Tips to the n00b warlock: levelling & builds
by Eggnot | 22/01/2008 01:51:41 Almost every day there is a new thread on these forums about what talents to use for levelling and/or once you hit 70. For levelling Affliction is the most common advice, and with good reason. However, quite a few state that they wish other builds – this is the internet after all, you can’t trust what you read – and while it is likely to be a less efficient path, who are we to tell them not to travel it (even though we can be sure it will be a longer and bumpier ride). Because of this I have decided to put together my thoughts on the subject. Below I have some simple suggestions regarding levelling builds as well as alternatives once you hit level 70. I know there are a lot of other options, both in regards to levelling (from weird hybrids to just small alterations of the tips below) as well as how to spec for end-game content. Take it as pointers and possible options, not an absolute truth. Following the builds are some comments regarding other common topics on these forums, ranging from what race to pick to suitable curses and how to grind effectively. I have tried to put down some helpful general pointers. Note that there are threads highlighting parts of this already so more info is out there for those looking for some advice. If there is interest in the summary I will update it ahead as needed. Suggestions are more then welcome. -------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Levelling You can do a lot of fun stuff on the way but for many it’s about reaching 70 as fast as possible. If you’re new to WoW I do suggest you take the time: there’s a ton of cool stuff to discover and you won’t regret taking the time to explore it. That said, having a specc allowing the most efficient grinding on the way is hardly a bad thing. As stated above, Affliction is generally the best option, at least until level 50-60 when Felguard becomes a viable alternative. Affliction Use Void Walker or Succubus until 40, then either the Imp or Succubus is turned into your mana battery. Drain Life (drain tank) and/or use Fear. As your gear improves and you level up you can start taking on more and more mobs at once. Killing three or four mobs – or even more – at once and ending with virtually full health and mana once you ding level 40 is what makes Affliction so great. Level 19: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=Ii0d Level 29: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IA0rVR Level 39: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IA0rVRczq Level 40: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IA0rVRczqz Level 50: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IA0rVRfzqtbo Level 60: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IA0rVRfzqtbo0xZx Level 70: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IAMrVRfzqtbobxZxx0z Demonology (hybrid at start) Take one, or maybe two, mobs at a time and rely on your pet to tank and do some decent damage. Your overall goal is to keep the mob on the pet while you do damage. Some Affliction talents early on make it easier but these can be swapped for a pure Demonology build at 40. Your true worth is not shown though until maybe level 50, or even 60. Then you can almost grind as effectively as Affliction but you do it with a big bad*beep* pet whacking away. Level 19: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMbZ0o Level 29: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMbZ0gc0o Level 39: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMbZ0gc0GVz Level 40: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZ0gczIizMho (respec to this) Level 50: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZ0gczIizcesz Level 60: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMbZ0gczIizceszo Level 70: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMbZ0gczIizceszxx0z Destruction G rinding to the top shadowmage style. Not very fast, nor efficient, but you will get some cool crits flashing from time to time. In instances you’ll shine and once at 50 you can do some nifty stunning stunts. Whatever you do, save a lot of bag space for water. You will need it. Hopefully your warlock buddies – that will reach 70 way ahead of you – can spare some gold for all those drinks. Level 19: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZZxx Level 29: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZZxx0tr Level 39: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZZxx0tr0tm Level 40: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZZxx0tr0tmz Level 50: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZZxx0tr0tmkAo Level 60: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVZ0xZxx0tr0tmkAo Level 70: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IV0bZbxZxx0trhtVuAo ----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Builds at level 70 Note that some builds include a +3 or +2. This means that the suggested spec still has a few points left unused. Pick additional talents that suit your, or the group/guild/teams, needs. Affliction You have little nuking power but your DPS over time is fantastic. Your survivability is decent, at least if there’s room to run around a bit. In PvP, DoT stuff up and sprint around a corner, waiting for the sad sop to die or drain its last bit of life. Last, but not least, you’re the true grinding monster. Killing up to eight or ten mobs at a time while being at full HP/mana after the fights leaves even the most ambitious gold farmer envious. 43/7/11: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=Ii0riRfkqtbobxZxx0z (all-round) 44/0/17: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IEMrcRfzqtcoZxx0xM (new raider) 41/0/17+3: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMrVRfzqtcoZxx0xM (raiding) Demonology The felguard is your best buddy. Combine it with pet survivability for grinding, nuking for higher end raiding or a mix for solid Arena matches as well as good DPS output. You need to learn how to control it well and for both PvP and DPS a dead pet tend to hurt badly. Also, expect a few sour faces in smaller groups for PvE if you call on your favourite demon-toy. Not everyone loves your darling pet as much as you do. Instead that blasted imp might be in demand. 6/44/11: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IV0oZbxczIizzestxx0z (all-round) 9/41/11: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMbZ0gchIVzceszxx0z (PvE non-raiding) 20/41/0: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMrVMbZ0gczIizcesz (drain-felguard) 1/43/15+2: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IzZbxczIizzespxx0x (high-end raiding) Destruction It’s flashy, stuff die with huge crits swooshing over the screen and your survivability is that of a crippled hedgehog on the freeway. Some still pull it off in PvP though, but you’re not choosing an easy life. Grinding is also a choir. Better leave that to the Dotting guys and girls. In instances you do solid DPS and if you’ve managed to pull together some really good raiding gear, few will challenge your top damage meter position. 7/7/47: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IV0bZbxZxx0trhtAuVo (all-round) 0/7/54: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZbxZxE0trhtAuio (Drakedog fan) 0/21/40: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IZdxczIbzZEx0tr0zmhi (high-end raiding) Hybrids Not many exciting options. Rather only hated ones, at least by non-warlocks. SL/SL is awesome for Arenas, good for Battlegrounds and ok for grinding. It’s about surviving and outlasting, not insta-gibbing. Your DPS for longer PvE fights is comparable to flinging soggy pieces of toast at the boss. 23/38/0: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVorVRbkoZbxczIizzes (basic SL/SL) 27/34/0: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=Iq0rrRfkRZbxczIiz0xs (SL/SL, more dmg) Ebay Anyone with Improved Enslave Demon or Master Conjuror. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Top picks at 70! Some alternatives based on your gaming agenda. Mix and match as suited. More alternatives certainly exists. These are some basic options though that should suit a certain task quite well. All-round: 43/7/11 or 6/44/11 Arena: 23/38/0, 27/34/0 or 6/44/11 Battlegrounds: anything goes Grinding: 43/7/11 or 9/41/11 Heroics: 41/0/17+3 or 9/41/11 Normal instances: anything goes Raiding, 10-man: 41/0/17+3 Raiding, 25-man: 41/0/17+3, 1/43/15+2 or 0/21/40 [ Post edited by Eggnot ] |
by Vaneras | 23/01/2008 16:42:15 This thread has been added to the “Informative and useful Warlock threads” compilations sticky: Informative and useful Warlock threads  |
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