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In the face of demonic power, most heroes see death. Warlocks see only opportunity. Dominance is their aim, and they have found a path to it in the dark arts. These voracious spellcasters summon demonic minions to fight beside them. At first, they command only the service of imps, but as a warlock’s knowledge grows, seductive succubi, loyal voidwalkers, and horrific felhunters join the dark sorcerer’s ranks to wreak havoc on anyone who stands in their master’s way.
Fail:Warlock crest.png

Warlocks are former arcanists, or in the case of the orcs, former shaman. In pursuit of ever-greater sources of power they have cast off their studies of the arcane or nature magics to delve deeper into the darker, fel-based magic of shadow.

Warlocks are renowned for their damage over time (DoT) spells, sinister Shadow magic, summoning demonic minions, and their ability to wreak havoc with destructive fire spells. Warlocks can specialize in any of these areas: Affliction warlocks are the masters of damage over time, draining their targets' health with an array of powerful debuffs; Demonology warlocks summon improved demons to do their bidding, drawing power from their minions and even transforming into demons themselves; Destruction warlocks call down a rain of fire upon their enemies, specializing in potent burst damage and fire spells.

Warlocks are often maligned and mistrusted due to the nature of their powers.

Overview[]

Warlocks are unique among the DPS caster classes because of their ability to convert health into mana. They can be + damage or + damage & crit players. Warlocks have the most powerful assortment of damage over time (DoT) spells and also the most variety in debuffs and summonable minions. Just like a mage, well-used crowd control abilities can stave off certain doom for the warlock and their allies. Depending on gear and specialization, the warlock's sustained burst damage can rival that of a mage. The warlock's area of effect spells are not as varied as those of their mage brethren.

Warlocks are well versed in the "shock and awe" tactics of warfare and their manipulation of shadow energies can send their opponents reeling in Fear. At low levels warlocks rely primarily on minions and damage over time spells to deal damage while fearing their enemies to prevent retribution.

Endgame warlocks either choose to maximize the effects of their DoTs and curses through Affliction, increase the utility of their summoned minions and stones through Demonology, or lay waste the opposition with burst damage and direct damage spells with Destruction.

The warlock can learn to summon magical mounts. Most other classes must purchase their own mounts with gold or via Honor obtained through PvP.

Being a warlock demands certain things: being able to engage multiple targets simultaneously while keeping tabs on your minion, make split-second strategic decisions on cast rotations depending on the situation, and careful aggro management. Being a warlock also rewards many things: they are PvP powerhouses due to naturally high stamina values, an ability to apply debilitating crowd control abilities, and in PvE their damage output in multiple target situations can rival those of other DPS classes who focus fire on a single target.

Warlocks can wear cloth armor only, and can equip staves, daggers, wands , and one-handed swords.

Background[]

Fail:Warlock.png

A warlock from Warcraft I.

Warlocks are masters of the dark arts, devoted to furthering their understanding and use of shadow and fire based magics along with summoning demons from the Twisting Nether. They appeared on Azeroth during the First War when Gul'dan, the first of their kind among the invading orc clans of Draenor, led the Horde across the dimensional gulf through the Dark Portal while in servitude to the Burning Legion.[1][2]

History[]

Fail:Demonology2.jpg

A warlock and his demons.

The eredar of the Burning Legion are credited as the original warlocks and wielders of dark magics, corrupted from the powerful and magically attuned eredar of Argus.

In most societies warlocks live on the fringe of civilization, tolerated but not trusted. Human warlocks meet in secret in the basement of a bar in Stormwind. Within the Horde, Thrall has expressed discomfort with the warlocks, but understanding their utility, he has allowed them to work within the Cleft of Shadow. Conventional spell casters often see the warlock's magic as a vain attempt at increasing their own power.

Although many that consort with demons fall to darkness, warlocks of the Horde and Alliance advocate bending demonic forces to one's will without succumbing to complete corruption. These spell casters can summon demons to serve them and they can cast many painful spells that slowly eat at the life of their enemies. Warlocks are physically weak compared to other classes, but they compensate with their potent array of spells and their demonic minions. Compared to other spell casters, warlocks are among the strongest and often depend on the sacrifice of their own blood to fuel their magical powers.

Notable warlocks[]

Races[]

Main article: Warlock races

Fail:Dread.jpg

An undead warlock mounted on a Dreadsteed.

The warlock class can be played by the following races:

Race Strength Agility Stamina Intellect Spirit Armor Health Mana
Alliance GnomeGnome Gnome 15 22 21 26 22 44 53 200
Alliance HumanHuman Human 20 20 21 22 22 40 53 140
Alliance WorgenWorgen Worgen Cataclysm 23 22 21 18 21 33 53 108
Alliance DwarfDwarf Dwarf Cataclysm[3] 25 16 22 21 21 33 63 125
Horde Blood elfBlood elf Blood elf TBC 17 22 21 25 20 44 53 185
Horde ForsakenForsaken Forsaken 19 18 21 20 27 36 53 110
Horde GoblinGoblin Goblin Cataclysm 17 22 21 25 20 33 53 185
Horde OrcOrc Orc 23 17 22 19 24 34 63 109
Horde TrollTroll Troll Cataclysm[3] 21 22 21 18 23 24 53 108

Specializations/stats[]

A master of shadow magic who specializes in drains and damage-over-time spells.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Intellect
  • Hit Rating (15%)
  • Haste Rating
  • Mastery Rating
  • Critical Strike Rating
Fail:UnstableAfflictionTCG.jpg

Unstable Affliction

Fail:DrainSoulTCG.jpg

Drain Soul

Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell shadow unstableaffliction 3.png [Unstable Affliction] 10
Fail:Spell shadow haunting.png [Drain Soul] 19
Fail:Spell warlock soulburn.png [Soulburn] 19
Fail:Spell shadow rainoffire.png [Rain of Fire] 21
Fail:Spell shadow lifedrain.png [Soulburn: Health Funnel] 27
Fail:Spell shadow grimward.png [Curse of Exhaustion] 32
Fail:Spell shadow curseofsargeras.png [Agony] 36
Fail:Ability warlock everlastingaffliction.png [Malefic Grasp] 42
Fail:Spell shadow twilight.png [Nightfall] 54
Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell shadow seedofdestruction.png [Seed of Corruption] 60
Fail:Ability warlock haunt.png [Haunt] 62
Fail:Spell shadow seedofdestruction.png [Soulburn: Seed of Corruption] 62
Fail:Spell shadow possession.png [Improved Fear] 69
Fail:Spell shadow curseofachimonde.png [Soulburn: Curse] 73
Fail:Ability warlock soulswap.png [Soul Swap] 79
Fail:Ability warlock jinx.png [Mastery: Potent Afflictions] 80
Fail:Spell warlock demonsoul.png [Dark Soul: Misery] 84
Fail:Spell shadow demoniccircleteleport.png [Soulburn: Demonic Circle: Teleport] 86

A master of demonic magic who transforms into a demon and compels demonic powers to aid him/her.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Intellect
  • Hit Rating (15%)
  • Haste Rating (soft haste cap)
  • Mastery Rating (AoE burst damage) / Critical Strike Rating
Fail:MetamorphosisTCG.jpg

Metamorphosis

Fail:HellfireTCG.jpg

Hellfire

Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell shadow demonform.png [Metamorphosis] 10
Fail:Ability warlock eradication.png [Demonic Fury] 10
Fail:Ability warstomp.png [Demonic Leap] 12
Fail:Spell fire fireball02.png [Soul Fire] 13
Fail:Ability warlock handofguldan.png [Hand of Gul'dan] 19
Fail:Spell fire incinerate.png [Hellfire] 22
Fail:Inv jewelcrafting shadowspirit 02.png [Metamorphosis: Touch of Chaos] 25
Fail:Inv misc deepseascales.png [Nether Plating] 27
Fail:Ability warlock impoweredimp.png [Wild Imps] 32
Fail:Spell shadow auraofdarkness.png [Metamorphosis: Doom] 36
Fail:Spell shadow summonfelguard.png [Summon Felguard] 42
Fail:Ability rogue sprint.png [Felguard: Pursuit] 43
Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Ability warlock demonicpower.png [Carrion Swarm] 47
Fail:Ability warrior bladestorm.png [Felguard: Felstorm] 48
Fail:Ability warrior titansgrip.png [Felguard: Axe Toss] 53
Fail:Spell shadow demonictactics.png [Demonic Rebirth] 54
Fail:Ability warlock inferno.png [Metamorphosis: Immolation Aura] 62
Fail:Spell shadow sealofkings.png [Metamorphosis: Cursed Auras] 67
Fail:Ability warlock moltencore.png [Molten Core] 69
Fail:Inv wand 1h firelandsraid d 02.png [Decimation] 73
Fail:Ability warlock coil2.png [Metamorphosis: Chaos Wave] 79
Fail:Spell shadow shadowpact.png [Mastery: Master Demonologist] 80
Fail:Spell warlock demonsoul.png [Dark Soul: Knowledge] 84
Fail:Spell fire twilightnova.png [Metamorphosis: Void Ray] 85

A master of chaos who calls down fire to burn and demolish enemies.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Intellect
  • Hit Rating (15%)
  • Haste Rating (swap with Mastery for multiple-target focus)
  • Mastery Rating
  • Critical Strike Rating
Fail:Incinerate1TCG.JPG

Incinerate

Fail:ImmolateTCG.jpg

Immolate

Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell fire fireball.png [Conflagrate] 10
Fail:Spell fire burnout.png [Incinerate] 10
Fail:Spell fire felflamering.png [Chaotic Energy] 10
Fail:Spell fire immolation.png [Immolate] 12
Fail:Spell shadow rainoffire.png [Rain of Fire] 21
Fail:Spell fire playingwithfire.png [Backlash] 32
Fail:Ability warlock baneofhavoc.png [Havoc] 36
Fail:Ability warlock chaosbolt.png [Chaos Bolt] 42
Fail:Inv ember.png [Ember Tap] 42
Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Ability warlock burningembers.png [Burning Embers] 42
Fail:Spell shadow scourgebuild.png [Shadowburn] 47
Fail:Ability warlock fireandbrimstone.png [Fire and Brimstone] 54
Fail:Spell fire fire.png [Aftermath] 54
Fail:Ability warlock backdraft.png [Backdraft] 69
Fail:Ability mount fireravengodmount.png [Flames of Xoroth] 79
Fail:Spell fire moltenblood.png [Mastery: Emberstorm] 80
Fail:Spell warlock demonsoul.png [Dark Soul: Instability] 84
Fail:Inv offhand 1h firelandsraid d 01.png [Pyroclasm] 86

Skills/Glyphs[]

Fail:ShadowBoltTCG.jpg

Shadow Bolt

Fail:CorruptionTCG.jpg

Corruption

Fail:FearTCG.jpg

Fear

Fail:LifeTapTCG.jpg

Life Tap

Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Ability shootwand.png [Shoot] Starts with
Fail:Spell shadow shadowbolt.png [Shadow Bolt] Starts with
Fail:Spell shadow summonimp.png [Summon Imp] Starts with
Fail:Spell shadow abominationexplosion.png [Corruption] 3
Fail:Spell shadow lifedrain02.png [Drain Life] 7
Fail:Spell shadow summonvoidwalker.png [Summon Voidwalker] 8
Fail:Warlock healthstone.png [Create Healthstone] 9
Fail:Spell shadow enslavedemon.png [Control Demon] 10
Fail:Spell shadow lifedrain.png [Health Funnel] 11
Fail:Spell shadow possession.png [Fear] 14
Fail:Spell shadow blackplague.png [Voidwalker: Suffering] 15
Fail:Spell shadow burningspirit.png [Life Tap] 16
Fail:Warlock curse weakness.png [Curse of Enfeeblement] 17
Fail:Spell shadow soulgem.png [Soulstone] 18
Fail:Spell nature swiftness.png [Felsteed] 20
Fail:Spell shadow summonsuccubus.png [Summon Succubus] 20
Fail:Ability warrior disarm.png [Voidwalker: Disarm] 20
Fail:Spell shadow evileye.png [Eye of Kilrogg] 22
Fail:Spell shadow demonbreath.png [Unending Breath] 24
Fail:Spell shadow mindsteal.png [Succubus: Seduction] 26
Fail:Ability mage potentspirit.png [Soul Harvest] 27
Fail:Inv elemental primal shadow.png [Voidwalker: Shadow Shield] 28
Fail:Spell shadow summonfelhunter.png [Summon Felhunter] 29
Fail:Spell holy dispelmagic.png [Felhunter: Devour Magic] 30
Fail:Spell shadow enslavedemon.png [Enslave Demon] 31
Icon Ability Min Level
Fail:Spell shadow cripple.png [Banish] 32
Fail:Ability heroicleap.png [Imp: Flee] 33
Fail:Spell magic lesserinvisibilty.png [Succubus: Lesser Invisibility] 33
Fail:Spell fire twilightfireward.png [Twilight Ward] 34
Fail:Spell shadow felarmour.png [Fel Armor] 38
Fail:Ability mount dreadsteed.png [Dreadsteed] 40
Fail:Spell shadow twilight.png [Ritual of Summoning] 42
Fail:Spell shadow summoninfernal.png [Summon Infernal] 49
Fail:Spell shadow mindrot.png [Felhunter: Spell Lock] 50
Fail:Inv enchant essencenetherlarge.png [Nethermancy] 50
Fail:Warlock curse shadow.png [Curse of the Elements] 51
Fail:Spell shadow antishadow.png [Voidwalker: Shadow Bulwark] 54
Fail:Ability warlock demonicempowerment.png [Command Demon] 56
Fail:Ability warlock whiplash.png [Succubus: Whiplash] 56
Fail:Warlock summon doomguard.png [Summon Doomguard] 58
Fail:Spell shadow demonictactics.png [Unending Resolve] 64
Fail:Spell arcane arcane01.png [Soulshatter] 66
Fail:Spell shadow shadesofdarkness.png [Create Soulwell] 68
Fail:Inv misc volatilefire.png [Imp: Cauterize Master] 68
Fail:Spell fire elementaldevastation.png [Imp: Singe Magic] 71
Fail:Spell shadow demoniccirclesummon.png [Demonic Circle: Summon] 76
Fail:Spell shadow demoniccircleteleport.png [Demonic Circle: Teleport] 76
Fail:Spell fire felfirenova.png [Fel Flame] 77
Fail:Spell warlock focusshadow.png [Dark Intent] 82
Fail:Spell warlock demonicportal green.png [Demonic Gateway] 87
Fail:Spell shadow painfulafflictions.png [Pandemic] 90

Glyph-taught abilities
Icon Ability Source
Fail:Spell shadow metamorphosis.png [Dark Apotheosis] Glyph of Demon Hunting
Fail:Ability warlock impoweredimp.png [Imp Swarm] Glyph of Imp Swarm
Dark Apotheosis abilities
Icon Ability
Fail:Spell shadow curseoftounges.png [Provocation]
Fail:Ability toughness.png [Fury Ward]
Fail:Inv jewelcrafting shadowspirit 02.png [Demonic Slash]
[Grimoire of Supremacy] abilities (lvl 75)
Icon Ability
Fail:Spell warlock summonimpoutland.png [Summon Fel Imp]
Fail:Warlock summon voidlord.png [Summon Voidlord]
Fail:Warlock summon shivan.png [Summon Shivarra]
Fail:Warlock summon beholder.png [Summon Observer]
Fail:Spell warlock summonwrathguard.png [Summon Wrathguard]
Fail:Achievement boss lordanthricyst.png [Summon Abyssal]
Fail:Spell warlock summonterrorguard.png [Summon Terrorguard]
[Cursed Auras] abilities (Demonology)
Icon Ability
Fail:Warlock curse weakness aura.png [Aura of Enfeeblement]
Fail:Warlock curse shadow aura.png [Aura of the Elements]

Basic minions[]

Fail:WoW Icon 16x16.gif This section concerns content exclusive to World of Warcraft.
Imp
Icon Spell Min Level
Fail:Spell Fire Fireball02.png [Firebolt] 1
Fail:Spell Shadow BloodBoil.png [Blood Pact] 4
Fail:Ability heroicleap.png [Flee] 33
Fail:Inv misc volatilefire.png [Cauterize Master] 68
Fail:Spell fire elementaldevastation.png [Singe Magic] 71
Fail:Spell shadow impphaseshift.png [Phase Shift] Removed
Fail:Spell fire firearmor.png [Fire Shield] Removed
Voidwalker
Icon Spell Min Level
Fail:Spell shadow gathershadows.png [Torment] 8
Fail:Spell shadow blackplague.png [Suffering] 15
Fail:Ability warrior disarm.png [Disarm] 20
Fail:Inv elemental primal shadow.png [Shadow Shield] 28
Fail:Spell shadow antishadow.png [Shadow Bulwark] 54
Fail:Spell shadow sacrificialshield.png [Sacrifice] Removed
Fail:Spell shadow antishadow.png [Consume Shadows] Removed
Succubus
Icon Spell Min Level
Fail:Spell shadow curse.png [Lash of Pain] 20
Fail:Spell shadow mindsteal.png [Seduction] 26
Fail:Spell magic lesserinvisibilty.png [Lesser Invisibility] 33
Fail:Ability warlock whiplash.png [Whiplash] 56
Fail:Spell shadow soothingkiss.png [Soothing Kiss] Removed
Felhunter
Icon Spell Min Level
Fail:Spell shadow soulleech 3.png [Shadow Bite] 29
Fail:Spell nature purge.png [Devour Magic] 30
Fail:Spell shadow mindrot.png [Spell Lock] 50
Fail:Spell shadow brainwash.png [Fel Intelligence] Removed
Fail:Spell shadow auraofdarkness.png [Paranoia] Removed
Felguard (Demonology Demonology specialization)
Icon Spell Min Level
Fail:Inv axe 09.png [Legion Strike] 42
Fail:Ability warlock eradication.png [Threatening Presence] 42
Fail:Ability rogue sprint.png [Pursuit] 43
Fail:Ability warrior bladestorm.png [Felstorm] 48
Fail:Ability warrior titansgrip.png [Axe Toss] 53
Fail:Spell shadow deathpact.png [Demonic Frenzy] Removed
Fail:Spell shadow gathershadows.png [Anguish] Removed
Fail:Ability warrior cleave.png [Cleave] Removed
Fail:Ability rogue sprint.png [Intercept] Removed

New minions[]

Infernal Cataclysm /
Abyssal Mists of Pandaria with [Grimoire of Supremacy]
Icon Spell Min Level
Fail:Spell fire selfdestruct.png [Immolation] 49
Doomguard Mists of Pandaria /
Terrorguard Mists of Pandaria with [Grimoire of Supremacy]
Icon Spell Min Level
Fail:Spell shadow shadowbolt.png [Doom Bolt] 58

Talent upgraded minions[]

Mists of Pandaria This section concerns content exclusive to Mists of Pandaria.

Upgraded minions from [Grimoire of Supremacy] (general talent available at level 75). For the upgraded Infernal (Abyssal) and Doomguard (Terrorguard), see the previous section.

Fel Imp

(replaces Imp)

Icon Spell
Fail:Spell fire felflamebolt.png [Felbolt]
Fail:Spell Shadow BloodBoil.png [Blood Pact]
Fail:Ability heroicleap.png [Flee]
Fail:Inv misc volatilefire.png [Cauterize Master]
Fail:Spell fire elementaldevastation.png [Sear Magic]
Voidlord

(replaces Voidwalker)

Icon Spell
Fail:Spell shadow gathershadows.png [Torment]
Fail:Spell shadow blackplague.png [Suffering]
Fail:Ability warrior disarm.png [Disarm]
Fail:Spell shadow rune.png [Void Shield]
Fail:Spell shadow antishadow.png [Shadow Bulwark]
Shivarra

(replaces Succubus)

Icon Spell
Fail:Inv weapon shortblade 54.png [Bladedance]
Fail:Inv jewelcrafting dragonseye02.png [Mesmerize]
Fail:Spell magic lesserinvisibilty.png [Lesser Invisibility]
Fail:Inv misc volatilelife green.png [Fellash]
Observer

(replaces Felhunter)

Icon Spell
Fail:Inv misc food meat raw 08.png [Tongue Lash]
Fail:Achievement boss cthun.png [Clone Magic]
Fail:Spell nature elementalprecision 1.png [Optical Blast]
Wrathguard (Demonology Demonology specialization)

(replaces Felguard)

Icon Spell
Fail:Inv axe 09.png [Mortal Cleave]
Fail:Ability warlock eradication.png [Threatening Presence]
Fail:Ability rogue sprint.png [Pursuit]
Fail:Ability warrior bladestorm.png [Wrathstorm]
Fail:Ability warrior titansgrip.png [Axe Toss]

Level Icon Ability
15 (Choose one) Fail:Spell warlock darkregeneration.png [Dark Regeneration]
Fail:Warlock siphonlife.png [Soul Leech]
Fail:Spell warlock harvestoflife.png [Harvest Life]
30 (Choose one) Fail:Ability warlock howlofterror.png [Howl of Terror]
Fail:Ability warlock mortalcoil.png [Mortal Coil]
Fail:Ability warlock shadowfurytga.png [Shadowfury]
45 (Choose one) Fail:Ability warlock soullink.png [Soul Link]
Fail:Warlock sacrificial pact.png [Sacrificial Pact]
Fail:Ability deathwing bloodcorruption death.png [Dark Bargain]
Level Icon Ability
60 (Choose one) Fail:Ability deathwing bloodcorruption earth.png [Blood Horror]
Fail:Ability deathwing sealarmorbreachtga.png [Burning Rush]
Fail:Warlock spelldrain.png [Unbound Will]
75 (Choose one) Fail:Warlock grimoireofcommand.png [Grimoire of Supremacy]
Fail:Warlock grimoireofservice.png [Grimoire of Service]
Fail:Warlock grimoireofsacrifice.png [Grimoire of Sacrifice]
90 (Choose one) Fail:Achievement boss archimonde.png [Archimonde's Vengeance]
Fail:Achievement boss kiljaedan.png [Kil'Jaeden's Cunning]
Fail:Achievement boss magtheridon.png [Mannoroth's Fury]

Key
Tag Source
Book of Glyph Mastery [Book of Glyph Mastery] (requires 425 inscription skill)
T:# Learned from a trainer with # Inscription skill
M:# Minor Inscription Research (requires # Inscription skill)
N Northrend Inscription Research (requires 385 Inscription skill)
V:# Vendor (requires # Inscription skill)


Major Glyph Source Major Glyph Source
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Conflagrate] Destruction N Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Curse of Exhaustion] Affliction ??
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Dark Soul] N Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Demon Hunting] Demonology Book of Glyph Mastery
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Demon Training] N Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Demonic Circle] Book of Glyph Mastery
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Drain Life] Book of Glyph Mastery Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Ember Tap] Destruction Book of Glyph Mastery
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Everlasting Affliction] V:375 Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Fear] T:125
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Healthstone] T:95 Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Imp Swarm] Demonology T:140
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Life Tap] Book of Glyph Mastery Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Shadowflame] Demonology Book of Glyph Mastery
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Siphon Life] T:85 Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Soul Consumption] M:75
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Soul Swap] Affliction T:215 Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Soulstone] T:240
Fail:Inv glyph majorwarlock.png [Glyph of Unstable Affliction] Affliction N
Minor Glyph Source Minor Glyph Source
Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Carrion Swarm] Demonology T:325 Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Crimson Banish] Book of Glyph Mastery
Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Enslave Demon] M:75 Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Eye of Kilrogg] M:75
Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Falling Meteor] Demonology T:190 Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Gateway Attunement] Scroll of Wisdom
Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Felguard] Demonology ?? Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Hand of Gul'dan] Demonology T:350
Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Health Funnel] T:110 Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Nightmares] ??
Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Shadow Bolt] Demonology T:165 Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Soulwell] M:75
Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Subtlety] Affliction ?? Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Unending Breath] M:75
Fail:Inv glyph minorwarlock.png [Glyph of Verdant Spheres] AfflictionDestruction ??

Soul Shards[]

Soul Shards are obtained by channeling the Soul Harvest spell or by using Drain Soul. Instead of using up space in the inventory, soul shards are a part of the user interface, similar to runes. If a soul shard is consumed with the Soulburn spell, certain other spells get empowered or become instant casts (e.g. Soul Fire).

Conjured items[]

Fail:UndeadWarlock.png

Undead warlock

Another powerful ability of the warlock is to create Healthstones and Soulstones. These conjured items are used from the inventory and only one each can be created and held at one time. Healthstones and Soulstones will disappear if the player logs off from the warlock character for more than 15 minutes.

A warlock is by no means a healer. However, healthstones can be given to party members, and soulstones can be cast on party members.

To heal others (or themselves), warlocks can create a Healthstone and hand it to another friendly player via Trade. Create Soulwell creates a Soul Well from which Healthstones can be extracted by members of the party or raid group (10 or 25 depending on Ritual of Souls rank).

Warlocks may use a Soulstone on a friendly player (or themselves) before they die, allowing them to resurrect on death without having to use a Graveyard. If a warlock uses a soulstone on another member of their party and the warlock or that member leaves the party, the buff is dismissed.

Melee[]

While the warlock can wield and attack with melee weapons, this is not recommended except for demonology warlocks under the effects of Metamorphosis Metamorphosis. Generally when an opponent gets within melee range the warlock's best bet is to use disabling spells to get away.

If acquiring range is not possible a warlock is by no means helpless. Defensively, warlocks can share damage taken with their minions via Soul Link (talent).

Suggested professions[]

The most popular combination of professions for warlocks is Tailoring and Enchanting. Both professions have consistently provided BoP type functionality (like [Master's Spellthread] and [Enchant Ring - Greater Spellpower]) that benefit spell casters and are otherwise unavailable.

PvP centric warlocks may look to the gathering style professions, specifically Mining for Toughness and Herbalism for the self-heal Lifeblood. The additional crit chance provided by Skinning, Master of Anatomy, applies only to melee and ranged damage, and does nothing for spellcasting.

The remaining professions do not offer anything particularly warlock-specific, but depending on server economy, may provide significantly more income.

It is highly recommended that warlocks learn the secondary profession, First Aid. When running randoms, it is better to able to heal yourself after using Life Tap than to rely on the healer since you are effectively draining their mana which is needed to heal party damage taken. This will help reduce healer down time and allow them to focus on healing the tank.

End-game expectations[]

Fail:Elfwarlock.jpg

A warlock in art.[1]

Warlocks are taken to raids for their incredible dps and their raid utility. A warlock's abilities can bring a lot of support to parties and they are usually the biggest source of ranged DPS. Seed of Corruption, when properly used, makes a warlock extremely effective AOE DPS without putting the raid at risk. Using summon in order to teleport latecomers, conjure Soulstones for raid recovery, and distribute Healthstones is extremely beneficial. Warlocks are also well-known for their unique CC abilities such as Fear, Banish, Enslave Demon, Shadowfury, and Howl of Terror.

When doing raids, warlocks normally assign the responsibility of casting curses between each other. Effective use of curses is expected. It's a warlock's responsibility to know what curse to use in a given situation unless the raid leader requests otherwise.

The Burning Crusade has brought more utility to warlocks than before. The addition of the soul well has made distributing healthstones a much simpler and convenient process. With Patch 2.4, warlocks finally are able to summon through instance barriers. This makes replacing players in a mid-raid scenario significantly more convenient.

Macros and addons[]

Main article: Useful macros for warlocks
  • Power Auras Classic is an addon for managing buffs, debuffs, auras, activated spell and ability timers and cooldowns, and a LOT more. It allows the user to track these specific things and create an images or icon on the screen for notification purposes. It also supports playing sound files and custom user graphics (targa format). Example screenshot: Screenshot The spell icons not on the cast bar are being monitored by what is on the dummy and for how long (when applicable) and also if either Shadowfury or Chaos Bolt are on cooldown.
  • Bartender 4 is a cast bar enhancer. It allows up to 10 cast bars, a totem, pet, stance, and a vehicle bar. Some of the options include changing the alpha (visibility) of the cast bar, how many rows and columns per each bar, the location, size, and orientation of the bar, and under what conditions the bars appear under. It also supports modifying "special" cast bars such as vehicle weapons and the bite spell during the Queen Lana'thel fight in ICC.
  • Necrosis LdC is based on Necrosis 1 by infernal. It is described by its author as "a mod to help warlocks managing their stones, shards and summoning of demons". It provides sound notifications for various events, for example when Nightfall or Backlash combat states occur. It also has the ability to send party/raid notifications when casting SoulStone, Ritual of Souls, Ritual of Summoning — and many other messages, which can all be customized. As such, this is a very useful addon and perhaps the most widely used of all the warlock specific addons.
  • DoTimer is an addon that times DoTs that you cast on other people. It supports all classes. There are four functions performed by DoTimer: the base DoT timer, a cooldown timer, a communications addon that lets you communicate your timers to others in your party, and a customizable notifications addon that can be set to notify you or others of specific events.
  • Natur EnemyCastBar shows all buffs and debuffs on your character making it exceptional for raiding.
  • ForteXorcist (also here) shows spell timers, cooldown timers and messages that you can set for yourself or the raid. On top of that, it also offers support for tracking Soulstones, shards and healthstones as well as a summoning assistant. Also, although the addon is primarily targeted at Warlocks, ForteXorcist can also be used with the other classes. In essence, ForteXorcist provides what Necrosis and DoTimer does with a few added extras.

Wrath of the Lich King changes WotLK[]

Warlocks deal impressive damage through the careful combination of damage spells, dots, and pets, and their new talents and abilities reflect this role. In many cases abilities have had their damage increased or their mana cost reduced, making them more efficient for the warlock to use. Talents have been consolidated and moved in the tree to give you access to some important talents earlier on. In addition, summoning your dreadsteed or felsteed no longer costs any mana and does not affect your global cooldown so that your mounts work just like everyone else's.

The most significant change to the warlock is the way your pets are handled. All of the demon master trainers have vanished! Instead, all demon abilities and spells are automatically learned as pets gain levels. Gone are the days where you have to spend coin to not only train yourself but your pesky demonic friends as well.

There have been some changes to the demon abilities. For example, they automatically learn avoidance at level 10. Blood pact now works for the entire raid, making it unnecessary to stick a warlock in a particular group. Consume shadows now also greatly increases nearby allies' stealth detection. Some abilities have been removed completely and new ones put in their place, like fel intelligence and shadow bite have replaced paranoia and tainted blood on your felhunter. Overall, your pets have received the same love given to the other classes in the game, making them better, stronger and more fearsome.

Note[]

The warlock (prestige class) was replaced with the warlock (core class) in the World of Warcraft RPG.[4]

See also[]

  • List of warlocks
  • Warlock instance grouping guide
  • Warlock quests
  • Leveling a warlock
  • Warlock patch history
  • Spell power coefficient

Patch changes[]

References[]

External links[]

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