TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bear Sorceress Introduction & Overview
The Bear Sorceress is a little known, but quite fun build which is still viable in D2R. It utilizes a Dream Shield and a Dream Helm to deliver up to 60k lightning damage per hit. The Bear Sorc has great survivability compared to other sorceress builds, thanks to the +120% life bonus when transforming into Werebear form. While the build’s attacking speed is quite slow, it one-hits almost any monster. However if you want to do Magic Finding, this is not a build to farm with.
Bear Sorceress Pros and Cons
Pros
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Cons
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Bear Sorceress Gameplay
Playing solo: Gameplay is very unique with this build. Firstly you should cast a Frozen Armor, Battle Orders, Battle Command and Enchant on yourself. Then you should switch weapons and put on a Beast Runeword weapon, allowing you to transform into a werebear. Then you should switch to your weapon of choice for attacking. Unfortunately %increased attack speed no longer boosts attack speed like it used to, so having IAS on your items is unnecessary. You should just run around and one-hit monsters. Make sure to wear a Lightning Sunder charm to deal with lightning immunes.
Playing in a party: Your party members will be grateful if you buff them and their mercenaries with Enchant. Otherwise gameplay is the same as in solo.
Playing Hardcore: Unfortunately the build is not HC viable
Bear Sorceress Skills
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Cold Spells
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Lightning Spells
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Fire Spells
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Bear Sorceress Stat Points
Strength
Allocate enough Strength points to be able to wear your gear.
Dexterity
Allocate enough Dexterity points to be able to wear your gear.
Vitality
Put all your points on Vitality.
Energy
Don’t put any points on it.
You can re-stat your character by the quest reward of Akara’s Act1 Den of Evil Quest, or by using Token of Absolution.
Bear Sorceress Mercenary
You should have an Act2 Holy Freeze Aura mercenary equipped with an Infinity runeword weapon for resistance reduction and crowd control.
Bear Sorceress Item setups
Helm: Dream runeword Bone Visage/Diadem
Amulet: Metalgrid / Mara’s Kaleidoscope
Weapon: Last Wish runeword / Phoenix runeword / any weapon of your choice
Switch Weapon: Call to Arms + Beast runeword
Shield: Dream Troll Nest
Switch Shield: Spirit Monarch
Body Armor: Chains of Honor runeword
Belt: Arachnid Mesh
Rings: 2*Raven Frost / 2*Stone of Jordan
Gloves: Magefist / Dracul’s Grasp
Boots: Gore Rider
Charms: Lightning Sunder Charm, Any charm with +skill, life, resist or FHR will help.
Notes: Aim for 75% all resistances. You can use magic and rare items in any of your gear slots, and can also use them for your Mercenary.
Mercenary Gear
Helm: Ethereal Andariel’s Visage socketed with Ral rune
Body Armor: Ethereal Fortitude Archon Plate
Weapon: Infinity runeword (preferably in Ethereal Thresher)
