Best In Slot Phase 2
Destruction Warlock Basics
The Warlock is a ranged DPS user that specializes in Fire and Shadow damage. Players that roll a Warlock can choose between three specifications;Affliction,Demonology, or Destruction. Formerly a spec that was considered a waste of talent points in the old days ofWorld of Warcraft, Destruction Warlocks in theClassicversion of the game get more respect. Some new talents and skills that were introduced inThe Wrath of the Lich Kingpre-patch make this build even more fearsome, and that applies toPvE,PvP, and raiding.
RELATED:WoW Wrath Classic: Best PvE DPS Class Tier List (WotLK)This guide is primarily focused on level 80 end-game content and will be updated with more information for the duration of theWrath of the Lich Kingexpansion.
There are a few options for how best to use them depending on the talents points, glyphs, and gems a player chooses. The Destruction Warlock relies less on the damage-over-time (DoT) talents of Affliction Warlocks and instead usesImmolateand related fire spells to do most of the damage.
Return to Table of Contents
Destruction Warlock Talent Trees
Destruction stands well on its own, with some interesting variations, but there are a few points in the other talents trees that can help boost the Destro Lock’s power to a savage degree. Passive abilities lower in the Destruction Tree such asShadow and FlameandFire and Brimstonefocus primarily on fire-based abilities.
Hybrid Destro-Demonology Build
(Talent calculator provided byeightyupgrades.com/)
It gets lonely at the top of that damage meter but the Destro Lock doesn’t have to walk alone. The Imp and Succubus are the two demons that can help raise that spell damage output.Improved Impis one option in the Demonology Tree, andDemonic Powerboosts the casting time of both the Imp’s Firebolt and the Succubus' Lash of Pain.
Pure Destruction Build
Mostly Destruction, anyway, since a couple of points inSuppressionfrom the Affliction Tree to improve hit rating is an essential addition.Conflagrate, which requires 30 points in this tree, is one of the Destruction Warlock’s signature abilities. It consumesImmolate, one of the basic Warlock DoTs to deal a large portion of that damage in an instant.
Profession Choices
Cooking
There are three secondary professions, and Warlocks should also max out their Fishing and First Aid, but the creation of consumables for both raids and PvE is essential. It’s possible to buy ingredients for foods likePoached Bluefishon the Auction House, but players that have their Fishing skills maxed can save some gold and cook with their own catch.
Post Wrath of the Lich King, accomplished cooks can makeShoveltusk SteakandImperial Manta Steak. Feasts, which allow an accomplished cook to make a meal for the whole party, are another addition that becomes available when Northrend
Herbalism
It used to be that herbs were only used for Alchemy, but now they’re also used for Inscription and come with a useful ability,Lifeblood. This heals the character over a period of five seconds and can be used at virtually anytime, including in combat, stealthed out, or afflicted by a DoT. Since Warlocks have the Life Tap ability this can also be used to replenish some mana.
Tailoring
In The Burning Crusade, many of theBest-in-slotitems for Warlocks were craftable and bind-on-pickup, which is why most Warlocks were tailors before Wrath of The Lich King. This evens out after the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, but the profession still has its advantages.
Some BiS items are still crafted in the WotLK, and there’s also the new mount, the Magic Carpet, which can only be crafted and used by tailors. Another advantage of Tailoring is that its main resource, cloth, is a drop from enemies instead of collected through a gathering profession, giving the character an extra profession slot. A Warlock can combine Tailoring with Alchemy, Jewelcrafting, or Inscription.MORE:WoW Wrath Classic: Affliction Warlock Guide (WotLK)
