The World Of Warcraft Warlock Class Guide
Like the WoW Hunter class, the WoW Warlock class has the benefit of a Pet/Minion which he can use to tank mobs. Instead of supplementing with bullets or arrows, the Warlock uses his spells. The Warlocks ability to cast a plethora of curses upon opponents crippling their ability to strike back as well as their efficiency makes the World of Warcraft Warlock a very formidable class. Warlocks also have the ability to drain both mana and life while in full flight which can end battles quickly while retaining full life for themselves.
Fear is without question the Warlocks most important spell allowing them to force their opponents to run away in fear. Now throw in the Warlocks ability to destroy his enemies by summoning up creatures from the abyss to aid him in battle or have him use his shadow ability and blast your enemy to kingdom come with death dealing damage spells. These are just a few of the skills that makes the World of Warcraft Warlock a deadly adversary indeed.
The World of Warcraft Warlock has 3 trees of abilities he can learn from, with each tree having different types of abilities for the Warlock to focus upon. They are the Destruction tree, the Demonology tree and the Affliction tree.
The Destruction tree trains WoW Warlocks to annihilate their enemies in mere seconds.
The Demonology tree is used to buff your Pets/Minions in combat allowing them to act as a tank in combat.
The Affliction tree enhances the Warlocks ability to wear down and slow his opponents with spells like Curse of Exhaustion, preventing them from ever reaching you.
World of Warcraft Warlocks get the following Pets/Minions:
Level 01 - Imp
Level 10 - Voidwalker
Level 20 - Succubus
Level 30 - Felhunter
Level 50 - Infernal
Level 60 - Doomguard
Their ability to take on mobs solo, makes Warlocks fantastic tanks. While playing a WoW Warlock, you will find that by utilizing your pet's/minion's the right way, you can gain more XP (experience) alone than being in a group. Both the Warlock and the Hunter do well working on their own. DoT (Damage over Time) is the Warlock's primary damage output. In PvP mode, the World of Warcraft Warlock needs to be able to survive the initial onslaught, because in a drawn out battle, the warlock is perhaps the most powerful PvP'er in the World of Warcraft. The longer the PvP duel lasts, the stronger the warlock becomes.
World of Warcraft Warlock - Attributes
Here are the reasons why Stamina is essential for the WoW Warlock:
Agility - Although agility grants an enhanced chance to critically hit in melee, it has absolutely nothing to do with your spells chance to critically hit, so don’t even think about it.
Intelligence - Intelligence increases the chance to get critical hits with spells, but DoT's (Damage over Time spells) don't ever get critical hits with but one exception - Immolate can get critical hits with its initial blast. So, since the Warlock's main source of damage are his DoT spells, why put any high investment into Intelligence.
Strength - Strength is of no use.
Spirit - Spirit would seem to be a good choice here since it increases your mana regeneration rate. But since a warlock has the ability to convert Health into Mana, why put a high investment into Spirit? Therefore, it only makes sense to buff up your Warlock's Stamina.
World of Warcraft - Warlock Weapons
So that you can equip a Wand in your Warlocks off-hand, your World of Warcraft Warlock should go for a one-handed weapon such as a Dagger. There are no penalties for putting wands in your Warlock's off-hand, they do as much damage as they would in his main hand. Can you say dual wielding Warlock?
World of Warcraft Warlock - Minion Quests
The Voidwalker Quest
Human: Visit Remen Marcot in the Lions Pride Inn basement in Elwynn
Forest.
Gnome: Speak to Lago Blackwrench in Ironforge. He's in the Forlorn
Cavern area.
Undead: Speak with Ageron Kargal in Brill at the Gallow's End Tavern
Orc: Speak to Ophek in Razor Hill in Durotar (south of Orgrimmar).
The Succubus Quest
Human & Gnome: Obtained from Gakin the Darkbinder who's inside The
Slaughtered Lamb in Stormwind City. Far west end of the Mage Quarter. You will have to go to the Barrens to complete it. Fastest way is through the Wetlands. Take the boat to Aberdeen, then head south into Ashenvale. Stick to the road when you can, and go through the southern path and into the barrens.
Orc: Obtained from Gakin the Darkbinder who's inside The Slaughtered Lamb in Stormwind City. Again, just like the human and gnome, you will be journeying to The Barrens, but this time stopping at the crossroads. You can simply fly there, or if you haven't been there just take the west road out of Durotar. Gazrog is standing in front of the inn in the middle of town. From Gazrog, you will go to the Stonetalon mountains-head west from the crossroads and turn left when the path branches up into the mountains. Speak to Ken'zigla. Finally, go to Dogran just north of Camp Taurajo.
Undead: Speak to Carendin Halgar in the Undercity Magic Quarter-he's near some slime. From there, go to the temple and speak to Godrick Farsan. Now, it’s south to the Silverpine Forest to speak with Dalin. He's wandering around in front of the SW wall of the area map. And then finally, it’s off to the Wetlands. At the north edge, kill Comar Villard.
World of Warcraft Warlock - Secondary Skills
Herbalism, Alchemy and First Aid are excellent secondary skills for the World of Warcraft Warlock to have. The First Aid skill works wonders since it helps to save precious mana. After you cast your Fear spell, you have plenty of time to use your bandages, thus, saving mana for the fight. Alchemy gives you even more buffs and HP, a couple of things a warlock can always use. First Aid is also very handy for taking care of your Pets/Minions.
World of Warcraft Warlock - Talent Build
Demonology - Anybody who has ever played a Warlock will tell you that Demonology is useless especially in PvP.
Demonic Embrace - Demonic Embrace is also useless. It doesn't make sense to spend precious talent points to drop a stat in order to raise another one?
Recommendations are:
Mana Burn is just so useful in PvP - especially while Fear is on. Improved Corruption to instant cast is also mandatory. Make sure you get it.
Recommendation for PvP:
Improved Drain Life -3/5 points increases the health drained by your Drain Life spell by 6%.
Fel Concentration -5/5 points gives you a 70% chance to avoid interruption caused by damage while channeling the Drain Life, Drain Mana, or Drain Soul spell.
Amplify Curse -1/1 point increases the effect of your next Curse of Weakness or Curse of Agony by 50%, or your next Curse of Exhaustion by 20%.
Improved Drain Mana -2/2 points causes the Mana drained by your Drain Mana spell to damage the opponent.
Nightfall -2/2 points gives your Corruption and Drain Life spells a 3% chance to cause you to enter a Shadow Trance state after damaging the opponent. The Shadow Trance state reduces the casting time of your next Shadow Bolt spell by 100%.
Grim Reach -2/2 points increases the range of your Affliction spells by 20%.
Siphon Life -1/1 point transfers 13 health from the target to the caster every 3 seconds. Lasts 30 seconds.
Curse of Exhaustion -1/1 point reduces the target's speed to 90% of normal for 12 seconds. Only one Curse per Warlock can be active on any one target.
Improved Curse of Exhaustion -4/4 points increases the speed reduction of your Curse of Exhaustion by 20%.
Shadow Mastery -5/5 points increases the damage dealt or life drained by your Shadow spells by 10%.
In this line, the Warlock gets extra range with Grim Reach (highly useful in PvP, especially when you lay down a Fear. While they run, you can continue to pound them - also very useful vs. melee class). Of course Improved Mana Burn rocks, and Curse of Exhaustion has numerous uses. Fel Concentration is extremely useful in PvP as it allows you to remain undisturbed while channeling.
Destruction Talents (11 points)
Cataclysm -5/5 points reduces the Mana cost of your Destruction spells by 5%.
Bane -5/5 points reduces the casting time of your Shadow Bolt and Immolate spells by 0.5 seconds.
Shadow Burn -1/1 point instantly blasts the target with 87 to 99 Shadow damage. Requires 1 Soul Shard. If the target dies from Shadow Burn, and yields experience, the caster gains a Soul Shard. Shadow Burn is instant direct damage. This is the perfect spell to use as a 'finishing move'. A spell that takes 2 seconds to cast followed by an immediate insta-cast shadowburn can make all the difference in wiping out that weakened target before it can raise a Heal.
World of Warcraft Warlock PvE Mode
Best way to begin combat:
Immolate first - Chance at a critical hit and a nice DoT.
Send in your Pet/Minion
Agony
Corruption
Life Tap
Siphon Life
Drain Life
Make sure you always have Fear and Seduce on call. Fear is the Warlocks most essential spell, both for PvE and PvP. If you are taking a load of damage, use Death Coil and Healthstone, don't worry about the down time, you don't use them often, and that is what they are there for.
World of Warcraft Warlock PvP Mode
World of Warcraft Warlock Vs Warlock & Priest:
Both of these classes have a Fear spell, and will be surely prepared to use it on you. Cast Fear as soon as you can. Generally, getting in the first Fear on the other will have a clear advantage. Throw up your DoTS and use your Pet/Minion. Once their health drops to about 40%, get them into a mez with Seduce. Keep draining their mana. Hopefully you spent points in Improved Mana Drain, so that while you suck out their mana, you also cause damage. A Priest is worthless without mana to draw upon.
World of Warcraft Warlock Vs Mages, Shamans, & Druids:
Again, use your Fear against these guys. Especially with Mages, make sure you land your DoT's, as they are unable to heal themselves well. The Mage can beat you in the short term with raw damage output, which is why it is imperative you get a Fear in against the Mage. He will be distracted by your Pet/Minion, making it a bit harder for him to cast. Toss in a Seduce and end with Soul Fire and Shadow Burn (if you have it). Remember that Mages without mana are like naked babies-weak and helpless. Smack Mages and Shamans with Mana Burn as much as you can. The Shaman who tries to beat you with this casting ability will be hard pressed when he finds his mana supply depleted. If he melee's you, Seduce and/or Fear. Increase range and DoT him.
World of Warcraft Warlock Vs. Hunters:
For the warlock, there are two critical priorities when facing a hunter:
1) First is to rush him and get just outside melee range, but too close for his bow or gun.
2) Then, remove his Pet from the picture. Normally, players should ignore Pets when attacking a Pet-owner, but not in this case.
The Warlock will usually lose vs the Hunter unless the Pet is removed. Seduce the Hunter (if you have a Succubus, which you should at least have if you are in PvP), and kill the Pet while the Hunter is seduced. Once the Pet is removed, it should be downhill. You could also Fear the Pet, toss out a Curse of Agony, Corruption and repeat your SP until he is defeated. Hunters have poor healing ability. Use your DoTs on them and mez/fears strategically.
World of Warcraft Warlock Vs Rogues:
Understand that the Rogue has a get out of jail card: Vanish. Unless you tactically fight the Rogue with this in mind, there is little chance you will defeat him, at most he will simply flee. The Rogue's Vanish ability can be stripped if you keep DoT's on him. Any DoT will break Vanish, so it is imperative that at all times you keep the Rogue under a DoT. With this in mind, your best offense vs. a Rogue is to utilize your Pet/Minion as his armor will most likely be leather, and don’t forget your Fear. Remember to use First Aid while someone is running in Fear if your health is critically low.
World of Warcraft Warlock Vs Warriors & Paladins:
Neither class really has any range. Get your DoT's on them. Fear them when they are close. Send in your Pet/Minion while they are feared. Move out to a good range, beyond melee (kite them). Seduce is broken by a DoT, but often times it is just enough time to get your Fear off. Remember that once your enemies are down to about 40%, toss in your finishing spells. With a Paladin, he will have a Lay of Hands, and do a full heal. When he does, Fear him again. DoT him again. While feared, set up your kite game - get some distance and send in your Pet/Minion. Drain his mana when you can. Keep this method until he drops down and finish him with Soul Fire.