GuidelevelingPyromancyRangedSeason 6sorcerer

Firewall – Sorcerer Leveling Build for Diablo 4

Burn foes to a crisp with this fiery leveling build.

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Lexyu

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FirewallFire BoltFamiliarTeleportFrost NovaInferno


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Build Introduction

The FirewallFirewall Sorcerer deals Burning Damage to melt enemies. This build utilizes a “fire and forget” playstyle, casting FirewallFirewall to build fatal damage over time before moving on. FamiliarFamiliar seeks out enemies to supplement the Firewall Sorcerer with additional Burning Damage from Enhanced FamiliarEnhanced Familiar.

In Season 6, the newly added Aspect of Elemental ConstellationAspect of Elemental Constellation can ultimately carry any leveling build if obtained from a Legendary Item drop. The aspect rolls a wide range of 50-1050% weapon damage for the daggers. If you are lucky enough to roll even a mid-range value, use the Aspect of Elemental Constellation to deal massive damage hits to elites and bosses.

Check the Sorcerer Leveling Guide Overview for a comparison of all the starter builds on Icy Veins.

Once your Sorcerer character reaches Level 60, switch to the Endgame Guide for the Firewall Sorcerer to continue this build.

Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar

Skill Bar Setup for Firewall Sorcerer (order does not matter)
FirewallFirewallFire BoltFire BoltFamiliarFamiliarInfernoInfernoTeleportTeleportFrost NovaFrost Nova

The following table shows the order in which to allocate your Skill Points while leveling with the Firewall Sorcerer build. You gain 59 points at Level 60 and 12 points from Renown, for a total of 71.

OrderSkillCluster
1Fire BoltFire Bolt Rank 1Basic SkillBasic Skill
2Enhanced Fire BoltEnhanced Fire BoltBasic SkillBasic Skill
3FireballFireball Rank 1
(use as the main damage-dealing skill for now)
Core SkillCore Skill
4Flickering Fire BoltFlickering Fire BoltBasic SkillBasic Skill
5Enhanced FireballEnhanced FireballCore SkillCore Skill
6Greater FireballGreater FireballCore SkillCore Skill
7TeleportTeleport Rank 1Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
8Frost NovaFrost Nova Rank 1Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
9Enhanced Frost NovaEnhanced Frost NovaDefensive SkillDefensive Skill
10Mystical Frost NovaMystical Frost NovaDefensive SkillDefensive Skill
11Glass CannonGlass Cannon Rank 1Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
12FamiliarFamiliar Rank 1Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
13Enhanced FamiliarEnhanced FamiliarConjuration SkillConjuration Skill
14Invoked FamiliarInvoked FamiliarConjuration SkillConjuration Skill
15FamiliarFamiliar Rank 2Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
16FamiliarFamiliar Rank 3Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
17FirewallFirewall Rank 1
(replace FireballFireball on the Skill Bar)
Mastery SkillMastery Skill
18Enhanced FirewallEnhanced FirewallMastery SkillMastery Skill
19Mage's FirewallMage’s FirewallMastery SkillMastery Skill
20Glass CannonGlass Cannon Rank 1Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
21Glass CannonGlass Cannon Rank 1Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
22FirewallFirewall Rank 2Mastery SkillMastery Skill
23FirewallFirewall Rank 3Mastery SkillMastery Skill
24InfernoInfernoUltimate SkillUltimate Skill
25Prime InfernoPrime InfernoUltimate SkillUltimate Skill
26Supreme InfernoSupreme InfernoUltimate SkillUltimate Skill
27Fiery SurgeFiery Surge Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
28Fiery SurgeFiery Surge Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
29Fiery SurgeFiery Surge Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
30Endless PyreEndless Pyre Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
31Endless PyreEndless Pyre Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
32Endless PyreEndless Pyre Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
33FirewallFirewall Rank 4Mastery SkillMastery Skill
34CombustionCombustionCapstone SkillCapstone Skill
35FirewallFirewall Rank 5Mastery SkillMastery Skill
36FamiliarFamiliar Rank 4Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
37FamiliarFamiliar Rank 5Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
38Inner FlamesInner Flames Rank 1Mastery SkillMastery Skill
39Inner FlamesInner Flames Rank 2Mastery SkillMastery Skill
40Inner FlamesInner Flames Rank 3Mastery SkillMastery Skill
41SoulfireSoulfire Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
42SoulfireSoulfire Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
43SoulfireSoulfire Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
44Elemental SynergiesElemental Synergies Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
45Elemental SynergiesElemental Synergies Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
46Elemental SynergiesElemental Synergies Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
47EvocationEvocation Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
48EvocationEvocation Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
49EvocationEvocation Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
50PermafrostPermafrost Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
51HoarfrostHoarfrost Rank 1Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
52HoarfrostHoarfrost Rank 2Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
53HoarfrostHoarfrost Rank 3Ultimate SkillUltimate Skill
54Enhanced TeleportEnhanced TeleportDefensive SkillDefensive Skill
55Shimmering TeleportShimmering TeleportDefensive SkillDefensive Skill
56Align the ElementsAlign the Elements Rank 1Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
57ProtectionProtection Rank 1Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
58ProtectionProtection Rank 2Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
59ProtectionProtection Rank 3Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
60Mana ShieldMana Shield Rank 1Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
61Mana ShieldMana Shield Rank 2Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
62Mana ShieldMana Shield Rank 3Conjuration SkillConjuration Skill
63Elemental DominanceElemental Dominance Rank 1Core SkillCore Skill
64Elemental DominanceElemental Dominance Rank 2Core SkillCore Skill
65Elemental DominanceElemental Dominance Rank 3Core SkillCore Skill
66Energy FocusEnergy Focus Rank 1Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
67Energy FocusEnergy Focus Rank 2Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
68Energy FocusEnergy Focus Rank 3Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
69Dampen LayerDampen Layer Rank 1Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
70Dampen LayerDampen Layer Rank 2Defensive SkillDefensive Skill
71Dampen LayerDampen Layer Rank 3Defensive SkillDefensive Skill

Enchantment Slots

The Specialization of the Sorcerer can be unlocked at Level 15. Complete the Legacy of the Magi questline as soon as possible to gain access to your first Enchantment Slot, and then assign FireballFireball for group clearing. Once you unlock the second slot at Level 30, assign FirewallFirewall to it.

Build Mechanics and Playstyle

This Fire build is focused on Damage Over Time from FirewallFirewall and FamiliarFamiliar. Its damage is enhanced with CombustionCombustion, by applying other Burning sources from Fire BoltFire Bolt and InfernoInferno.

When lethal Burning damage is stacked on enemies, move on to the next group of enemies. Freeze tougher opponents and stack multiple Firewalls/Familars to build up the Damage Over Time.

Damage Rotation

Optimize DPS with the following rotation.

  1. Cast FirewallFirewall under enemies.
  2. Cast FamiliarFamiliar to auto-seek enemies for additional damage output.
  3. Cast Frost NovaFrost Nova to Freeze enemies while they are standing in multiple FirewallFirewall placements.
  4. If needed, use InfernoInferno to group enemies up and freely spam FirewallFirewall.
  5. Spam Fire BoltFire Bolt to regenerate Mana.

Gear, Gems, Elixirs, and Stats

The following sections cover the important systems that are essential to improving the power of your character during the leveling process.

Legendary Aspects

Higher Tier Aspects with more potent effects can be found on dropped Legendary Items. Salvage unwanted Legendary Items at the Blacksmith to unlock these Aspects in the Codex of Power, and then imprint them onto well-rolled Rare or Legendary Items. Check the in-depth Aspect and Codex of Power guide for more information.

Aspect of Elemental ConstellationAspect of Elemental Constellation is the most beneficial aspect that can be found on Legendary Item drops. If you are lucky enough to find the aspect with a decently rolled value, imprint it onto a Staff to double the dagger damage.

Listed below are the Aspects found on Legendary Items that are important for the Firewall Sorcerer leveling build. They are listed in order of priority.

Aspect NameLegendary Aspect PowerSource
Aspect of Elemental ConstellationAspect of Elemental ConstellationIncinerate splits into 3 beams, each dealing [70 – 85%] of normal damage.Random Drop
Aspect of Engulfing FlamesAspect of Engulfing FlamesYou deal x6% increased Burning damage to enemies for each second they remain Burning, up to x30% after 5 seconds. Additionally, you deal x [10 – 30%] increased Burning damage to enemies that are not Healthy.Random Drop
Aspect of Creeping DeathAspect of Creeping DeathYou deal x [5 – 20%] increased damage over time to enemies for each different Crowd Control effect they’re afflicted by. Unstoppable enemies and Staggered Bosses take x [10 – 40%] increased damage over time from you instead.Random Drop
Edgemaster's AspectEdgemaster’s AspectSkills deal up to [10 – 20%] increased damage based on your available Primary Resource when cast, receiving the maximum benefit while you have full Primary Resource.Oldstones, Scosglen
Conceited AspectConceited AspectDeal [15 – 25%] increased damage while you have a Barrier active.Random Drop
Aspect of the ExpectantAspect of the ExpectantAttacking enemies with a Basic Skill increases the damage of your next Core Skill cast by [5 – 10%], up to 30%.Underroot, Scosglen
Aspect of ControlAspect of ControlYou deal x [20 – 35%] more damage to Immobilized, Stunned, or Frozen enemies.Sunken Library, Kehjistan
Rapid AspectRapid AspectBasic Skills gain [15 – 30%] Attack Speed.Buried Halls, Dry Steppes
Aspect of MightAspect of MightBasic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for [2.0 – 6.0] seconds.Dark Ravine, Dry Steppes
Aspect of Searing WardsAspect of Searing WardsAfter spending [125 – 65] Mana your next Firewall is free to cast and will destroy incoming Small Missiles.Random Drop
Flamewalker’s AspectFlamewalker’s AspectComing in contact with your Firewall grants you + [15 – 25%] Movement Speed for 6 seconds.Cultist Refuge, Fractured Peaks
Aspect of the Bounding ConduitAspect of the Bounding ConduitGain [25 – 30%] Movement Speed for 3 seconds after Teleporting.Komdor Temple, Dry Steppes

Gems and Runewords

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

Weapon GemsArmor GemsJewelry Gems
AmethystAmethyst for increased Damage Over Time.TopazTopaz for Intelligence.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.

Listed below are the best Runewords utilizing Magic and Rare Runes that are beneficial for this build. The best-in-slot Runewords utilizing Legendary Runes are in the Endgame Guide for the Firewall Sorcerer.

RunewordsEffects
NeoNeo
TonTon
Gain: 200 Offering — Deal damage after not taking any within 2 seconds. (Resets if Invulnerable.)
Requires: 20 Offering, Cooldown: 1 Second — Evoke the Sorcerer’s Meteorites, dealing damage to enemies.
FeoFeo
LacLac
Gain: 1000 Offering — Become Injured or Crowd Controlled (Cooldown: 10 seconds).
Requires: 400 Offering, Cooldown: 1 Second — Evoke the Barbarian’s Challenging Shout, reducing your damage taken for 3 seconds.

Elixirs and Health Potions

Visit the Alchemist in any main town to craft helpful Elixirs that increase stats and experience gain for 30 minutes. Make sure to forage plants for Bundled HerbsBundled Herbs during your adventures; they randomly spawn around the world. Elixirs can also drop randomly from enemies and chests during many activities in Diablo 4.

  1. 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 FirewallFirewall.
  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 FortitudeElixir of Fortitude is the best general-purpose option for survivability.

Return to the Alchemist every 10 Levels to upgrade your potion. The extra healing is essential to survival.

Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes

Listed below are the affixes to prioritize on gear for Firewall Sorcerers during the early leveling process. 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 compared to other character stats.

When comparing weapons with similar item levels, Two-Handed Staves are preferred over One-Handed Weapons for higher damage per hit while leveling.

Tempering Manuals are randomly dropped while leveling, and they need to be found to unlock their usage at the Blacksmith. Each manual has Magic, Rare, and Legendary rarities that determine the range of values available. Rare Items can inherit 1 tempering affix, while Legendary Items can inherit 2 tempering affixes from different categories.

The most beneficial tempering affixes while leveling are included below. If tempering materials (Iron ChunkIron Chunk and Veiled CrystalVeiled Crystal) are limited, prioritize the Resource, Weapon, and Offensive categories. The best-in-slot tempering affixes are available in the Endgame Guide for the Firewall Sorcerer.

SlotGear AffixesTempering Affixes
Weapon1. Damage Over Damage
2. Maximum Life, Dexterity
1. Pyromancy Augments —  FieryPyromancy Augments —  Fiery (Weapon): Chance for Firewall to do Double Damage
2. Pyromancy FinessePyromancy Finesse (Offensive): Fire Damage or your highest available damage increase temper
Focus (optional)1. Cooldown Reduction, Resource Cost Reduction
2. Maximum Life, Intelligence
1. Pyromancy Augments —  FieryPyromancy Augments —  Fiery (Weapon): Chance for Firewall to do Double Damage
2. Pyromancy FinessePyromancy Finesse (Offensive): Fire Damage or your highest available damage increase temper
Helm1. Mana per Second, Cooldown Reduction
2. Resistances, Armor
3. Lucky Hit Chance, Maximum Life, Intelligence
1. Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor
Chest1. Mana per Second, Ranks to Defensive Skills
2. Resistances, Armor
3. Maximum Life, Intelligence
1. Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor
Gloves1. Attack Speed, Resource Cost Reduction
2. Resistances, Armor
3. Damage, Over Time, Maximum Life, Intelligence
1. Pyromancy FinessePyromancy Finesse (Offensive): Fire Damage or your highest available damage increase temper
Pants1. Resistances, Armor
2. Maximum Life, Intelligence
1. Worldly EnduranceWorldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor
Boots1. Ranks to Firewall, Mana per Second, Movement Speed
2. Resistances, Armor
3. Maximum Life, Intelligence
1. Natural MotionNatural Motion (Mobility): Movement Speed or any available Movement Speed temper
Amulet1. Ranks to Endless Pyre or Glass Cannon, Cooldown Reduction
2. Resource Cost Reduction, Attack Speed, Movement Speed
3. Resistances, Armor
1. Worldly StabilityWorldly Stability (Resource): Resource Generation or Resource Cost Reduction
2. Pyromancy FinessePyromancy Finesse (Offensive): Fire Damage or your highest available damage increase temper
Rings1. Attack Speed, Resource Cost Reduction
2. Maximum Life, Intelligence, Damage Over Time, Vulnerable Damage, Critical Strike Damage
1. Worldly StabilityWorldly Stability (Resource): Resource Generation or Resource Cost Reduction
2. Pyromancy FinessePyromancy Finesse (Offensive): Fire Damage or your highest available damage increase temper

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.

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 Firewall 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 (Exploit)

2. Fundamental Release (Unleash)

3. Frigid Fate (Pyromaniac)

4. Burning Instinct (Control)

5. Enchantment Master (Elementalist)

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

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 created for Season 2 (Patch 1.2.0)
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