Warlock - Ideal spec

expediateclimb

Currently lvling a warlock on Outland and have'nt decided yet what talent tree to specialise in. I'm looking ahead to final game content although I know it's a long way off but was wondering what would be the most useful tree to spec in for group raid's when I do eventually get to that stage? Don't want to get to lvl 80 and then find that I'm not much good to any groups because I made some bad choices at this stage

I know I'll probably get a few different answers for this one but looking for a common theme.

Also I don't have much experience of raiding at this stage so is there anywhere I can go to get some experience?

Kiith

Go Affliction till lvl80. Its the fastest way to level iirc, with very little down time. Couldnt tell you about raiding locks, as i'm only lvl74.

elexes

demon till 80 its easy to do the group quests solo ( apart from the icecrown ones )

drain life / life tap its got no downtime


as for at 80 and doing damage i am clueless


with the patch tomorrow i wouldnt expect any definate answers just yet

mocata

41/30 Is pure win for starting HC's and doing decent damage in Raids too. Easy rotation so u can watch the fight and learn the tactics while still doing good dps. FG/emberstorm it is referred to if u wanna google it. Also, FG and affliction combine well when lvling to 80.

D

Most people use affliction for levelling, then switch to destruction for raids.

Kiith

D wrote: »

Most people use affliction for levelling, then switch to destruction for raids.

I'd say keep Affliciton for a while at lvl80, until you can get good gear. Then respec Destruction.

TheDoc

I'm rocking affliction on my warlock at the moment and enjoying it.

been reading about specs and have to say confuses me aswell. I think its part of the fun of a new class, seeing what you need for raids etc.

Hopefully I'll get sound advice to guide me along at 80

expediateclimb

Thanks for the input guys, Not really interested in the quickest way to lvl as I have some help in that regard. Would affliction come in handy at a later stage in the game or do most people just use it for lvling and then change?

That FG/emberstorm sounds like an interesting build so I might try a version of that. Also what professions do you guys think would suit a warlock, I'm assuming blacksmithing or mining are out considering you can't really equip what you make

WellyJ

D wrote: »

Most people use affliction for levelling, then switch to destruction for raids.

What?

Affliction lock is the highest DPS output for any class in the game atm.

When played perfectly.

mocata

Jc is an absolute no brainer atm, + 28 SP gems and all socket bonuses is imba, and also a good money maker. I lvled chanting myself, but tailoring wud be good for a fresh 80 lock as u can make some decent pieces for yourself b4 u get raid lvl items.

WellyJ

mocata wrote: »

Jc is an absolute no brainer atm, + 28 SP gems and all socket bonuses is imba, and also a good money maker. I lvled chanting myself, but tailoring wud be good for a fresh 80 lock as u can make some decent pieces for yourself b4 u get raid lvl items.

Tailoring is the single highest DPS increase for a caster from 3.1

The Lightweave cloak enchant is amazing, coming in at about 130 DPS.

magilly

My main is a lock now, gonna be rocking ulduar tomorrow hopefully. And from tests done on elitejerks and myself on PTR, theres 3 or 4 specs that are all within 100-200dps of each other.

Affliction with doomguard out is probably on top, but then when you havent got a doomguard out you'll be slightly behind the new 0/40/31 spec. Full demo and Destro are pretty decent aswell.

End of the day, they have balanced locks out so well in 3.1, all 3 trees are viable. So it just comes down to your own playstyle really, the burst dmg and massive numbers that 0/40/31 will put out looks really great tho.

hk797

Agree with Magilly that all 3 trees are now better balanced. For some current PVE theorycrafting checkout this and this. Find out which playstyle you prefer and roll with that. Destro requires better gear than Afflic early on to perform well. Once you ding 80 get into a raiding guild and gear up. On profs JC and tailoring are best min max choices just now.

expediateclimb

Decided to go with the FG/emberstorm build as from the advice here it looks like a reasonable build. Only problem is I've noticed that one or two of my talent points are missing from where I put them in Destruct yesterday?

Anyone else have the same problem with missing talent points?

Psycopat

0/40/31 seems best imo, very nice aoeing with rain of fire and conflag is win