Arc Lash Sorcerer Endgame Build for Diablo 4 (Season 5)

Build Introduction

The Arc Lash Sorcerer build is ideal for players wanting a simple, yet effective, melee playstyle. This is the fastest Sorcerer build in terms of mobility, and the build is extremely effective at speed-farming all endgame activities in Diablo 4.

Compared to similar Lightning Sorcerer endgame builds ranked high on the tier list, like Ball Lightning and Charged Bolts, the Arc Lash Sorcerer has lower single-target damage. The Arc Lash Sorcerer clears easy content faster than any other build, but bosses can take longer to kill. Check out the Fire Bolt Sorcerer for a Basic Skill build focused on boss killing.

Season 5 Update (Patch 1.5.0): The newly added Shard of Verathiel provides a 3x damage multiplier for the Arc Lash Sorcerer, at the cost of 25 Resource per cast. Transforming Arc Lash into a Mana Spender also allows Ring of Starless Skies to be utilized. Equip both of these items together to empower the Arc Lash Sorcerer!

This endgame build guide assumes your character is at least Level 50. Check the Sorcerer Leveling Guide if you need help getting there.

Strengths and Weaknesses

To see how this build compares to the other builds on our site, you can check out our build tier lists.

Skill Tree Points and Skill Bar

Skill Bar Setup for Arc Lash Sorcerer (order does not matter)

Arc Lash Unstable Currents Teleport Flame Shield Ice Armor Lightning Spear

The Skill Tree above shows the full allocation of 58 Skill Points for the Arc Lash Sorceress build. Make sure you obtain the 10 Skill Points available from Renown.

Enchantment Slots

Non-Ultimate Skills can be equipped in two available Enchantment Slots. A skill must have at least one skill point allocated to it in order to be used in the Enchantment Slot. Skill points that have been granted through gear work as well.

Slot Fire Bolt in the first Enchantment Slot to activate Burning bonuses from Devouring Blaze and Paragon.

Slot Teleport in the second Enchantment Slot. Utilize the synergies in the Telestomp build variant for speed-farming.

Paragon

Paragon unlocks after reaching Level 50, and the progression system offers a considerable boost to character power. The images below provide a visual of each Paragon Board setup for the Arc Lash Sorcerer.

Important Notes:

• Make sure you select the correct Legendary Boards and rotate them into the correct orientation.
• Attach Legendary Boards in the correct order, as bonus requirements of Rare Nodes increase with their placement order.
• Additional bonus requirements on Rare Glyphs may not be obtainable until they gain increased radius range at Level 15.

1. Starting Board (Flamefeeder)

Socket Flamefeeder for increased damage to Burning targets. Prioritize leveling Flamefeeder to 15, as the increased radius is needed to allocate 25 Dexterity for the additional bonus.

2. Elemental Summoner (Control)

Attach the Elemental Summoner board without any rotations. Socket Control and prioritize leveling it to 15 for the increased radius to gain the additional bonus. The Legendary Node on this board is not utilized.

3. Burning Instinct (Reinforced)

Rotate the Burning Instinct board 3 times before attachment. Socket Reinforced to boost the Damage Reduction stat on Smoldering Embers. Prioritize leveling Reinforced to 15 to gain increased radius, as it is needed to obtain the Damage Reduction in the additional bonus. The Legendary Node on this board is not utilized.

4. Enchantment Master (Territorial)

Attach the Enchantment Master board without any rotations. Socket Territorial and prioritize leveling it to 15 for the increased radius to obtain the additional bonus. The Legendary Node on this board is not utilized.

5. Ceaseless Conduit (Destruction)

Rotate the Ceaseless Conduit board 2 times before attachment. Socket Destruction for increased Critical Strike Damage and a separate damage multiplier. The Legendary Node on this board is not utilized.

6. Static Surge (Exploit)

Rotate the Static Surge board 1 time before attachment. Socket Exploit and prioritize leveling it to 15 for the increased radius to gain the additional bonus. The Legendary Node on this board is not utilized.

Paragon Board images courtesy of d4builds.gg. Click this link for the Paragon planner.

Gear, Gems, Elixirs, and Stats

The following sections cover the important systems that are essential to improving the power of your character in the endgame of Diablo 4.

Legendary Aspects

Listed below are all the best-in-slot Aspects for the Arc Lash Sorcerer build. Salvage Legendary Items with higher Aspect values to unlock them in the Codex of Power, and then imprint them onto Legendary Items with the preferred affixes.

Gear Slot	Aspect Name	Legendary Aspect Power
Amulet (+50% bonus effect)	Aspect of the Moonrise	Damaging an enemy with a Basic Skill grants you 4% Attack Speed for 10 seconds, stacking up to 5 times. Upon reaching maximum stacks, you enter a Vampiric Bloodrage, gaining [40 -80%] Basic Skill damage and 15% Movement Speed for 10 seconds.
Dagger (replaced by Shard of Verathiel)	Aspect of Shredding Blades	Ice Blades’ chance to apply Vulnerable is increased by 20% and the Vulnerable duration is increased by 4 seconds. You gain x [15 – 30%] Vulnerable Damage. Note: Used only for the Vulnerable Damage.
Ring Slot #1 (replaced by Tal Rasha’s Iridescent Loop)	Rapid Aspect	Basic Skills gain [15 – 30%] Attack Speed.
Ring Slot #2 (replaced by Ring of Starless Skies)	Storm Swell Aspect	You deal x [21 – 30%] increased damage to Vulnerable enemies while you have a Barrier.
Focus	Aspect of Adaptability	When cast below 50% Maximum Resource, Basic Skills generate 3 of your Primary Resource, once per cast. When cast at or above 50% Maximum Resource, Basic Skills deal [40 – 80%] increased damage.
Gloves (replaced by Paingorger’s Gauntlets)	Conceited Aspect	Deal [15 – 25%] increased damage while you have a Barrier active.
Chest (replaced by Raiment of the Infinite)	Everliving Aspect	You take [20 – 25%] less damage from Crowd Controlled or Vulnerable enemies.
Helm (replaced by Harlequin Crest)	Aspect of Might	Basic Skills grant 20% Damage Reduction for [2.0 – 6.0] seconds.
Pants	Snowveiled Aspect	Ice armor makes you unstoppable and grants you 25% Damage Reduction for [3.5 – 5.0] seconds.
Boots (replaced byFlickerstep)	Hectic Aspect	After casting 5 Basic Skills, one of your active Cooldowns is reduced by [1 – 2] seconds.

Gems

Listed below are the best Gems to socket into gear for each item type.

Weapon Gems	Armor Gems	Jewelry Gems
Royal Sapphire for increased Vulnerable Damage.	Royal Ruby for increased Maximum Life.	Any Resistance Gems needed or Royal Skull for Armor (up to the 9,230 Armor cap).

Elixirs

Visit the Alchemist in any main town to craft helpful Elixirs that increase stats and experience gain for 30 minutes. Make sure to forage plants and pick up the necessary crafting materials during your adventures; they randomly spawn around the world. Elixirs can also drop randomly from enemies and chests during many activities in Diablo 4. Listed below are the best Elixirs to consume, ranked by importance.

1. Elixir of Precision provides the highest damage output increase, if not already capped at 100% Critical Strike Chance.
2. Elixir of Advantage increases damage output, if not already capped at 100% Attack Speed bonus from gear and Paragon.
3. Elixir of Fortitude is the best general purpose option for survivability. Increased Maximum Life grants larger Barriers from Protection and Ice Armor.
4. Elixir of Iron Barbs can provide a high amount of Physical Damage Reduction. Armor becomes more effective as you approach the Armor cap (9,320 against monster level 100 and above).
5. Specific Resistance Elixirs can be utilized to survive against Uber Bosses with elemental attacks.

Return to the Alchemist again when you reach Level 20, 30, 45, 60, 70, 80 and 90, to upgrade your potion. The extra healing is essential to survival.

Stat Priority and Tempering Affixes

Listed below are the affixes to prioritize on gear for Arc Lash Sorcerers. Each line of affixes are listed in order of importance. Affixes on the same line are considered to be equally important, but their benefits may vary depending how much is stacked or other character stats. Bolded affixes are the most important targets for Masterworking upgrades.

A One-handed Weapon and Focus setup is preferred over a Staff for more beneficial utility affixes and a faster Weapon Speed. A Dagger is selected for the fastest weapon speed and the Damage to Close Enemies implicit stat.

The priority order of Resistances is Lightning > Poison > Fire > Cold > Shadow. Maximum Resistance is 70% by default for each element and can be increased to 85% by various sources.

If you are using a speed setup with Teleport Enchantment, temper the Evade Cooldown Reduction affix from the Natural Motion Manual onto your Boots and Amulet. Otherwise, temper the Movement Speed or Teleport Cooldown Reduction affixes.

Check the Tempering and Masterworking section for more details on Blacksmith upgrading.

Slot	Gear Affixes	Tempering Affixes
Dagger	1. Maximum Life 2. Intelligence, Critical Strike Damage, Vulnerable Damage	Discharge (Weapon): Chance for Arc Lash to Swipe Twice Shock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Chance
Focus	1. Critical Strike Chance, Cooldown Reduction 2. Maximum Life, Intelligence	Discharge (Weapon): Chance for Arc Lash to Swipe Twice Shock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Chance
Helm	1. Cooldown Reduction 2. Resistances, Armor 3. Lucky Hit Chance, Maximum Life, Intelligence	Sorcerer Control (Utility): Stun Duration Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor or Maximum Life
Chest	1. Ranks to Defensive Skills 2. Mana per Second, Resistances, Armor 3. Maximum Life, Intelligence	Sorcerer Control (Utility): Stun Duration Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor or Maximum Life
Gloves	1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Resistances, Armor 3. Lucky Hit Chance, Maximum Life, Intelligence, Critical Strike Damage, Vulnerable Damage	Shock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Chance Natural Schemes (Utility): Crowd Control Duration
Pants	1. Ranks to Arc Lash 2. Resistances, Armor 3. Maximum Life, Intelligence	Sorcerer Control (Utility): Stun Duration Worldly Endurance (Defensive): Armor or Maximum Life
Boots	Implicit Stat: Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown 1. Movement Speed 2. Resistances, Armor 3. Maximum Life, Intelligence	Natural Motion (Mobility): Evade Cooldown Reduction Sorcerer Control (Utility): Stun Duration
Amulet	1. Ranks to Devouring Blaze, Critical Strike Chance, Cooldown Reduction 2. Attack Speed 3. Movement Speed, Resistances, Armor	Natural Motion (Mobility): Evade Cooldown Reduction Shock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Chance
Rings	1. Critical Strike Chance, Attack Speed 2. Lucky Hit Chance, Maximum Life, Resistances 3. Intelligence, Critical Strike Damage, Vulnerable Damage	Ultimate Efficiency —  Sorcerer (Resource): Unstable Currents Cooldown Reduction Shock Finesse (Offensive): Shock Critical Strike Chance

Unique and Mythic Items

Listed below are the recommended and optional Unique Items for the Arc Lash Sorcerer build. Each item description includes the most important affix to target for Masterworking upgrades.

• Raiment of the Infinite (highly recommended) synergizes well with this build to group and Stun enemies. Check the Telestomp Build Variant section for more details.
  • Masterworking Priority: Ranks of the Glass Cannon Passive
• Flickerstep (recommended) synergies well with the Telestomp setup, as the unique effect works with the Evade Teleport to provide more uptime on Unstable Currents. The Evade Cooldown reduction in the implicit effect has a higher 2.5 second value than the 1.5 second value available on Legendary Boots.
  • Masterworking Priority: Damage Reduction from Close Enemies
• Tal Rasha’s Iridescent Loop (recommended) can provide up to a 60% damage multiplier with 4 elemental stacks.
  • Masterworking Priority: Cooldown Reduction
• Harlequin Crest (recommended) provides additional Ranks to Arc Lash and 20% Damage Reduction, if you are lucky enough to find this Mythic Unique Item.
  • Masterworking Priority: Cooldown Reduction
• Tibault’s Will (optional) can be utilized if additional Mana generation is needed. Alternate activations of the unique effect with Teleport, Flame Shield, and Ice Armor (with Snowveiled Aspect).
  • Masterworking Priority: Maximum Life, Maximum Resource, or Damage Reduction while Unstoppable
• Paingorger’s Gauntlets (recommended) enable Arc Lash to hit any enemies at a distance marked by other Shock skills auto-casted through Unstable Currents.
  • Masterworking Priority: Ranks to Basic Skills
• Fists of Fate (optional) increases overall damage by 50% with a perfect 300% value on the unique effect. Unfortunately, they are still a minor damage loss compared to well-rolled Legendary Gloves with +4 Ranks to Arc Lash, Attack Speed, Critical Strike Chance, and an Offensive Aspect.
  • Masterworking Priority: Any affix except Lucky Hit Chance to Restore Primary Resource
• Shard of Verathiel (recommended) provides a 3x multiplier for Fire Bolt, at the cost of 25 Primary Resource per cast. Only use this item in conjunction with Ring of Starless Skies.
  • Masterworking Priority: Ranks to Basic Skills
• Ring of Starless Skies (recommended) synergizes with Shard of Verathiel to reduce the Mana cost of Fire Bolt, while also providing a damage multiplier.
  • Masterworking Priority: Attack Speed

Advanced Information

Additional details are provided in the following sections for a more in-depth explanation of the Arc Lash Sorcerer. Read this advanced information after understanding the basic overview of the build in the previous sections.

Build Mechanics

Playing the Arc Lash Sorcerer is fairly simple, but requires careful management of Cooldowns. Arc Lash deals most of the overall damage output with multiple sources of increased Basic Skill damage, while rapidly activating other Shock Skills with Unstable Currents to supplement additional damage.

Skill Points are allocated into Destructive Charged Bolts, but not actually slotted into the Skill Bar. The 20% reduced enemy damage debuff is applied through auto-casted Charged Bolts through Unstable Currents. Hectic Aspect on Legendary Boots (or Flickerstep) reduces Unstable Currents cooldown, so activate the Ultimate Skill often.

Each cast of Arc Lash has a 25% chance of spawning Lightning Spear while Unstable Currents is active. Lightning Spear counts as a Conjuration Skill to gain increased damage stacks from Conjuration Mastery, and the spear applies Vulnerable on Critical Strike. Lightning Spear can also be casted manually from the Skill Bar to apply Vulnerable when Unstable Currents is not active.

Survivability is achieved through the use of three Defensive Skills, Flame Shield, Ice Armor and Shimmering Teleport. In addition, each Cooldown Skill casted grants a Barrier from Protection. Proper use of these Skills can keep a Sorcerer alive through the toughest battles, despite having a low Life pool.

Damage Rotation

Use the following rotation to optimize damage.

1. Activate Unstable Currents often, as the Cooldown is reduced frequently.
2. Cast Lightning Spear to apply Vulnerable when Unstable Currents is not active.
3. Spam Arc Lash.
4. Use Ice Armor, Teleport and Flame Shield to activate Barriers from Protection.

Telestomp with Raiment of the Infinite

Raiment of the Infinite allows the Arc Lash Sorcerer to use 2 sources of Teleport offensively. Teleporting on top of enemies to Stun and group them up is called “Telestomping”. This playstyle can quickly clear groups of enemies and keep them Crowd Controlled (CC) for safety, perfect for speed-farming Helltides, Nightmare Dungeons, and The Pit!

Use the following setup for the Arc Lash Sorcerer.

• Equip Raiment of the Infinite to enable Telestomps. Target-farm Raiment of the Infinite from Varshan or Lord Zir for the best chances of it dropping.
• Replace Ball Lightning with Teleport in the Enchantment Slots.
• Equip Boots with the implicit effect, Attacks Reduce Evade’s Cooldown, which work with the Evade Teleport.

Obol Gambling

Obol gambling is a great way to potentially find item upgrades or items missing from your build. Use Obols on your target equipment for a chance to receive Greater Affixes. Check out the new tool from Icy Veins for gambling Obols in the link below.

Season 5: Infernal Hordes

The following list details the changes in the Season 5 Update (Patch 1.5.0) that may pertain to Arc Lash Sorcerers. Check the Changelog for all the other guide updates.

• Flickering Arc Lash
  • Previous: Gain 6% Movement Speed for 5 seconds for each enemy hit with Arc Lash, up to 18%.
  • Now: Arc Lash grants 5 Mana if your swipe hits at least one enemy. When you hit 3 or more enemies or a Boss, your next swipe also deals 50% more damage.
• Teleport
  • Cooldown increased from 11 to 14.
  • Base damage increased from 25% to 35%.
• Flame Shield
  • Cooldown begins when Invulnerability ends.
• Ice Armor
  • Max Life Base Shield amount increased from 25% to 40%.
  • No longer gains increased Shield based on damage.
• Vyr’s Mastery
  • Previous: Close enemies take 15% increased damage from your Shock Skills and deal 20% less damage to you. Critical Strikes increase these bonuses to 20% and 25% respectively for 3 seconds.
  • Now: When you Critical Strike an enemy with a Shock Skill you become Charged and take 25% less damage for 5 seconds. While Charged, Critical Strikes have a 10% chance to causes the damage to arc as Lightning damage to another Nearby enemy, or if there are no other targets you hit the target again for 250% of the damage.
• Snowveiled Aspect
  • Previous: Ice armor makes you unstoppable and grants you 30% armor for 3.5-5 seconds.
  • Now: Ice armor makes you unstoppable and grants you 25% Damage Reduction for 3.5-5 seconds.

Changelog

• August 6th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 5 (Patch 1.5.0).
• May 15th, 2024: Priority Affixes updated with game changes made since the Season 4 PTR.
• May 14th, 2024: Guide updated for Season 4 (Patch 1.4.0)
• March 5th, 2024: Guide updated for the Mid Season 3 Update (Patch 1.3.3).
• January 22nd, 2024: Guide updated for Season 3 (Patch 1.3.0).
• October 17th, 2023: Guide updated for Season 2 (Patch 1.2.0).
• July 18th, 2023: Guide updated for Season 1.