Warlock Leveling Guide

[Zagam 1,983]

I saw that Icy-Veins didn't put up a Warlock leveling guide like they did with some other classes. Since there were some questions about how to level up, I'm going to provide what I believe to be the ideal leveling guide/strategy from the start all the way to level 85!

Create your Warlock!

Horde - Race Comparison

• Orc - 5% Pet Damage buff (Command), SP buff (Blood Fury, 2 min CD, goes well with Demon Soul)
• Troll - Haste buff, 3 min CD (Berserking)
• Goblin - 1% Haste (Time is Money)
• Undead - Looks cool
• Blood Elf - Arcane Torrent for interrupt

Alliance - Race Comparison

• Worgen - 1% Crit (Viciousness), Sprint (Darkflight)
• Gnome - Mana pool increased (Expansive Mind)
• Dwarf/Human - nothing
• Draenei cannot be Warlocks

Level 1-10

Level 1

Bind Shadow Bolt to a key you can enjoy beating to hell and back (I choose E)

Summon your Imp (Summon Imp)

Spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die.

Level 3

Train Immolate - place on action bar

Keep Imp out

Spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die

Level 4

Train Corruption - place on action bar

Keep Imp out

Spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die

Level 5

Train Life Tap - place on action bar

Keep Imp out

Spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die

Level 6

Train Drain Life - place on action bar

Keep Imp out

Spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die

Use Drain Life if below 40% health

Level 8

Train Demon Armor - place on action bar

Train Summon Voidwalker

Keep Imp out

Keep Demon Armor applied

Spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die

Use Drain Life if below 40% health

Level 9

Train Create Healthstone - place on action bar

Keep Imp out

Keep Demon Armor applied

Keep a Healthstone on you at all times

Spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die

Level 10

Choose Demonology, Summon your Felguard (Summon Felguard), and spend 1 talent point in Fel Synergy (1/2)

Train Control Demon x 3

Train Drain Soul

Train Soulburn - place on action bar

Keep Felguard out (from here on out)

Keep Demon Armor applied

Keep Healthstone on you at all times (from here on out)

Spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die

Level 11-20

Level 11

Spend 1 talent point in Fel Synergy (2/2)

Level 12

Train Bane of Agony

Train Health Funnel

Train Soul Harvest - place on bar

Spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die

Soul Harvest if low on life or soul shards out of combat (from here on out)

Level 13

Spend 1 talent point in Demonic Embrace (1/3)

Level 14

Train Fear - place on bar

Level 15 - Spend 1 talent point in Demonic Embrace (2/3)

Level 16 - Train Unending Breath

Level 17 - Spend 1 talent point in Demonic Embrace (3/3)

Level 18

Train Create Soulstone - place on action bar

Train Rain of Fire - place on action bar

Train Searing Pain

Create a Soulstone and apply to yourself (from here on out)

Level 19 - Spend 1 talent point in Mana Feed (1/2)

Level 20

Train Felsteed - place on action bar

Train Soul Fire - place on action bar

Train Soul Link - place on action bar

Train Summon Succubus

Apply Soul Link (from here on out)

When Soulburn is off cool down, open fights with Soulburn --> Soul Fire and then spam Shadow Bolt. Otherwise, spam Shadow Bolt until enemies die.

Level 21-30

Level 21 - Spend 1 talent point in Mana Feed (2/2)

Level 22 - Train Eye of Kilrogg

Level 23 - Spend 1 talent point in Demonic Rebirth (1/2)

Level 25

Spend 1 talent point in Demonic Rebirth (2/2)

Apply Glyph of Felguard

Apply Glyph of Shadow Bolt

Apply Minor Glyph - doesn't matter

Level 26 - Train Curse of Tongues

Level 27 - Spend 1 talent point in Demonic Aegis (1/2)

Level 29 - Spend 1 talent point in Demonic Aegis (2/2)

Level 30

Train Hellfire - replace Rain of Fire on action bar

Train Summon Felhunter

Your Felguard just learned Axe Toss

Axe Toss is a wonderful ability that stuns the Felguard's target for 3-4 seconds! Use this to create space or just increase your survivability

Level 31-40

Level 31 - Spend 1 talent point in Master Summoner (1/2)

Level 32 - Train Banish

Level 33 - Spend 1 talent point in Impending Doom (1/3)

Level 34 - Train Shadow Ward

Level 35 - Spend 1 talent point in Impending Doom (2/3)

Level 37 - Spend 1 talent point in Impending Doom (3/3)

Level 39 - Spend 1 talent point in Hand of Gul'dan

When Soulburn is off cooldown, open fights with Soulburn --> Soul Fire then Hand of Gul'dan, then spam Shadow Boltt. Otherwise, open with Hand of Gul'dan and spam Shadow Bolt

Level 40

Train Dreadsteed - replace Felsteed on action bar

Level 41-50

Level 41 - Spend 1 talent point in Aura of Foreboding (1/2)

Level 42

Train Death Coil

Train Ritual of Summoning

Use Death Coil when low on life or when being attacked by a strong enemy/opposing faction member

Level 43 - Spend 1 talent point in Molten Core (1/3)

Level 44 - Train Recipe: Roasted Kodo Meat - place on action bar

Use Howl of Terror when surrounded by numerous enemies

Level 45 - Spend 1 talent point in Molten Core (2/3)

Your Felguard just learned Felstorm

So up until this point, your rotation has been slow, boring, and rather mundane compared to other classes. Things just got interesting with Felstorm. You should be using Felstorm on cooldown every 45 seconds. It will turn groups of enemies into melted butter under the hot summer sun. From here on out, you won't be an embarrassment to your groups in dungeons and there won't be an enemy in Azeroth or Outlands that will give you any trouble with your trust Felguard!

Level 47 - Spend 1 talent point in Molten Core (3/3)

Level 49 - Spend 1 talent point in Inferno

Level 50

Train Nethermancy

Train Summon Infernal

Use Infernal when fightning many difficult enemies (10 minute cooldown)

Apply Glyph of Incinerate (not yet obtained, but soon)

Apply Glyph of Soul Link

Apply Minor Glyph - doesn't matter

Level 51-60

Level 51 - Spend 1 talent point in Decimation (1/2)

Level 52 - Train Curse of the Elements - place on action bar

Only use Curse of the Elements on things that will live a long period of time.

Level 53 - Spend 1 talent point in Decimation (2/2)

Level 55 - Spend 1 talent point in Ancient Grimoire (1/2)

Level 57 - Spend 1 talent point in Ancient Grimoire (2/2)

Level 58 - Train Summon Doomguard - place on action bar

Use Summon Doomguard to fight particularly difficult singular enemies (10 minute cooldown)

Level 59 - Spend 1 talent point in Demonic Pact

Level 60

Train Demon Leap

Train Immolation Aura - place on action bar

Level 61-70

Level 61 - Spend 1 talent point on Cremation (1/2)

Level 62 - Train Fel Armor - replace Demon Armor on action bar

Apply Fel Armor at all times in place of Demon Armor from here on out

Level 63 - Spend 1 talent point on Cremation (2/2)

Level 64 - Train Incinerate - replace Shadow Bolt on action bar

Enemies now have a bit higher HP, so this should be your rotation from now until you hit level 85:

If Soulburn is off cooldown, use Soulburn --> Soul Fire, Hand of Gul'dan, Immolate, and then spam Incinerate

If Soulburn is on cooldown, open with Hand of Gul'dan, Immolate, then spam Incinerate

Level 65 - Spend 1 talent point on Aura of Foreboding (2/2)

Level 66 - Train Soulshatter - place on action bar

Level 67 - Spend 1 talent point on Master Summoner (2/2)

Level 68 - Train Ritual of Souls - place on action bar

Level 69 - Spend 1 talent point on METAMORPHOSIS!!!!

Rotation remains the same, except every time Metamorphosis is available, you should cast it. This will increase your damage by 20%, reduce the damage you receive by a substantial amount, and you can now cast Immolation Aura to do massive amounts of AoE damage. You also can cast Demon Leap while in Metamorphosis form to leap forward 16 yards and do a 3 second stun to everything you land on. This is a great opening spell for AoE. Basically your AoE rotation in dungeons will make you king of Recount by doing the following: Metamorphosis --> Immolation Aura --> Demon Leap --> Hellfire --> Felstorm. Nothing will survive this onslaught.

Level 71-80

Level 71 - Spend 1 talent point on Improved Immolate (1/2)

Level 72 - Train Seed of Corruption

Level 73 - Spend 1 talent point on Improved Immolate (2/2)

Level 75 - Spend 1 talent point on Shadow and Flame (1/3)

Apply Glyph of Metamorphosis

Apply Glyph of Shadowflame

Apply Minor Glyph - doesn't matter

Level 76 - Train Shadowflame - place on action bar

When enemies are right in front of you, you can cast Shadowflame to hit them with an instant cast and a DoT that follows. This attack goes in a frontal cone style that also snares all enemies hit for 6 seconds with a 70% movement reduction if you glyphed it like I suggested at level 75. Very useful for kiting, escaping, and doing even more AoE damage by using this before channeling Hellfire.

Level 77 - Spend 1 talent point on Shadow and Flame (2/3)

Level 78 - Train Demonic Circle: Summon and Demonic Circle: Teleport - place on action bar

Level 79 - Spend 1 talent point on Shadow and Flame (3/3)

Level 80 - Train Master Demonologist, your Mastery! This will greatly buff the damage you do while in Metamorphosis form and also increase the damage all of your pets do! Anytime you find gear while leveling that has Mastery on it, take it. Learn to love you some Mastery!

Level 81-85

Level 81

Spend 1 talent point on Emberstorm (1/2)

Train Fel Flame - place on action bar

Level 82 - Spend 1 talent point on Emberstorm (2/2)

Level 83

Spend 1 talent point on Bane (1/3)

Train Dark Intent - place on action bar

Dark Intent is a Warlock exclusive unique buff that does wonderful things to you and a linked partner. Dark Intent increases the haste of both you and the recipient by 3% and also has a dynamic proc. When either you or the linked person has a DoT or HoT tick crit, you will receive a 3% buff to your periodic damage while they will receive a 1% buff to their periodic healing or damage for 6 seconds. This can stack up to 3 times meaning that if linked to a person with heavy DoT or HoT applications such as a Fire Mage, Shadow Priest, Balance Druid, Restoration Druid, or Survival Hunter, you will do 9% more damage with your DoTs while you will increase their DoT damage or HoT healing by 3%. Others will beg you for it, but remember they might not benefit you as much as the above mentioned classes.

Level 84 - Spend 1 talent point on Bane (2/3)

Level 85 - CONGRATULATIONS! You've reached level 85! Doesn't matter what you pick as your last talent point because you should be respec'ing out of the above listed leveling spec and into a viable raid spec. You can see the 3/31/7 and 0/31/10 viable Demonology DPS specs in Icy-Veins' Demonology Warlock guide.

Oh, and don't forget to train Demon Soul and put it on your bar. This is a very powerful 2 minute cooldown that should be used early and often.

Remember, this is just my opinion on how you could easily level a Warlock. While others may have other preferences, if you're new to the class, I hope that this helps you transition into a high level Warlock painlessly (I take no responsibility for lost HP while Life Tapping). As always, if you need more help or have questions, post below and I'll answer as fast as I can!

[Damien 1,533]

That's so nice of you! Thanks!

I'll take some time tomorrow to add wowhead links, if you agree ;)

[Zagam 1,983]

Yeah, I can't link to wowhead stuff from work, so if you want to link abilities and slap it as a leveling guide, by all means feel free. I'm just here to help people

[Vlad 419]

I agree with Damien, this is lovely stuff!

[Asakura 0]

Great guide, now can we have one for a mage please I`m leveling (or atleast trying) a mage if you hadn't guessed

[Zagam 1,983]

Great guide, now can we have one for a mage please I`m leveling (or atleast trying) a mage if you hadn't guessed

lol, Mages don't even really need a guide. Pick Frost at level 10, cast Frostbolt until things die. This pretty much persists all the way to level 85. You can mix in Ice Lance when Fingers of Frost procs, Ice Nova when things get close, and cast Blizzard to do AoE (Cone of Cold until you get it). I wish I was joking, but that's how easy this class is to level.

[Damien 1,533]

lol, Mages don't even really need a guide. Pick Frost at level 10, cast Frostbolt until things die. This pretty much persists all the way to level 85. You can mix in Ice Lance when Fingers of Frost procs, Ice Nova when things get close, and cast Blizzard to do AoE (Cone of Cold until you get it). I wish I was joking, but that's how easy this class is to level.

When I leveled my mage, back in the days, I went Fire and struggled all the way :P

Anyway back on topic, I'm currently editing your post to add links. If you need to make an urgent edit or something, send me a message first so we don't cancel each other's edits ;)

[Vlad 419]

Now, Zagam, you will get to witness how good Damien is at polishing the piles of mud I write into the shining gems that you see.

[Peelyon 419]

Ah how nice of you Damien.....do me a favour and check through my posts and do mine for me too yeah? ;)

[Damien 1,533]

Ah how nice of you Damien.....do me a favour and check through my posts and do mine for me too yeah?

This takes quite a long time to do! :P

[Crixalis 14]

Level 50

Train Nethermancy

Train Summon Infernal

Use Infernal when fightning many difficult enemies (10 minute cooldown)

Apply Glyph of Incinerate (not yet obtained, but soon)

Apply Glyph of Soul Link

Apply Minor Glyph - doesn't matter

Technically, the Prime glyph for this can't be used at this point because it requires level 64, not 50.

Nice guide, anyway! :)

[Damien 1,533]

Technically, the Prime glyph for this can't be used at this point because it requires level 64, not 50.

Nice guide, anyway!

I'll let Zagam deal with it, it's his guide after all :P

[Zagam 1,983]

Technically, the Prime glyph for this can't be used at this point because it requires level 64, not 50.

Nice guide, anyway!

That's why I say 'not yet obtained' but there's really no better option and you might as well plug it in there for when you get it at 64.

Damien, thanks so much for adding the tooltips and links for those who it would benefit from. One thing I notice though...on the Alliance races, I believe you added Draenei? Draenei cannot be Warlocks (unless they modified Alliance races since I played Alliance about 4 months ago). Otherwise, they would be better than all other races because 1% hit >>> all those other passive bonuses.

[Damien 1,533]

That's why I say 'not yet obtained' but there's really no better option and you might as well plug it in there for when you get it at 64.

Damien, thanks so much for adding the tooltips and links for those who it would benefit from. One thing I notice though...on the Alliance races, I believe you added Draenei? Draenei cannot be Warlocks (unless they modified Alliance races since I played Alliance about 4 months ago). Otherwise, they would be better than all other races because 1% hit >>> all those other passive bonuses.

Lol... That's stupid of me :P Let me fix it!

[Neridae 59]

I'm really bummed out that I have a dwarf warlock that I am currently leveling. The only reason for this is for the classy achievement, otherwise I think I would have gone Worgen. Have to keep reminding myself that it is all for the good of the guild! My character is only level 64 at the moment so thank you very much for this guide

[Zagam 1,983]

I'm really bummed out that I have a dwarf warlock that I am currently leveling. The only reason for this is for the classy achievement, otherwise I think I would have gone Worgen. Have to keep reminding myself that it is all for the good of the guild! My character is only level 64 at the moment so thank you very much for this guide

Glad to be of service, my man! Hope you enjoy the better levels of your Warlock adventure!

[Damien 1,533]

I forgot to make this a sticky. How silly..