1. Strength - All you want, in terms of Strength, is enough of it to equip everything you will want to use on your character. 
2. Dexterity - Same as with Strength; you only need enough Dexterity to meet gear requirements. 
3. Vitality - You should put all your remaining points here - main stat. 
4. Energy - Adding points to Energy is an extreme waste - don't do it. 

Patch v2.4 brings quite substantial buffs to two Lightning Spells - Nova and Thunder Storm. Firstly, both of them have received Static Field as a new synergy. Secondly, Thunder Storm's duration was massively increased. Because of these changes, a new type of Lightning Sorc is now viable - one based on large radius Static Field combined with high AoE damage provided by the newly buffed spells. 

Skills:

1. Charged Bolt [1/20] - Prerequisite. Creates multiple bolts of electricity that electrocute anything they touch. 
2. Telekinesis [1/20] - Prerequisite. 
3. Static Field [20/20] - All enemies in a given radius lose 1/4 of their health. Every point invested into Static Field increases its area of influence. This skill is extremely helpful as it effectively deals 25% of enemies' health as damage to them. Use it for softening tougher enemies. You should max this one out as it now synergizes with Nova and Thunder Storm (also, doing so will give it a massive radius). 
4. Lightning [1/20] - Prerequisite. Creates a lightning bolt that travels in a straight line and pierces through monsters. 
5. Nova [20/20] - Creates an expanding ring of electricity that damages any monster it touches. This is your main offensive Skill. It will allow you to deal high lightning damage to every monster around you. 
6. Chain Lightning [1/20] - Prerequisite. Creates a bolt of lightning that jumps through multiple targets. 
7. Thunder Storm [20/20] - Summons a devastating thunderstorm that strikes every monster in range with lightning. Thunder Storm was buffed quite substantially in patch v2.4 and is now a great "cast and forget" sort of spell with a very long duration. This is your second main offensive skill, besides Nova. 
8. Teleport [1/20] - The best mobility Spell in Diablo 2 Resurrected. It instantly moves you to a destination within your line of sight. 
9. Lightning Mastery [20/20] - A Passive Skill that increases the damage of your Lightning-based Spells. Maxing this out is going to increase your DPS significantly. 

As far as Cold Spells go, we just need a single Skill that will boost our defense a bit. 

Skills:

1. Frozen Armor [1/20] - This provides a bonus to Defense and Freezes any melee attacker that manages to hit you. 1 point is definitely worth spending here, especially when you have a lot of + skills from gear. 

From here, we'll get some extra mana regen, which is nice. 

Skills:

1. Warmth [X/20] - A passive skill that increases your Mana Regeneration rate. Warmth is always worth taking and thus you'll see it in pretty much every Sorceress build regardless of its core specialization. You should spend all your remaining points here. 

With this build, you should focus your gear around +Skills and Lightning Damage/-Enemy Lightning Resistance, which are going to help you with clear speeds. Reaching 117% FCR Breakpoint is also recommended (Lightning Spells actually have different breakpoints than other Sorc spells, so 105% FCR is not enough to reach 12 FCR frames with them). As for defenses, capping Resistances is recommended. Moreover, faster Run/Walk and extra Stamina/Stamina Regen are very useful to have as they will boost your overall mobility. 

HELMETS

Griffon's Eye (Diadem) - This helmet is very difficult to pass up on any Lightning Damage Dealer and Nova Sorc is no different in that regard. If you need more Skills, FCR, Lightning Damage, and Lightning Pen (and you very much do), you need this Diadem. 

• Defense: 150-260 
• Required Level: 76 
• Durability: 20 
  • +100-200 Defense 
  • +1 To All Skills 
  • +25% Faster Cast Rate 
  • -15-20% To Enemy Lightning Resistance 
  • +10-15% To Lightning Skill Damage 

Harlequin Crest (Shako) - If you want to increase your Magic Find stat on this build, Shako is a solid choice. Just keep in mind that it won't give you anywhere near as much umpf as the Griffon's Eye would. 

• Defense: 98 to 141 
• Required Level: 62
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 20
  • +2 to All Skills 
  • +1-148 to Life (+1.5 per Character Level) 
  • +1-148 to Mana (+1.5 per Character Level) 
  • Damage Reduced By 10% 
  • 50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
  • +2 to All Attributes 

WEAPONS

Tal Rasha's Lidless Eye (Swirling Crystal) - This Weapon will give you a bunch of much-needed stats, including FCR, Skills, Life, and Mana. Moreover, it will provide you with a nice Lightning Res Pierce when used as a part of the set. Use this one only if you plan on wearing 4 pieces of the Tal set. 

Note: Using 4 pieces of the Tal Set is a viable option for the build, but we discourage wearing a full set as you'll be much better off using the Griffon's Eye instead of the Tal Set Helmet (Tal Rasha's Horadric Crest). 

• Damage: 18 to 42
• Required Level: 65 
• Required Dexterity: - 
• Required Strength: - 
• Durability: 50   
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +[1-2] to Fire Mastery (Sorceress Only) (varies) 
  • +[1-2] to Lightning Mastery (Sorceress Only) (varies) 
  • +[1-2] to Cold Mastery (Sorceress Only) (varies) 
  • +10 to Energy 
  • +57 to Life 
  • +77 to Mana 
  • +1 to Sorceress Skill Levels (2 Items) 
  • -15% to Enemy Fire Resistance (3 Items) 
  • 15% to Enemy Lightning Resistance (4 Items) 
  • +15% to Cold Skill Damage (Complete Set) 

Eschuta's Temper (Eldritch Orb) - A very powerful and very expensive Sorceress weapon that works extremely well in multiple builds because of the Skills, Faster Cast Rate, and Damage Bonuses it provides. If you can afford a high-rolled Echuta's, you should definitely consider it for this build as well. 

• One-Hand Damage: 18 To 50
• Required Level: 72
• Durability: 30
• Staff Class - Fast Attack Speed
• (Sorceress Only)
  • +1-3 To Sorceress Skill Levels
  • +40% Faster Cast Rate
  • +10-20% To Fire Skill Damage
  • +10-20% To Lightning Skill Damage
  • +20-30 To Energy

Crescent Moon (Runeword) - Pretty much the only worthwhile stat this Runeword gives is the Lightning Resistance Penetration, but it gives -35% of it, which is A LOT. With Crescent Moon, lightning-resistant enemies won't bother you anymore and you will be able to choose the rest of your gear more flexibly. 

• Damage: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 47 
• Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon
• Shael + Um + Tir  
  • 10% Chance to Cast Level 17 Chain Lightning on Striking 
  • 7% Chance to Cast Level 13 Static Field on Striking 
  • +20% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +[180-220]% Enhanced Damage (varies) 
  • Ignore Target's Defense 
  • -35% to Enemy Lightning Resistance 
  • 25% Chance of Open Wounds 
  • +[9-11] Magic Absorb (varies) 
  • +2 to Mana after each Kill 
  • Level 18 Summon Spirit Wolf (30 Charges) 

Heart of the Oak (Runeword) - While HotO is not the best choice for the build, it will definitely get the job done. Especially if you're on a budget and some extra FCR, Resistances, and sustain. Also, let's not forget the +3 Skills it gives. 

• Damage:  Depends on base Weapon
• Required Level: 55
• Required Dexterity: Depends on base Weapon
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Ko + Vex + Pul + Thul 
  • +3 To All Skills 
  • +40% Faster Cast Rate
  • +75% Damage To Demons 
  • +100 To Attack Rating Against Demons 
  • Adds 3-14 Cold Damage, 3 sec. Duration (Normal) 
  • 7% Mana Stolen Per Hit 
  • +10 To Dexterity 
  • Replenish Life +20 
  • Increase Maximum Mana 15% 
  • All Resistances +30-40 (varies) 
  • Level 4 Oak Sage (25 Charges) 
  • Level 14 Raven (60 Charges) 

Spirit Shield (Runeword) - Unless you're completely new to Diablo 2, you know that Spirit is a staple Shield Runeword for most Caster Builds. You can't Go wrong with it on this Nova Sorc either. 

• Defense: Depends on base Shield 
• Required Level: 25 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Shield 
• Durability: Depends on base Shield 
• Tal + Thul + Ort + Amn 
  • +2 To All Skills
  • +25-35% Faster Cast Rate
  • +55% Faster Hit Recovery
  • +250 Defense vs. Missiles
  • +22 To Vitality
  • +89-112 To Mana (varies)
  • Cold Resist +35%
  • Lightning Resist +35%
  • Poison Resist +35%
  • +3-8 Magic Absorb
  • Attacker Takes Damage of 14

Splendor (Rune Word) - A nice and inexpensive, more MF-focused, alternative to Spirit Shield. It lacks resistances, but makes up for it with Mana Regen, MF, FCR, Faster Block Rate, and Skills. 

• Defense: Depends on base Shield 
• Required Level: 37
• Required Strength: Depends on base Shield ​​​​​
• Durability: Depends on base Shield
• Eth + Lum 
  • +1 To All Skills 
  • +10% Faster Cast Rate 
  • +20% Faster Block Rate 
  • +60-100% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +10 To Energy 
  • Regenerate Mana 15% 
  • 50% Extra Gold From Monsters 
  • 20% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
  • +3 To Light Radius 

Call to Arms (Runeword) - This powerful Runeword will allow you to pre-buff yourself up with Warcries (buffs persist through weapon swap). You should combine this with a Shield that gives +2 to All Skills for the best effect (so, 2 Skill Spirit, basically). 

• Defense: Depends on base Weapon 
• Required Level: 57
• Required Strength: Depends on base Weapon ​​​​​
• Durability: Depends on base Weapon 
• Amn • Ral • Mal • Ist
  • +1 to All Skills 
  • +40% Increased Attack Speed 
  • +250-290% Enhanced Damage 
  • Adds 5-30 Fire Damage 
  • 7% Life Stolen Per Hit 
  • +2-6 To Battle Command 
  • +1-6 To Battle Orders 
  • +1-4 To Battle Cry 
  • Prevent Monster Heal 
  • Replenish Life +12 
  • 30% Better Chance Of Getting Magic Items 

AMULETS

Tal Rasha's Adjudication -  One of the better parts of the Tal Rasha's Wrappings. This Amulet is very powerful, even if you don't combine it with the rest of the set. 

• Required Level: 67
  • +2 to Sorceress Skill Levels 
  • Adds 3-32 Lightning Damage 
  • +50 to Life 
  • +42 to Mana 
  • Lightning Resist +33% 
  • +10% Faster Cast Rate (4 Items) 

Mara's Kaleidoscope - This is a solid all-around amulet that will improve your damage and survivability by a significant amount. If you want to cap out your resistances, Mara's will definitely help you out. 

• Required Level: 67
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • All Resistances +30 
  • +5 To All Attributes 

ARMORS

Tal Rasha's Guardianship (Russet Armor) - A solid defensively-oriented Armor that's also going to boost your Magic Finding capabilities. Only use it in combination with three other Tal Rasha's set pieces (otherwise, there are other, stronger options for the slot). 

• Defense: 833-941 
• Required Level: 71 
• Required Strength: 84 
• Durability: 55
  • +400 Defense 
  • Cold Resist +40% 
  • Lightning Resist +40% 
  • Fire Resist +40% 
  • Magic Damage Taken Reduced by 15 
  • 88% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 
  • Requirements -60% 
  • +10% Faster Cast Rate (2 Items) 

Chains of Honor (Runeword) - As far as Armors go, CoH is a great all-rounder. It greatly improves your defenses by granting you physical damage reduction and +65 to all Resistances. It improves your DPS by giving you +2 to All Skills. It makes it easier to equip heavy gear by providing +20 Strength. It greatly improves your DPS against Undead and Demons. And it also makes you a bit better at Magic Finding. 

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 63 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base Armor 
• Dol + Um + Ber + Ist 
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • +200% Damage to Demons 
  • +100% Damage to Undead 
  • 8% Life Stolen per Hit 
  • +70% Enhanced Defense 
  • +20 to Strength 
  • Replenish Life +7 
  • All Resistances +65 
  • Physical Damage Taken Reduced by 8% 
  • 25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 

Enigma (Runeword) - While you already have access to Teleport and might want to discard Enigma because of that, you should seriously consider using it anyway, for the following reasons. Firstly, it will free up two of your Skill points (you don't have to unlock the Teleport with points if you wear it). And secondly, the bonuses it provides work very well with the build (especially if you want this to be a Magic Finding build). 

• Defense: Depends on base Armor 
• Required Level: 65 
• Required Strength: Depends on base Armor 
• Durability: Depends on base Armor 
• Jah + Ith + Ber  
  • +2 To All Skills 
  • +45% Faster Run/Walk 
  • +1 To Teleport 
  • +750-775 Defense (varies) 
  • +(0.75*Clvl) To Strength (Based On Character Level) 
  • Increase Maximum Life 5% 
  • Damage Reduced By 8% 
  • +14 Life After Each Kill 
  • 15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana 
  • (1*Clvl)% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level)

RINGS

The Stone of Jordan - You can't go wrong with double SoJ in this build. A pair of these will give you 50% extra mana and a nice boost to DPS. 

• Required Level: 29
  • +1 to All Skills
  • Increase Maximum Mana by 25% 
  • Adds 1-12 Lightning Damage 
  • +20 to Mana 

Raven Frost - Mainly for the Freeze immunity, as the game gets much harder if you get slowed down by cold hits. The 20% Cold Absorb is also an amazing defensive bonus here

• +150-250 Attack Rating (varies)
• 15-45 Cold Damage
• +15-20 Dexterity (varies)
• +40 Mana
• Cold Absorb 20%
• Cannot be Frozen

A "10-20" Rare Ring - A well-rolled Rare Ring with 10% FCR, 20%+ Magic Find are a great and relatively cheap alternative if you're on a tight budget. 

• In Rare Rings, look for:
  • 10% Faster Cast Rate
  • 20%+ increased Magic Find
  • Attributes
  • Resistances

GLOVES

Magefist (Light Gauntlets) - Equipping Magefists will take care of your mana-related problems and provide you with a nice Faster Cast Rate bonus. If you're in need of extra Cold Resist and don't need regen, you can also use Trang-Oul's Claws. 

• +20-30% Enhanced Defense (varies)
• +10 Defense
• +1 To Fire Skills
• 20% Faster Cast Rate
• Regenerate Mana 25%
• Adds 1-6 Fire Damage

Chance Guards (Chain Gloves) - These Gloves offer up to 40% MF and a nice bonus to gold drop, and are generally the best Magic Finding choice for this slot. 

• Defense: 67-74
• Required Level: 45
• Required Strength: 58
• Durability: 16
  • +20-30% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +15 Defense 
  • +25 to Attack Rating 
  • 25-40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies) 
  • 200% Extra Gold From Monsters 
  • +2 to Light Radius 

BOOTS

Sandstorm Trek (Scarabshell Boots) - You can't go wrong with these defense-oriented classics. They are as powerful as Unique D2R Boots can be - from them, you'll get a lot of Faster Hit Recovery, Attributes, and Poison Resistance. 

• Defense: 158-178 
• Required Level: 64
• Required Strength: 91
• Kick Damage: 60-110 
• Durability: 14
  • +20% Faster Run/Walk 
  • +20% Faster Hit Recovery 
  • +[140-170]% Enhanced Defense (varies) 
  • +[10-15] to Strength (varies) 
  • +[10-15] to Vitality (varies) 
  • +[1-99] Maximum Stamina (+1 per Character Level) 
  • 50% Slower Stamina Drain 
  • Poison Resist +[40-70]% (varies) 
  • Attacker Takes Damage of 2 
  • Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds 

War Traveler (Battle Boots) - These boots are the only Magic Finding option you have for the Boots slot (not counting random Rare drops, that is). From them, you'll get up to 50% MF and a high reduction of stamina drain when running, which is going to allow you to run infinitely. 

• Defense: 120-139 
• Required Level: 42
• Required Strength: 95
• Kick Damage: 37-64 
• Durability: 48
  • +150-190% Enhanced Defense 
  • 25% Faster Run/Walk 
  • +10 to Vitality 
  • +10 to Strength 
  • Adds 15-25 Damage 
  • +40% Slower Stamina Drain 
  • Attacker Takes Damage Of 5-10 
  • 30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items 

BELTS

Tal Rasha's Fine-Spun Cloth (Mesh Belt) - While this belt is nowhere near as powerful as Arachnid Mesh, you'll need it to get the 4-pieces set bonus from the Tal Rasha's Wrappings. 

• Defense: 95-100
• Potion Slots: 16 
• Required Level: 53
• Required Strength: 47
• Durability: 16
  • +20 to Dexterity 
  • +30 to Mana 
  • 37% Damage Taken Gained as Mana when Hit 
  • [10-15]% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies) 
  • Requirements -20%  
  • +60 Defense (2 Items) 
  • +10% Faster Cast Rate (3 Items)

Arachnid Mesh (Spiderweb Sash) - The best caster belt in the game. It offers a bonus to all Skills, high FCR, and slows your target. The increase to the mana pool is also quite valuable for a caster. 

• Defense: 119-138
• Required Level: 80
• Required Strength: 50
• Durability: 12
• 16 Potion Boxes
  • +90-120% Enhanced Defense
  • Slows Target By 10%
  • +1 To All Skills
  • +20% Faster Cast Rate
  • Increases Maximum Mana 5%
  • Level 3 Venom (11 Charges)

• Replenish Life +10 (2 Items) 
• 65% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (3 Items) 
• +25% Faster Hit Recovery (4 Items) 
• +3 to Sorceress Skill Levels (Complete Set) 
• +150 Defense (Complete Set) 
• +50 Defense vs. Missile (Complete Set) 
• +150 to Life (Complete Set) 
• All Resistances +50 (Complete Set) 

CHARMS

1. Gheed's Fortune -  The secret to Gheed's wealth and prosperity. Pretty much a must-have if you're after the best available charms. It adds 80-160% extra gold from monsters, reduces vendor prices by up to 15%, and gives up to 40% better magic find. 
2. Grand Charms - You can boost your DPS by getting a couple of these with + Lightning Skills. 
3. Large Charms -  Using Large Charms in D2R is not recommended, with the exception of Hellfire Torch. 
4. Small Charms - With these, you should get as much Magic Find as you can (or, alternatively, you can use these to cap out your resistances). Small Charms give up to 7 MF each, so getting a full inventory of them is going to significantly boost your Magic Finding capabilities. 

MERCENARY

We recommend picking up Act 2 Might Mercenary for extra damage bonuses. He should be equipped with: 

1. Infinity Rune Word in Elite Polearm - This is a must-have for Nova Sorceresses because of the Conviction Aura it provides. The Aura reduces the monster's Elemental Resistances allowing you to break immunities and increase your overall DPS. 
2. Fortitude Rune Word in Armor - This will ensure that your merc doesn't die (it will make him almost immortal). 
3. Andariel's Visage - An extremely solid and versatile headgear that will make your merc better in all respects. 

END NOTE

This is the initial version of our Diablo 2 Resurrected Nova Sorceress Build, where we tried to include all of the important information on how to set up this character while keeping the guide as compact as possible. If we've missed something of importance, please let us know! 

If you have any Build requests, please post them in the Comments section below. We will be happy to cover your most requested builds in the future! Also, we hope that you have found this guide useful and informative. Also, we will be happy to receive constructive criticism that will help us improve our future work, so don't hesitate to give us your feedback.