EndgameShockRangedSeason 6sorcerer

Chain Lightning – Sorcerer Build for Diablo 4

Shock foes with endless bolts of Chain Lightning!

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Lexyu

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Chain LightningTeleportFrost NovaIce ArmorFlame ShieldUnstable Currents


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Build Introduction

The Chain LightningChain Lightning Sorcerer build releases shockingly powerful electricity that bounces through the battlefield. It is designed to inflict substantial damage by hitting a single target repeatedly, or by chaining through enemies in a group. Storm through endgame activities with an endless barrage of Chain Lightning!

If you used our Chain Lightning Sorcerer Leveling Guide, this is the perfect build to transition into the endgame. This article adds the best-in-slot aspects and stats on gear, as well as the entire Paragon setup.

The major changes from the leveling build to this endgame build are:

When you obtain the required Unique Items, make sure to consider the following build variants for the Chain Lightning Sorcerer:

If your character has not reached Level 60, follow the Leveling Guide for the Chain Lightning Sorcerer.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths
  • High burst damage
  • Endless Mana generation without a Basic Attack
  • Fast movement and dungeon clearing
  • Multiple Defensive Skills for survivability
Weaknesses
  • Damage partially reliant on Crowd Controlled enemies or Staggered bosses
  • Requires proper Mana and Cooldown management
  • Lacks survivability when Defensive Skills or Crowd Controls are inactive

Check the build tier lists to see how this build compares to others on Icy Veins.

Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar

Skill Bar Setup for the Chain Lightning Sorcerer (order does not matter)
Chain LightningChain LightningFrost NovaFrost NovaTeleportTeleportIce ArmorIce ArmorFlame ShieldFlame ShieldUnstable CurrentsUnstable Currents

The Skill Tree above shows the full allocation of 71 Skill Points for the Chain Lightning Sorceress build. Make sure you obtain the 12 Skill Points available from Renown.

HoarfrostHoarfrost is activated through a Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze temper and also works against Staggered Bosses.

Enchantment Slots

Non-Ultimate Skills can be equipped in two available Enchantment Slots. A skill must have at least one skill point allocated to it in order to be used in the Enchantment Slot. Skill points that have been granted through gear work as well.

Slot FireballFireball in the first Enchantment Slot to supplement Area of Effect Damage into the build, since Chain LightningChain Lightning has limited targeting. Do not equip Fireball on the Skill Bar. Alternatively, slot TeleportTeleport for the Telestomp build variant.

Slot Fire BoltFire Bolt in the second Enchantment Slot. This applies Burning to enemies for Devouring BlazeDevouring Blaze and Burning Effects from Paragon. Do not equip Fire Bolt on the Skill Bar.

Paragon

After Character Level 60, experience gains are applied to Paragon up to Level 300. A maximum of 228 Paragon Points can be obtained through Paragon Levels, Renown, and Altars of Lilith. Follow the Paragon setup designed for the Chain Lightning Sorcerer to gain a considerable amount of progression for your character.

Glyphs are inserted into sockets on each Paragon board and can be found during various activities in Diablo 4. Level up the Glyphs included in the Paragon setup by completing The Pit. Clearing higher tiers of The Pit allows Glyphs to reach higher levels.

Important Notes:

  • Make sure you select the correct Legendary Boards and rotate them into the proper orientation.
  • Attach Legendary Boards in the order shown, as bonus requirements of Rare Nodes increase with their placement order.
  • Prioritize leveling each of your equipped Glyphs to 15 to gain the increased radius, which can be required to meet additional bonus requirements.

1. Starting Board (Unleash)

2. Fundamental Release (Control)

3. Frigid Fate (Flamefeeder)

4. Static Surge (Destruction)

5. Enchantment Master (Expoit)

Paragon boards courtesy of d4builds. Click here for the planner.

Gear, Gems, Elixirs, and Stats

The following sections cover the important systems that are essential to improving the power of your character in the endgame of Diablo 4.

Legendary Aspects

Listed below are all the best-in-slot Aspects for the Chain Lightning Sorcerer build. Salvage Legendary Items with higher Aspect values to unlock them in the Codex of Power, and then imprint them onto Legendary Items with the preferred affixes.

Accelerating AspectAccelerating Aspect provides Attack Speed for more DPS, but the increase becomes diminished with other sources of stacking Attack Speed from Gear, Paragon, and Elixir. Mana is also drained faster with a higher Attack Speed. Use Offensive Aspects with separate damage multipliers instead, such as Conceited AspectConceited Aspect and Storm Swell AspectStorm Swell Aspect.

Gear SlotAspect NameLegendary Aspect Power
Amulet (+50% bonus effect)Lightning Rod AspectLightning Rod AspectChain Lightning has a 25% chance to deal 50-80%[x] increased damage. This chance is doubled against Bosses or Crowd Controlled enemies and prefers them as targets.
Ring Slot #1 (Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies optional)Recharging AspectRecharging AspectEach time Chain Lightning bounces off you, gain [1.5 – 3.0] Mana.
Ring Slot #2 (replaced by Tal Rasha's Iridescent LoopTal Rasha’s Iridescent Loop)Conceited AspectConceited AspectDeal [15 – 25%] increased damage while you have a Barrier active.
Gloves (Fists of FateFists of Fate optional)Aspect of Shredding BladesAspect of Shredding BladesIce Blades’ chance to apply Vulnerable is increased by 20% and the Vulnerable duration is increased by 4 seconds. You gain x [15 – 30%] Vulnerable Damage.
Note: Ice Blades are not required to gain the Vulnerable Damage.
One-Handed Weapon or FocusStorm Swell AspectStorm Swell AspectYou deal x [15 – 35%] increased damage while Ice Armor is active. This amount is increased by another 15% against Frozen enemies.
One-Handed Weapon or FocusAspect of the Unbroken TetherAspect of the Unbroken Tether Chain Lightning has a [30 – 40%] chance to chain 4 additional times.
Helm (replaced by Heir of PerditionHeir of Perdition or Andariel's VisageAndariel’s Visage)Snowveiled AspectSnowveiled AspectIce armor makes you unstoppable and grants you 25% Damage Reduction for [3.5 – 5.0] seconds.
Chest (replaced by Raiment of the InfiniteRaiment of the Infinite or Tyrael's MightTyrael’s Might)Everliving AspectEverliving AspectYou take [20 – 25%] less damage from Crowd Controlled or Vulnerable enemies.
Pants (replaced by Axial ConduitAxial Conduit)Aspect of DisobedienceAspect of DisobedienceYou gain [0.4 – 0.7%] increased Armor for 4 seconds when you deal any form of damage, stacking up to [25 – 40%].
Boots (replaced by FlickerstepFlickerstep)Aspect of the Bounding ConduitAspect of the Bounding ConduitTeleport’s Cooldown is reduced by [1.0 – 2.5] seconds. After Teleporting, Crackling Energy hits 2 additional enemies for 5 seconds.

Gems and Runewords

Listed below are the best Gems to socket into gear for each item type.

Weapon GemsArmor GemsJewelry Gems
Grand EmeraldGrand Emerald if Critical Strike Chance is capped at 100% or Grand SapphireGrand Sapphire.Grand TopazGrand Topaz for Intelligence or Grand AmethystGrand Amethyst for increased Barrier Generation.Any Resistance Gems needed or SkullSkull for Armor (up to the 1,000 Armor cap).

Runes are unlocked during the Vessel of Hatred campaign and then start dropping during various activities. A Rune of Offering and a Rune of Invocation can be combined by inserting them into equipment with two available sockets, creating a Runeword. A limit of two Runewords can be equipped.

Insert one of the following Runewords, consisting of a Rune of Offering and a Rune of Invocation, into your equipped Staff. The other Runeword can be inserted into any equipped Helm, Chest, or Pants item. Add sockets to your equipment at the Jeweler if necessary.

RunewordsEffects
TamTam
GarGar
Gain: 25 Offering — Cast a non-Channeled Core Skill.
Requires: 25 Offering, Cooldown: 1 Second — Gain 2.5% Critical Strike Chance for 5 seconds, up to 25%.
LithLith
OhmOhm
Gain: 25 Offering — Stand still for 0.3 seconds.
Requires: 600 Offering, Cooldown: 2 Seconds — Evoke the Barbarian’s Enhanced War Cry, increasing your Movement Speed and damage dealt.

If you prefer to stutter-step (move in between attacks), replace LithLith with MoniMoni.

Elixirs

Visit the Alchemist in any main town to craft helpful Elixirs, or find Elixirs by killing enemies or opening chests during various activities in Diablo 4. Listed below are the best Elixirs to consume for the Chain Lightning Sorcerer, ranked by importance.

  1. Elixir of PrecisionElixir of Precision provides the highest damage output increase, if not already capped at 100% Critical Strike Chance.
  2. Elixir of AdvantageElixir of Advantage increases damage output, if not already capped at 100% Attack Speed bonus from gear and Paragon.
  3. Elixir of ResourceElixir of Resource helps with Mana issues, if you do not already have the appropriate Mana gear. This elixir is highly recommended for starting characters to maintain constant casts of Chain LightningChain Lightning.
  4. Elixir of FortitudeElixir of Fortitude is the best general-purpose option for survivability. Increased Maximum Life grants larger Barriers from ProtectionProtection and Ice ArmorIce Armor.

Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes

Listed below are the affixes to prioritize on gear for Chain Lightning Sorcerers. Each line of affixes are listed in order of importance. Affixes on the same line are considered to be equally important, but their benefits may vary depending on how much is stacked or other character stats. Bolded affixes are the most important targets for Masterworking upgrades.

A One-Handed Weapon and Focus setup is preferred over a Staff, due to the beneficial utility affixes available on a Focus. A Wand or a Dagger is selected for useful implicit stats.

The priority order of Resistances is Lightning > Poison > Fire > Cold > Shadow. Maximum Resistance is 70% by default for each element.

Armor is only needed until capped at 1,000.

If you are using a speed setup with Teleport Enchantment, temper the Evade Cooldown Reduction affix from the Natural Motion Manual onto your Boots and Amulet. Otherwise, temper the Movement Speed or Teleport Cooldown Reduction affixes.

Check the Tempering and Masterworking section for more details on Blacksmith upgrading.

SlotGear AffixesTempering Affixes
One-Handed Weapon1. Maximum Life, Intelligence, Vulnerable DamageShock Augments — SurgeShock Augments — Surge (Weapon): Chance for Chain Lightning to Hit Twice
Shock FinesseShock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Damage
Focus1. Critical Strike Chance, Cooldown Reduction
2. Resource Cost Reduction, Lucky Hit Chance to Restore Primary Resource
3. Maximum Life, Intelligence
Shock Augments — SurgeShock Augments — Surge (Weapon): Chance for Chain Lightning to Hit Twice
Shock FinesseShock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Damage
Helm1. Cooldown Reduction
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Mana per Second, Maximum Life, Intelligence
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Frost CageFrost Cage: Ice Armor Duration
Chest1. Ranks to Defensive Skills
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Mana per Second, Maximum Life, Intelligence
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Frost CageFrost Cage: Ice Armor Duration
Gloves1. Ranks to Chain Lightning, Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Lucky Hit Chance, Maximum Life, Intelligence, Vulnerable Damage
Shock FinesseShock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Damage
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Pants1. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
2. Maximum Life, Intelligence
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor up to 1,000 cap, otherwise Frost CageFrost Cage: Ice Armor Duration
BootsImplicit Stat: Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown
1. Movement Speed
2. Any uncapped Resistances or Armor
3. Mana per Second, Maximum Life, Intelligence
Natural MotionNatural Motion (Mobility): Evade Cooldown Reduction
Worldly FortuneWorldly Fortune (Utility): Lucky Hit Chance to Freeze
Amulet1. Ranks to Devouring Blaze, Hoarfrost, Glass Cannon, Elemental Dominance
2. Critical Strike Chance, Cooldown Reduction
3. Attack Speed
Ultimate Efficiency —  SorcererUltimate Efficiency —  Sorcerer (Resource): Unstable Currents Cooldown Reduction
Shock FinesseShock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Damage
Rings1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed, Resource Cost Reduction
2. Lucky Hit Chance, Maximum Life, Intelligence
Ultimate Efficiency —  SorcererUltimate Efficiency —  Sorcerer (Resource): Unstable Currents Cooldown Reduction
Shock FinesseShock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Damage

Unique and Mythic Items

Listed below are the recommended and optional Unique Items for the Chain Lightning Sorcerer build. Each item description includes the most important affix to target for Masterworking upgrades.

  • Axial ConduitAxial Conduit (highly recommended) enables Chain LightningChain Lightning to deal Area of Effect damage. Check the Axial Conduit section for the full setup.
    • Masterworking Priority: Damage Reduction from Close Enemies
  • Andariel's VisageAndariel’s Visage (optional build variant) utilizes Chain LightningChain Lightning to proc poison novas, shifting the main source of damage in the build. Check the Andariel’s Visage section for the full setup.
    • Masterworking Priority: Life on Hit
  • Raiment of the InfiniteRaiment of the Infinite (highly recommended) enables the Telestomp playstyle to group and Stun enemies.
    • Masterworking Priority: Ranks to Glass Cannon
  • Tyrael's MightTyrael’s Might (optional) is the best defensive option for a Chest Armor, although this Mythic Unique Item can be difficult to obtain. The divine barrage does not contribute a significant portion of the total damage in this build.
    • Masterworking Priority: Damage Reduction
  • FlickerstepFlickerstep (recommended) synergies well with the Telestomp setup, as the unique effect works with the Evade Teleport to provide more uptime on Unstable CurrentsUnstable Currents. The Evade Cooldown reduction in the implicit effect has a 2.5 seconds value, which is 1 second more than the value available on Legendary Boots.
    • Masterworking Priority: Damage Reduction from Close Enemies
  • Tal Rasha's Iridescent LoopTal Rasha’s Iridescent Loop (recommended) can provide up to a 75% damage multiplier with 3 elemental stacks.
    • Masterworking Priority: Cooldown Reduction
  • Ring of Starless SkiesRing of Starless Skies (optional) can replace Recharging AspectRecharging Aspect, but it is not equipped in the final version of the build with Axial ConduitAxial Conduit.
    • Masterworking Priority: Critical Strike Chance or Ranks to Core Skills
  • Heir of PerditionHeir of Perdition (recommended) grants the highest damage increase for the slot.
    • Masterworking Priority: Critical Strike Chance or Ranks to Core Skills
  • Harlequin CrestHarlequin Crest (optional) is helpful for additional Ranks to Chain LightningChain Lightning, 20% Damage Reduction, and a boosted Cooldown Reduction affix.
    • Masterworking Priority: Cooldown Reduction
  • Fists of FateFists of Fate (optional) increases overall damage by 50% with a perfect 300% value on the unique effect and is comparable to well-rolled Legendary Gloves with +4 Ranks to Chain LightningChain Lightning, Attack Speed, Critical Strike Chance, and an Offensive Aspect.
    • Masterworking Priority: Attack Speed or Critical Strike Chance

Mercenaries

Once the Den is unlocked during the main questline in the Vessel of Hatred expansion for Diablo 4, complete Mercenary key quests to acquire them. Hire a Mercenary and enlist a Reinforcement in the following setup.

Advanced Information

Additional details are provided in the following sections for a more in-depth explanation of the Chain Lightning Sorcerer. Read this advanced information after understanding the basic overview of the build in the previous sections.

Build Mechanics

The Chain Lightning Sorcerer is highly mana efficient due to Recharging AspectRecharging Aspect and Crackling Energy utility. Destructive Chain LightningDestructive Chain Lightning form Crackling Energy to absorb for Mana gains with Shocking ImpactShocking Impact. Crackling Energy also reduces the cooldown of Unstable CurrentsUnstable Currents, TeleportTeleport with Overflowing EnergyOverflowing Energy.

Cast Frost NovaFrost Nova to freeze an entire pack of enemies and apply Vulnerable with Mystical Frost NovaMystical Frost Nova.

Damage Rotation

Use the following rotation to optimize damage.

  1. Cast TeleportTeleport (If you have Raiment of the InfiniteRaiment of the Infinite) to Stun enemies.
  2. Cast Frost NovaFrost Nova to Freeze enemies and apply Vulnerable with Mystical Frost NovaMystical Frost Nova.
  3. (Optional) Activate Unstable CurrentsUnstable Currents against tough Elites and Bosses. This Ultimate Skill can be used often due to Overflowing EnergyOverflowing Energy, but make sure it is available for Bosses at the end of dungeons.
  4. Spam Chain LightningChain Lightning.
  5. Cast Flame ShieldFlame Shield or Ice ArmorIce Armor for protection and Unstoppable when needed.
  6. Repeat the rotation, making sure to allow Mana to fill completely before using Frost NovaFrost Nova.

Telestomp with Raiment of the Infinite

Raiment of the InfiniteRaiment of the Infinite allows the Chain Lightning Sorcerer to use 2 sources of TeleportTeleport offensively. Teleporting on top of enemies to Stun and group them up is called “Telestomping”. This playstyle can quickly clear groups of enemies and keep them Crowd Controlled (CC) for safety, perfect for speed-farming Helltides, Nightmare Dungeons, and The Pit!

Use the following setup for the Telestomp Chain Lightning Sorcerer.

  • Equip Raiment of the InfiniteRaiment of the Infinite to enable Telestomps. Target-farm Raiment of the Infinite from Varshan or Lord Zir for the best chances of it dropping.
  • Replace FireballFireball with TeleportTeleport in the Enchantment Slots.
  • Equip Boots with the implicit effect, Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown, which work with the Evade Teleport.

Axial Conduit Chain Lightning Sorcerer

The late endgame version of the Chain Lightning Sorcerer utilizes Axial ConduitAxial Conduit to enable Chain LightningChain Lightning to explode, providing the build with previously lacking Area of Effect damage. Target-farm Axial Conduit from Uber Grigoire to empower the Chain Lightning Sorcerer in endgame activities with high monster density, such as Inferno Hordes and The Pit.

Axial ConduitAxial Conduit causes resource management to become more difficult due to the heavy Mana drain for each active Chain LightningChain Lightning included in its unique effect. Therefore, Healing from WarmthWarmth is utilized to generate Mana through Starlight AspectStarlight Aspect. Stand close to enemies Burning from Fire Bolt Enchantment to benefit from this setup.

Make the following changes to the original version of the Chain Lightning Sorcerer to generate enough Mana in this variant build:

Andariels Visage Chain Lightning Sorcerer

Andariel's VisageAndariel’s Visage transforms the Chain Lightning Sorcerer into a specialized Damage Over Time (DoT) build, shifting the main source of damage from Chain LightningChain Lightning to poison novas. This Mythic Unique Item has a low chance of dropping from Uber Duriel or Uber Andariel.

Chain LightningChain Lightning is utilized with Axial ConduitAxial Conduit for the high amount of hits and Lucky Hit Chance to proc poison novas from Andariel's VisageAndariel’s Visage. Stand close to enemies for additional procs from the orbiting Chain Lightnings.

Resource Management is completely solved with the Life on Hit affix on Andariel's VisageAndariel’s Visage generating Mana through Starlight AspectStarlight Aspect. Prioritize Masterworking bonuses on the Life on Hit affix for the best results.

Make the following changes to the original version of the Chain Lightning Sorcerer to transform it into a Poison DoT build:

Obol Gambling

Obol gambling is a great way to potentially find item upgrades or items missing from your build. Use Obols on your target equipment for a chance to receive Greater Affixes. Check out the new tool from Icy Veins for gambling Obols in the link below.

Obol Gambling Optimization Tool

Changelog

  • October 4th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 6 (Patch 2.0.2).
  • August 6th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 5 (Patch 1.5.0).
  • May 14th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 4 (Patch 1.4.0)
  • January 22nd, 2024: Guide updated for Season 3 (Patch 1.3.0).
  • October 17th, 2023: Guide updated for Season 2 (Patch 1.2.0).
  • August 4th, 2023: Guide released for Patch 1.1.1.
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