Introduction
The Chain Lightning Sorcerer build unleashes a barrage of lightning that jumps to each enemy, electrifying them in a dazzling show of magical power. This is your leveling guide for the Diablo 4 Server Slam Beta, with Skill Point allocation up to the max level 20. The Chain Lightning Sorcerer is easily capable of blasting through the entire Fractured Peaks content that is available. Let us go over the build mechanics, character progression, and playstyle!
Chain Lightning has received a beneficial rework in Diablo IV and can now bounce off the Sorcerer themselves. It can therefore jump between a single enemy and the Sorcerer multiple times to destroy the toughest bosses and elites quickly. Against a group of mobs, Chain Lightning prioritizes enemies with each jump to deal optimal damage.
This build excels in both mob density clearing and single target boss fights. Zap your foes with electrifying power with the Chain Lightning Sorcerer!
Skill Tree Points
The following table shows the order in which to allocate your Skill Points for the Chain Lightning Sorcerer build. You gain 19 points at Level 20 and 2 points from completing Renown in Fractured Peaks, for a total of 21.
| Order | Skill | Cluster |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Frost Bolt | Basic |
| 2 | Enhanced Frost Bolt | Basic |
| 3 | Chain Lightning | Core |
| 4 | Glinting Frost Bolt | Basic |
| 5 | Enhanced Chain Lightning | Core |
| 6 | Greater Chain Lightning | Core |
| 7 |  Teleport | Defensive |
| 8 |  Frost Nova | Defensive |
| 9 | Enhanced Frost Nova | Defensive |
| 10 | Shimmering Frost Nova | Defensive |
| 11 | Chain Lightning Level 2 | Core |
| 12 |  Hydra | Conjuration |
| 13 | Chain Lightning Level 3 | Core |
| 14 | Chain Lightning Level 4 | Core |
| 15 | Chain Lightning Level 5 | Core |
| 16 | Enhanced Teleport | Defensive |
| 17 | Shimmering Teleport | Defensive |
| 18 |  Devastation | Core |
| 19 |  Elemental Dominance | Core |
| 20 | Elemental Dominance Level 2 | Core |
| 21 | Elemental Dominance Level 3 | Core |
Mechanics and Playstyle
The Chain Lightning Sorcerer build is fairly simple to play due to the Core Skill doing the majority of the damage for both density clearing and single target fights. Starting with six chains, each cast hits the same target four times if there are no other enemies around. Its high damage per hit also destroys groups of mobs efficiently. Once Chain Lightning reaches level 5, its damage is further increased with the Elemental Dominance.
Frost Bolt and Frost Nova are both built to generate Mana for more Chain Lightning. A single Skill Point in Hydra is used as an additional damage source. No Sorcerer would be complete without Teleport for mobility.
Engage battles at range with the Damage Rotation shown below, and then use the Mana Generator Rotation to recover and finish off wounded enemies.
Damage Rotation
- (Optional) Against bosses and tough elites, cast Hydra nearby the target.
- Spam Chain Lightning until you need to generate Mana.
Mana Generator Rotation
- (Optional) Teleport into the middle of mobs to close the gap.
- Cast Frost Nova to Freeze all enemies.
- Spam Frost Bolt at Frozen or Chilled enemies to generate Mana. Enhanced Frost Bolt has a 100% chance to explode against Frozen enemies, allowing you to finish off any remaining enemies.
Enhancement 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 Enhancement Slot. Choose to enhance Chain Lightning to activate an additional cast for every 100 Mana spent.
Codex of Power
Recharging Aspect can be unlocked in the Codex of Power by completing the Zenith dungeon in Fractured Peaks. Visit the Occultist to imprint this aspect onto an item to gain 4 Mana each time Chain Lightning bounces off you. An amulet is a good choice for imprinting Aspects since the effects gain a 50% bonus.
Legendary Item Aspects
Listed below are the Aspects found on Legendary items that are important for the Chain Lightning Sorcerer build. They are listed in order of priority.
| Aspect Name | Legendary Aspect Power |
|---|---|
| Recharging | Each time Chain Lightning bounces off you, gain # Mana. |
| Unbroken Tether | Chain Lightning has a #% chance to chain # additional times. |
| Control | You deal #%[x] more damage to Immobilized, Stunned, or Frozen enemies. |
| Prodigy | Using a Cooldown restores # Mana. |
| Edgemaster | Skills deal up to #%[x] increased damage based on your available Primary Resource when cast, receiving the maximum benefit while you have full Primary Resource. |
| Rapid | Basic Skills gain #%[+] Attack Speed. |
| Might | Basic Skills grant 25% Damage Reduction for # seconds. |
| Unwavering | Taking direct damage has a #% chance to reset the Cooldown of one of your Defensive Skills. |
| Bounding Conduit | Gain #% Movement Speed for 3 seconds after Teleporting. |
| Frostblitz | Frost Nova gains an additional Charge but the Cooldown per Charge is increased by #%. |
| Eluding | Becoming Injured while Crowd Controlled grants you Unstoppable for 4 seconds. This effect has a # second Cooldown. |
| Disobedience | You gain #%[x] increased Armor for 4 seconds when you deal any form of damage, stacking up to #%[x]. |
| Expectant | Attacking enemies with a Basic Skill increases the damage of your next Core Skill cast by #%[x], up to 50%[x]. |
| Biting Cold | When you Freeze an enemy there is a #% chance they become Vulnerable for 3 seconds. |
| Vengeful | Making an enemy Vulnerable has up to #% chance to grant 3%[+] increased Critical Strike Chance for 3 seconds, up to 9%[+]. |
| Inner Calm | Deal #%[x] increased damage for each second you stand still, up to 30%[x]. |
| Splintering Energy | Lightning Spear has a #% chance to spawn an additional Lightning Spear when you cast it. |
| Energizing | Damaging an Elite enemy with a Basic Skill generates # Energy. |
| Protector | Damaging an Elite enemy grants you Barrier absorbing up to # damage for 10 seconds. This effect can only happen once every 30 seconds. |
| Umbral | Restore # of your Primary Resource when you Crowd Control and enemy. |
| Elementalist | Core or Mastery Skills cast at or above 100 Mana gain a #%[+] increased Critical Strike Chance. |
| Efficiency | Casting a Basic Skill reduces the Mana cost of your next Core Skill by #%. |
| Retribution | Distant enemies have a #% chance to be Stunned for # seconds when they hit you. You deal #%[x] increased damage to Stunned enemies. |
Gems
Listed below are the best Gems to socket into gear for each slot type.
- Weapon: Sapphire for +#% Critical Strike Damage to Crowd Controlled Enemies.
- Armor: Ruby for +#% Maximum Life.
- Jewelry: Any Gem that gives the Resistance type you are lacking the most.
Elixirs and Health Potions
Visit the Alchemist in Kyovashad to craft helpful Elixirs that increase stats and experience gain for 30 minutes. Make sure to forage plants and pick up the necessary crafting materials during your adventures; they randomly spawn around the world. Use an Elixir providing any Resistance you need most, or the Weak Assault Elixir to increase Attack Speed by 7%.
Return to the Alchemist when you reach level 10 and 20 to upgrade your Health Potions. The extra healing is essential to survival.
