World of Warcraft's Warlock: A Class Overview

Copyright (c) 2013 Pauly Delricco

Are you looking for a bit of a challenge? Perhaps you feel misunderstand and harbor a deep resentment towards the world itself? If this describes you, the perhaps you should choose to become a Warlock in the World of Warcraft. Warlocks are represented by three distinct specs, each catering to a completely different play-style. With the introduction of the 5.0.4 patch, the differences in each style were greatly accentuated and a massive spells overhaul was given. Let's take a look and see which warlock spec will be the best for you to play in Azeroth.

Affliction

Affliction Warlocks, or Afflocks for short, are the Warlock Rogue spec. Without the large bursts of damage that Destro locks are known for or the tanking pets that demo locks run with, they are the least likely spec to get involved in full-on combat. Afflocks tend to stay in the background, well off from the tanks and melee classes, and cast Damage Over Time Spells (aka DOTS). Picture DOTS being like this: You sneak up behind someone and light the corner of their shirt on fire and sneak away. At first there's not much damage, but over time the first spreads and causes massive damage. An Afflock's DOTS are the same way. Even if the warlock runs away, the DOTS persist until they've been dispelled or run their course, whichever comes first.

Demonology

Demonology Warlocks, or demo locks, have been massively changes with the newest Pandaria patch. Instead of just controlling a tank demon like they could in the Cataclysm expansion, demo locks can now morph into a demon at will and control up to seven additional demons simultaneously. In addition to spec-specific demons, they also have access to the full array of standard demons, like imps and voidwalkers, that all warlocks can summon.

Warlocks of Destruction

For anyone who has ever done a raid, it is hard to miss the fact that warlocks often end up at the top of the DPS and Damage charts, even above the tanks. Which spec is it that does all of this damage, though? It's the Warlock of Destruction. Destro locks burn with an intense hatred of all things and call forth the powers of shadow and fire in order to burn everything in their paths. Their damage-dealing power is unrivaled in the game, but it takes a few seconds to get it going. Combining instant-cast with timed cast spells, along with a few DOTS and access to most of the demons that can be summoned, a Destro lock is a force all its own in the game.

Wrap-Up

If you love the notion of dealing damage like a battleship at war, but don't necessarily like having to get up close and personal, then playing as a warlock is the perfect solution. You can surround yourself with demons, cast spells like Fear that drive your enemies away, and literally hurl balls of lava and flame at your enemies while they flee. As the least-played class in the game, you'll often find yourself as a sought after commodity going into Mists of Pandaria. Why? Groups can no longer summon everyone, so warlocks are the logical choice as they can "lock summon" all raid members to a location. Roll a lock and then come back and let us know how much fun you're having wreaking destruction and fire everywhere you go!

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