Hi guys,

Once you have decent gear should a softcore sorc stay Orb/Hydra or move to something else. I can't afford a Infinity and don't want to consider builds that require one at the moment. Does that leave many options?

Basically, Orb/Hydra is great for nearly everything solo, but struggles in games with more than a few people, so i was wondering what path people usually take after hydra/orb.

Gear I have Shako, Vipermagi, Spirit mon, SoJ, 3 14/15 Eschutas, Eth Insight, at least one of each rune from Vex down, and a heap of other lesser but useful gear.

I was thinking I could grab an Ondals and go for some kind of Lightning Ball Hydra mix, but would be to weak without an infinity? is Orb/hydra still the best option for someone with my gear.

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Edit# Update

After some testing with Hero Editor in single player, I went with Freezing Pulse and Hydra. It seems to be working quite well and is alot faster then Orb. Although Hydra dmg is alot lower, but now I mainly use FP to clear then Hydra for the immunes.

Here is a comparison between Damage of Frost Nova and Freezing Pulse tested on a lvl 99 character:

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Frost Nova Hydra

Skills= Frost Nova (20), Ice Blast (20), Shiver Armor (20), Cold Mastery (20), Hydra (20), FM (1)

Frost Nova Damage with various skill:

• 0 Skills = 1227-1971 @ 27
• 8 skills= 2704-3948 @ ? mana
• 16 Skills= 5332-7019 @ 43 mana
• 25 Skills= 9038-11303 @ 52 mana

Freezing Pulse Hydra

Skills= Freezing Pulse (20), Ice Blast (20), Glacial Spike (20), Cold Mastery (20), Hydra (20), FM (1)

Freezing Pulse Damage with various skill:

• 0 Skills = 2709-2854 @ 16.5 mana
• 8 skills= 4734-4965 @ ? mana
• 16 Skills= 7426-7764 @ 24.5 mana
• 25 Skills= 11107-11588 @ 29 mana

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I went with Freezing Pulse as it does alot more damage at lower skills levels and cost less mana cast.