Lightning Spells

The Lightning Spells skill tree consists of spells that draw their power from the element of lightning and electricity.  All but one of this spells are active skills.  Like the Fire Spells skill tree, rhis tree also contains spells that Diablo players will instantly find familiar.  Of course, a few new spells have been added to liven up the mix a good deal.  The Lightning Spells tree is one of the most versatile set of spells in the game.

The tree is roughly divided into three rows with a mastery at the very bottom like the other skill trees for the Sorceress.  On the left row are area of effect type spells, those that cover a wide area of the screen with their power.  The middle row conains the projectile spells that fire off towards an opponent.  The right row contains special spells that do not damage as much as give the Sorceress other powers.  This tree is also one of the most linear, possessing few cross branches. 

Charged Bolt (Req: Clvl 1) The Charged Bolt spell creates a pulse of electric energy that follows an erratic path across the screen.  This skill is very similar to the one from the original Diablo, and should be famaliar to Diablo players.

Lightning Mastery (Req: Clvl 1) Lightning Mastery aids the Sorceress by making her lightning spells easier to cast by reducing mana costs and more effective by increasing damage.  This passive skill aids the entire tree with its addition.

Static Field (Req: Clvl 5) Static Field creates an area around the Sorceress that is damaging to enemies that enter its perimeter.  This spell could be useful in creating a sort of a wall around the Sorceress, and could aid her in stationary melee combat.

Telekinesis (Req: Clvl 5) Telekineses, like its Diablo predecessor, allows the Sorceress to pick up objects and manipulate them from a distance.  Telekinesis can also give the Sorceress a knockback attack by telekinetically "pushing" an opponent back.

Shock Trap (Req: Clvl 10, Static Field) This spell emits rapid rings of lightning that damage nearby targets.  It is more effective that Static Field as it does more damage and will probably have a larger area of effect.

Lightning Bolt (Req: Clvl 10, Charged Bolt) Lightning Bolt fires off a stream of powerful lightning-based stream that can kill opponents until it travels off of the stream.  The Lightning Bolt is very similar to the skill in Diablo, but with improved graphics.

Chain Lightning (Req: Clvl 15, Charged Bolt, Lightning Bolt) This spell creates several lightning bolts that seek out targets on the screen, damaging them as they go.  Like Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning can damage even more opponents before it finally leaves the screen..

Teleport (Req: Clvl 15, Telekinesis) The most useful spell from Diablo has returned in the same form in Diablo II.  Teleport allows the Sorceress to move to any area on the screen with an expenditure of mana, even across walls and other barriers.

Nova (Req: Clvl 20, Static Field, Shock Trap, Charged Bolt. Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning) The Nova spell is another that has returned from Diablo, and with a similar but more deadly effect.  Nova creates a ring of lightning that spreads over the entire screen, damaging and killing everything in sight.

Energy Shield (Req: Clvl 20, Telekinesis, Telepott. Charged Bolt, Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning) The Energy Shield is much like the Mana Shield from Diablo, though it is unknown if its drains mana to block attacks.  It is known that it isn´t as effective against physical attacks as it is magical ones.