[Help] Having a problem dealing damage and getting new items, Sorc Act 2

I'm currently level 21 just starting Act 2 and for most of Act 1 I got carried by my friend who is playing a Witch. He was able to pickup a passive/spirit skill that made it so that whenever he casted Firewall that he would get these little fire minions and they absolutely wreck face, they greatly increased his damage output. I'd say his damage is somewhere between 5-10x higher than mine.

Now that I've started Act 2 solo I've noticed my damage is absolutely paltry, even killing white mobs I have to kite them backwards for a considerable amount of time. Blue and yellow mobs take forever.

I'm surrently using Firewall(5), Orb of lightning(5), Spark(6), Arc(5) and Frost Bomb(5). Most people said drop firewall and shoot Sparks through it, Frost Bombs on elites/bosses. I find my damage is crazy low even doing this and I run out of mana very fast.

I haven't upgraded any of my gear since level 8. Everything that drops is something for a different class (STR/DEX) or is worse than what I'm using. I've been looking for vendor items but even then nothing better has shown up.

Currently I have a level 6 required staff with level 3 Ice Shards(?), 44% Spell Power, and +1 Cold skills even though I'm mostly lightning.

I've tried converting a white item to yellow once, dont have materials to do it again, but it turned out to be an absolute terrible item.

I'm not really sure how to progress my character? I don't know if I'm just getting extremely unlucky or if I'm not understanding what I'm supposed to be doing, the game isn't very clear. Normally in an arpg you loot items as you level and get better, this obviously doesn't seem to be the case in poe2 and with what little "Crafting" I have been able to do nothing good has come of it either.

Just looking for some advice, because my character sucks so much in Act 2 it just makes me not want to play anymore and because the game is so new I can't google advice on how to improve.

Cheers.

You are not suposed to progress.
I tried 3 different types of characters and always get stuck at some point in game. Have not even made it to act 2 (highest was final boss of act 1) which no matter what - I can not defeat (warrior).
This is by far one of the worst and hardest games I have ever played.

I think you have to much going on with your skill choices. Your using fire, lightning and frost skills. Very early on in your tree you have the choice between all 3, so I would spec into the one that is the most fun you and build your skills around it.

I personally went frost so my entire early game was (no particular order)
- Ice Shards (from staff)
- Frost Nova
- Frost Wall
- Frozen orb
- Hypothermia
- Frost Bomb

My passive tree focus was frost damage, freeze buildup and anything elemental that buffs that so all skills benefit. Basically freeze everything, shatter it type combo. I am not an expert but aside from a few road blocks in Act 1, I blasted through Act 2 and I am now on Act 3 having a blast.

So the only advice I would give you is pick a base elemental type and build around it early so all your skills benefit from it. I also went pure damage and didn't start getting nodes for defensives until Act 3.

Also look up a build guide in whatever element you choose. You don't have to copy it but a lot of seasoned POE 1 pros have a profound understanding how some of the passive interact with each other and may open your eyes to something you didn't think of.

Outside of that, game is hard no doubt and a lot of dodging and LONG boss fights was also something I had to deal with in Act 1. I will say I made the mistake of undervaluing the extra skills on weapons, and in my case I (by accident later in Act 2) found out Ice Shards is quite powerful, and a great bossing skill, so I assume the fire/lightning counterparts on weaps are equally strong.

Oh and last point, over level yourself, don't rush, Ive been consistently 3-5 levels above monster levels in each zone, taking my time getting better gems, and being stronger, makes a big difference.

The RNG is painful. I've started picking up white bases and crafting them with the orbs I've made from disenchanting magic drops to increase my odds of acquiring something, anything, with more damage. The +levels modifiers make the most difference, by far, but a good increased damage mod also helps.

Sounds like your gear is mismatched to what you want to do, too. The cold spells rock, so consider switching to them.

Also, make sure you've defeated all of the side content which has a plus sign on the map pin. These objectives offer permanent character power, including quite a few passive tree points.

If you're using fire wall why aren't you using raging spirits yourself? You get it in act 1.

You're right, finding damage items for casters is a massive pita. Gamble everything, spend all your orbs (sensibly), check vendors every level, etc.

If you're using multiple elements, try to make use of the weapon set passive points so you're not wasting damage potential.

Start of act 2 does feel a little lackluster because it's right before you get a bump of dps from your curse and stormweaver.