Sorceror Weapons

[weakwarrior]

I'm trying to build up a good sorceror in solo-multi. I'm currently clvl 34, and I have been wondering what weapons to look for. I've read Jarulf's guide so I know which items are possible, but since I only bought the game two months ago, my playing experience is severely limited.

The "best build" posts I have seen prefer Dreamflange, but I was hoping for a slightly longer list, as that mace is rather ... unique (no pun intended) as it is the only 1-handed weapon which gives +skill.
The best non-uniques I can think up are an emerald sword of sorcery/heavens or an archangel's staff of wizardry. The sword sounds like overkill for the resistances, but since I have no obsidan jewelry this might be the way to go. The staff on the other hand means giving up the shield. Any comments on shields are also appreciated.

I am currently doing nightmare (caves and hell). Caves are easy whereas hell depends a lot on the monsters. My last encounter with azure drakes (3 games back) was... difficult to say the least.

My current equipment:
Wizardspike
Sword of Heavens(+15)
Mindcry
Stormshield
Obsidian Shield(Ac 8, 39% Resist All)

PS. I am aware that a character's equipment should be seen as a whole, but by restricting it to weapons and shields I'm focusing on what I find most difficult

There are generally two accepted ways to play a sorcerer in std diablo: tank and arty. The idea of a tank mage is to get high ac which allows you to tp into anything and start casting. It is the method I use, and is a very quick way to gain exp. although it is admittedly pretty boring.

Tank mages require a high ac plate, so knowing your plate is crucial. If you have a high enough plate then add a stormshield and a high ac helm (generally royal circlet) and you are good to go (if your plate is truly high end you can forgo one of those). The fast block on the SS is helpful too. There are a number of issues you might face (in addition to finding the aforementioned helm and armor (it would be useful to know what you have)). The major one is getting resistance + getting enough strength to use the full plate (you need 90 str for a full plate - SS gives you 10).

If this isn´t an option, and I´m guessing it isn´t, then you need to play more carefully and keep a good distance. In this case you don´t need high ac or a shield, although resistances are always nice so you can take a beating from magic shooters. The std armor is Naj´s light plate which gives you resistances + other good stuff. Until you find that you should remember that Griz can sell obs armor of whatever, and since ac isn´t an issue (read you don´t have any, so deal) you can buy any type he sells (obs shirt of sorcery or the stars). The same goes for helms. This frees you up from looking for resistances in rings so you can use any ring you find. Staffs (AA or otherwise) in this setup are o.k. since you are in trouble if people get close anyway, although losing the wizardspike will mean you need a bit more res from your armor and helm. The wizardspike is o.k. too. Regarding emarald stuff - you are more likely to find a dreamflange than a suffixed emmy one handed weapon (there are less than 10 bosses that can drop it, no regular monsters, griz can´t sell it, and most of them are over the price limit at wirt - not to mention at level 34 he can´t sell sorcery anyway). So in the meantime I would use the wizardspike, obs shield, obs/jade armor or helm (which will max your resists) and then whatever else you find that works best for you. Dreamflanges can be hard to find. I found my first one when my mage was lvl 40 (of course I found the second one the same day - damn Murphy).

One other thing to remember, if you have no resistance to a certain attack then you will try to block the attack if you have a shield, and you will get stunned if you don´t block. This slows things down a lot, so it´s good to have at least a little resistance to everything.