Warlock Class Overview

Last updated on Jun 24, 2025 at 00:00 by Crix

Warlock is the master of the Dark Arts. In Mists of Pandaria, Warlocks are the premiere caster, with three specs that are not only all very powerful, but they also feel very unique, fun and extrememly rewarding when played correctly. Warlocks also bring some of the best utility in the game with Curse of the Elements Icon Curse of the Elements, Demonic Gateway Icon Demonic Gateway and more.

1.

Warlock Class Overview — Mists of Pandaria Classic

Warlock Class Crest MoP Classic Guide WarlockWarlock is a powerful class, able to draw from many different magics to summon and control many types of demons to do their bidding. They come with the ability to choose between three powerful specializations, all of which are used to assault their foes with lethal damage. Warlocks also bring raid wide movement with Demonic Gateway Icon Demonic Gateway, as well as very important curses like Curse of the Elements Icon Curse of the Elements to afflict enemies with deadly debuffs, as well as conjuring very helpful items to aid your raid members in combat, such as Create Healthstone Icon Create Healthstone and Ritual of Summoning Icon Ritual of Summoning.

Warlocks in Mists of Pandaria underwent a dramatic overhaul, turning one of WoW’s darkest caster classes into a mechanically distinct and visually explosive powerhouse. MoP Classic is where each spec becomes its own. Demonology got completely reworked and is all about constantly shifting in and out of your Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis Demon Form, Affliction gets crazy DoT control with the revamped Soul Swap Icon Soul Swap and Destruction is the ONLY Spec that can even cast Immolate Icon Immolate or Incinerate Icon Incinerate and has a spell called Fire and Brimstone Icon Fire and Brimstone that turns your powerful single target spells into Aoe spells.

From unique spec specific resources, to completely revamped talents and glyphs, Warlocks in MoP Classic definitely stand out with some of the most refined design Blizzard has ever implemented.

1.1.

Core Changes in MoP Classic

  • Spec-Unique Resources: Burning Embers Icon Burning Embers (Destruction), Demonic Fury Icon Demonic Fury (Demonology), and revamped - and far less annoying - Soul Shard system (Affliction).
  • Talent System: Completely redesigned; one talent every 15 levels, offering flexible and situational choices, with all three specialization sitting in a very good spot throughout the expansion.
  • Glyph Overhaul: Major and Minor Glyphs revamped to focus on utility and flavor, meaning far less to your build than ever before.
  • New Warlock Abilities: Demonic Gateway, Unending Resolve, Dark Bargain, and a ton of new spec-specific spells.
  • Visual Enhancements: Each spec received unique spell effects for core abilities, making most Warlock spells look better than ever.
1.2.

Warlock Specializations

Warlock are able to choose from three specializations: Affliction, Demonology, and Destruction.

1.2.1.

Affliction

Masters of damage-over-time spells, Affliction Warlocks use powerful spells like, Agony Icon Agony, Corruption Icon Corruption, and Unstable Affliction Icon Unstable Affliction to damage their enemies overtime, while using the new Malefic Grasp Icon Malefic Grasp to make those DoT's hit even harder. Soul Shards are now an Affliction only resource that you have to manage along with your mana. They’re generated from Drain Soul Icon Drain Soul and also have a 10% chance on each Corruption Icon Corruption tick, but only from ONE source of Corruption Icon Corruption. These Soul Shards on your most important spells like Haunt Icon Haunt and Soulburn Icon Soulburn.

1.2.2.

Demonology

Demonology was completely reworked and is now all about managing your new Demonology only resource Demonic Fury Icon Demonic Fury and spending it properly. This is generated from your damage spells and your demon's special attack. You need Demonic Fury Icon Demonic Fury in order to be in Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis. It costs some of this resource to cast your spells while in Demon Form and you slowly lose Demonic Fury Icon Demonic Fury while you're in your Demon Form as well. Demonology's gameplay revolves around constantly weaving in and out of Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis to cast your most powerful spells.

1.2.3.

Destruction

Destruction Warlocks wield fire and brimstone. Literally, our new and biggest ability is Fire and Brimstone Icon Fire and Brimstone, which turns all your single target spells and turns them into AoE spells. You build up the Destruction only, new resource Burning Embers Icon Burning Embers to unleash devastating Chaos Bolt Icon Chaos Bolts. High burst damage, great cleave, and explosive visuals make it a fan favorite.

2.

How Viable is Warlock in MoP Classic?

Warlock Class Art WarlockWarlock is extremely viable and a highly sought-after class for all of MoP Classic. Warlocks will consistantly be one of the premiere damage dealers throughout the entire expansion. You will have no issues at all finding a spot in any raid purely for your damage output and the ability to stack multiple Warlocks. As a Warlock you will be able to swap between specs freely, filling any role the raid needs in terms of single-target, multi-target, cleave or AoE damage. Warlock comes packed with a plethora of demons that bring not only damage, but also their own utility, as well as the large toolkit of utility spells the warlock brings itself with things like Demonic Gateway Icon Demonic Gateway, Ritual of Souls Icon Ritual of Souls, Ritual of Summoning Icon Ritual of Summoning, Curse of the Elements Icon Curse of the Elements, a battle res with Create Soulstone Icon Soulstone and much more. Warlocks will be in high demand for all PvE content.

3.

Best Races for Warlock

3.1.

Best Horde Races for Warlocks

Any Horde race except Tauren can be a Warlock. Orc and Troll are the best choices thanks to Blood Fury Icon Blood Fury and Berserking Icon Berserking.

  • Orc: Blood Fury Icon Blood Fury for Spell Power burst, Command Icon Command for pet damage, and Hardiness Icon Hardiness for PvP stun resist.
  • Troll: Berserking Icon Berserking for 20% Haste on a 3-min CD.
  • Goblin: Rocket Jump Icon Rocket Jump (mobility), Time is Money Icon Time is Money (+1% Haste).
  • Undead: Will of the Forsaken Icon Will of the Forsaken — excellent for PvP.
3.2.

Best Alliance Races for Warlocks

Any Alliance race besides Draenei and Night Elf can be a Warlock. Gnome and Humans are the best choices thanks to the 1% Expertise/Hit they get from their Racials Shortblade Specialization Icon Shortblade Specialization and Sword Specialization Icon Sword Specialization.

  • Gnome: Shortblade Specialization Icon Shortblade Specialization = +1% Expertise (Hit).
  • Human: Sword Specialization Icon Sword Specialization = same benefit as Gnome.
  • Worgen: +1% Crit, Running Wild Icon Running Wild = free Sprint.
  • Dwarf: Stoneform Icon Stoneform — PvP utility.
4.

Gearing and Stats

WarlockWarlock can only wear Cloth, as it's always been. They can also use Daggers, one-handed Swords and staves. While you will typically being using a one-handed weapon paired an offhand, you may find yourself using a Staff frequently.

All three specs want pretty much the same stats. Intellect being the main stat that should be on every piece of gear. After that you want to make sure you that obtain Hit cap(15% or 5100 Hit Rating). This will ensure that non of your spells miss. The secondary stats will depend on your specialization, but they're all pretty close to each other.

5.

Warlock Addons and Macros

Addons and Macros can greatly improve your quality of life while playing. Listed below are some of our recommendations on Addons and Macros to help get the most out of your time playing the game.

6.

Changelog

  • 15 Jun. 2025: Page added.
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