Affliction Warlock DPS Guide (Legion 7.3.5)

Table of Contents

• ×Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. Patch 7.3 Changes for Affliction Warlock
  • 3. Patch 7.2.5 Changes for Affliction Warlock
  • 4. Affliction Warlock Strengths
  • 5. Affliction Warlock Weaknesses
  • 6. Affliction Warlock Viability in the Current Patch
  • 7. Contents
  • 8. ChangeLog
• +Easy Mode
  • 1. The Basics for Affliction Warlock
  • 2. Talent Choice for Affliction Warlock
  • 3. Stat Priority for Affliction Warlock
  • 4. Basic Rotation for Affliction Warlock
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Spell Summary
  • 1. Affliction Warlock Spell Summary
  • 2. Main Resources for Affliction Warlock
  • 3. Basic Abilities for Affliction Warlock
    • 3.1. Damage Over Time Spells (DoTs)
    • 3.2. Direct Damage Spells
    • 3.3. Demonic Summons
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Choices
  • 2. Talent Cheat Sheets for Affliction Warlock
    • 2.1. Raid Encounters
      • 2.1.1. Single Target
      • 2.1.2. 2 Targets
      • 2.1.3. 3 Targets
    • 2.2. Mythic+
  • 3. Tier 1 (Level 15) Talents for Affliction Warlock
  • 4. Tier 2 (Level 30) Talents for Affliction Warlock
  • 5. Tier 3 (Level 45) Talents for Affliction Warlock
  • 6. Tier 4 (Level 60) Talents for Affliction Warlock
  • 7. Tier 5 (Level 75) Talents for Affliction Warlock
  • 8. Tier 6 (Level 90) Talents for Affliction Warlock
  • 9. Tier 7 (Level 100) Talents for Affliction Warlock
  • 10. ChangeLog
• +Artifact Traits and Relics
  • 1. Artifact Progression for Affliction Warlock — First 35 Points
    • 1.1. Early Point Investment
    • 1.2. Second Golden Trait
    • 1.3. Third Golden Trait
    • 1.4. Final Point Investment
  • 2. Patch 7.2: 35+ Trait Path for Affliction Warlock
  • 3. Relic Priority for Affliction Warlock
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Netherlight Crucible Relic Paths
  • 1. General Optimization Advice for Affliction Warlock
  • 2. Tier 2 Upgrade Priority for Affliction Warlock
  • 3. Tier 3 Upgrade Priority for Affliction Warlock
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Playstyle for Affliction Warlock
    • 1.1. Single Target Rotation
    • 1.2. 2-Target Priority List
      • 1.2.1. 3-Target Priority List
    • 1.3. Mythic+
  • 2. Important Notes for Affliction Warlock
    • 2.1. DoT Usage (7.2.5)
    • 2.2. Reap Usage
    • 2.3. Unstable Affliction Usage
      • 2.3.1. 2-3 Targets
    • 2.4. Soul Shard Sniping
    • 2.5. Pet Choice
    • 2.6. Agony
    • 2.7. "Nightfall" — Shard Generation Explained
    • 2.8. "Pandemic" — Learning to Efficiently Refresh DoTs
    • 2.9. Defensive Utility
    • 2.10. Doomguard and Infernal
  • 3. Core Concepts for Affliction Warlock
    • 3.1. DoT Uptimes & Shard Expenditure
    • 3.2. Movement Management
      • 3.2.1. Quiet Movement
  • 4. Opening Sequence for Affliction Warlock
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Mythic+ Tips
  • 1. Mythic+ Introduction for Affliction Warlock
  • 2. Affix List
  • 3. Mythic+ Talents for Affliction Warlock
    • 3.1. Standard Build — Low Level Keystones
    • 3.2. Standard Build — High Level Keystones
    • 3.3. Tyrannical Build — High Level Keystones
    • 3.4. Talent Explanations
      • 3.4.1. Tier 1/Level 15
      • 3.4.2. Tier 2/Level 30
      • 3.4.3. Tier 3/Level 45
      • 3.4.4. Tier 4/Level 60
      • 3.4.5. Tier 5/Level 75
      • 3.4.6. Tier 6/Level 90
      • 3.4.7. Tier 7/Level 100
  • 4. Stat Priority for Affliction Warlock
  • 5. Legendary Items for Affliction Warlock
    • 5.1. Mandatory Tier
    • 5.2. Top Tier
    • 5.3. Situational/Niche Choices
  • 6. Mythic+ Relics, Set Bonuses, and Trinkets for Affliction Warlock
  • 7. Pet Choice for Affliction Warlock
  • 8. Mythic+ Rotation for Affliction Warlock
    • 8.1. Trash Packs
      • 8.1.1. Sow the Seeds
      • 8.1.2. Phantom Singularity/Soul Harvest
    • 8.2. Single Target/Bosses
  • 9. Instance Advice for Affliction Warlock
    • 9.1. Black Rook Hold
    • 9.2. Cathedral of Eternal Night
    • 9.3. Court of Stars
    • 9.4. Darkheart Thicket
    • 9.5. Eye of Azshara
    • 9.6. Halls of Valor
    • 9.7. Maw of Souls
    • 9.8. Neltharion's Lair
    • 9.9. Return to Karazhan
      • 9.9.1. Lower Return to Karazhan
      • 9.9.2. Upper Return to Karazhan
    • 9.10. Seat of the Triumvirate
    • 9.11. The Arcway
    • 9.12. Vault of the Wardens
  • 10. ChangeLog
• +Boss by Boss Strategies
  • 1. Affliction Warlock Boss Advice: Antorus, the Burning Throne
    • 1.1. Garothi Worldbreaker
      • 1.1.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.2. Felhounds of Sargeras
      • 1.2.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.3. Antoran High Command
      • 1.3.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.4. Eonar the Life-Binder
      • 1.4.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.5. Portal Keeper Hasabel
      • 1.5.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.6. Imonar the Soulhunter
      • 1.6.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.7. Kin'garoth
      • 1.7.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.8. Varimathras
      • 1.8.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.9. The Coven of Shivarra
      • 1.9.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.10. Aggramar
      • 1.10.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.11. Argus the Unmaker
  • 2. ChangeLog
• +Stat Priority
  • 1. Stat Priority for Affliction Warlock
  • 2. Stat Weights for Affliction Warlock
    • 2.1. Why is Mastery Good?
  • 3. Statistics Explanations for Affliction Warlock
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Gems, Enchants, and Consumables
  • 1. Gems for Affliction Warlock
  • 2. Enchants for Affliction Warlock
  • 3. Consumables for Affliction Warlock
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Macros and Addons
  • 1. Addons for Affliction Warlock
    • 1.1. Generic Addons for Warlocks
    • 1.2. ElvUI
    • 1.3. Weak Auras
    • 1.4. Boss Mods
      • 1.4.1. BigWigs Bossmods
      • 1.4.2. Deadly Boss Mods
    • 1.5. Name Plates
      • 1.5.1. KUI Nameplates
      • 1.5.2. TidyPlates
    • 1.6. Damage Meters
      • 1.6.1. Skada
      • 1.6.2. Details
    • 1.7. Extra AddOns
      • 1.7.1. Mik's Scrolling Battle Text
      • 1.7.2. DeathNote
      • 1.7.3. Doom CooldownPulse
      • 1.7.4. Angry Assignments
  • 2. Macros for Affliction Warlock
    • 2.1. Pet Macros
      • 2.1.1. Soulstone Mouseover
      • 2.1.2. Demonic Circle
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot
  • 1. Tier 21 Set Bonuses for Affliction Warlock
  • 2. Legendary Recommendations for Affliction Warlocks in Antorus Gear
  • 3. Tier 20 Set Bonuses for Affliction Warlock
  • 4. Trinket Priority for Affliction Warlock
  • 5. Best in Slot List for Affliction Warlock
  • 6. Evaluating Upgrades Using Stat Weights for Affliction Warlock
  • 7. Legendary Items for Affliction Warlock
    • 7.1. Legendary Quick Reference
  • 8. Loot Competition
  • 9. ChangeLog
• +Battle for Azeroth
  • 1. Foreword
  • 2. Basic Mechanics Changes for Affliction Warlock in BfA
  • 3. Baseline Abilities & Changes for Affliction Warlock in BfA
  • 4. Affliction Warlock Talents in BfA
    • 4.1. Level 15
    • 4.2. Level 30
    • 4.3. Level 45
    • 4.4. Level 60
    • 4.5. Level 75
    • 4.6. Level 90
    • 4.7. Level 100
  • 5. Azerite Traits for Affliction Warlock
  • 6. Affliction Warlock Rotational Priorities in BfA
  • 7. ChangeLog

General Information

Welcome to our Affliction Warlock DPS guide for World of Warcraft Legion 7.3.5. Here, you will learn everything you need to know about playing an Affliction Warlock in a raid environment and in Mythic+ dungeons.

About Our Author and Reviewer

This guide has been written by Furty, who has an illustrious history in the World of Warcraft raiding scene and race for World First. He has been a member of guilds such as Serenity, Midwinter, and many more, and is currently raiding in Future. He plays most classes at the highest level. You can follow him on Twitter and watch him play on Twitch.

This guide has been reviewed and approved by Deepshades, a top raider who plays in Method; you can watch his stream on Twitch and follow him on Twitter.

1. Class Overview

Affliction Warlocks excel at sustaining high single-target and multiple-target damage. Most of your damage comes from the application of harmful damage over time effects (DoTs). This allows them to effectively cleave on targets that are spread around an area, something many specializations struggle with or are flat out unable to do. Just like the other Warlock specializations, Affliction Warlocks bring the Demonic Gateway ability to the raid, which can be an invaluable mobility cooldown.

2. Patch 7.3 Changes for Affliction Warlock

• Healthstones now heal for 25% of the user's health at all levels.

3. Patch 7.2.5 Changes for Affliction Warlock

• New legendary items have been added.
• All damage done increased by 20%.
• Contagion damage bonus reduced to 15% (down from 18%).
• Soul Effigy has been removed and replaced by a new talent called Death's Embrace. Death's Embrace causes many of the Warlock's spells to deal up to 50% increased damage to targets that are below 35% health.
• Haunt cooldown now 25 seconds (down from 30 seconds) and damage bonus reduced to 15% for 10 seconds (down from 30%).
• Phantom Singularity moved to level 60 talents, cooldown reduced to 40 seconds (down from 60 seconds), damage increased by 5%, healing reduced to 20% of damage done (down from 30%), and radius reduced to 15 yards (down from 25). Now taps all targets in range instantly.
• Seed of Corruption damage reduced by 20%.
• Siphon Life moved to level 100 talents, damage increased by 30%, and healing reduced to 60% of damage dealt (down from 100%).
• Soul Flame damage reduced by 20%.
• Wrath of Consumption damage per stack reduced to 1% (down from 2%).
• Soul Harvest duration is now 12 seconds + 4 seconds per target afflicted by Agony, with a maximum of 36 seconds (changed from 15 seconds + 2 seconds per target, maximum 35 seconds).
• Corruption and Agony damage reduced by 5%.

4. Affliction Warlock Strengths

• Extremely strong sustained cleave damage
• Powerful execute phase on certain encounters
• Handles spread targets well
• Strong single target damage if there are opportunities to generate bonus resources

5. Affliction Warlock Weaknesses

• Damage requires noticeable ramp up
• Low sustained single target damage
• Weak target swapping

6. Affliction Warlock Viability in the Current Patch

Affliction is the strongest overall Warlock specialization for both raiding and Mythic+. In Antorus, the Burning Throne, it tends to excel on fights with multiple targets, or fights with adds that allow for extra Soul Shard return. The specialization can be highly random and chaotic from pull to pull, particularly on single target encounters, where Affliction is at its weakest.

7. Contents

To make it easy to navigate the guide, we have split it into 13 pages:

• Easy Mode: TL;DR to own without reading much;
• Spell Summary: see a summary of all your useful spells;
• Builds and Talents: learn how to choose your talents;
• Artifact Traits and Relics: discover how to level up your Artifact;
• Netherlight Crucible Relic Paths: choose the right paths on your Netherlight Crucible;
• Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities: master your rotation and your cooldowns;
• Mythic+ Tips: learn how to adapt your playstyle for Mythic+;
• Boss by Boss Strategies: find out how to defeat current content bosses;
• Stat Priority: read up on the respective values of your statistics;
• Gems, Enchants, and Consumables: choose the best gems, enchantments, etc.;
• Macros and Addons: step up your game with useful macros and addons;
• Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot: find the best gear you can wear;
• Battle for Azeroth: learn how to play your class in Battle for Azeroth.

8. ChangeLog

• 21 Jun. 2018 (Battle for Azeroth page): Removed mention of Life Tap due to recent pruning. Deathbolt and Haunt swapped on talent tree.
• 11 Jun. 2018 (Battle for Azeroth page): Added talents image.
• 05 Jun. 2018 (Battle for Azeroth page): Page added.
• 03 May 2018 (talents page): Updated talent tooltips.
• 03 May 2018 (rotation page): Fixed a conflicting mention of Unstable Affliction usage in the UA specific section.
• 16 Feb. 2018 (mythic+ page): Instance Advice added.
• 15 Feb. 2018 (mythic+ page): Page added.
• 04 Feb. 2018 (bosses page): Page added.
• 28 Nov. 2017 (gear page): Updated best in slot for Antorus, added Tier 21 section, and updated legendaries.
• 13 Oct. 2017 (gear page): Updated paragraph on Tarnished Sentinel Medallion.
• 04 Oct. 2017 (Netherlight Crucible page): Updated position of Dark Sorrows based on recent buffs.
• 13 Sep. 2017 (Netherlight Crucible page): Update to the Tier 2 upgrades based on updated information from SimCraft.
• 11 Sep. 2017 (Netherlight Crucible page): Added Netherlight Crucible page for Affliction Warlock.
• 29 Aug. 2017 (rotation page): Trimmed down some mentions of Siphon Life.
• 29 Aug. 2017 (enchants page): Adjusted recommended gems, redesigned "Consumables" section, and added a note about Healthstones in Patch 7.3.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (this page): Added Patch 7.3 changes.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (easy mode page): Updated talents and rotation.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (talents page): Updated talent discussions.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (gear page): Updated legendaries.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (rotation page): Added additional context to Phantom Singularity usage.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (stats page): No changes needed for Patch 7.3.
• 28 Aug. 2017 (enchants page): Added Lightforged Augment Rune and new 7.3 epic gems.
• 17 Jun. 2017 (stats page): Added stat weights for Patch 7.2.5.
• 16 Jun. 2017 (gear page): Updated example stat weight calculations to match new stat weights.
• 14 Jun. 2017 (gear page): Added Tier 20 set bonus section, Tomb of Sargeras best in slot list, legendary quick reference list, and trinket discussion section.
• 13 Jun. 2017 (enchants page): Page reviewed and deemed updated for 7.2.5.
• 13 Jun. 2017 (stats page): Updated stat priority for Patch 7.2.5.
• 13 Jun. 2017 (rotation page): Updated to reflect talent changes. Removed all mentions of Soul Effigy. Opening sequence updated.
• 13 Jun. 2017 (artifact page): Added further context for artifact relic item levels.
• 13 Jun. 2017 (talents page): Updated talents for 7.2.5; removed Effigy mentions, added Death's embrace, and re-did talent builds based on the talent swaps.
• 13 Jun. 2017 (spells page): Page reviewed and deemed updated for 7.2.5.
• 13 Jun. 2017 (easy mode page): Updated rotation and talents.
• 13 Jun. 2017 (this page): Added Patch 7.2.5 changes and adjusted strengths/weaknesses.
• 13 Jun. 2017 (gear page): Added Soul of the Netherlord and The Master Harvester.
• 17 May 2017 (artifact page): Updated Relic priority.
• 29 Mar. 2017 (enchants page): Added Lavish Suramar Feast.
• 29 Mar. 2017 (gear page): Updates to legendary descriptions.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (talents page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (artifact page): Added path for new 7.2 traits.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (stats page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (rotation page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
• 27 Mar. 2017 (this page): Added a summary of Patch 7.2 changes.
• 07 Mar. 2017 (talents page): Updated single target talent builds and talent descriptions for T7.
• 07 Mar. 2017 (this page): Updated 7.1.5 changes with a new fix for Effigy.
• 07 Mar. 2017 (rotation page): Updated single target rotation and opener to be in line with new recommended talent build.
• 18 Jan. 2017 (this page): Updated viability.
• 14 Jan. 2017 (gear page): Nighthold BiS added.
• 13 Jan. 2017 (enchants page): Added trained soldier.
• 13 Jan. 2017 (artifact page): Updated Relic priority slightly.
• 13 Jan. 2017 (talents page): Updated 2 and 3 target builds to instead use Absolute Corruption.
• 13 Jan. 2017 (rotation page): Expanded on the single target rotation.
• 12 Jan. 2017 (gear page): Added new legendary items.
• 09 Jan. 2017 (enchants page): Updated potion section to be more concise.
• 09 Jan. 2017 (rotation page): Fully updated for 7.1.5 - new rotation section, opening sequence, updates to various sections, and added a "Shard Sniping" section as Drain Soul is now baseline.
• 09 Jan. 2017 (this page): Added Patch 7.1.5 changes and updated strengths/weaknesses and viability sections.
• 09 Jan. 2017 (talents page): Fully updated for Patch 7.1.5. Also added several separate talent options based on number of targets.
• 09 Jan. 2017 (spells page): Updated as Drain Life has now been replaced with Drain Soul in Patch 7.1.5.
• 09 Jan. 2017 (easy mode page): Small update to easy mode talents for 7.1.5.
• 09 Jan. 2017 (stats page): Removed stat weights for Patch 7.1.5 until more theorycrafting can be done.
• 09 Jan. 2017 (artifact page): Checked and confirmed for Patch 7.1.5.
• 12 Dec. 2016 (talents page): Updated Grimoires. Minor fixes to T1/T2 wording.
• 12 Dec. 2016 (spells page): Now mentions Writhe in Agony in the Agony paragraph.
• 12 Dec. 2016 (stats page): Updated stat weights and priority.
• 12 Dec. 2016 (this page): Updated strengths/weaknesses and viability.
• 12 Dec. 2016 (artifact page): Updated Artifact path and images.
• 12 Dec. 2016 (easy mode page): Added easy mode for Affliction Warlocks.
• 12 Dec. 2016 (rotation page): Major update to Reap Souls usage and Opening Sequence.
• 30 Oct. 2016 (talents page): Updated Mortal Coil description.
• 30 Oct. 2016 (enchants page): Added a "Potion Choice" section to illuminate the pros and cons of pots, following the addition of Potion of Prolonged Power.
• 25 Oct. 2016 (talents page): Updated talents following the swap of Demon Skin and Demonic Circle in Patch 7.1.
• 25 Oct. 2016 (spells page): Updated the Unstable Affliction system as it functions differently for multiple applications in Patch 7.1.
• 25 Oct. 2016 (rotation page): Updated Action Priority List to more clearly illustrate how to effectively deal Area-of-Effect damage (while taking into account Patch 7.1 changes).
• 21 Oct. 2016 (gear page): Long overdue change to Hood of Eternal Disdain assessment in single-target.
• 14 Oct. 2016 (rotation page): Updated Shard calculation for Soul Effigy.
• 14 Oct. 2016 (gear page): Updated BiS trinkets.
• 05 Sep. 2016 (rotation page): Simplified rotation by adding checkboxes to hide or reveal specific lines (cooldown, talents, AoE, etc.).
• 04 Sep. 2016 (this page): Removed "Average AoE" from the list of weaknesses.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (enchants page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (spells page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (artifact page): Added.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (stats page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (rotation page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (this page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (talents page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 29 Aug. 2016 (gear page): Updated for Legion's launch.
• 20 Jul. 2016 (gear page): Removed trinket rankings and added recommendations.
• 19 Jul. 2016 (talents page): Fixed mention of Shadowfury instead of Howl of Terror in Level 45 talent explanations.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (spells page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (enchants page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (gear page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (this page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (stats page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (talents page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (addons page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
• 18 Jul. 2016 (rotation page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.