Chain Lightning build tweaks or new build?

I just got started playing D2R to keep me busy til D4, but also because I bought it for nostalgia. I’ve yet to complete the game in Nightmare and Hell, I’m at Ancients Nightmare, and struggled against them so wonder if someone could look at my build?

I love playing this build. I use Frost Nova then Chain Lightning opening with Static Field if its a boss or tough enemy. I also have hydra and blizzard from items. I am thinking I need to respect, but I wasted the Normal one, so want to be careful with the last two I get. I know I can use the cube but those mats seem end game rewards so I’m playing like I only have 2 respecs left.

I’m tempted to add Energy Shield and move all my points into Energy. Seems like I might live longer as I assume it won’t touch my health until all my mana is gone or it splits it taking most from mana then some from health.

I also am now finding lightning resist mobs but more frost/fire than lightning. I’m wondering if I will need to respec into a dual element build for Hell so I might just whip my build and respec the whole thing. I’m doing great for all but lightning resist mobs and I love arcing my lightning across all mobs, so cool. But if I will need a different end game build I might as well get used to the gameplay now.

Is an end-game lightning build feasible? Should I go with different element? I love Hydra, not crazy about how hard Blizzard seems to direct but maybe cuz I’ve only used it from items and with investment it is easier to target and keep mobs in its range.

Thoughts and feedback please?

No Gear
Geared

Your build seems too spreaded in all directions.
You are new so I suggest you start another build more budget oriented and viable without a sander charm. Hydra-orb was my favorite in 2.5 and 2.6. Now that 2.7 is out, I don’t know which builts fill these two criteria and how does hydra-orb perform now.

My suggestion would be to respec into Hydra-Orb. This maxes out Frozen Orb and maxes out Hyrda with all the synergies for Hydra, along with Fire Mastery. Just a few points into Cold Mastery. This does quite well until you get Sunder charms adn better gear.

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