Intro
STOP HERE IF YOU DONT LIKE READING. Sorry not sorry.
Hydra Sorc is one of the strongest characters in-game but not in your general sense of damage go brrr. The ability to throw hydras and run away and cast fireballs from distance is very undervalued. However if a character can cheese anything in most mods that let it loose. It's this one. It's tanky for what it is and its farming speed is medium with small aoe. Shines on single target, boss fights and tough content.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksXURuSCjo4
Stats
Strength - Enough to wear your gear
Dexterity - Enough for max block
Vitality - Everything else
Energy - Can be invested a bit while leveling, but 0 in Endgame
Skills
1 Point :
Frozen Armor
25 Points :
Hydra - Build Name
Fireball - Build Name
Fire Mastery - Sorc's real estate
Fire bolt - Synergy
Leftovers after all skills → Meteor
Gameplay
The loop is easy to complicated depending on what you are doing.
Buff BC, BO, Frost armor, Holy Shield → Walk/Teleport → Put Hydra (number is up to you and depends on what you do) → Fireball from safety.
Baiting mobs to your hydras and dancing around your hydras is what makes this char satisfying to play. Learn that and you'll have fun. Its impossible to put into text.
Gear and Breakpoints
Important BPs to reach
FHR - Optional - From none to a comfortable spot. It's crucial in sticky situations.
FCR - 105 FCR is MANDATORY. This is a heavy casting build.
Weapon - Eschuta (early game) / Crafted Phase Blade
Crafted weapon is just too good.
Enchants: +Fire %
Sockets: +Fire Colossal Jewel +Allskill / Facets until -100 Enemy res
Off-Hand - Phoenix / Sun Tormentor / Crafted 4os Shield
Crafted is the best option again and this is normal. Use the others early on.
Sockets: +Allskill / Facets until -100 Enemy res
Armor - Arkaine's Valor / Crafted Armor
I personally chose Arkaine's Valor. Crafted can be interesting if you are rich. Not needed in general.
Enchants: PDR or Max All Resistances.
Sockets: +Allskill / Facets until -100 Enemy res
Helm - Gillian''s Tiara / Crafted Diadem
Tiara early, its fantastic. Crafted can't be beat.
Enchants: +2 Fire Skills
Sockets: +Allskill / Facets until -100 Enemy res
Gloves - Burning Soul / Crafted Gloves
Burning soul are really nice pre-late game.
Crafted gloves go from abysmal to BiS. Aim for FCR, everything.
Enchants: FCR
Boots - Zero Effect
Zero effect all the way, don't craft if you wanna play comfortably.
Enchants: HP
Belt - Kashya's Ward
Natural utility, defensive slot for Hydra Sorc if you aren't going all in. And I don't recommend any other.
Best defensive belt in the game and there is nothing else scratching the surface.
Enchants: Low Priority Enchant. 50HP or 4PDR. Nothing to be worried.
Amulet - Crafted +2 All skills and Elemental % / Any unique with +2 All skills
You can start off with any amulet that gives you All Skills + QoL. Later on Craft your first one, probably gonna suck but use it and enchant it. Min-Max Later.
Enchants: +Sorc Skill levels.
Rings - Any +skills amulet / Crafted Elemental % + 1 All Skills
Any literally, even rare. Not a fan of Jordan and refused to use it. It just a +all skills stick with nothing useful.
Crafted Rings are great endgame they will up your game in damage and more if you are lucky. Get them.
Enchants: +FCR
ON SWAP
Call to Arms + Savant Sin (benefit from Holy Shield)
Charm Inventory
Almost all charms.
A5 IP Man
2 x Plague
Holy Aura armor (4 Bers)
Andariel Visage (4 Bers)
Crafted Crushing blow gloves
Zero Effect
Kashya's Ward
Dual Bul-Kathos
Amulet is TBD
Conclusion
It just works.