I am sure fcr is probably the most important mod for normal/NM (haven't started with Hell rushes yet). However, I have some situations in A4/A5 NM where my Merc is already getting a bit squishy. So, I can see how having a beefy setup with Arcains/Shako/resists is beneficial. He starts to get himself into trouble, and I just jump right in front of him to start absorbing attacks.
Two things here: First, I think with an A5 merc, you wouldn't even need to do that (plus, I don't think that's healthy in hell anyway). Second, I'm not
saying you should equip a different armor or helmet or run around with unmaxed resists, I'm saying you should* equip a different
weapon! And shield. Your weapon doesn't give you any life or resists, it only grants +skills and a bit of mana. Virtually everything with FC would be better than your orb.
A Wizardspike alone would give you more resists and more mana than your entire weapon slot while having just as much health; add in either Wall of the Eyeless, or Milabrega's shield with a PD and a second FC ring, and you'd get over the 63 FC breakpoint, for 25% faster casting, while losing nothing but +skills. Alternatively since you presumably don't have the dex for it on your existing char, Suicide Branch coupled with a res/FC ring plus your existing shield would put you at >63 FC while probably keeping your resists and costing just 6 MF.
*) I mean, I would, and I'd thusly advise others thinking about imitiating your equipment. You are, of course, free to play however you want!
To be honest, I wouldn't play a 1.07 Sorc without 105 FC, period. If you want to wear either an MF armor or Arkaine's, that all but requires Wizardspike, but that's by far the best weapon in the game anyway. There really isn't any competition for a Wizzy, as it gives the biggest boni in the game to three of the five most important stats (not counting MF, as you can weapon switch for that), and that it lacks +skills just isn't an issue in 1.07.
What weapons are you using on your WW barbs for Travincal runs? I know the BK set or BKSC + stat stick are popular and the easy way out.
I've been doing some Larzuk shopping/socketing, ultimately wishing for Cruel Colossus Blade of Evisceration with 4os (ShaeShaeEthAmn) paired with Wizardspike. But I have a feeling this is going to take ages. And I'm not sure if CCBoE is going to be *that* much better than BKSC (no CB). Of course with CCBoE it is possible to get decent amount of CB from other sources (Guillaume's, Goblin Toe, maybe crafted gloves too).
For some reason it's not talked about, but I value 'of Amplify Damage' very high (especially since Toorc is always PI). I consider it the by far best suffix for a main-hand weapon, and I recommend a a crafted or magic weapon with resi mod(s), sockets, and 'of AD', socketed with resi jewels, for the off-hand.
Regarding mana leech: Are there actually people not wearing Mavina's belt? The only character I have who doesn't wear one is my MF Sorc (until I actually level that Sniper Sin, at least). What do you wear for a belt? I mean, I can see some value in Trang-Oul's, but I just go without CBF on my Barbs (it's not like it slows down WW in either attack or movement speed).
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