Need Help with Sorc

So last season at level 75 I was doing almost 35k base damage off of gear that just dropped. This season I cant get my base damage above 3k without it totally draining my mana in 2 or 3 casts.

INT 265
Dex 45
Str 45

Mana Regen 215.8 per second

I have plus 5 to all spells from gear
I have + 98% cast speed
I have over 200% increased spell damage

Any gear that will help at this point is not dropping... Any improvements to my gear will const 50ex and up from the marketplace.

I cant clear fast enough to even do a breach in a map level 1.

I cant use Archmage because the cost penalty drains the mana too fast.

Cant use cast on shock anymore because it takes too long to charge rendering it useless.

I feel like crafting is completely broken because you need a god tier roll just to be able to get by....

Anyone else find a strategy that works on normal drop gear?

Why is my damage output not adding up?

My Merc is doing more base damage at level 40

What am I missing here?

you are missing 0.2 release patchnotes

they said: sparks are now trash tier (like any other caster build).

try arc as main clear ability,

i tried most of the builds that claim to be adapted for 0.2 but made the same exp like u: they are absolutely not adjusted to 0.2 and the dmg, espec after campaign, is abysmal. a small fraction of what other classes do.


kick spark and go either arc or ball lightning/lightning warp. rethink completly and dont bother with mind over matter/eldritch battery and archmage -> mana stacking is simply not available the same way like last league (or at least not with gear thats affordable).

I am currently on my sorc on lvl 68 and have 40k dps (lightning warp allone does 34k) but its full glass cannon and u have to dodge, dip and dive.
this all with gear worth 45 ex and less +spell than u (cause to expensive),

doing an apples to apples comparison of the game from 1 month ago, all i can say is i have lost all interest and no longer care about this game or its development or updates, and certainly won't be making any microtransactions, though i had planned to purchase a map tab and quad premium, this would just be pointless as i have no interest in the game.

I payed for early access, not for wishy washy dogshit. When I pay extra to get into Disneyland early (early access), I don't expect incomplete rides and them making space mountain into its a small world because people complained that the other rides weren't as fun as space mountain, I expect early access to disneyland.

I did not purchase early access to a game, i purchased an incomplete undeveloped in process of being beta tested game that is neither playable nor actually delivers what was promised. Nerfing sorc to make it as unfun to play as warrior was done so that people will try warrior is fucking idiotic. I have zero interest in playing warrior, ever and resent you attempting to force me to do so by making bosses and mobs suited to that class.

So to make people play the class you wasted resources on developing poorly, you fundamentally change the entire game? for Parry, which is a skill none of my characters will ever use because i will never play a melee class for any reason, I now cannot play sorc?


Chargeback time. nothing says "this sucks" like a bank reversal.

If your point of reference for what is fun is completly game breaking builds like 0.1 archmage stormweaver then poe2 isn't made for you and you should consider poe1. And yes it's 2025 and early access is a good way to get a meaningful sample size when testing such complexe games. They have been pretty well engaged with player feedback and clear about their vision for the game.

Arc chronomancer is perfectly fine by the way if you want to know what an upper average poe2 experience should feel like.

I already asked for my refund, its obviously made for Johnathan not for players.

This isn't a dinner party you know? You don't have to announce that you are leaving. Players base and player retention numbers speak for themselves: POE2 out classes any POE1 release by far.

We get it, the POE1 community is angry because they got less attention. Being able to make a build on his own should require 500h of gameplay and it isn't viable unless it's game breaking and zooming across screens blah blah blah.

But you should stop wasting you time crying because POE2 is not going to be the POE1 with a new campaign that you want.

I am not planning on leaving the game because I realise that we are in friggin EARLY ACCESS FOR TEST PERPOSES.....

I am just confused why GGG would completely break builds so you are forced to go in a single play stylr to be able to even progress in a game that is supposed to be offering player freedom to build the playstyle they want.

After trying to rebuild my 0.1.0 Spark;
I tried Fireball/Frostbolt + Frostwall = Better but meh
Arc + Lightning Conduit = mana sucking underperformer

The best 'Sorceror' I found?
Lich: Essence Drain + Contagion. 1k HP & 2.8k ES in Act 3 Cruel.

Even then?
I'm playing a Lightning Arrow Amazon that is feeling more like my old Spark Sorc than any Sorc variant I've tried.

There is a Spark Sorc build that is awesome, but it is like 50 Div investment to start

I just started a spark build... it takes time to kill mobs and lots of deaths.. then I checked forums today, poof! It's now a trash build.. wasted 2 days for this build..

Might try ranger lightning arrow... i prefer range type characters than melee