Sweet Looking 80 'Lock(taken from a wallpaper at worldofwarcraft.com)
Ever feel like your Warlock just don’t hold a candle to most of the other classes?
The first time I created a Warlock, it was obvious that being a “cloth-er” sucked for PvP play. Even if you had the Voidwalker or Felhunter out for the fight, everyone can just focus on you.
It’s completely and utterly annoying, but it did open my eyes to what was missing.
If you want to build a Warlock of supremacy, then you will have to do three or maybe even four things. The first two things that are a must is checking out your talents and getting the best gear possible.
Well, let’s just start with those and discuss the other two in a few minutes. For now, open up your Affliction, Demonology, and Destruction trees.
The Strengths and Weaknesses
Most Locks choose their Affliction tree from the get go. It’s because this entire section is devoted to making all your spells faster, and boost crit strikes during battle. Since the Curse of Agony and Corruption spells take off damage during specific durations it’s important to buff them up a little bit in the beginning. Seriously, the very first Affliction talent is the Improved Curse of Agony, which gives you 10% more damage during the cycle. Then the 3rd one on the first row is Improved Corruption.
Hey, it’s a great way to start out playing. Unfortunately you will find that the higher levels require a little more help then faster spells and a hope for crit strikes here and there. We do like the Affliction tree, but not all of it. Many of the abilities in there will not be needed during game play. Plus, you’re missing out on a large amount of armor.
Demonology
Okay, if you want to set up your armor then head to a trainer and respec. You will want to set up the Demonology tree for two reasons. Number one is because there is an extreme need for a tank during the later leveling stages. If you already have 40 points available for talents, work your way down the tree and make sure you can summon a Felguard. While you’re there spend 5 more points getting the Metamorphosis spell as well.
What you’ll find is a pet with some sick armor and a Warlock that can transform into a demon (for 30 seconds) gaining a 600% increase in armor. Add in all the extra spells that are gained and you will find yourself taking over fights with a vengeance. The only downfall to all of this is that your spells cooldown times are much slower then if you had the Affliction tree built up.
Mixing It Up a Bit
Now that you have focused on Demonology and find yourself with left over talent points, start looking in the other trees to increase your spells and abilities. Here is a small list of things to include in the Affliction and Destruction trees.
Affliction
Improved Curse of Agony (2/2)
Improved Corruption (5/5)
Life Tap (2/2)
Destruction
Improved Shadow Bolt (5/5)
Bane (5/5)
Shadowburn (1/1)
With a few ranks trained in Shadowburn, you’ll be laying down some heavy hits of 300 damage, 400 damage, all the way up to 665 damage at rank 8. Get this off after a critical shadow bolt and you’re looking at 685 damage instant cast spells that can be equally handy in PvE or, of course, PvP where burst damage rules.
Earlier we wanted to tell you a couple other things that are important to for your Warlock. If anything, you must have the Grand Master First Aid tag. Since it will allow you to make the Heavy Frostweave Bandages, this will only help you and your Felguard. Last but not least, load up on as much Epic gear as possible. If you can’t find any or just haven’t got the gold or time, then stick with your solid performing blue equipment until you’re able to learn how to make more gold. In the end this will help increase your armor, stamina, intellect, and spirit, which means you improve your leveling times, loot gathering ability and PvP power.
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