Destruction Warlock DPS Easy Mode in Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.0.1

Table of Contents

• +Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. Patch 8.0.1 Changes for Destruction Warlock
  • 3. Destruction Warlock Strengths
  • 4. Destruction Warlock Weaknesses
  • 5. Destruction Warlock's Viability in the Current Patch
  • 6. Contents
  • 7. Changelog
• ×Easy Mode
  • 1. Foreword
  • 2. The Basics of a Destruction Warlock
  • 3. Talent Choice for Destruction Warlock
  • 4. Stat Priority for Destruction Warlock
  • 5. Azerite Quick Reference for Destruction Warlock
    • 5.1. Single Target
    • 5.2. Cleave
  • 6. Single Target Rotation for Destruction Warlock
  • 7. Multiple Target Rotation for Destruction Warlock
  • 8. Changelog
• +Spell Summary
  • 1. Destruction Warlock Spell Summary
  • 2. Main Resources for Destruction Warlock
  • 3. Basic Abilities for Destruction Warlock
    • 3.1. Soul Shard Generating Abilities
    • 3.2. Soul Shard Consuming Abilities
  • 4. Cooldowns for Destruction Warlock
    • 4.1. Damage Cooldowns for Destruction Warlock
    • 4.2. Defensive Cooldowns and Tools for Destruction Warlock
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Choices for Destruction Warlock
  • 2. Talent Cheat Sheets
    • 2.1. Single Target
    • 2.2. Two Targets
    • 2.3. Four Targets (Mythic+)
  • 3. Tier 1 (Level 15) Talents for Destruction Warlock
  • 4. Tier 2 (Level 30) Talents for Destruction Warlock
  • 5. Tier 3 (Level 45) Talents for Destruction Warlock
  • 6. Tier 4 (Level 60) Talents for Destruction Warlock
  • 7. Tier 5 (Level 75) Talents for Destruction Warlock
  • 8. Tier 6 (Level 90) Talents for Destruction Warlock
  • 9. Tier 7 (Level 100) Talents for Destruction Warlock
  • 10. PvP Talents (War Mode)
    • 10.1. Destruction Warlock War Mode Talents
      • 10.1.1. General PvP Talents
      • 10.1.2. Destruction Warlock PvP Talents
  • 11. Changelog
• +Azerite Traits and Armor
  • 1. General Azerite Gear Recommendation
  • 2. Choosing Azerite Gear as an Destruction Warlock
  • 3. Choosing Azerite Traits as an Destruction Warlock
    • 3.1. Outer Ring
    • 3.2. Middle Ring
    • 3.3. Inner Ring
  • 4. Azerite Simulation Rankings for Destruction Warlock
    • 4.1. Single Target
      • 4.1.1. Outer Ring
      • 4.1.2. Middle Ring
    • 4.2. Cleave/AoE
      • 4.2.1. Outer Ring
      • 4.2.2. Middle Ring
  • 5. Azerite Traits Rotation Changes and Details for Destruction Warlock
  • 6. Azerite Traits
    • 6.1. Generic Outer Ring Traits
    • 6.2. Destruction Warlock Specific Outer Ring Traits
  • 7. Find Azerite Armor By Trait/Power
  • 8. Changelog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Ability Priority List for Destruction Warlock
    • 1.1. Single Target Priority for Destruction Warlock
    • 1.2. Cooldown Usage for Destruction Warlock
    • 1.3. Opening Sequence for Destruction Warlock
    • 1.4. Multiple Target Priority for Destruction Warlock
  • 2. Important Notes for Destruction Warlock
    • 2.1. Soul Shard Generation and Consumption
    • 2.2. Chaos Bolt
    • 2.3. Havoc Usage
    • 2.4. Movement Management
      • 2.4.1. Quiet Movement
  • 3. Changelog
• +Mythic+ Tips
  • 1. Mythic+ Introduction for Destruction Warlock
  • 2. Affix List
    • 2.1. Tier One Affixes
    • 2.2. Tier Two Affixes
    • 2.3. Tier Three Affixes
    • 2.4. Seasonal Affix
  • 3. Mythic+ Talents for Destruction Warlock
    • 3.1. Talent Explanations
      • 3.1.1. Tier 1/Level 15
      • 3.1.2. Tier 2/Level 30
      • 3.1.3. Tier 3/Level 45
      • 3.1.4. Tier 4/Level 60
      • 3.1.5. Tier 5/Level 75
      • 3.1.6. Tier 6/Level 90
      • 3.1.7. Tier 7/Level 100
  • 4. Stat Priority for Destruction Warlock
  • 5. Pet Choice for Destruction Warlock
  • 6. Changelog
• +Common and Worst Mistakes
  • 1. Not Utilizing Grimoire of Supremacy
  • 2. Using Rain of Fire Too Liberally
  • 3. Dark Soul Usage
  • 4. Refreshing Immolate for Internal Combustion
  • 5. Havoc Preparation
  • 6. Cataclysm Usage
  • 7. Changelog
• +Frequently Asked Questions
  • 1. Frequently Asked Questions for Destruction Warlock
    • 1.1. Should I Aim for 100% Eradication Uptime?
    • 1.2. What Pets/Demons Should I Use?
    • 1.3. How Does Havoc Work?
    • 1.4. When Should I Use Dark Soul?
    • 1.5. How Does Channel Demonfire Work?
    • 1.6. What Piece is Better, X or Y?
    • 1.7. How Much of X Stat Should I Have?
  • 2. Changelog
• +Boss by Boss Strategies
  • 1. Introduction for Destruction Warlock Boss Advice in Uldir
    • 1.1. Talent Cheatsheet for Destruction Warlock
  • 2. Taloc
  • 3. M.O.T.H.E.R.
  • 4. Fetid Devourer
  • 5. Zek'voz, Herald of N'Zoth
  • 6. Vectis
  • 7. Zul, Reborn
  • 8. Mythrax the Unraveler
  • 9. G'huun
  • 10. Changelog
• +Stat Priority
  • 1. The Basics of Stats for Destruction Warlock
  • 2. Statistics Explanations for Destruction Warlock
  • 3. Changelog
• +Gems, Enchants, and Consumables
  • 1. Gems for Destruction Warlock
  • 2. Enchants for Destruction Warlock
  • 3. Consumables for Destruction Warlock
  • 4. Changelog
• +Macros and Addons
  • 1. Addons for Destruction Warlock
    • 1.1. ElvUI
    • 1.2. Weak Auras
    • 1.3. Boss Mods
      • 1.3.1. BigWigs Bossmods
      • 1.3.2. Deadly Boss Mods
    • 1.4. Name Plates
      • 1.4.1. KUI Nameplates
      • 1.4.2. TidyPlates
      • 1.4.3. Plater
    • 1.5. Damage Meters
      • 1.5.1. Skada
      • 1.5.2. Details!
    • 1.6. Extra AddOns
      • 1.6.1. Mik's Scrolling Battle Text
      • 1.6.2. xCT+ Combat Text
      • 1.6.3. DeathNote
      • 1.6.4. Doom CooldownPulse
      • 1.6.5. Angry Assignments
      • 1.6.6. Exorsus Raid Tools
  • 2. Macros for Destruction Warlock
    • 2.1. Havoc
    • 2.2. Cursor Rain of Fire
    • 2.3. Pet Macros
      • 2.3.1. Dot Mouseover
      • 2.3.2. Banish Focus
      • 2.3.3. Soulstone Mouseover
      • 2.3.4. Demonic Circle
      • 2.3.5. Tier 5 talents
  • 3. Changelog
• +Gear and Best in Slot
  • 1. How To Effectively Compare Upgrades as an Destruction Warlock
  • 2. Best in Slot Items for Destruction Warlock
  • 3. Azerite Gear for Destruction Warlock
  • 4. Trinkets for Destruction Warlock
    • 4.1. Trinket Simulations for Destruction Warlock
      • 4.1.1. Single Target
      • 4.1.2. Cleave
  • 5. Changelog
• +Simulations
  • 1. Disclaimer Page
  • 2. Destruction Warlock Racial Bonus Simulation
  • 3. Changelog

About Our Author

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.

1. Foreword

This section is intended for players who are new to the game or class, have no intentions of raiding Mythic difficulty, or simply want a more straightforward way to play their specialization without being overwhelmed by the numerous priorities and active abilities that need to be taken into consideration for optimal play.

2. The Basics of a Destruction Warlock

Destruction is a flexible specialization that can provide a variety of damage types and pressure without much rotational complexity. In this section, we will be focusing on a setup that minimizes the number of buttons and reactivity necessary without unduly compromising overall damage output.

3. Talent Choice for Destruction Warlock

These choices are optimized for ease of use. Although some talents might offer marginally higher gains when played perfectly, these same talents often result in damage losses when utilized by many players. These talents aim to present the best setup that has very little punishment for unfamiliarity or mistakes.

• Level 15: Flashover
• Level 30: Reverse Entropy
• Level 45: Demon Skin
• Level 60: Cataclysm
• Level 75: Demonic Circle
• Level 90: Roaring Blaze
• Level 100: Channel Demonfire

4. Stat Priority for Destruction Warlock

Currently, you will want to prioritize secondary stats as follows:

1. Intellect;
2. Haste;
3. Critical Strike ≅ Mastery;
4. Versatility.

5. Azerite Quick Reference for Destruction Warlock

5.1. Single Target

5.2. Cleave

6. Single Target Rotation for Destruction Warlock

1. Maintain Immolate at all times.
2. Cast Chaos Bolt if you have 5 Soul Shards.
3. Cast Conflagrate if you have 2 charges.
4. Cast Chaos Bolt to keep the Eradication debuff applied (if talented).
5. Cast Cataclysm (if talented) when available.
6. Cast Conflagrate to generate Soul Shards.
7. Cast Incinerate to generate Soul Shards.

7. Multiple Target Rotation for Destruction Warlock

Maintain Immolate on up to 3 targets. Make liberal use of your Havoc whenever available, aiming to leverage as much Chaos Bolt damage as possible in this window.

Rain of Fire should become your main Soul Shard consuming spell with at least 3 targets stacked together, unless you are inside a Havoc timeframe, in which case the number of target is 5+. Keep in mind there will be situation where using Chaos Bolt will be more beneficial, such as targets constantly moving away from Rain of Fire area, or particular Mythic+ affixes like Bolstering, and Raging among others.

8. Changelog

• 09 Nov. 2018: Updated Easy setup recommendation.
• 26 Aug. 2018: Added Azerite Outer Ring simulations (single target and cleave) for quick reference.
• 13 Aug. 2018: Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.

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