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Legend
Salfir’s F2P Warlock Guide
Updated for WoD 6.0.2.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Races
IV. Specialization and Talent Choice
IX. Conclusion
Introduction
First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this guide! Hopefully it can provide insight or serve as a refresher. This was originally written in patch 4.3 and is currently updated for Warlords of Draenor patch 6.0.2. While its focus is mainly PvP there is some PvE information. This guide is intended for level 20 twinks on World of Warcraft Trial accounts.
Warlocks are traditionally one of the strongest DPS classes in the game, supported by great access to CC, an ability to deal consistent and constant poke damage, and a surprising potential for burst. As a lock, you can turn the tide of battle by controlling enemies with well-timed fears and with superior positioning, allowing you to burst hard at range.
Forewarning: I’m a bit verbose, but my intent was to include as much necessary information as I could. Skip around if you like, find the information you’re looking for, and have fun!
Races
As a disclaimer, my biggest suggestion when picking a race is to pick what you like. Racials may (will, and have!) change(d) over time, but the skin and lore stay relatively the same. If you plan on investing any serious time on your warlock, pick a race that you enjoy. It also seems that with WoD Blizzard really wants to even the advantages and disadvantages of the different races. That being said, at the moment there are races that support warlocks better than others.
Alliance
Dwarf
Might of the Mountain - Helpful in increasing burst damage.
Frost Resistance - Minor decrease in damage received from Frost Mages.
Gnome
Escape Artist - Useful against many classes.
Nimble Fingers - Flat haste buff, equal to ~3 haste on gear.
Expansive Mind - More mana - with mana regen as it is, this is not really noticeable.
Arcane Resistance - Minor decrease in damage received from Druids, Hunters, and Mages.
Human
Diplomacy - Makes rep grinding easier. Faster access to Ambassador or the Diplomat.
The Human Spirit - another flat stat boost.
Worgen
Viciousness - Great all around the board, as many of our burst skills scale off of crit chance.
Aberration - Minor decrease in damage received from other Warlocks, Priests, Druids, and Hunters.
Horde
Blood Elf
Arcane Acuity - Great all around the board, as many of our burst skills scale off of crit chance
Arcane Affinity - Not super helpful for warlocks, but +3 spirit has a cool color…
Bloodthistle Petal - Only available to Blood Elves, a nice Spell Power boost, must be farmed
Arcane Resistance - Minor decrease in damage received from Druids, Hunters, and Mages
Orc
Hardiness - Useful against BM hunters, the dreaded HoJ, and any other stuns
Troll
Da Voodoo Shuffle - Not immediately noticeable but I’m sure it’s saved lives
Regeneration
Undead
Touch of the Grave - A minor damage/healing spell on a 15 second ICD with a 20% proc chance. You will see this proc, but it will not often be game-changing.
Cannibalize - Yum.
Shadow Resistance - Minor decrease in damage received from Priests and Warlocks.
Goblin
Rocket Jump - A multitude of great uses. And tons of fun, to boot.
Time is Money - A flat buff to cast speed. No complaints. Equal to ~3 haste on gear.
Better Living Through Chemistry - The only thing this racial really does is allow you to craft your own Healing Potions. Not very notable.
Pack Hobgoblin - A minor convenience.
Archived
Updated for WoD 6.0.2.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Races
a. Alliance
b. Horde
III. SpellsIV. Specialization and Talent Choice
a. Affliction
b. Demonology
c. Destruction
V. Useful Linksa. Guides
b. Videos
VI. Geara. Preface
b. Gear Choices
VII. PvP Suggestionsa. General
b. Specialization-Specific
VIII. Macros, Addons, and ConsumablesIX. Conclusion
Introduction
First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this guide! Hopefully it can provide insight or serve as a refresher. This was originally written in patch 4.3 and is currently updated for Warlords of Draenor patch 6.0.2. While its focus is mainly PvP there is some PvE information. This guide is intended for level 20 twinks on World of Warcraft Trial accounts.
Warlocks are traditionally one of the strongest DPS classes in the game, supported by great access to CC, an ability to deal consistent and constant poke damage, and a surprising potential for burst. As a lock, you can turn the tide of battle by controlling enemies with well-timed fears and with superior positioning, allowing you to burst hard at range.
Forewarning: I’m a bit verbose, but my intent was to include as much necessary information as I could. Skip around if you like, find the information you’re looking for, and have fun!
Races
As a disclaimer, my biggest suggestion when picking a race is to pick what you like. Racials may (will, and have!) change(d) over time, but the skin and lore stay relatively the same. If you plan on investing any serious time on your warlock, pick a race that you enjoy. It also seems that with WoD Blizzard really wants to even the advantages and disadvantages of the different races. That being said, at the moment there are races that support warlocks better than others.
Alliance
Dwarf
A solid choice, features a flat damage increase as well as an active defense ability.
Stoneform - A general debuff clear on a 2m cooldown. Might of the Mountain - Helpful in increasing burst damage.
Frost Resistance - Minor decrease in damage received from Frost Mages.
Gnome
Decent choice, helpful for kiting enemies.
Engineering Specialization - Allows use of Large Copper BombEscape Artist - Useful against many classes.
Nimble Fingers - Flat haste buff, equal to ~3 haste on gear.
Expansive Mind - More mana - with mana regen as it is, this is not really noticeable.
Arcane Resistance - Minor decrease in damage received from Druids, Hunters, and Mages.
Human
A very strong choice, especially if you have access to Arena Grand Masters. Powerful in battlegrounds and arenas.
Every Man for Himself - OP. Provides a 2m cooldown trinket, opening up an extra trinket spot for AGMs or honor trinkets. Effectively a stat boost.Diplomacy - Makes rep grinding easier. Faster access to Ambassador or the Diplomat.
The Human Spirit - another flat stat boost.
Worgen
A very strong choice. Powerful in battlegrounds.
Darkflight - A 'sprint' that is all around useful, making a Demo lock even more mobile, or a destro lock better at securing a kill or making an escape. Great for goal-oriented play as well.Viciousness - Great all around the board, as many of our burst skills scale off of crit chance.
Aberration - Minor decrease in damage received from other Warlocks, Priests, Druids, and Hunters.
Horde
Blood Elf
A very strong choice. Powerful in arenas and strong against other casters.
Arcane Torrent - An AoE blanket silence. What’s not to love?Arcane Acuity - Great all around the board, as many of our burst skills scale off of crit chance
Arcane Affinity - Not super helpful for warlocks, but +3 spirit has a cool color…
Bloodthistle Petal - Only available to Blood Elves, a nice Spell Power boost, must be farmed
Arcane Resistance - Minor decrease in damage received from Druids, Hunters, and Mages
Orc
A strong choice. Provides some nice extra damage.
Blood Fury - 2m cooldown spell power “trinket”, useful for dotting up an enemy team or providing a little extra burstHardiness - Useful against BM hunters, the dreaded HoJ, and any other stuns
Troll
Probably the weakest choice for Horde, but definitely not bad.
Berserking - Useful for having your dots roll faster, incinerate spam, or getting off a fear fast while in troubleDa Voodoo Shuffle - Not immediately noticeable but I’m sure it’s saved lives
Regeneration
Undead
A very strong choice. Powerful in battlegrounds and arenas.
Will of the Forsaken - Useful against Priests and Warlocks. Shares 30s cooldown with trinket, but allows you to save trinket for other CCTouch of the Grave - A minor damage/healing spell on a 15 second ICD with a 20% proc chance. You will see this proc, but it will not often be game-changing.
Cannibalize - Yum.
Shadow Resistance - Minor decrease in damage received from Priests and Warlocks.
Goblin
A very strong choice. Powerful in battlegrounds and arenas.
Rocket Barrage - Adds some extra damage, allowing you to burst even better.Rocket Jump - A multitude of great uses. And tons of fun, to boot.
Time is Money - A flat buff to cast speed. No complaints. Equal to ~3 haste on gear.
Better Living Through Chemistry - The only thing this racial really does is allow you to craft your own Healing Potions. Not very notable.
Pack Hobgoblin - A minor convenience.
Archived
Mists of Pandaria:Cataclysm:Introduction
First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this guide! Hopefully it can provide insight or serve as a refresher. This was written in patch 4.3 and while its focus is mainly PvP there is some PvE information. This guide is intended for level 20 twinks on World of Warcraft Trial accounts.
Warlocks are secretly OP. They can comfortably top damage charts, utilize one of the best CCs in the game (Fear!), and despite wearing cloth have immense survivability (Soul Link!).
Forewarning: I’m a bit verbose, but my intent was to include as much necessary information as I could. Skip around if you like, find the information you’re looking for, and have fun!
Races
As a disclaimer, my biggest suggestion when picking a race is to pick what you like. Racials may (will, and have!) change(d) over time, but the skin and lore stay relatively the same. If you plan on investing any serious time on your warlock, pick a race that you enjoy. That being said, at the moment there are races that support warlocks better than others.
Alliance
Dwarf
Probably not the best choice for a warlock.Frost Resistance - Useful against mages
Stoneform - Useful for reducing incoming damage and removing crippling poison
Gnome
Decent choice, helpful for kiting enemies.Arcane Resistance - Useful against hunters, druids, and mages
Engineering Specialization - Allows use of Large Copper Bomb
Escape Artist - Useful against many classes
Expansive Mind - More mana!
Human
Generally the best choice for an alliance warlock, especially if you have access to Arena Grand MastersEvery Man for Himself - OP. Provides a 2m cooldown trinket instead of the normal 5m trinket. Also opens up an extra trinket spot.
Diplomacy - Makes rep grinding easier. Faster access to Ambassador or the Diplomat
Horde
Blood Elf
A very strong choice. Powerful in arenas and strong against other casters.Arcane Resistance - Useful against hunters, druids, and mages
Arcane Torrent - An AoE blanket silence. What’s not to love?
Arcane Affinity - Not super helpful for warlocks, but +3 spirit has a cool color…
Bloodthistle Petal - Only available to Blood Elves, a nice Spell Power boost, must be farmed
Orc
A strong choice. Good for Demo locks and also provides some nice extra damage.Blood Fury - 2m cooldown spell power “trinket”, useful for dotting up an enemy team or providing a little extra burst
Command - Slightly higher pet damage
Hardiness - Useful against BM hunters, fire mages, and the dreaded HoJ
TrollProbably the weakest choice for Horde, but definitely not bad.Beast Slaying
Berserking - Useful for dotting up enemy team or getting off a fear fast while in trouble
Da Voodoo Shuffle - Not immediately noticeable but I’m sure it’s saved lives
Regeneration
UndeadA very strong choice. Powerful in arenas and strong against priests and other warlocks.Shadow Resistance - Useful againsts Priests and Warlocks
Cannibalize - Yum
Will of the Forsaken - Useful against Priests and Warlocks. Shares 30s cooldown with trinket, but allows you to save trinket for other CC
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