Demonology Warlock DPS Artifact Talents/Traits and Relics (Legion 7.2.5)

Table of Contents

• +Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. Patch 7.2.5 Changes
  • 3. Patch 7.2 Changes
  • 4. Strengths
  • 5. Weaknesses
  • 6. Viability in the Current Patch
  • 7. Contents
  • 8. ChangeLog
• +Easy Mode
  • 1. The Basics
  • 2. Talent Choice
  • 3. Stat Choice
  • 4. Basic Rotation
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Spell Summary
  • 1. Spell Summary
  • 2. Main Resources
  • 3. Basic Abilities
    • 3.1. Spell Casts
    • 3.2. Your Personal Demon Horde
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Choices
  • 2. Talent Cheat Sheets
    • 2.1. Raid Encounters
      • 2.1.1. Heavy Cleave/AoE
    • 2.2. For General Use
  • 3. Tier 1 (Level 15) Talents
  • 4. Tier 2 (Level 30) Talents
  • 5. Tier 3 (Level 45) Talents
  • 6. Tier 4 (Level 60) Talents
  • 7. Tier 5 (Level 75) Talents
  • 8. Tier 6 (Level 90) Talents
  • 9. Tier 7 (Level 100) Talents
  • 10. ChangeLog
• ×Artifact Traits and Relics
  • 1. Artifact Progression — First 35 Points
    • 1.1. Early Point Investment
    • 1.2. Second Golden Trait
    • 1.3. Final Point Investment
  • 2. Patch 7.2: 35+ Trait Path
  • 3. Relic Choice
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Ability Priority List
  • 2. Important Notes
    • 2.1. The Importance of AddOns
    • 2.2. Soul Shards
    • 2.3. Demonic Empowerment
      • 2.3.1. Empowerment Overlap
    • 2.4. An In-Depth Look at AoE
    • 2.5. Demon Choice
    • 2.6. Darkglare and Hand of Doom
    • 2.7. Tier 1 Talents
      • 2.7.1. Shadowflame Usage
    • 2.8. Tier 2 Talents
    • 2.9. Implosion Usage
    • 2.10. Defensive Utility
    • 2.11. Doomguard and Infernal
  • 3. Core Concepts
    • 3.1. Cooldown Management
    • 3.2. Spooky Skull: Thal'kiel's Consumption
    • 3.3. Movement Management
      • 3.3.1. Quiet Movement
  • 4. Opening Sequence
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Stat Priority
  • 1. Basics
  • 2. Stat Weights
  • 3. Statistics Explanations
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Gems, Enchants, and Consumables
  • 1. Gems
  • 2. Enchants
  • 3. Consumables
    • 3.1. Potion Choice
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Macros and Addons
  • 1. Addons
    • 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. AffDots
      • 1.7.2. Mik's Scrolling Battle Text
      • 1.7.3. DeathNote
      • 1.7.4. Doom CooldownPulse
      • 1.7.5. Angry Assignments
  • 2. Macros
    • 2.1. Warlock Macros
      • 2.1.1. Pet Macros
      • 2.1.2. Soulstone Mouseover
      • 2.1.3. Demonic Circle
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot
  • 1. Tier 20 Set Bonuses
  • 2. Best in Slot List
  • 3. Evaluating Upgrades Using Stat Weights
  • 4. Legendaries
    • 4.1. Descriptions
  • 5. Loot Competition
  • 6. ChangeLog

General Information

This page shows you how to level up the Artifact and how to choose the right Relics for your Demonology Warlocks. It is updated for World of Warcraft Legion 7.2.5.

The other pages of our Demonology Warlock guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

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 Not, one of the best Demonology Warlocks and a respected theorycrafter. He raids in Strawberry Puppy Kisses. You can watch him on Twitch or YouTube and you can follow him on Twitter. He is also the owner and editor of Lock One Stop Shop, a website dedicated to Warlocks.

1. Artifact Progression — First 35 Points

1.1. Early Point Investment

Take the left path into one of the most potent basic traits, Summoner's Prowess, which is exceptional for increasing stable damage output as well as producing larger Thal'kiel's Consumption casts. Do not be scared that Imp-erator shares nomenclature with a terrible boss, because it is an amazing trait. 35% free Critical Strike for your Imps is a huge boost to your damage at the cost of only a single point. Open Link is nothing special other than to add a little more defensive utility to your already invincible kit. Mosey down into Infernal Furnace, another extraordinarily high value basic trait. Talent into your first Golden Trait, The Expendables, which is a very strong trait overall for any situation.

1.2. Second Golden Trait

Before doing anything else, quickly snag Doom, Doubled right below The Expendables. This is a great trait and for only one point it is definitely worth acquiring early. Backtrack to the start of the tree and scoop up some more Doom bonuses by investing into The Doom of Azeroth. Swing back down the left side of the tree and talent into your second Golden Trait, Stolen Power, which is a fine choice for single target damage.

1.3. Final Point Investment

From the start of the tree take the right path this time, grabbing some tasty Call Dreadstalkers crit from the Sharpened Dreadfangs trait. Go through Soul Skin and Firm Resolve to achieve true immortality. Invest into your final Golden Trait, Thal'kiel's Discord. For your final two traits I recommend taking the Dirty Hands trait first before finally rounding out Thal'kiel with Legionwrath.

2. Patch 7.2: 35+ Trait Path

Patch 7.2 has replaced the 35-54 Paragon system with several additional new traits becoming available upon acquisition of the 35th point. All of the previous Relic traits will also unlock a 4th rank, along with a new Paragon system becoming available after all traits have been filled (via Concordance of the Legionfall) which all additional Artifact Power will be spent on.

Detailed below is our suggested maxing order after 35 traits:

1. Swarms of the Black Harvest
2. Left Hand of Darkness
3. Jaws of Shadow
4. Fourth rank of Infernal Furnace
5. Fourth rank of The Doom of Azeroth
6. Thal'kiel's Ascendance
7. Fourth rank of Summoner's Prowess
8. Fourth rank of Sharpened Dreadfangs
9. Fourth rank of Maw of Shadows
10. Fourth rank of Dirty Hands
11. Fourth rank of Legionwrath
12. Fourth rank of Firm Resolve
13. Fourth rank of Open Link
14. Concordance of the Legionfall

Current theorycraft is inconclusive but this is regarded as the best order to spend your traits at the current time.

3. Relic Choice

1. Infernal Furnace is overall the best Relic choice by far.
2. The Doom of Azeroth is very high value on fights with multiple Doom targets, especially when it can be applied via Hand of Doom. Overall it is the second best Relic for single target.
3. Maw of Shadows provides a consistent increase to your damage on single target.
4. Summoner's Prowess is a good trait as your pets will always be empowered. It also allows for larger damage values from Thal'kiel's Consumption.
5. Sharpened Dreadfangs for the Critical Strike chance for your dogs.
6. Dirty Hands for the Hand of Gul'dan damage.
7. Legionwrath.
8. Any of the defensive Relics.

4. ChangeLog

+ show all entries - show only 10 entries

• 27 Mar. 2017: Updated for Patch 7.2. with new traits and order.
• 09 Jan. 2017: Checked and confirmed for Patch 7.1.5.
• 12 Nov. 2016: Updated Relic priority.
• 29 Aug. 2016: Added.