Warlock Talents;

[Ichig0]

I lurk on the EU lock forum in my lunch break trying to siphon decent info from crap to learn more about my class for end-game content. Rather post here since in general you've got a combination of people who don't take into consideration that the way they play is not similar to the rest of the lock population, and others who just want to post odd memes. When I ding 70 (any time now!!!) I'm toying with the idea of moving the demo part of my talent tree over to destro.

I've no intention of changing the affliction side since I'm pretty comfortable with that.

Which is going to be more useful to me & my group through raids etc.?

http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMriRfzVtbobxI0I

That's my current talent spec, but I'm considering changing for improved shadow bolt & bane, maybe shadow burn too.

Constructive suggestions welcome.

[Infrontation]

Find a really big gaming organisation like SK-Gaming and steal one of there destro locks builds Though it may be geared to a certain fight like Mag'theridon (sp?). There is a whole load of theorycraft at elitistjerks.com too.

[Ranger]

That spec is good, except when you hit 70 there's no point going straight for Destro because odds are your hit rating will be rubbish, and you need it capped so raid bosses don't resist your every cast.

Until you get Hit capped or nearly capped stay affliction.

http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IEMrcRfzqtcoZxx0xM

That one's a good start, as you'll do a hell of a lot of DoT damage, and you can spam SB whilst your DoTs tick away.

[Ichig0]

Ah, that's one thing I never took into account with the hit rating. Looks like I'll be reading about that this lunch time!

I guess I'll stick with my demo pieces for a short while longer, then!

[Hiro]

Destro spec is best for raiding.
I used 0/21/40.
It's the only destro spec everyone in raids use (or should).

I'll do a talent calc.

[Hiro]

Can't edit above.

--10 Mans--
with 10 mans destruction will still do dps but not its maximum as you generally wont be with another lock, shadowpriest, boomkin, and such so generally stick to affliction for best all round dps and utility, (hence the points in demonology for the extra hp on blood pact and highest healthstones)
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=Iq0rVMftVtcofZxx0d
Depending on your Hit level(if its below the cap of 202 rating or 16% WITHOUT supression) you should take some points out of fel concentration and add them to suppression to give your dots the highest chance to land so you don't lower your dps.
like so:
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IE0rzMftVtcofZxx0d


--10 mans & 25 mans--
this is where it gets interesting, if you're doing 25 mans with 10 mans on the side for gearing up, chances are you wont have the hit cap yet (unless you're geared very well)
id say go 0/21/40 if you're not the only warlock in the raid.
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZbxckIbzZEx0tr0zuhi
assuming you have these stats by the way:
202 Hit cap(16%) or close to it (within about 30/40 rating i mean)
25% Spell Crit (this is a must for keeping improved shadowbolt up which will be basically your main focus)
1000 Shadow Spell Damage unbuffed (with fel armour, you need a good amount to keep your personal dps up)

if you don't stick to the affliction build from the 10 mans like, also if you're the only lock raiding with your guild stick to that build too as your job is support for the main tank group, not personal dps (even though locks are good at it).

--25 mans only--
if you're just doing 25 mans I'm going to assume you're at least clearing SSC/TK and starting Hyjal so you're gear level should be perfect for the 0/21/40 spec
use that spec linked above and you should be fine. this also means there should be another warlock who is affliction spec (malediction) doing improved curse of shadows.

Spell rotations:
0/21/40 - boss
Curse of Doom(or whichever you have been assigned if more than one warlock)
Shadowbolt until you're on about 20% mana.
Lifetap until full mana or so (make sure you ask a resto druid / holy priest to throw a few heals over times on you as you do this or you will probably die)
repeat shadowbolting and applying the curse when needed

0/21/40 - Trash
Same as above really, but you shouldnt be going oom as trash die pretty fast, also if you dont think theres enough time to fit in a last shadowbolt just use shadowburn (or drain soul if you need shards).


43/5/13 - Boss
You should be keeping the improved curse up, so..
Curse of shadows (as engaging boss)
Unstable affliction
followed straight away by a corruption, if you cast corruption right after, these 2 should wear off the boss at the same time making it easier to replace them.
Immolate
Siphon Life
shadowbolt a few times until you see unstable affliction and corruption wear off and then repeat the spell cycle.

43/4/13 - Trash
Your Curse
Unstable Affliction
Corruption
Shadowbolt untill UA/Corr has run off and put those 2 back on and repeat shadowbolting.

[Ichig0]

Ah, I was hoping that there was some way of avoiding the destruction spec' that every lock is converting to. According to the lock forums, it seems to be the best. Though that's only for DMG hogs who want to top raids.

I think, although it's been suggested by others I've spoke to aswell as Hiro (thanks for your input, I really love absorbing all of the information I can about my class ) I think I'm going to avoid what every lock wants to do. I'm not fussed about topping DMG as long as I do my bit to help. Not to mention I don't want to be what is essentially a shadow mage. Hopefully that won't put me at a disadvantage when trying to find a group, or raiding with my guild (when we finally level and gear everyone up).

Not to mention I'm so attuned to my affliction spec, that the difference in damage and gameplay would be too significant for me to be comfortable.

Anyone able to help me and define Spell Hit and Spell Haste? It's like learning about agility, strength, intellect etc all over again. /blush

[jam666]

by no means am i a superior raiding warlock however i am geared up to the point of the very start of gruuls and i find destro as the best spec...

ignore the idiots who say go shadow, fire is usless sorry to dissapoint but it isnt...

of course fire warlocks (like myself) will be slightly behind shadow warlocks on the dps meter HOWEVER fire is much more fun to play than shadow.

with regards to hit rating... if your just raiding kara get around 60-90 spell hit rating and your spells will hardly be resisted (well in my case)

oh forgot one thing, affliction in kara i absolutely hated.... infact i only went to kara once as affliction then immediately respecced back to fire destro 0/21/40 as mana efficency is awful as affliction.

hope ive helped

[Ranger]

Hit > Crit > Haste

That's the priority ladder.
You don't need haste until you have everything else capped, or at high numbers. And what are you saying mana effiency as Aff is rubbish? You have life tap anyway, and if you have decent enough healers they'll top you off, and you have an imp/succy out with dark pact, that's your mana battery. I'm raiding in T6 as Destro and I have no problem with mana, but that's 'cos I'm fire destro, SB spam eats mana like a fat kid to cookies.
When I was Affli I never ran out of mana unless we slacked and hit an enrage timer or something, or by some disaster my imp's phase shift went fubar and he got one-shotted.

[Ichig0]

I'll wait for WOTLK before I decide on my spec, then. Hopefully it brings something nice for me.

Next up, since I don't really want to make a new thread EVERY time I need more infromation.

How do I get my tailoring from 260 -> 275?