGS

Nagel Ring - offers up to 40% Magic Find which is the highest you can get on the Ring. The other bonuses are negligible though and all around, a Rare FCR/Small MF Rings will be better

• Required Level: 7
  • Magic Damage Reduced by 3
  • +50-75 to Attack Rating (varies)
  • Attacker Takes Damage of 3
  • 15-40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)
  • +1 Mana After Each Kill

Raven Frost - mainly for the Freeze immunity, as the game gets much harder if you get slowed down by Cold Damage. It can also be obtained by corrupting other Items, so then it would be recommended to use another Ring here

• Required Level: 76
  • +150-250 Attack Rating (varies)
  • 15-45 Cold Damage
  • +15-20 Dexterity (varies)
  • +40 Mana
  • Cold Absorb 5-10% (varies)
  • Cannot be Frozen

Rare FCR/MF Rings - good rolled Rare Rings with 10% FCR, 10%+ Magic Find are the best option. You can also get some extra Attributes, Resistances, and Life here

• Recommended stats:
  • 10% Faster Cast Rate
  • 10%+ increased Magic Find
  • Attributes
  • Resistances
  • Life

GLOVES

[BIS] Magefist (Light Gauntlets) - the best Gloves to maximize your DPS. They make it so much easier to reach the 105% FCR breakpoint. A pair with corrupted Magic Find shouldn't also cost a fortune. You should get ones with +Cold Skills, obviously. 

• Defense: 24 - 25 
• Required Level: 23
• Required Strength: - 45
• Durability: 18
  • +1 to [Fire, Lightning, Cold, or Poison] Skills 
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • Adds 6-36 Fire Damage or Adds 1-45 Lightning Damage or Adds 10-18 Cold Damage or +60 Poison Damage over 3 Seconds
  • +[20-30]% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +10 Defense 
  • Regenerate Mana [10-25]% (varies) 

Frostburn (Gauntlets) - These gloves can give you up to -10% to Enemy Cold Resistance and a healthy boost to the mana pool. A solid and versatile addition to the build. 

• Defense: 39-59 
• Required Level: 29
• Required Strength: 60
• Durability: 24
  • Adds 14-28 Fire Damage 
  • Adds 6-22 Cold Damage 
  •  +[20-40]% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +[20-40] Defense (varies) 
  • Increase Maximum Mana [15-25]% (varies) 
  • -[5-10]% to Enemy Fire Resistance (varies) 
  • -[5-10]% to Enemy Cold Resistance (varies) 

BOOTS

War Traveler's (Battle Boots) - the best pair for this particular setup thanks to high Magic Find bonus

• Defense: 120 to 139
• Kick Damage: 37 to 64
• Required Strength: 95
• Durability: 48
• Required Level: 42
  • +150-190% Enhanced Defense (varies)
  • 25% Faster Run/Walk
  • +10 to Vitality
  • +10 to Strength
  • Adds 15-25 Damage
  • +40% Slower Stamina Drain
  • Attacker Takes Damage Of 5-10 (varies)
  • 30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)

BELTS

[BIS] Tal Rasha's Fine Spun Cloth (Mesh Belt) - a must-have if you are using Tal's Armor and Amulet. It also greatly boosts your Mana recovery allowing you to use Energy Shield with better effectiveness

• Defense: 35-40 (varies)
• Required Strength: 47
• Durability: 16
• Required Level: 53
• 16 boxes
  • Requirements -20%
  • 37% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
  • +20-40 To Mana (varies)
  • +20 To Dexterity
  • 10-20% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items (varies)
  • +60 Defense (2 Items)
  • +10% Faster Cast Rate (3 Items)

• Replenish Life +10 (2 Items)
• 40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (3 Items) 
• +25% Faster Hit Recovery (4 Items) 
• +3 to Sorceress Skill Levels (Complete Set) 
• +150 Defense (Complete Set) 
• +50 Defense vs. Missile (Complete Set) 
• +150 to Life (Complete Set) 
• All Resistances +25 (Complete Set) 
• Display Aura (Complete Set) 

CHARMS

1. Gheed's Fortune - obviously a must-have for this Magic Find build
2. Hellfire Torch - again, the BiS Unique Large Charm which increases your Vitality, Skills, and more
3. Annihilus - similar to Hellfire Torch, this Unique Small Charm boosts All Skills, Stats, Vitality, and Resistances
4. Grand Charms - with Cold Skill and Life or Magic Find preferably
5. Small Charms - if your Resistances aren't all capped at 75 you can get small charms with some MF and Resistances. You can also get extra Life on those

MERCENARY

We recommend picking up Act 2 Defiance Mercenary for extra damage mitigation bonuses. He should be equipped with:

1. Insight Rune Word in Ethereal Elite Spear for Meditation Aura which increases your Mana Regeneration. Pretty much a must-have if you want to use Energy Shield
2. Fortitude Rune Word in Armor - making the Mercenary nearly immortal with massive defensive stats
3. Dracul's Grasp Gloves - extra Life Steal and IAS makes it one of the best options for the Gloves slot
4. Vampire's Gaze - for high Life Steal and damage reduction or any other Life Leech Unique Helmet
5. String of Ears - very high damage reduction again
6. Gore Rider Boots - for Deadly Strike and Crushing Blow greatly boosting the merc's DPS

END NOTE

This is the Magic Find version of one of the most popular Sorcerer builds in the game, based on the best Cold Spell for that character class. If you would like to find out how to set it up for more challenging content let us know in the comments below. Also, if you feel like some parts of this guide like more item options, recommended farming spots, etc. are missing, we would like to hear back from you!