Affliction Warlock DPS Gear and Best in Slot — 12.1

Welcome to our Gearing Page for Affliction Warlock. This section will cover everything you need to know about equipping your character correctly.

Upgrading gear in Midnight continues to use the Crest system which lets you increase the item level of gear along tracks that relate to where you obtained the item, which harder content dropping gear that can be upgraded to higher Item Levels. For more information, read up on our dedicated page on how the gearing system works and what has changed in the Midnight expansion.

OverallMythic+Raid

This list contains the highest DPS setup from all sources for Affliction Warlock. Keep in mind that there are many other setups that perform within the margin of error. This list is not the end-all-be-all list where any item that is not listed is far behind this specific selection.

This list is by no means a replacement for simming yourself. Depending on your previous Great Vault choices and the gear you have available, your BiS gear might look different in some spots than the below list.

In some non-Tier slots, a max ilvl Craft will technically be optimal since you can customize the secondary stats to your liking. Your mileage here may vary.

FAQWhich Tier Set Pieces to Aim for?

In Season 2, Catalyst was changed to retain the base stats, and item level of the original item, which allows to acquire tier set bonuses while following a specific stat distribution. Listed below are the ideal items to catalyse, but be aware Chest and Legs are direct drops.

• Head: Venomkeeper's Horrific Cowl from Ula'tek
• Shoulders: Brood Cleanser's Amice from Temple of Sethraliss
• Chest: Damned Necrolyte's Rattling Robes from Vashnik
• Hands: Grasps of the Eternal Shadow from Coiled Altar
• Legs: Damned Necrolyte's Leg Bindings from Sszorak

Prioritise acquiring the tier set bonuses over ideal stat distribution since it is a higher DPS increase.

FAQWhat Items From the Great Vault Should I Pick?

Rare drops from raid and items that present the highest upgrade in Top Gear sims should be prioritised. Listed below are few of the items to chase:

• Jan'thrazet, the Soul Fang: Best caster weapon due to item level alone
• Venomkeeper's Horrific Cowl and Aqirbane Reliquary, high item level items with strong cantrip effects
• Gebbo's Bottomless Bag is the best trinket this tier

Affliction Warlock

1.1.

Overall Best in Slot

Venomkeeper's Horrific Cowl Helm

Ula'tek Empowered Hex of Leeching

Damned Necrolyte's Charred Grasps Hands

Catalyst from Coiled Altar

Aqirbane Reliquary Neck

Ula'tek

Martyr's Waistwrap Waist

Crafted by Tailoring

Spires of the Damned Necrolyte Shoulders

Catalyst from Lost Explorers Amirdrassil's Grace

Damned Necrolyte's Leg Bindings Legs

Catalyst or Sszorak Sunfire Silk Spellthread

Silken Voodoo Drape Cloak

Coiled Altar

Cackling Soultreads Feet

Coiled Altar Lynx's Dexterity

Damned Necrolyte's Rattling Robes Chest

Catalyst or Vashnik Mark of the Worldsoul

Band of the Amani Warlord Ring

Altar of Fangs Eyes of the Eagle

Shirt

Apex Brute's Claw Ring Ring

Sszorak Eyes of the Eagle

Tabard

Stormbound Emblem of Dazar Trinket

King's Rest

Martyr's Bindings Bracers

Crafted by Tailoring

Gebbo's Bottomless Bag Trinket

Lost Explorers

Jan'thrazet, the Soul Fang Main Hand

Ula'tek Acuity of the Ren'dorei

Nocuous Focal Fang Off Hand

Altar of Fangs

This list contains the highest DPS setup from Dungeons for Affliction Warlock. Keep in mind that there are many other setups that perform within the margin of error. This list is not the end-all-be-all list where any item that is not listed is far behind this specific selection.

This list is by no means a replacement for simming yourself. Depending on your previous Great Vault choices and the gear you have available, your BiS gear might look different in some spots than the below list.

In some non-Tier slots, a max ilvl Craft will technically be optimal since you can customize the secondary stats to your liking. Your mileage here may vary.

FAQWhich Tier Set Pieces to Aim for?

In Season 2, Catalyst was changed to retain the base stats, and item level of the original item, which allows to acquire tier set bonuses while following a specific stat distribution. Listed below are the ideal items to catalyse, but be aware Chest and Legs are direct drops.

• Head: Worldroot Canopy from Blinding Vale
• Shoulders: Brood Cleanser's Amice from Temple of Sethraliss
• Chest: Primordial Robe of Rites from Altar of Fangs
• Hands: Handwraps of Oscillating Polarity from Temple of Sethraliss
• Legs: Forest Dream Leg-guards from Den of Nalorakk

Prioritise acquiring the tier set bonuses over ideal stat distribution since it is a higher DPS increase.

TipsWhich Dungeons Should Be Prioritised?

If your playtime is limited consider the following dungeons to farm:

• Altar of Fangs: Both weapons and a ring.
• Voidscar Arena: trinket and neck.
• King's Rest: the other trinket.

FAQIs There a Difference Between 2H Staves and 1H + Off Hand?

As long as the item level is the same, there is no difference between both, in terms of total amount of stats.

Affliction Warlock

1.2.

Best Mythic+ Gear

Worldroot Canopy Helm

Blinding Vale Empowered Hex of Leeching

Damned Necrolyte's Charred Grasps Hands

Catalyst

Graft of the Domanaar Neck

Voidscar Arena

Martyr's Waistwrap Waist

Crafted by Tailoring

Spires of the Damned Necrolyte Shoulders

Catalyst Amirdrassil's Grace

Damned Necrolyte's Leg Bindings Legs

Catalyst Sunfire Silk Spellthread

Speakeasy Shroud Cloak

Murder Row

Cackling Soultreads Feet

Coiled Altar Lynx's Dexterity

Damned Necrolyte's Rattling Robes Chest

Catalyst Mark of the Worldsoul

Band of the Amani Warlord Ring

Altar of Fangs Eyes of the Eagle

Shirt

Signet of Snarling Servitude Ring

Murder Row Eyes of the Eagle

Tabard

Stormbound Emblem of Dazar Trinket

King's Rest

Martyr's Bindings Bracers

Crafted by Tailoring

Mindpiercer's Sigil Trinket

Voidscar Arena

Polished Lightwood Channeler Main Hand

Altar of Fangs Acuity of the Ren'dorei

Nocuous Focal Fang Off Hand

Altar of Fangs

This list contains the highest DPS setup from Raids for Affliction Warlock. Keep in mind that there are many other setups that perform within the margin of error. This list is not the end-all-be-all list where any item that is not listed is far behind this specific selection.

This list is by no means a replacement for simming yourself. Depending on your previous Great Vault choices and the gear you have available, your BiS gear might look different in some spots than the below list.

In some non-Tier slots, a max ilvl Craft will technically be optimal since you can customize the secondary stats to your liking. Your mileage here may vary.

FAQWhich Tier Set Pieces to Aim for?

In Season 2, Catalyst was changed to retain the base stats, and item level of the original item, which allows to acquire tier set bonuses while following a specific stat distribution. Listed below are the ideal items to catalyse, but be aware Chest and Legs are direct drops.

• Head: Venomkeeper's Horrific Cowl from Ula'tek
• Shoulders: Ornaments of the Eternal Coil from Twin Fangs
• Chest: Damned Necrolyte's Rattling Robes from Vashnik
• Hands: Grasps of the Eternal Shadow from Coiled Altar
• Legs: Damned Necrolyte's Leg Bindings from Sszorak

Prioritise acquiring the tier set bonuses over ideal stat distribution since it is a higher DPS increase.

TipsWhat Are the Most Important Drops from the Raid?

Listed below are the most significant drops worth prioritising.

• Gebbo's Bottomless Bag: Best trinket in general. Drops from Lost Explorers in Venomous Abyss.
• Jan'thrazet, the Soul Fang: Highest item level weapon. Drops from Ula'tek in Venomous Abyss.
• Venomkeeper's Horrific Cowl: Highest item level with good stats on a slot with a high stat budget. This drops from Ula'tek in Venomous Abyss.

Affliction Warlock

1.3.

Best Raid Gear

Venomkeeper's Horrific Cowl Helm

Ula'tek Empowered Hex of Leeching

Damned Necrolyte's Charred Grasps Hands

Catalyst from Coiled Altar

Aqirbane Reliquary Neck

Ula'tek

Martyr's Waistwrap Waist

Crafted by Tailoring

Spires of the Damned Necrolyte Shoulders

Catalyst or Lost Explorers Amirdrassil's Grace

Damned Necrolyte's Leg Bindings Legs

Catalyst or Sszorak Sunfire Silk Spellthread

Silken Voodoo Drape Cloak

Coiled Altar

Cackling Soultreads Feet

Coiled Altar Lynx's Dexterity

Damned Necrolyte's Rattling Robes Chest

Catalyst or Vashnik Mark of the Worldsoul

Vile Alchemist's Band Ring

Vashnik Eyes of the Eagle

Shirt

Apex Brute's Claw Ring Ring

Sszorak Eyes of the Eagle

Tabard

Vexhul's Everflowing Gland Trinket

Twin Fangs

Martyr's Bindings Bracers

Crafted by Tailoring

Gebbo's Bottomless Bag Trinket

Lost Explorers

Jan'thrazet, the Soul Fang Main Hand

Ula'tek Acuity of the Ren'dorei

Spine of the Hissing Abyss Off Hand

Entombed Sentinels

Itemization

Enchants and Stat Priority

Looking to optimize your character? Check out our Enchant and Stat Priority guides for more information!

EnchantsStats

The following list provides a general ranking for all trinkets available for players to better understand what may be more appealing. These rankings assume each item at its highest possible item level, thus for direct or immediate upgrade it is still best practice to sim your own character.

Affliction Warlock Trinkets

Best-In-Slot - Gebbo's Bottomless Bag and Stormbound Emblem of Dazar
Runner Up Passive- Knot of Writhing Serpents or Mindpiercer's Sigil
Runner Up Active- Vile Vial of Volatile Venom or Vexhul's Everflowing Gland

Any trinket not shown on this list is generally considered worse than all other trinkets available on this list.

Click for Affliction Warlock Trinket Rankings

Ranking	Trinkets
S Tier	Gebbo's Bottomless Bag
A Tier	Stormbound Emblem of Dazar Mindpiercer's Sigil Lightspire Core Vexhul's Everflowing Gland Fang of Umbral Malignance Vile Vial of Volatile Venom
B Tier	Freightrunner's Flask Knot of Writhing Serpents
C Tier	Hex Lord's Dooming Idol Sapling of the Dawnroot Ruby Whelp Shell Font of Venomous Rage Sethraliss' Defiled Relic

Nebulous Voidcore work as bonus loot and guarantee a drop from the loot table of a Boss or a Dungeon. While the drop in itself is random, each additional Voidcore spent will guarantee no duplicate until the whole list has been dropped.

Nebulous Voidcores are a valuable yet limited resource and whilst in general should be used to bridge gaps in a player current gearset, it is important to remember that how quickly an item can be guaranteed depends on how many other items have been already dropped from that source.

Not all drops are equally impactful, so listed below is a generic priority list on what to focus on:

Voidcore Targeting Priority

1. Mythic-track Jan'thrazet, the Soul Fang
2. Mythic-track Venomkeeper's Horrific Cowl
3. Mythic-track weapons (1H or 2H);
4. Mythic-track trinkets (especially Gebbo's Bottomless Bag);
5. Tier set pieces missing from 2 or 4-piece bonus;
6. High-impact slots from your BiS list.

Crafting gear main limiting factor remains the weekly rollout of Sparks, necessary for high end items, as such it is important to understand how to approach the topic.

Affliction Warlock Crafted Gear Priority

1. The overall best combination is double Arcanoweave Lining in the Wrists and Waist slots, but that is in the context of fully geared characters, and thus should be considered a long term strategy, better suited for players who do not require the highest power gain immediately, but instead opt for the least amount of recrafts and resource investment.
2. If immediate power is instead the focus, then crafting a Aln'hara Cane with Darkmoon Sigil: Hunt using 4 Sparks and Wrists with Arcanoweave Lining at a lower item level provide the highest dps jump.

The missives used for each craft are the following:

• Thalassian Missive of the Fireflash for Weapon and Wrists
• Thalassian Missive of the Feverflare for any other slot

For more information about crafting gear you can visit our Professions page.

In Season 2 Miasmic Jewelbinder is available as a trading option at six tokens from Great Vault, which can be used to add a sockets to any Head, Waist, or Wrist item.

Mistcrests are a seasonal limited currency with a cap that increases each week and is used to upgrade items to their respective maximum level in each reward track.

Due to how each item slot is designed, there is a difference in power, tied to either specific effects or simply higher stats. As a result the following sequence highlights the most valuable slots where to invest Mistcrests:

Affliction Warlock Crest Upgrade Priority

Weapon ➜ Trinkets ➜ Helmet/Chest/Legs ➜ Neck ➜ Off-hand ➜ Shoulders/Gloves/Belt/Boots ➜ Rings ➜ Wrists/Back

Throughout this page and elsewhere in our guide, we regularly refer to the importance of simming yourself on Raidbots. This is because every character is unique, and each gear piece you have access to can change what is best right now for you.

While we do offer recommendations for gear and trinkets, these are not complete replacements for simming yourself. The only way to truly optimize your character to that degree is by making use of the tools available!

Optimization

Simulations and Tools

For further reading on how to truly maximize your character's potential, check out our guide on Raidbots!

Go to Guide

Motoko

Guide Author

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This guide has been written by Motoko, Warlock main since The Burning Crusade, co-admin in the Warlock Discord, and theorycrafter and contributor for LockOneStopShop.

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