Destruction Warlock WotLK Guide
Destruction Warlock DPS guide for WotLK 3.3.5a: rotation, cooldowns, the 0/13/58 talent build, glyphs, stat priority and BiS gear for ICC and Ruby Sanctum.
Destruction is the fire Warlock. It plays with a short, strict cycle built around Immolate, Conflagrate and Chaos Bolt, and it does well in lower gear, where the other Warlock specs are still finding their feet. In raids it is the least common of the three specs, and it is honest to say so: Demonology brings the buff, and Affliction brings the highest damage.
This guide covers the cycle, the cooldowns, the talents and glyphs we run, the stats to reach and the mistakes that cost the most. It is written for Icecrown Citadel 25 and Ruby Sanctum on 3.3.5a. The short overview is in the class guide.
1.How the Destruction Warlock plays
You keep Immolate on the target, you use Conflagrate and Chaos Bolt every time they are ready, and Incinerate is your filler. Backdraft makes your next spells faster after a Conflagrate, and Shadow and Flame gives the raid a debuff for spell critical strike.
Because the cycle is short, Destruction is a spec where you play tight and do not waste global cooldowns. Keep Life Tap in mind for mana, and use the right curse for the boss.
2.Rotation and priorities
- ImmolateKeep it up on the target.
- ConflagrateOn cooldown. It also triggers Backdraft.
- Chaos BoltOn cooldown. It cannot be resisted and it is your largest single spell.
- IncinerateYour filler.
- Life TapWhen you need mana. Do not let the mana bar run empty.
Use Curse of the Elements if no other class does, and keep your buffs in mind. If you are the only Warlock in the raid, you can also cover the utility: healthstones and the soulstone.
3.Cooldowns and raid utility
Destruction has a small number of buttons, and they are worth using on time.
Your largest single spell, and it is on a cooldown. Use it every time it is ready.
Consumes your Immolate for burst damage, and triggers Backdraft.
Turns health into mana. A part of your normal cycle.
A debuff that increases the spell damage the target takes. Use it if no other class does.
Lets you place a portal and teleport back to it. A useful movement tool on fights with a lot of movement.
Creates healthstones for the raid. Do it before the fight.
4.Talents and glyphs
Our recommended Destruction build is the 0/13/58 in the calculator, built around Chaos Bolt, Backdraft, Fire and Brimstone, Shadow and Flame, Pyroclasm and Empowered Imp.
The major glyphs are Life Tap, Immolate and Conflagrate.
Sends a bolt of chaotic fire at the enemy, dealing 837 to 1061 Fire damage. Chaos Bolt cannot be resisted, and pierces through all absorption effects.
When you cast Conflagrate, the cast time of your next three Destruction spells is reduced by 30%. Lasts 15 sec.
Increases the damage done by your Incinerate and Chaos Bolt spells to targets afflicted by your Immolate by 10%, and the critical strike chance of your Conflagrate spell is increased by 25%.
Your Shadow Bolt, Shadowburn, Chaos Bolt and Incinerate spells gain an additional 20% of your bonus spell damage effects.
When you critically strike with Searing Pain or Conflagrate, your Fire and Shadow spell damage is increased by 6% for 10 sec.
Increases the damage done by your Imp by 30%, and all critical hits done by your Imp have a 100% chance to increase your spell critical hit chance for your next spell by 20%. This effect lasts 8 sec.
When you use Life Tap or Dark Pact, you gain 20% of your Spirit as spell power for 40 sec.
Increases the periodic damage of your Immolate by 10%.
Your Conflagrate spell no longer consumes your Immolate or Shadowflame spell from the target.
5.Stats, gems and gear
The priority is hit, then spell power, then haste and critical strike. The numbers are in the caps section. Destruction performs well in lower gear, so it is a good choice if you are still gearing.
The best items are in the BiS list below.
Blood Fury adds +163 spell power, and Command (+5% pet damage) is a real gain for Demonology. Undead (Will of the Forsaken) and Blood Elf (Arcane Torrent) are the utility picks.
Expansive Mind (+5% maximum mana) for longevity; Human (The Human Spirit) as the minor alternative.
Bloodsurge, Kel'Thuzad's Blade of Agony
Shadow Silk Spindle
Corpse-Impaling Spike
Phylactery of the Nameless Lich
Charred Twilight Scale
Sanctified Dark Coven Hood
Sanctified Dark Coven Robe
6.Common mistakes
• Letting Immolate fall off.
• Not using Conflagrate and Chaos Bolt on cooldown.
• Running out of mana, and not using Life Tap at the right moments.
• Forgetting the curse when nobody else brings it.
• Standing in the fire, and losing damage to movement.
7.On the bosses
Destruction is a good spec while you are gearing. A few notes:
The Warlocks receive a Hand of Protection on the pull, so the adds do not kill them. See the Icecrown guide.
Stay mobile, and use Demonic Circle if the raid plan asks for it.
Keep Immolate and your cycle going on the ground, and plan your movement for the air phase.
Use your cycle on the boss, and help kill the adds as the raid leader asks. See the Lich King guide.
8.Questions people ask
It is a good spec, especially in lower gear, but Demonology brings a raid buff and Affliction has the highest damage in the guides we read.
It is your largest single spell, and it cannot be resisted.
It makes your next spells faster after a Conflagrate.
Life Tap, Immolate and Conflagrate.