Warlock - Destruction - PvE

[Rizwan]

This is a translation of: http://forum.wow-freakz.com/Destruction-Warlock-Guide-4.0.6-PvE-t97869.html

In this thread you will see the changes suffered by the Destruction Warlocks in PvE in 4.0.6 Patch.

Summary

• Talent Configuration;
  
• Glyphs;
  
• Stats;
  
• Reforging;
  
• Clipping;
  
• New Spells;
  
• Rotation;
  
• Bane of Havoc & AoE Damage;
  
• Gemming;
  
• Professions;
  
• Best In Slot items & Enchants;
  
• Pre-Raid BiS items;
  
• Consumables;
  
• Addons & Macros.

Talent Configuration

3/7/31 but talents like Nether protection are not a "must", they are just fillers, you may change them as you wish.

Copy-Paste ingame to set your spec automatically.

Code:

/run t,p,a={3,13,23,32,42,52,72,83,91,102,131,143,151,162,172,181,191,1,33,2,23,32,52,}SetPreviewPrimaryTalentTree(t[1],GetActiveTalentGroup())for i=1,#t do a=t[i]if a<9 then p=a else AddPreviewTalentPoints(p,floor(a/10),a%10)end end

Glyphs

Prime glyphs:

Glyph of Immolate - increases periodic damage made by Immolate by 10%;


Glyph of Conflagrate - Reduces cooldown of Conflagrate by 2 sec;


Glyph of Imp - Increases damage made by Firebolt of your imp by 20%;
or

Glyph of Incinerate - increases damage done by Incinerate by 5%.

Major glyphs:

Glyph of Life Tap - Reduces GCD by 0.5s [It's the only MUST, others are random]


Glyph of Fear - Pretty usefull, when you need to add some CC in your rotation or you need to. Fear is now like Psychic Horror, (keeps the target steady), and has a 5s cooldown;


Glyph of Soul Link - With this Glyph 25% from the recieved damage is sent to the pet. Glyph add more 5% at Soul Link;


Glyph of Shadowflame - Shadowflame applies a 70% slow to victims. Pretty usefull in cases that you must kill adds.

Minor glyphs: Your choice.

Stats

Main stat is Intellect, but another important stat is Hit which should be around 17%.
It have been proven that in 4.0.6 the haste is over crit, even tho until Cataclysm, destro warlock was based only on high crits, now the rotation is more complex and the haste is benefic. An extra tick for Immolate ,Corruption, Shadowflame. Thats why you should go over the soft cap of haste. Around 30.01% is e nough to get to the maximmum dps [when the gear will be good enough, don't neglect the stats], 2 extra ticks for Immolate.
A new stat is Mastery, which is good enough, but the priorities list is: Intelect > Hit > Haste > Crit > Mastery.
Spirit is a dead stat!
Haste is benefic for improving your dps. I will prove below how haste acts in the new system. If till now haste reduced the time between ticks, now haste increases the number of ticks instead of reducing the time between them.

Difference between 24% Haste and 25% Haste :


Difference of 1% of haste brought 1 new tick for Corruption! That's why haste is good now
In case of Immolate-ului, avem urmatoarele date :

• at 29% Haste, Immolate has 6 ticks;
  
• At 30% Haste, Immolate has 7 ticks. This is breakpoint for end game gear.

Meaning that 2 extra ticks of Immolate = 30%haste.
30,01% buffed [in raids with Dark Intent and Mind Quickening of 5% haste) is the point where you should get!

(Note: Graphics from Cynwise)

Reforging

If you don't have the 17% cap, reforge to Hit.

Reforge to Hit -> Until you hit the cap, Hit is the most important stat that a warlock needs.
Items with Mastery, Crit / Hit -> Mastery reforged to Haste;
Items with Mastery and Haste -> Mastery reforged to Crit;
Items with Crit and Hit -> Crit reforged to Haste;
Items with Haste and Hit -> Stay as they are.

Clipping

The moment when you refresh your DoT's is important for a warlock.
For example Corruption. The moment needed to refresh a dot is before the last but one tick.

Corruption refreshed between last but one and last tick.


The first Corruption deals his extra last tick and the DoT duration is extended.


Corruption refreshed after the 3rd tick


Corruption loses the 4th tick but the duration is not stacked until 36s.

(Note: Graphics from Cynwise)

These things applies in static encounters. When you are moving don't lose your time, cast instant dots whenever it's needed.

New Spells

I will tell you onlt the spells, talents [including Bane of Havoc] inside the rotation.

Dark Intent - This spell works the same as Focus Magic , between the warlock and the target player of Dark Intent a link is created, so the warlock and the player will gain 3% haste while Dark Intent is active. In addition to every critical periodic damage /healing effect, the warlock recieves 3% increased periodic damge/healing for 7sec, while the other player recieves 1%. It can be stacked 3times. 9% increased damage for the warlock, 3% for the other player. The next classes are recommended for Dark Intent:

Healers:
- Restoration Druid;
- Holy Priest (healer on raid);
- Restoration Shaman;
- Holy/ Discipline Priest (healer on tank).


DPS:
- Shadow Priest (best choice);
- Balance Druid;
- Fire Mage;
- Feral Druid;
- Survival Hunter.


The interest of a warlock is that when he choses his target, is to profit more from this spell.

Demon Soul - A powerfull spell, an important cooldown. Having an Imp as a pet, this spell increases crit chance by 30% for 20 seconds for Destro Spells.
Fel Flame - This spell is good for mobility. Its an instant spell that deals shadowfire damage.
(This spell is used only if the Tier11 4p bonus procs or if you are moving and you don't have what to cast. Never use it to increase your Immolate duration. IT's a waste of dps.)
Soul Harvest - Out of combat spell pretty usefull to regain your shards between encounters and regenerate hp.
Soulburn - Use this combined with Soulfire.

Rotation

Destruction means priorities and cooldowns, not a preset rotation!

Curse of the Elements remains an important damage booster, and because Curse of Doom was converted in Bane of Doom you can have both of them. Bane of Doom deals the damage after 15seconds.

Start with Soul Fire for Improved Soul Fire. This buff must be mantained permanently.
Before pulling the boss, start with Soulburn stay with the buff and then quickly Soul Harvest to retrieve your shard for soulburn and cast Soul Fire which becomes instant under the effect of Soulburn.

Curse of the Elements -> Soul Fire -> Bane of Doom -> Immolate -> Corruption -> Conflagrate -> Chaosbolt -> Incinerate.
Empowered Imp has a new proc that you must always profit of. Makes the next cast of Soul Fire to be instant.
Follow the cooldowns constantly, profit from the proc of Empowered Imp, Improved Soul Fire must be active permanently (if you forgot about the buff for one second, use Soulburn + Soul Fire sa il reaplicati rapid). While you are next to the boss, use from time to time some [http://static.wowhead.com/images/wow/icons/tiny/ability_warlock_shadowflame.gif[/img]Shadowflame.
Biggest dificulties will be the conflict between cooldowns.
A new talent have been introduced called Burning Embers. A new reason to keep your imp alive.
Backdraft suffered chances, it was a key talent in WotLK [it still is]. These chances consist in the removal of global cooldown of destruction spells casted under the effect of Backdraft was reduced [3 charges]. Another change is replacing the part where Blackfraft reduced cast time for 3 charges, the replacement is made with Shadow Bolt, Incinerate and Chaos Bolt, these being the only spells affected by Backdraft.
On WotLK most people confronted the charges that gave you headaches, you couldn't allow any lose of Immolate charge, and neither Incinerate without Immolate on target, lots of people went for refresh before Backdraft, well this refresh is not needed anymore before Backdraft, Immolate doesn't consume any charge from Backdraft.

Bane of Havoc & Multiple Targets / AoE Damage

Let's say you have 2 enemies in front of you, apply Bane of Havoc on one of them and continue dpsing the other one like below:

About AOE damage, apply Bane of Havoc on boss, and use Shadowflame and Rain of Fire. You can add from time to time some Shadowfury if you have it.
As long as the boss has Bane of Havoc activated on him, 15% from the damage done to mobs will be recieved by the boss.

Gemming

Meta: Burning Shadowspirit Diamond
Red: Brilliant Inferno Ruby
Yellow: Reckless Ember Topaz
Blue: Veiled Demonseye

You can go for a Red instead of a Blue / Yellow if the bonus is lower than 20intellect.

Professions

Tailoring - gives you Lightweave Embroidery that gives 580Intelect for 15seconds with 64s internal cd. Best profession for max dps.
Engineering - Tinkers from engi stacks with other enchants. Synapse Springs , tinker from hands that gives 480intellect for 10seconds. Others (Fleaxweave Underlay ,Nitro Boosts ,Grounded Plasma Shield) can be risky in raids.
Blacksmithing - Extra sockets on wrist and gloves, 2 red sockets, which gives you 80 more Intelect;
Alchemy - Mixology combined with Flask of the Draconic Mind gives you 80 more int. In addition, you have a Flask that is never consumed and can be used in arenas Flask of Enhancement;
Enchanting - Gives 2 enchants on both rings of 40intelect. In total a bonus of 80 intellect;
Skinning - Gives 80crit;
Leatherworking - Gives Draconic Embossment - Intellect , 130Intelect instead of 50 on bracers, a bonus of 80 Intelect;
Inscription - Gives Felfire Inscription An ehcnaot of 120Intellect/25haste;
Jewelcrafting - Gives 3xBrilliant Chimera's Eye instead of 3xBrilliant Inferno Ruby. A bonus of 81 Intellect;
Herbalism - Gives Lifeblood a spell kinda goof, with a 2 min cooldown, this spell gives you 480 haste for 20seconds.

Best In Slot Items & Enchants

Here you can see a Dwarf made by myself, with BiS items.
[Note: Don't consider the reforged items from that profile!]

This list contains items that can be obtained in 4.0.6:

• Head - Crown of the Twilight Queen;
  
  Enchant - Arcanum of Hyjal
  
  
• Neck - Valiona's Medallion;
  
• Shoulders - Shadowflame Mantle
  
  Enchant - Greater Inscription of Charged Lodestone
  
  
• Cloak - Shroud of Endless Grief;
  
  Enchant - Greater Intellect
  
  
• Chest - Shadowflame Robes;
  
  Enchant - Peerless Stats
  
  
• Bracers - Bracers of the Bronze Flight;
  
  Enchant - Mighty Intellect
  
  
• Hands - Shadowflame Handwarps;
  Enchant - Haste
  
  
• Belt - Belt of Arcane Storms;
  
• Legs - Shadowflame Leggings;
  
  Enchant - Powerful Enchanted Spellthread
  
  
• Feet - Einhorn's Galoshes;
  
  Enchant - Haste
  
  
• Main Hand - Incineratus
  
  Enchant - Power Torrent
  
  
• Off-hand - Book of Binding Will
  
  Enchant - Superior Intellect
  
  
• Wand - Theresa's Booklight;
  
• Ring 1 – Signet of the Fifth Circle;
  
• Ring 2 – Planetary Band;
  
• Trinket 1 – Darkmoon Card: Volcano;
  
• Trinket 2 - Bell of Enraging Resonance;
  
• Trinket optional 1 - Theralion's Mirror;
  
• Trinket optional 2 - Heart of Ignacious.

Pre-Raid BiS items

• Head - Cowl of Pleasant Gloom;
  
• Neck - Dorian's Lost Necklace;
  
• Shoulders - Meadow Mantle;
  
• Cloak - Ritssyn's Ruminous Drape;
  
• Chest - Dizze's Whirling Robe;
  
• Bracers - Bracers of the Dark Pool;
  
• Hands - Grips of the Failed Immortal;
  
• Belt - Dreamless Belt;
  
• Legs - Breeches of Mended Nightmares;
  
• Feet - Desert Walker Sandals;
  
• Main Hand - Maldo's Sword Cane;
  
• Off-hand - Hermit's Lamp;
  
• Wand - Theresa's Booklight;
  
• Ring 1 - Signet of High Arcanist Savor;
  
• Ring 2 - Diamant's Ring of Temperance;
  
• Trinket 1 - Darkmoon Card: Volcano;
  
• Trinket 2 - Stump of Time.

Consumables

Volcanic Potion - Use this before entering combat, and then again before Bloodlust/Heroism;
Flask of Draconic Mind ;
Severed Sagefish Head or
Seafood Madnifique Feast.

Addons & Macros

• MikScrollingBattleText;
  
• FortXorcist;
  
• Spell Flash + Spell Flash: Warlock module;
  
• Necrosis LdC;
  
• Quartz + Quartz Proc Module;
  
• OmniCC;
  
• Power Auras.

MSBT, Quartz Proc Module + Power Auras do the same thing, to make your gameplay better, choose your addon that you like to follow the proc of Empowered Imp and to keep Improved Soul Fire active.


Install Power Auras and then ingame write "powa" , "/powa", go to Global effects -> Import, like the picture above and copy the code below :

Code:

Version:4.16; InvertAuraBelow:5; anim1:2; icon:Spell_Fire_Fireball02; beginSpin:true; buffname:Improved Soul Fire; begin:2; x:-169; texture:148; owntex:true; speed:0.6; size:0.35; torsion:0.99; y:13; anim2:6; timer.h:2.11; timer.Texture:AccidentalPresidency; timer.enabled:true; timer.cents:false; timer.y:-54; timer.x:-171; timer.UseOwnColor:true

This code will set the addon to follow the buff of Improved Soul Fire and will let you know when it's about to get finished, to let you refresh it fast. The animation, colors, timer etc can be set by your prefferences.

Macros:
Useful macros here. When you spam Incinerate for example, the imp will assist with Firebolt. There is a tiny bug recognized by Blizzard with the autocast delay for the pet. With Glyph of Imp and the proc of Empowered Imp, you can't allow any lose of Firebolt.

Code:

#showtooltip SPELLNAME /cast [@pettarget, exists] Firebolt /cast SPELLNAME

Example -

Code:

#showtooltip Incinerate /cast [@pettarget, exists] Firebolt /cast Incinerate

In case that you have problems like Imp attacks other target and won't keep Burning Embers always on target, use

Code:

#showtooltip Incinerate /cast Firebolt /cast Incinerate /cast Firebolt

It's simple but very usefull. Put this macro also on Soul Fire / Chaosbolt / Immolate. It's a DPS bonus.

Soulburn + Soul Fire

Code:

#showtooltip /castsequence reset=2 Soulburn, Soul Fire /cast [@pettarget] Firebolt

Back to Summary

[arrancar17]

thx a lot . good job.!


ArraNcaR