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The Best Mage Build Guide in Diablo 4: Ship of Hate
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The Best Mage Build Guide in Diablo 4: Ship of Hate

The Sorcerer has been iconic in many Blizzard games (the Blizzard itself is one spell in the Wizard’s arsenal) and Diablo IV: Ship of Hate no different. If you, like many before you, are trying to shape arcane and elemental powers to your will, this crafting guide will help you whether you’re just getting started or preparing to tackle the endgame.

Beginner Leveling Build – Mage

The idea behind this build is to be a scary multi-target melee mage that deals tons of electric damage and spawns tons of minions (which deal damage on their own), while also not having to worry about mana.

You’ll spend mana on Charged Bolt and land critical hits frequently; This will Stun enemies and reduce your defense and attack cooldowns while triggering more damage. I’ll be honest, this was some of the most fun I’ve had in Diablo. Entertainment!

Mage skill tree in Diablo IV Vessel of Hate

screenshot: Blizzard / Kotaku

Basic Skills

  • Arc Lash 5/5 – Vibrating Arc Lash

Basic Skills

  • Fireball 1/5
  • Loaded Bolt 5/5 – Large Loaded Bolt
  • Strong Protection 3/3
  • Elemental Domination 1/3

Defensive Skills

  • Elemental Attunement 1/3
  • Teleportation 1/5 – Shining Teleportation
  • Glass Canon 3/3
  • Ice Armor 1/5 – Shining Ice Armor

Magic Skills

  • Hydra 1/5 – Summoned Hydra
  • Align Elements 1/3
  • Protection 3/3
  • Magic Mastery 3/3
  • Familiar 1/5 – Summoned Familiar

Mastery Skills

  • Static Discharge 1/3
  • Shocking Effect 3/3

Superior Skills

  • Unsteady Currents 4/4 – Prime
  • Flowing Streams 3/3
  • Transmission 3/3
  • Electric shock 3/3
  • Contractions 3/3
  • Summon 3/3
  • Elemental Synergies 3/3

Key Passive

spells

Beginner Endgame Build – Mage

The purpose of this build is to summon tons of Conjuration minions like Hydra and Familiar, all of which increase your damage. At this point, you’ll use Chain Lightning to attack as many enemies as possible; These enemies will all explode when they die. Use Spark and Ice Armor to regain your MP, then use Familiar immediately after using Hydra, Ice Armor, or Chain Lighting to summon Fire, Ice, or Lightning familiars respectively.

As with all builds here, there’s a lot of flexibility in how you use your non-core points. Go for more survivability if you need to, and go for more damage if you want. It’s all gravy.

I also highly recommend bringing Aldkin with you and relying on his Fire damage skills, because the more enemies that burn, the better things will happen for you. I also recommend using Aldkin’s mana-regenerating ability while standing in the firestorm he creates. More mana means more Chain Lightning.

Fire arrows and lightning. It’s really scary.

Mage gameplay in Diablo IV Vessel of Hate

screenshot: Blizzard / Kotaku

Basic Skills

  • Spark 1/5 – Shining Spark

Basic Skills

  • Fireball 1/5
  • Chain Lightning 5/5 – Big Chain Lightning
  • Strong Protection 3/3
  • Elemental Domination 3/3

Defensive Skills

  • Elemental Attunement 1/3
  • Teleportation 1/5 – Shining Teleportation
  • Glass Canon 3/3
  • Ice Armor 1/5 – Shining Ice Armor

Magic Skills

  • Hydra 1/5 – Summoned Hydra
  • Align Elements 1/3 – Protection 3/3
  • Magic Mastery 3/3
  • Mana Shield 3/3
  • Familiar 1/5 – Summoned Familiar

Mastery Skills

  • Frosted Veil 3/3
  • Inner Flames 1/3
  • Devouring Flame 3/3

Superior Skills

  • Fiery Surge 1/3
  • Temperature 3/3
  • Flowing Streams 3/3
  • Transmission 3/3
  • Electric shock 3/3
  • Summon 3/3
  • Elemental Synergies 3/3

Key Passive

spells

Now that you are armed with knowledge, weave a path of destruction through the forces of Hate and restore peace (albeit short-lived) to Sanctuary, Wanderer.

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