Affliction Warlock DPS Guide — Dragonflight 10.2
Welcome to our Affliction Warlock guide for World of Warcraft — Dragonflight 10.2. Here, you will learn how to play as an Affliction Warlock in both raids and Mythic+ dungeons: from the very beginning to maximizing your DPS.
If you were looking for WotLK Classic content, please refer to our WotLK Classic Affliction Warlock guide.
Affliction Warlock Overview
Affliction Warlocks excel at sustaining single-target and
multiple-target damage. Most of your damage comes from applying harmful damage
over time effects (DoTs). This allows them to effectively cleave on targets
spread around an area, something many specializations struggle with or cannot
do. Like the other Warlock specializations, Affliction Warlocks bring the
Demonic Gateway ability to the raid, which can be an invaluable mobility
cooldown.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Good single-target damage
Multiple ways of dealing strong AoE
Spread cleave
High mobility
Very good priority damage
Ramp-up time for some of its damage
Low Burst damage requires a setup period
Damage profile centered around sustained output with relatively weak cooldowns
Affliction Warlock and Guide Changes for Patch 10.2
In this patch Affliction Warlock talents associated with cooldown
reduction such as Grand Warlock's Design and
Soul-Eater's Gluttony
were changed from requiring an active participation to instead provide the
full benefit passively.
For a full breakdown of all Class Changes in Patch 10.2, check out our dedicated page below.
Being a major patch with a new tier set focused around specific talents has also been introduced, requiring a whole revisit on both Talents Page and Rotation Page.
A new Season means new gear from new and returning Mythic+ Dungeons alongside a new raid Amirdrassil. As such, Gear Page has been updated with new BiS lists, weapon and trinkets recommendations, and different embellishments to craft.
Leveling a Affliction Warlock
We have a dedicated leveling guide to help you get your Affliction Warlock to the max level, complete with many tips and suggestions.
While playing with the default UI for the leveling is entirely possible, transitioning to a max level rotation with a substantially different UI layout can feel overwhelming and ultimately disorient or frustrate the player. We recommend implementing Layout changes gradually to allow you to acclimate to a more effective and personal UI. The Addon page below offers some recommended options.
Basics of Affliction Warlock Gameplay
Affliction Warlock is a spec centered around Damage over Time effects, cooldown periods that require a setup to get the most out of them, and a relative amount of pet management. At its core, the gameplay is about generating and spending the Warlock's iconic resource: Soul Shards.
The fundamentals are simple: maintain Corruption and
Agony
on the target(s), spend your Soul Shards on
Malefic Raptures or
Seed of Corruption and cast
Shadow Bolt in the
downtime.
If you are a newcomer to the spec but would like to learn the basics, start browsing the Spell Summary and head over to the page linked below
For those more familiar with Warlocks, we invite you to check out the Talents and Rotation pages for more detailed and in-depth information.
How to Gear Up as Affliction Warlock
Due to the increased number of variables and different systems, picking gear has become a much less intuitive and immediate process. Nevertheless, you can find guidelines on the best way to equip your Affliction Warlock on our dedicated gearing page, including the current Best in Slot equipment for the current tier.
Equipping gear is not enough. You must also choose suitable consumables and gear augments to maximize your character potential. Below is listed a page that can guide you through those choices as well as a page to better understand the implications each stat has on your Warlock.
End-Game as a Affliction Warlock
Being geared and well equipped is only half of the journey, as the end game activities require a different approach to the spec. To find more information on tackling these challenges, check the pages below.
Improving as a Affliction Warlock
Understanding your errors and refining your performance is a constant exercise, which can sometimes be frustrating or confounding. Below are some pages that offer tools and can point to and help correct those mistakes.
Affliction Warlock Viability in the Current Patch
DISCLAIMER: As with every new tier, the first two weeks will see noticeable tuning changes, as such the information provided below is a snapshot of the balance at the time of writing and will get updated as more changes happen.
At the time of writing (Patch 10.2), the current situation is the following:
Thanks to numerically strong set bonuses, Affliction Warlock is
positioned inbetween warlock specializations in terms of single target damage
while retaining good mobility and especially spread cleave. The new tier
shift the damage profile to more a more cyclical Malefic Rapture
usage around
Soul Rot every 30 seconds, especially in multitarget as
a mean to extend any active DoTs. In dungeons is where this playstyle change
can be felt the most; however, the spec itself is not a dominant presence
there by any means.
Changelog
- 12 Nov. 2023 (Amirdrassil page): Updated talents for bosses available on PTR testing.
- 07 Nov. 2023 (gear page): Embellishment recommendations updated after Undulating Sporecloak has been annihilated.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (gear page): Updated Gear recommendations for Patch 10.2 and Season 3.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (stats page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (Amirdrassil page): Page Added.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 10.2 and Season 3.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (talents page): Talents updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (spells page): Updated for Patch 10.2
- 06 Nov. 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (gear page): Reformat of the page with BiS tables and section updates.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (mythic+ page): Restructured Talent section.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
- 10 Jul. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Talents updated for patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (mythic+ page): Talents updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (rotation page): Updated selector for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (talents page): Updated talents for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (spells page): Updated for talent changes in Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated talents for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (this page): Added Patch 10.1.5 and updated the viability sections.
- 06 May 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Page added.
- 01 May 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (enchants page): Updated Phial recommendation after Corrupted Rage buff.
- 01 May 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (talents page): Reviewed talents for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (this page): Added a new section for patch 10.1 and updated the viability section.
- 24 Mar. 2023 (gear page): Updated Onyx Annulet section to account for live hotfixes.
- 24 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Updated Primordial Stones recommendations to account for the additional live hotfixes.
- 22 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Updated Primordial Stones recommendations to account for 25% buff hotfix.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (Legendaries): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (gear page): Added Patch 10.0.7 new ring section. .
- 20 Mar. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Added Primordial Stones section for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Talents updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (mythic+ page): Talents updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (talents page): Updated talents for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (spells page): Updated talent trees to reflect class and spec changes for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated talents for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (this page): Added Patch 10.0.7 and updated the viability sections.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (mythic+ page): Talents updated for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (talents page): Updated talents for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (spells page): Updated for talent changes in Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
- 11 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Updated opener and Darkglare sections.
- 07 Jan. 2023 (enchants page): Updated dungeon phial to a more reliable Phial of Tepid Versatility.
- 24 Dec. 2022 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Updated talent suggestions.
- 23 Dec. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated talent tree.
- 14 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Updated Weapon Runes.
- 13 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Updated Embellishment recommendations.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Season 1 launch.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (addons page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (stats page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Page added.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (mythic+ page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (rotation page): Updated selectors for the openers and priority lists.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (spells page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (addons page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Legendaries): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Torghast): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (how to improve page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (simulations page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (addons page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Castle Nathria page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Sanctum of Domination page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Sepulcher of the First Ones page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 10 Mar. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Updated to reflect the set bonus buff.
- 22 Feb. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Updated to reflect Patch 9.2 launch.
- 15 Jan. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Page added with initial thoughts and information.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
- 13 Jul. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Removed PTR disclaimer.
- 27 Jun. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): baseline changes, legendary and covenant recommendations updated.
- 05 May 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Page created.
- 12 Oct. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 14 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Updated Boss Tips and Talent/Essences selection.
- 09 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Guide added.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 14 Apr. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Updated after recent raid nerfs.
- 14 Apr. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Guide added.
- 11 Feb. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Updated with better talent choices, and more tips.
- 21 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Page added.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated for 8.1 Patch. Reviewed all talent suggestions.
- 30 Oct. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated Uldir boss suggestions.
- 07 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated for Uldir.
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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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