WotLK Classic Warlock Guide

Since Gul’Dan warlocks were truly powerful casters with a lot of unique abilities and outstanding class specific. In our WotLK Warlock guide, you can find all you need to know about this class.

WotLK Classic Warlock Overview

Warlock class gameplay is built around some DoTs and strong dark magic damage abilities. This class also has unique companions: demons, which Warlocks summon for additional support, damage, and tanking, depending on what demon you summon. Keep in mind, that this class has only damage-dealing specs.

Destruction

Destruction Warlocks are the masters of ashing enemies to death with massive fire spells and burning the souls of enemies. The specialization has a huge burst potential combined with constant direct damage. However, the problem is the lack of finishing spells that are widely presented among other Warlock specs.

While Destruction Warlocks were literally kings of The Burning Crusade Damage Meter, in WotLK they found themselves in the very bottom, which made Warlock in WotLK mains switch to Affliction and moves Destruction mains to PvP. However, Destro Warlocks have received massive support from potential buffs, so they still can be used in certain situations in raids.

Affliction

Affliction was an absolute underdog throughout the whole TBC, but for now, it receives a massive rise becoming arguably the best Ranged DPS spec out of all. It has made a significant jump in its damage-over-time spells damage.

WotLK Affliction Warlock finally shows the power of its potential and its abilities start to hit really hard. A new mechanic of Corruption was introduced, where you should prolong it for as long as possible with Everlasting Affliction. Also, the big factor is Drain Soul rework. Now it’s a big DoT finisher, which is used when the enemy is below 25% of health. Haunt also has a big impact on the damage you deal with your DoT spells.

All this makes Affliction one of the best DPS specs, but it really kills the idea of Affliction being a support spec while killing all the DPS Meters at the same time.

Demonology

Wrath of the Lich King has changed Demonology spec a lot. Now it’s not only a playable spec but a great support spec that buffs all the raid with the spell power via Demonic Pact. The rotation has also changed significantly. It’s no longer about standing behind your Felguard and casting Soul Fire and Shadow Bolt. There are a lot of new possibilities, for example, you can easily turn into a demon (just like a Demon Hunter, but way before the Demon Hunter release). The skill that turns you into a demon is Metamorphosis. This is an extremely important cool-down, as it not only makes you deal more damage but also increases your survivability. We also get several different spells, such as Immolation Aura, Shadow Cleave, and Demon Charge. These skills make you change ranged attacks to melee range to increase your output damage. This makes your positioning much more interesting, so the WotLK Demonology Warlock gameplay in general becomes more diverse.

This is why Demonology is a great support spec with good burst damage and survivability. It’s really a fun spec to play!

WotLK Classic Warlock Changes

In the previous expansion, Destruction Warlock was the king of all Warlocks. All the Warlocks we saw were some sort of variation of Destruction Warlock. In Wrath of the Lich King, everything has changed. Each Warlock specialization sees its usage in Wrath of the Lich King. Now the Affliction comes into play, being one of the best ranged DPS classes in the game. WotLK Destruction Warlock moves into the PvP or becomes a mediocre support DPS class, and Demonology becomes a great playable spec with unique mechanics.

WotLK Classic Leveling!

Get any level you want!

WotLK Warlock Leveling Guide

There are two main ways of leveling Warlock. The first one – Demonology, and the second – Affliction. Destruction is not really the best choice for leveling. However, you may try some experiments with Destro Warlock, we will be covering two other specs for leveling.

Affliction

Strength

Weakness

Incredible low cast time per kill: due to the big amount of DoTs and instant WotLK Warlock spells, Warlock doesn’t stand and cast for 15 seconds in order to kill a mob. This is the best way to do World of Warcraft quests, as you will fight with a small number of enemies and do all the quests very quickly; Efficiency is off the charts: Warlock has good restoring potential, as Warlock can easily restore some health with Siphon Life and then convert it to mana.

Slow Single Target DPS: the Burst potential is not the greatest of all time, so if you have a big unit with a lot of health in front of you, it might take some time to speed your damage up. Affliction is much better with multidotting a lot of targets; High Attention Gameplay: as the class is a bit weak with survivability and the rotation is very easy, you have to pay a lot of attention to your health and enemy debuffs and DoT spells.

Demonology

Strength

Weakness

Incredible Strong AOE: the synergy of Seed of Corruption with Metamorphosis, Immolation Aura, Shadowflame, and Shadow Cleave gives a high AOE potential. Demonology Warlocks are the kings of Dungeon content, where they have a lot of mobs; Group Support: And the reason it’s very good in dungeons is not only in AOE but also in great buffs and support for groups, which we discussed in the overview. Furthermore, Demonology Warlocks have a really great utility.

Metamorphosis Cooldown: without Metamorphosis Demonology Warlock are not that good, so the big cooldown becomes a bit of a problem; Bad Solo Efficiency: while your Metamorphosis is an important cooldown, without it Warlock becomes less effective. You really need a group to unleash your potential as you need someone to protect you while you are on cooldown. Compared to affliction, this leads to bad solo efficiency and slow questing.

For more leveling info go check out our leveling guide for WotLKK Classic.

WotLK Warlock Talents and Glyphs

Even if you level your Warlock in Affliction or Demonology, for endgame you can choose another spec. So, let’s learn more about them.

Destruction build [0/13/58]: spec that deals a lot of straight fire damage, but it also has some procs that allow you to increase your damage, so in talent build, we have buffs for both. For both ways, we have different talents in our build. For straight fire damage, we have Emberstorm, Fire and Brimstone, and Shadow and Flame. For procs, we have Pyroclast, Backdraft, and Empowered Imp.

Affliction build [55/0/16]: spec that uses Damage-Over-Time skills for dealing damage and to hit hard with these DOTs, the fight has to last long, otherwise, burst damage specks are just better, because they can simply annihilate the target in a short period of time. But for most of the boss fights it’s not the case when the enemy is destroyed quickly, so that’s exactly where Affliction comes into play.

The main talents that increase our DOT spell damage output are Improved Curse of Agony, Improved Corruption, Siphon Life, and Malediction.

Demonology build [0/56/15]: the key of the spec is to change the rotation filler skill between Shadow Bolt, Incinerate, and Soulfire in order to proc Molten Core and Decimation. And at the same time buff your Felguard with different talents such as Demonic Empowerment, Unholy Power, Master Demonologist, and Demonic Tactics. And it’s worth noting that Demonic Pact is a talent that will make every caster in the Raid respect you as it increases spell damage by 10%.

WotLK Classic Warlock Stats

Collecting items with specific suitable for your spec stats will make you much more powerful, so let’s learn more about them.

Destruction	Affliction	Demonology
Hit Rating Spell Power Haste/Crit Rating Spirit Intellect	Hit Rating Spell power Haste Crit Rating Spirit Intellect	Hit Rating Spell Power Spirit Haste Crit Rating Intellect

Note about Hit Rating. For most targets (lvl 80) you need just 4%, which is 104.9 for Destruction and Demonology and 26.4 for Affliction, but if you fight against lvl 83 target, which is a raid boss, you need 17% in order not to miss, so it’s 445.9 for Destruction and Demonology and 367.2 for Affliction. So once you’ve reached the hit cap, focus on Spell Power, as the further increase of hit rating will be a waste of stats. Affliction has a lower cap because it’s being compensated by Suppression talent.

WotLK Classic Warlock Best Race

WotLK best Warlock race is another thing you should know before you create your new character.

Alliance	Horde
Humans are the best race to play among all the Alliance. This is due to increased spell power and reputation farm.	Orcs are the way to go. They boost the DPS of Demons and other pets, which is always nice.

WotLK Classic Warlock Consumables, Chants & Gems

The best warlocks never ignore any little detail that can make them powerful. So follow this rule too!

Affliction

Gems	Chants	Consumables
Meta – Chaotic Skyflare Diamond  Red – Runed Scarlet Ruby/ Runed Cardinal Ruby Yellow – Reckless Monarch Topaz/ Reckless Ametrine Blue – Purified Twilight Opal/ Purified Dreadstone	Head – Arcanum of Burning Mysteries Shoulder – Greater Inscription of the Storm Cloak – Enchant Cloak – Greater Speed Chest – Enchant Chest – Powerful Stats Bracer – Enchant Bracers – Superior Spellpower Gloves – Enchant Gloves – Exceptional Spellpower Legs – Brilliant Spellthread Boots –Nitro Boosts or Enchant Boots – Tuskarr’s Vitality Weapon – Enchant Weapon – Mighty Spellpower or Enchant Staff – Greater Spellpower Ring – Enchant Ring – Greater Spellpower	Flask – Flask of the Frost Wyrm Elixirs – Spellpower Elixir & Elixir of Mighty Mageblood Food – Fish Feast, Firecracker Salmon, or Tender Shoveltusk Steak Potion – Potion of Wild Magic Pet Food – Spiced Mammoth Treats

Destruction

Gems	Chants	Consumables
Meta – Chaotic Skyflare Diamond Red – Runed Scarlet Ruby/ Runed Cardinal Ruby Yellow – Potent Monarch Topaz/ Potent Ametrine Blue – Purified Twilight Opal/ Purified Dreadstone	Head – Arcanum of Burning Mysteries Shoulder – Greater Inscription of the Storm Cloak – Enchant Cloak – Greater Speed Chest – Enchant Chest – Powerful Stats Bracer – Enchant Bracers – Superior Spellpower Gloves – Enchant Gloves – Exceptional Spellpower Legs – Brilliant Spellthread Boots –Nitro Boosts or Enchant Boots – Tuskarr’s Vitality Weapon – Enchant Weapon – Mighty Spellpower or Enchant Staff – Greater Spellpower Ring – Enchant Ring – Greater Spellpower	Flask – Flask of the Frost Wyrm Elixirs – Spellpower Elixir & Elixir of Mighty Mageblood Food – Fish Feast, Firecracker Salmon, or Tender Shoveltusk Steak Potion – Potion of Wild Magic Pet Food – Spiced Mammoth Treats

Demonology

Gems	Chants	Consumables
Meta – Chaotic Skyflare Diamond Red – Runed Scarlet Ruby/ Runed Cardinal Ruby Yellow – Reckless Monarch Topaz/ Reckless Ametrine Blue – Purified Twilight Opal/ Purified Dreadstone	Head – Arcanum of Burning Mysteries Shoulder – Greater Inscription of the Storm Cloak –  Enchant Cloak – Greater Speed Chest – Enchant Chest – Powerful Stats Bracer – Enchant Bracers – Superior Spellpower Gloves – Enchant Gloves – Exceptional Spellpower Legs – Brilliant Spellthread Boots –Nitro Boosts or Enchant Boots – Tuskarr’s Vitality Weapon – Enchant Weapon – Mighty Spellpower or Enchant Staff – Greater Spellpower Ring – Enchant Ring – Greater Spellpower	Flask – Flask of the Frost Wyrm Elixirs – Spellpower Elixir & Elixir of Mighty Mageblood Food – Fish Feast, Firecracker Salmon, or Tender Shoveltusk Steak Potion – Potion of Wild Magic Pet Food – Spiced Mammoth Treats

WotLK Classic Warlock Best Professions

Tailoring is a great choice as it provides 295 Spell Power items, which is always great when you pay Warlock

Engineering is a must-have for all classes in WotLK, as it provides a lot of useful items, including a +340 haste rating.

If you want to dive deeply into these professions, go check our guides for Tailoring and Engineering. Also, if you don’t want to waste your time and gold on professions, you may check out our profession boosts Engineering and Tailoring.

WotLK Classic Warlock Rotation

This advice will help you to start mastering your Warlock skill, but in the future, you can choose your own way.

Destruction	Affliction	Demonology
Life Tap before the pull;   Curse of the Elements (or Curse of Doom);   Immolate (Keep the debuff up at all times);   Corruption (Keep the debuff up at all times);   Conflagrate (This should be used every time it’s off CD);   Chaos Bolt (This is your primary spell);   Incinerate (Use this when everything else is applied or on CD). Keep Curse of the Elements or Curse of Doom on the target at all times. You use Curse of Doom if you have an Unholy Death Knight or Moonkin in your group. Otherwise, you use Curse of the Elements. Imp is your best pet. He deals the most damage and the builds above both have Empowered Imp which gives us a 100% chance to crit after he crits.	At first, begin by casting Life Tap before the boss is engaged. Ensure the boss has Curse of the Elements on him at all times.   Corruption   Unstable Affliction    Haunt (Mostly for the buff)   Curse of Agony   Drain Soul (When the boss is below 25%)   Shadow Bolt  Be careful not to re-apply DoTs earlier than necessary as this will lower your DPS.	Demonology relies on a priority system instead of a skill rotation. Core Abilities: Life Tap increases your spell damage. Keep up with your target all the time;  Shadow Bolt is used as a filler when you don’t have cooldowns up. You should also keep Improved Shadow Bolt on the target; Immolate should be kept up at all times; Soul Fire Use when Molten Core and Decimation are active. If you can’t get both to proc, you can use it with just Decimation active; Corruption should be kept up at all times; Incinerate if you can’t get both procs just use it with Molten Core. Curses: Curse of the Elements should be on the target at all times; Curse of Doom is your primary curse when an unholy DK or Moonkin is in the raid group. Other Spells: Metamorphosis should be used as often as possible. Especially during the execution phase of the boss. (less than 35% health); Immolation Aura should only be used when Metamorphosis is active; It’s also worth noting to use your trinkets when Metamorphosis is active; Demonic Empowerment should be used on cooldown.

WotLK Warlock BIS

BiS stands for Best in slot. So, below you can find the best items for all Warlock specs. Here are the best items for Phase 1 and the pre-raid BiS list.

WotLK Classic Warlock Pre-Raid BIS List

Destruction	Affliction	Demonology
Visage Liquification Goggles Chain of Latent Energies Shoulderpads of Knowledge’s Pursuit Deathchill Cloak Heroes’ Plagueheart Robe Cuffs of Winged Levitation Heroes’ Plagueheart Gloves Plush Sash of Guzbah Pantaloons of Calming Strife Arcanic Tramplers Titanium Spellshock Ring Ring of Northern Tears Sundial of the Exiled Mark of the War Prisoner Titansteel Spellblade Ward of the Violet Citadel Staff of Draconic Combat Wand of Cleansing Light	Titan-Forged Hood of Dominance Encircling Burnished Gold Chains Amice of the Convoker Deathchill Cloak Heroes’ Plagueheart Robe Cuffs of Winged Levitation Spellweave Gloves Plush Sash of Guzbah Leggings of Calamity Sandals of Crimson Fury Ring of Northern Tears Band of Guile Sundial of the Exiled Mark of the War Prisoner Titansteel Spellblade Ward of the Violet Citadel Staff of Draconic Combat Wand of the San’layn	Forgotten Shadow Hood  Encircling Burnished Gold Chains Runecaster’s Mantle Deathchill Cloak Heroes’ Plagueheart Robe Cuffs of Winged Levitation Spellweave Gloves Girdle of Bane Pantaloons of Calming Strife Sandals of Crimson Fury Spectral Seal of the Prophet Sundial of the Exiled Titansteel Spellblade Ward of the Violet Citadel Staff of Draconic Combat Wand of Cleansing Light

WotLK Classic Warlock BIS List

Destruction	Affliction	Demonology
Valorous Plagueheart Circlet Wyrmrest Necklace of Power Valorous Plagueheart Shoulderpads Pennant Cloak Valorous Plagueheart Robe Unsullied Cuffs Valorous Plagueheart Gloves Leash of Heedless Magic Leggings of the Wanton Spellcaster Arcanic Tramplers Signet of Manifested Pain Lost Jewel Illustration of the Dragon Soul Dying Curse The Turning Tide Accursed Spine Gemmed Wand of the Nerubians	Valorous Plagueheart Circlet Wyrmrest Necklace of Power Valorous Plagueheart Shoulderpads Pennant Cloak Valorous Plagueheart Robe Unsullied Cuffs Valorous Plagueheart Gloves Leash of Heedless Magic Leggings of the Wanton Spellcaster Arcanic Tramplers Signet of Manifested Pain Band of Channeled Magic Illustration of the Dragon Soul Dying Curse The Turning Tide Matriarch’s Spawn Gemmed Wand of the Nerubians	Valorous Plagueheart Circlet Wyrmrest Necklace of Power Valorous Plagueheart Shoulderpads Pennant Cloak Valorous Plagueheart Robe Unsullied Cuffs Valorous Plagueheart Gloves Leash of Heedless Magic Leggings of the Wanton Spellcaster Arcanic Tramplers Signet of Manifested Pain Band of Channeled Magic Dying Curse Illustration of the Dragon Soul Matriarch’s Spawn Wand of the Archlich

WotLK Warlock PvP

The best Warlock specs for PvP in WotLK Classic are Destruction and Affliction. So here are the most popular 2v2 and 3v3 Arena team setups. They are considered to be the most effective and the best to grind Arena rating.

Destruction

2v2 comps	3v3 comps
Destruction Warlock/ Elemental Shaman Destruction Warlock/ Arms Warrior Destruction Warlock/ Discipline Priest Destruction Warlock/ Frost Mage Destruction Warlock/ Rogue Destruction Warlock/ Restoration Druid Destruction Warlock/ Holy Paladin	Destruction Warlock/ Holy Paladin/ Arms Warrior Destruction Warlock/ Balance Druid/ Restoration Shaman Destruction Warlock/ Frost Mage/ Restoration Druid Destruction Warlock/ Restoration Druid/ Elemental Shaman

Affliction

2v2 comps	3v3 comps
Affliction Warlock/ Shadow Priest Affliction Warlock/ Druid	Rogue/ Affliction Warlock/ Druid Rogue/ Affliction Warlock/ Shaman

WotLK Classic Warlock Macros

Finally, here are some useful tips to improve your Warlock gameplay in WotLK Classic. Macros are very useful tools for all specializations. Now let’s take a look at the most popular ones, which will help you a lot while playing Warlock.

Focus DoT Cast

#showtooltip Corruption
/cast [@focus,mod:alt][@mouseover,mod:ctrl][@target] Corruption

This macro allows you not to pick a target but to cast a spell to a current cursor location via pressing CTRL. If you press ALT you will cast on your focus. This saves you a lot of time during the fight.

Channeled Spells No Cancel

#showtooltip Drain Soul
/cast [nochanneling:Drain Soul] Drain Soul

This macro makes your channel spells impossible to cancel. Can be used with any channel spell.

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So, it’s all you need to know about WotLK Warlock. Good luck in getting the new gameplay experience, and don’t forget to rate our WotLK Warlock guide if this information was helpful for you.